2003 Dodge RAM 1500

[Nica]

This is yet another referral from the previous work I did on the 2003 Tiburon. This vehicle was in okay conditions, the owner was more interested on the interior and well that’s where I focused majority of my attention, the exterior needed some work and even though the customer only wanted me to do some work in the exterior I went and did a little extra but this vehicle required wet sanding and I had to pass on the wet sanding on this one as customer did not want to pay for the wet sanding. To conclude, I had fun detailing this vehicle and I was satisfied with the results.

2003 Dodge RAM 1500

Exterior Process

Wash:
I used Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo with two bucket method and the white ShMITT.

Clay:
The vehicle was in rough shape so I used Red Clay Magic, the vehicle had some war wounds and lots of tree sap so I went with Red Clay Magic.

Polish

Optimum Hyper Compound – Metabo – Meguiars Cutting Wool pad – 1500rpm
Menzerna 106FF – Metabo – Menzerna White Pad – 1500rpm
Menzerna Final Polish II – Metabo – Menzerna Orange Pad – 1500rpm

Glaze:
Pinnacle XMT Carnauba Finishing Glaze – applied by hand and removed my hand.

Wax:
1 – coat of Meguiars #16

Tire dressing/wheel wells:
For the tires and the wheel wells I used Meguiars Hot shine Tire Spray.

Exterior plastic peaces/trim:
I used Mothers Back to Black.

Glass:
Stoners with glass Cobra MF

Engine bay:
Used a degreaser found locally 1:1 and dressed with Meguiars Hot shine Tire Spray.

Interior Process:

Vinyl and rubber:
I used Meguiars #40, but prior to it I gave the entire vehicle a nice wipe down with Meg’s APC mixed with water 1:1.

Carpet:
Meguirs APC used it on the carpet and seats as well 10:1 ratio again. I scrubbed with a brush then extracted it with my shop-vac. I did this for the entire vehicle because it needed it.

Observations:
I found that Optimum Hyper Compound with Meguiars cutting wool pad didn’t have the affect I saw using the Menzerna Power Gloss Compound. When I used Meguiars cutting wool pad and Menzerna Power Gloss Compound it removed lots of swirls. Not sure if it had to do with the clear coat but then again if I would have done the exterior of this truck properly I would have wet sanded and I did not wet sand…the point is I’ll need to give this Combo (Meguiars cutting wool pad with Optimum Hyper Compound) a fair comparison. Not sure if anyone has had anything like this and I just thought I’d share that’s all. Oh one bonus on the Optimum is that no dusting what’s so ever, compared to Menzerna lots of dusting and Optimum didn’t gum up the wool pad as fast as Menzerna.

Now for pictures:

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02300.jpg

After:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02475.jpg

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02301.jpg

After:
This one is inside the garage
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02447.jpg
This one is outside
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02465.jpg

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02304.jpg

After:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02471.jpg

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02307.jpg

After:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02469.jpg

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02310.jpg

After:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02339.jpg

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02344.jpg

After:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02458.jpg

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02343.jpg

After:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02459.jpg

1/2

[Nica]

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02315.jpg

After:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02481.jpg

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02443.jpg

After:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02449.jpg

Before:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02303.jpg

After:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02473.jpg

Now for some reflection shots in side the garage:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02451.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02448.jpg

Now for some outside shots:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02477.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02476.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02474.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02478.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02464.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02466.jpg

Any feed back feel free to post, I welcome any kind of feed back...oh and that's all for pictures :D

[Bigfoot]

Another hit, compadre!

[Dust2Glory]

I see young grasshopper that you have learned my pic posting technique. hehe Great job Nica, as usual. I definately love the tire shot!!!

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/2003%20Dodge%20RAM%201500/DSC02465.jpg

[Dust2Glory]

Also, how long did that take you and what did you charge?

[Nica]

Bigfoot - Thank you compadre...this one I called a BOOOOOOMBA! hahahaha como en las cansiones Latinas hahahaha. This one was a fun one, and I love the new products I used on it.

Dust - What can I say bro, I learn from the best :righton: Oh I love the way the tires/rims finished off...owner oculd not beleave it was the same truck...just blown away by it. Thank you for the compliment...and glad you approve of the pictures :D

[richy]

Great job Carlos..it sounds like you were bummed he didn't let you (ie..pay for) a complete restoration. So far I've been lucky with people who have let me have free reign. You're sure getting good use out of your garage setup. Now you're only missing one key, very important, technique from your detailing arsenal. You have to take up smoking cigars buddy!!! It truly is heaven being out there, puffing away, tunes going..something cold to drink..sound of the rotary...and gleaming paint. I know AL53 smokes them..we need more converts:D

[Nica]

Thanks richy, yea I was bummed about not being able to wetsand...heck I didn't even have to use a wool pad the customer said he just wanted the exterior to look okay and when I heard that many "okay's" whent through my head hahaha...his "okay" is not my "okay" hahahaha. Turned out nice and I'm getting the hand of the wool pads. cigars huh, well I actually have lots of them from back home. I hardly ever smoke them though, only on Christmas or very special ocasions..the ones I have are from back home and have a big centimental value and I love staring at the box and the cigars them self's.

Oh I got another vehicle I'm working on right now...yea I should get going but on this one I was told "money is not an issue" :righton: so I'm going all out on it :D

I'll post when done.

[joe.p]

sweet work nica...

[pirex]

Nice work buddy! The ram looks brand new! I love the interior, looks so clean :D

[Nica]

joe.p - Thank you for the compliment buddy. I enjoyed my self way to much with this truck :D

pirex - Thank's bro, it turned out nice and the customer was blowned away. He couldn't get over the engine bay and the interior :righton:

[P1et]

Nica, that tire shot is amazing!!! Such nice work as usual, love the way you made that blue just SHINE!

[ltoman]

Oh my gosh, nica! what a turn-around!
I enjoyed all the pictures, especially the ones of you wearing socks with flipflops in the reflecion. So sexy! oooh!
hee hee hee
But seriously, that rocks! Ready to quit your day job? You probably could!

[Jimmie]

Way to get it done. No wonder he was blown away. Very nice.

[alban61]

Again, another awesome detail, Carlos! Exterior and interior look great, and that engine bay is spotless!
Question...did you have to remove the bug-shield/deflector from the hood before polishing? I used to have one, and all kinds of crap used to get stuck in there.