1998 Toyota MR2

[Shine On]

This is without a doubt the worst 'finish' I have seen a car left with from a bodyshop. This car is the owner's pride and joy and the whole front end (i.. bumper, wings, bonnet and offside door) have recently been repainted.

Our original conversation went along the lines of 'car is in very good condition......half of its being painted.....just needs a little tidy up at the back and some protection adding....'

I was expecting around half a day's work so was rather dissappointed to be confronted with this, buffer trails, holograms and swirls on an epic scale:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06068Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06070Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06071Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06072Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06073Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06079Small.jpg

And remember, this is new paintwork. Disgusting. Strangest thing was that the owner didn't seem all that bothered by it, I'd have been creating all sorts of chaos!

Back end of the car (original paint)

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06074Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06075Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06076Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06077Small.jpg

First up was getting it clean, so out with the Gilmour and gave it a good pre-soak. Rinsed and followed with a two bucket wash, it was then clayed with Sonus Green. The front end didn't need it (as you'd hope), the back end was fairly clean too. Rinsed and dried I then taped up. I didn't take as many photos as I'd have liked to because now the pressure was on to get as much done as possible before the weather caught me - sadly I didn't win that race and lost over an hour waiting for storm clouds to pass early afternoon.

Starting with the bonnet, I taped up a test area. Expecting the original paint to be soft, and potentially the new paint to be harder, I was somewhat surprised to get this result:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06083Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06084Small.jpg

....using nothing more than a finishing pad and Menz FF PO85RD!

The new paint was softer as butter. I tried a test patch on the engine cover with original paint and found that I got great results using the same polish on a Megs polishing pad.

So, weather featuring strongly in my mind, I cracked on with the front end first, planning to get it finished totally before doing the back half of the car.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06088Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06090Small.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06086Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06087Small.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06092Small.jpg
(The sun poked its head out for the after shot!)
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06093Small.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06100Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06101Small.jpg

The rain did come, but thankfully I'd done the front end by then. Finishing products were the same for the whole car, fro mthe Chemical Guys range. EZ Creme glaze, followed by 2 layers of Jetseal 109, followed by 50/50 wax. Result was a beautiful wet looking proper black, not the misty grey left by the bodyshop. Tyres were dressed with New Look Trim Gel. I'll say at this point that the eagle eye's may spot the wheels are still dirty at the end. The owner has just had them refurbed and told me under no circumstances was I to touch them, as per instructions by the guy that did the work. I suggested he probably meant not to use anything chemically harsh or abrasive, but he wouldn't have it. So as Brazo keeps telling me, the customer's always right, so I left them dirty. Personally I think leaving brake dust on there will do more harm, but there you go.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06102Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06104Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06105Small.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z142/shineondetail/DSC06106Small.jpg

Just as I was leaving the sun came out and blinded me for the entire journey home. How ironic!

[Pad]

I bet he couldnt believe the difference. Just goes to show that always starting with the least aggressive combo pays dividends....

Great stuff..

[Neil_S]

Tremendous! Like a different car, shocking marks inflicted by the bodyshop.

[Multipla Mick]

The state of that 'new' paintwork was simply apalling. Does no one care anymore, or check their work? Bl**dy hell.....mind you, when out and about, does anyone else notice buffer trails on cars? They're everywhere!
Anyway, top work there, the 50/50 and before and after shots are really telling. Great job! :thumb:

[richardg3.2]

What a transformation.:thumb: Can't believe a customer could see you totally transform the finish of their car to better than showroom standard and not trust you to clean the wheels safely. Oh well, some folk eh.

[Gaz W]

Superb Mate, Looks Stunning :)

[range rover dea]

how the hell can you not be botherd when it comes back like that must have had it cheep:thumb:

[Scotsbil]

If the customer is happy with the paintwork in that state no wonder he was happy with his wheels being caked in brake dust.

I hope he was suitably "wowed" with the end result. Well done.

[Skodaw]

The Quality(Lackof) of that paintwork is just shocking, still nice turnaround after your work.

Shame the owner would not let you clean the wheels though..

[Brazo]

Don't you just love it when thye sun comes out on the way home :rolleyes:

Loving the finish Reg:thumb:

[Chris_VRS]

top work chap:thumb:

i hope the customer was suitably impressed by your efforts:cool:

...bodyshops eh!, it seems only a minority actually get it right!:rolleyes: ..I had to send a car back to one today @ work, shall we say there couldn't have been any quality control inspections before sending the car back;)

[dirk]

awesome correction work mate

[megaboost]

Astral black 202, same as mine, a bodyshop left me like that too :(

Good to see what can be done, a bit of an inspiration :)

[Mr Singh]

Fantastic work!! :thumb:

[Phil H]

wow awesome work mate! that car had some nasty swirls, great correction!

[bud man]

stunning correction with a nice glossy finish :thumb:

[phil440]

super job mate

[King Eric]

**** the bed, I'd have walked off into the sunset screaming blue murder!

You've the patience of a saint

[freshprince]

I'm trying to pursuade the Doris to buy an MR2 so i can drive it at weekends.... at the moment it's not going well.

Fantastic car, the 50/50 shot looks impressive. :)