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Coach Steve
12-10-2013, 05:25 AM
The love affair people have with their cars is profound and often bizarre. We get attached to them and some folks are so proud of them they kinda lost sight of what their particular car actually is.
Case in point:
Some years ago, I did a Chevy Vega. I didn't know there were even any left on the road. It would have been one thing if this particular Vega was something that had been kept in pristine condition and was somewhat of a collector's item (I can't even imagine that...) but it wasn't. It looked like your typical 30 yr. old car that had been parked outside its entire life. The owner wanted to, "just see if it could look new again - or almost new". I honestly did my best to try and talk the owner out of spending the money to do it, but he wanted what he wanted. Cracked and torn vinyl seats, super faded orange paint, all 4 tires were different brands... the thing was a mess. But, sadly, at the time, I needed the extra change so I did what I could and the owner was ecstatic! I thought it still looked hideous but whatever.

The other car that shares the top spot on my lsit of such cars wasn't really a P.O.S. well, actually it was, it just didn't look all that bad for its age. It was an AMC Pacer that the owner - the original owner I might add - wanted prepped to sell. It was in remarkable shape due to it always being garaged and washed frequently. That was last year and I really wish I'd remembered to take a few pics because it really turned out nice. It was Purple (Eggplant I think was the actual name of the color) with white vinyl interior if you can picture that.

I know you've had your share of turds come through your business that you wondered perhaps even out loud, "Why the Hell are they having this P.O.S. detailed?!" Share your story.

HUMP DIESEL
12-10-2013, 07:30 AM
I had a client call me and he had a small Corolla wagon..I think it was a corolla. He had bought it really cheap and it was nasty. He had ask if I could clean it and I told him I would give it a try. We basically pulled every seat and all the carpet out and I pressure washed the carpet. I really feel like it was too far gone, but I wanted to try and he wanted me to try. To this day, I will remember that one.
HUMP

SATracker
12-10-2013, 06:28 PM
White Buick Regal. I guess I could have called the CDC to swab it for Ebola and other various lethal things. When I finished it, the Regal looked a pretty decent, the owner had a huge smile on his face (not sure he recognized his car); I threw out all the pads & microfiber towels- in Hazmat bags. I think the bags are being stored in some bunker in Nevada

DogRescuer
12-10-2013, 06:32 PM
what is P o s

HateSwirls
12-10-2013, 06:34 PM
Piece of Chit. Lol



what is P o s

HateSwirls
12-10-2013, 06:43 PM
Just yesterday a guy asked if I'd do a full paint correction on his older model Crown Vic.
The clear coat was all but gone, I told him there was nothing I could do with it, still he offered me full price to do it, I told him no that I wasn't going to take his money, he didn't care if it didn't come out perfect just to make it better which to me nothing could be done.
He respected me turning it down but said he would ask someone else.
I know some hack detailer will take on the job and charge the dude 300-400.
No way I would want him to tell people I corrected his car.
The side panels looked OK I guess but the rest was done for.

IngramAutoDetail
12-10-2013, 06:48 PM
My neighbor's 94 Mustang. He bought it almost new and drove the crap out of it before passing it on to his son. It sat for three years before he brought it to me for some restoration work... and boy did it need it!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k168/austin26372/IMAG0872_zps68642b76.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k168/austin26372/IMAG0870_zps3f526576.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k168/austin26372/IMAG0733_zpsd33aa222.jpg

50/50 door before, rear quarter after. 90% correction and a lot of trashed clay and sandpaper!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1233162_10151858247917284_1831536006_o.jpg

HateSwirls
12-10-2013, 06:56 PM
Your're a brave man dude:)
The paint was trashed.

IngramAutoDetail
12-10-2013, 07:08 PM
Your're a brave man dude:)
The paint was trashed.

Took a lot of 'encouragement' to tackle that one. Bumpers are the only parts being repainted. :xyxthumbs:

Romans5.8
12-10-2013, 07:10 PM
My own cars :) Hehe. They are the only ones I do so I guess that makes them both the best and the worst eh?

jankerson
12-10-2013, 07:10 PM
Took a lot of 'encouragement' to tackle that one. Bumpers are the only parts being repainted. :xyxthumbs:

Yeah that paint goes bad on the plastic parts faster or so it seems...

oldmodman
12-10-2013, 10:54 PM
Just last month. A neighbor bought a twenty year old black Honda Accord.

Luckily for me I had the Flu.

I told them where to look in my garage for a bottle of Honeydew car soap and a trusty Car Pro mitt. Told her how to do it and left her on her own. Even let her use my driveway and hose.

I wonder what horrible disease I will have if she asks me to polish it.

Calendyr
12-10-2013, 11:11 PM
Just last month. A neighbor bought a twenty year old black Honda Accord.

Luckily for me I had the Flu.

I told them where to look in my garage for a bottle of Honeydew car soap and a trusty Car Pro mitt. Told her how to do it and left her on her own. Even let her use my driveway and hose.

I wonder what horrible disease I will have if she asks me to polish it.

Ebola would prevent you from working on it ;)

hernandez.art13
12-11-2013, 01:16 AM
I was a Detailer/Buffer at a body shop. The cars was so disgusting inside, that I went to the manager and asked him if I could hire a detailer to come do the interior, out of my own pocket. They sent me back and I had to do it. It was gross :awman:

Im the MAN:buffing:Im the MAN

AutowerxDetailing
12-11-2013, 01:46 AM
I actually had fun on this one. Was for a family friend, getting it ready to sell. '05 Taurus.

Sitting for over a year at the end of a gravel driveway.
http://autowerxdetailing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013-08-17-09.48.34.jpg

I wasn't even trying for epic correction. They just wanted it shiny. D151/Orange CCS/PCXP Awww yisss!
http://autowerxdetailing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013-08-17-12.12.59.jpg

The end.
http://autowerxdetailing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013-08-17-17.19.56.jpg