My eXtreme Garage Makeover plus some detailing work

[Tato]

Dear Friends,

It's been a while since my last show'n'shine but at any moment of my detailing routine I've forgot about any of your lessons and shared enthusiasm to this craft / art / etc.

Also I cannot help but say I'm truly (eternally) grateful to many people here who helped me SO much (AGO Staff and Members) in a very professional and friendly manner. More than detailing, here I've learned important aspects of being a (much) Better Human being. Thanks for giving the example.


:Picture: Sure!,

Lonnnng Story short, here's a recent picture of my Garage (workplace) front entry condition:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-1.png

This is happening because someone decided to put a building next door.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-2.png

Honestly, I'm not against modernization but how unlucky can be a detailer to face such situation next door?

The worst part (dust raising) was more than an year ago, luckily their routine is not disturbing mine in any manner nowadays, but other colateral damage left / building related were boring me a lot.

Here's what happened to my garage floor due to building:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-4.png

Aw! Man! Although I was working normally (but bored), it was agreed someday they would repair it (at their own cost). The day finally arrived.

All that bad brought GOOD improvements to my workplace as follow.

Old flooring was fully removed
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-5.png

And they started everything from scratch.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-6.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-7.png

Taking advantage of the makeover project, I decided to improve my roof too, in order to improve cleanness and clarity even more.

Here's how it looked:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-8.png

Here's how it looks:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-9.png

But there was still something bothering me even though a lot of improvement was going on.

Can you see it? Try. You'll realize bellow:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-10.png

NOT yet?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-11.png

Ok, this is it:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-12.png

The building engineers were very gentle and friendly providing an easy and fast way to take off both pillars from my garage turning it into an ample and unobstructed work area.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-13.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-14.png

I've then soldered screws to the new sustentation bar to reinstall my lighting
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-15.png

Then came the new floor tiles
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-16.png

Almost ready, I just need to work on to beautify the electrical installation but I'll only do it when I found enough time to do it properly.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-17.png

In the Meanwhile

I took my time to rest a little bit and rearrange things here but I also got a lot of great detailing experiences like going mobile or traveling for detailing while all this was happening.

On a episode I did a 2010 Land Rover Freelander with very low mileage together with a great friend at his detailing business, ~100km from my place.

Few cell pics, but we did it 'Like a Boss' (Claude ;) ),
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-18.png

And my test spot, (shock (or not!)), Flex 3401, white LC hybrid pad, SF4000 and IPA wipedown.

Left side, unpolished:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-19.png

Right side, polished.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-20.png

I found time to airbrush my work ladder in silver and clearcoat it - hard to see but my friend manufactured skate wheels into '4 small foots' to my ladder (in red), very durable and wont slip.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/mak1-a-21.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/94043)

I could meet detailers in my area, and work on some cars with them, including this BMW 118i
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-22.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-23.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-23b.png

This paint was unnecessarily hard for the finishing potential it was offering, but I could work it out using SHC300 and SF4000, coated with PBL surface coating and topped (24h later) with BlackFire BlackIce!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-24.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-25.png

One advantage I can cite working outside is the easiness for inspection and 'Free' full lighting provided
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-27.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-28.png

Ended up really nice
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-29.png

Back to home, Be all Welcome to my new home.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-30.png

I could already perform some work and I must say I'm very happy with the outcome. I've selected some pictures of white and black Peugeots that I'll share now, but I really want to keep on pace and restart sharing car by car after each work (and I have some exciting work coming).

Here's is whitey (208 model) ready to delivery
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-31.png

It's a white car, nothing too exciting but look how it arrived:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-32.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-33.png

And how it left after the 'whole detailing thing':
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-34.png

Creamy. FF3000, white pad - basically one step.

Hood before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-35.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-36.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-37.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-38.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-39.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-40.png

Side Panel:
Before (ambient lighting)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-41.png

Before (swirl finder lighting)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-42.png

After (right side done)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-43.png

More on afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-44.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-45.png


And the black one (308 model), ready to go:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-48.png

Many polishing hours were invested on this one, FG400 & SF4000 duo, orange and white hybrid pads respectively.

This car was very neglected and showing (apart from terrible rids) terribly polishing attempts

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-49.png

Always relying on various light sources
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-50.png

[Tato]

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-51.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-52.png

Front end, passenger's side
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-53.png

Ugly staining (won't come off :( )
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-54.png

Rinsed the dirty (touchless) to uncover the real state of the paint:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-55.png

After (went the safe route and unfortunately had to leave the RIDS after some improvement)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-56.png

Those stains had already damaged the clearcoat
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-56b.png

Overall, it was enough improvement
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-57.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-58.png

Bad scratches and haze at front end / passenger's side
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-59.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-59b.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-60.png

Holograms wherever you focus
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-61.png

Had to recompound and polish to achieve an improvement:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-62.png

See the overall aspect of the hood:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-63.png

Ugly, uhn?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-64.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-65.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-66.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-67.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-68.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-69.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-70.png

Done:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-71.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-72.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-73.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-74.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-75.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-76.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-77.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-78.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-79.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-80.png

Side Panels:

Driver's Side
Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-81.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-82.png

Passenger's side
Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-83.png

Afters (Ouch, there's a lint on my pic!)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-84.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-85.png

Pillars
Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-86.png

Only the strongest will survive :buffing:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-87.png

Rear Side
Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-90.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-91.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-92.png

Trunk Lid (wth!):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-93.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-94.png

Working out:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-95.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-96.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-97.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/mak1-a-98.png

Well!, that's it folks.

--------------------

I really hope you enjoy watching as I've enjoyed doing all this,

you're all welcome to comment, criticize, suggest, ask questions, I'd like to read your opinion,

Thank you very (VERY) much for watching,

Sincerely,

Kind Regards from Brazil.

Count on me AGO!

[rms64]

Wow, Tato!

The new workplace looks amazing - hopefully worth all of the trouble over the last year or so.

Beautiful work as always - loved the writeup and always enjoy seeing your results. Well done! :xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs:

[North26]

Incredible detailing studio, being mobile I would kill for a place that looked that nice!

My girlfriend is Brazilian she's going down to Brazilia this summer to visit some family, I will try to convince to stop by you and pick your brain!

Anyways awesome pictures and great job on the work!!!

[DetailedByPrecision]

That is one awesome workspace you got there!

[g35_coupe]

Some great correction shots you got there. Nice work!

[Angus]

Very nice!! I love the transformation of your workspace, and wow so many lights! I'm envious. That beam would have also driven me nuts. I'm glad you had an opportunity it remove it. Excellent paint correction work too, Tato!

[AZ Mike]

The garage is looking good. Nice to have the posts gone. Hopefully you can get back to a normal routine now. Thank you for sharing.

[custmsprty]

Great post, exceptional work!

[lawrenceSA]

What a wonderful transformation to your work space Rafael - I am super happy for you.

Really nice work on the detailing too, as always.

Thanks for sharing:xyxthumbs:

[haris300]

Nice garage, nice correction work, and nice photography :)

[Justin at Final Inspection]

+1 on the great garage, correction and photography work!!!! My work space is in need of a makeover. Waiting to see if we are moving. If we do then next garage is getting done over nice.

Keep up the great work Sir!

[Tato]

Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for sharing opinions regarding my new workplace and work, it's a pleasure hearing from you!

Best Wishes.

[Dr_Pain]

Darn... you went all out there brother! Looking awesome

...and the work looks great as usual!

[281]

Incredible transformation Rafael! Thanks for sharing :buffing: