How would you detail this car? ----> Barn Find - 1961 Plymouth Fury

[Mike Phillips]

How would you detail this car? ----> Barn Find - 1961 Plymouth Fury


My good friend Jim Serra bought himself a Christmas present for himself from his wife. The funny part is he hasn't told his wife! Before she sees it in its current dirty and neglected condition I'm going to shine it up for him and then put a pretty Christmas ribbon and bow on it for the reveal.

This car is all original and a fresh barn find out of Minnesota. It has 56,545 miles on it. It's just now broken in!





Here she is right off the car hauler from Minnesota!

The dealership told Jim that normally they wash the cars and have them detailed before they put them up for sale but for this car they just left her alone. (Good thing for Jim)

[Mike Phillips]

I'm not firm on all of my steps yet and I am thinking outside the box as to my approach.

The inside is all vinyl and dirty.

The engine compartment is a wreck.

The paint is shiny under the layer of dirt but I'm pretty sure the paint is in dire need of decontamination and correction.

All the metal work is dull, oxidized and stained.

The tires are ugly and the hubcaps need shining.

The glass is filthy inside and out.


So the question is....


How would you go about doing a proper detail on this car?


List your steps.


And all our newest forum members are absolutely encouraged to chime in!

[dcjredline]

Ill go first, Im not scared.

I would start with a PW and be VERY careful not to get too close. That would get the heavy stuff off and not introduce too much water.
Then RW including tires and wheels
Engine is probably pretty simple compared to newer cars so maybe a spray with some WW or even some degreaser and some old towels.
Iron X
Clay if needed
Interior would be vacuumed and cleaned with a damp MF first to see if that would get the dirt without using a chemical.
SS paint so I would use some Meguiar's 7 then Pinnacle Souveran as my LSP.
Windows would be my regular CG glass cleaner and MF
Trim I would try some P21S polishing soap first then if I had to I would use some metal polish and a MF.

I guess other than the wash (trying not to get too much water on the car) I would do everything else pretty much as I normally would with a car.

[Mike Phillips]

***Update***

I just spoke with Nick and he says there will be a prize for whoever come closest to list the steps I use on this car. Just be general you don't have to get into specifics.

Right now the car has no brakes. It runs great but doesn't stop too good. If it did I would start with a traditional engine detail. After Jim has the brakes all rebuilt I'll have the car back for a full engine detail and if the brakes are done in time for my January ACR 3-day detailing class then my class will get to do the traditional engine detail and learn how to do one at the same time.


Okay... lets see some guess?

[Mike Phillips]

Ill go first, Im not scared.

I would start with a PW and be VERY careful not to get too close. That would get the heavy stuff off and not introduce too much water.

Feel free to revise your list.

I just posted the car has no brakes so I'm not going to move it outside for a regular wash or a power wash.

I could drive it out and stop it with a chunk of 4x4 wood like we used moving it in but I'm all on my own as everyone is packing in the warehouse today.

[dcjredline]

I was originally going to list what I thought you would do but that started hurting my brain. So I listed how I would do it. Ill leave my answer, I dont need the prize but it looks like a cool contest!!!!! Can't wait to see everyone else's ideas of WWMPD!!!!!

[Mike Honcho]

Izzat the landing deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford?!?!?!?!

[BillyJack]

I'm planning a similar project on a 2-owner 1970 Z28 that's been parked since the mid 80's, once the owner gets it running and stopping, so I can compare my plans to yours. I'm afraid it's gonna be a long,long list.
1)Do a serious foam wash, including jambs, wheelhouses and edges of trim pieces.
2)Degrease and wash engine compartment
3)Decontaminate with and iron removal product
4)Thoroughly dry with compressed air, as well as blowing out interior
5)Remove wheel covers and as much exterior trim as possible without damage and clean residual dirt with a WW product. Polish all parts.
6)Baggie test and clay if necessary.
7)Rub & soak with M07, then move to interior.
8)Attack interior & floor covering with appropriate cleaners, including an aggressive cleaner wax on painted metal interior surfaces.
9)Remove M07 after appropriate soak time and repeat if necessary.
10)Inspect the now-clean finish and machine polish with appropriate products and pads.
11)Open it all up, finish jambs, engine compartment, interior and trunk.
12)Apply chosen wax/sealant.
13)Reinstall the previously polished trim and wheel covers.
14)Clean glass and perform final inspection
15)Take pictures and enjoy an adult beverage.
16)Repeat the latter

BTW, 50's Chrysler products used a mechanical parking brake, with the drum just behind the transmission. I'm not sure it was continued into 1961. Give the the brake a try. There's a possibility it may still be functional, which would make moving that beast easier, even if the regular service brakes are inoperative.
After all the Virgil Exner finned designs of the late 50's, the '61 Plymouths were once considered an ugly disappointment, kinda like they were designed by a committee rather than a stylist. 50+ years later they look cool!

Bill

[Jsmooth]

I Would start by..... Telling an employee or two to figure it out, then goto my office and play on Autogeek

[tapp1]

exterior
pre soak with rinseless wash
rinseless wash
paint decon either clay or clay towel

paint
meguiars # 7 application
light polish
wax/sealant
polish chrome

Wheels & Tires
clean wheels/tires with rinseless wash
dress rubber

interior
pre treat vinyl with APC
steam clean vinyl seats and door panels
vacuum & extract carpets
clean windows
apply vinyl conditioner protectant