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USERNAME: MR.WRATH
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***WARNING: THE FOLLOWING RECORD CONTAINS EXTREME ATTENTION TO DETAIL.***
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PATIENT DETAILS:
KINGDOM: ANIMALIA
PHYLUM: CHORDATA
CLASS: REPTILIA
ORDER: SQUAMATA
SUBORDER: SERPENTES
CLADE: COLUBROIDES
FAMILY: VIPERIDAE
DATE OF BIRTH: MARCH, 1999
PLACE OF BIRTH: CONNER AVENUE
STATE OF ORIGIN: MI
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
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PATIENT NAME: VENOM
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USERNAME: MR.WRATH
PASSWORD:******
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DATA SUCCESSFULLY RETRIEVED.
/OPENING DATALOG6
***WARNING: THE FOLLOWING RECORD CONTAINS EXTREME ATTENTION TO DETAIL.***
...
PATIENT DETAILS:
KINGDOM: ANIMALIA
PHYLUM: CHORDATA
CLASS: REPTILIA
ORDER: SQUAMATA
SUBORDER: SERPENTES
CLADE: COLUBROIDES
FAMILY: VIPERIDAE
DATE OF BIRTH: MARCH, 1999
PLACE OF BIRTH: CONNER AVENUE
STATE OF ORIGIN: MI
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
...
...
PATIENT NAME: VENOM
PRE-DETAIL CONDITION
1999 DODGE VIPER GTS (SR II / SECOND GEN)
MILEAGE: 124,221KM
COLOR: "VIPER BLACK"
- ORIGINAL PAINT
- MILD DUST/DIRT
- NO PAINT PROTECTION FILM
1999 DODGE VIPER GTS (SR II / SECOND GEN)
MILEAGE: 124,221KM
COLOR: "VIPER BLACK"
- ORIGINAL PAINT
- MILD DUST/DIRT
- NO PAINT PROTECTION FILM
- STONE CHIPS ON THE FRONT FASCIA
- COMPLEX FIBERGLASS/COMPOSITE PANEL CONTRUCTION
WASH PROCESS
TO HELP MINIMIZE THE CHANCES OF SCRATCHING THE PAINTWORK DURING THE WASH PROCESS, WE USED A MULTI-BUCKET WASH METHOD.
THIS TECHNIQUE INVOLVES THE USE OF MULTIPLE BUCKETS TO SEPARATE THE SOAPY WASH SOLUTION USED FOR THE PAINTWORK FROM THE SOLUTION USED TO CLEAN THE DIRTIER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE (WHEELS, EXHAUST, ETC.). ALLOWING THE METALLIC BRAKE DUST AND HEAVY DIRT TO CONTAMINATE THE WASH MITTS GREATLY INCREASES THE CHANCES OF SCRATCHING THE PAINT.
IN THIS PARTICULAR SCENARIO, WE USED THE TWO-BUCKET METHOD.
AS ALWAYS, WE CLEAN THE WASH BUCKETS BEFORE USE.
DRYING METHOD
TO DRY THE VEHICLE, WE USED MICROFIBER DRYING TOWELS TO SOAK UP THE MAJORITY OF THE WATER - ALONG WITH A CAR DRYER THAT BLOWS HEATED, FILTERED AIR TO FREE THE WATER TRAPPED IN VARIOUS HARD-TO-REACH PLACES (WEATHER STRIPPING, UNDER THE MIRRORS, ETC.).
TO HELP MINIMIZE THE CHANCES OF SCRATCHING THE PAINTWORK DURING THE WASH PROCESS, WE USED A MULTI-BUCKET WASH METHOD.
THIS TECHNIQUE INVOLVES THE USE OF MULTIPLE BUCKETS TO SEPARATE THE SOAPY WASH SOLUTION USED FOR THE PAINTWORK FROM THE SOLUTION USED TO CLEAN THE DIRTIER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE (WHEELS, EXHAUST, ETC.). ALLOWING THE METALLIC BRAKE DUST AND HEAVY DIRT TO CONTAMINATE THE WASH MITTS GREATLY INCREASES THE CHANCES OF SCRATCHING THE PAINT.
IN THIS PARTICULAR SCENARIO, WE USED THE TWO-BUCKET METHOD.
AS ALWAYS, WE CLEAN THE WASH BUCKETS BEFORE USE.
DRYING METHOD
TO DRY THE VEHICLE, WE USED MICROFIBER DRYING TOWELS TO SOAK UP THE MAJORITY OF THE WATER - ALONG WITH A CAR DRYER THAT BLOWS HEATED, FILTERED AIR TO FREE THE WATER TRAPPED IN VARIOUS HARD-TO-REACH PLACES (WEATHER STRIPPING, UNDER THE MIRRORS, ETC.).
DECONTAMINATION
IN PREPARATION FOR THE POLISH, EMBEDDED CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS TAR, SAP, AND FALLOUT WERE REMOVED DURING THE DECONTAMINATION PROCESS. FOR THIS VEHICLE, WE CHOSE TO USE A CLAY BAR RATHER THAN CHEMICAL DECONTAMINATION.
CLAY BARRING IS THE PROCESS OF LIGHTLY RUBBING A PIECE OF DETAILING CLAY AGAINST THE PAINT (ALONG WITH A LUBRICANT SUCH AS CLAY LUBE OR SOAP).
ALTHOUGH IT'S MORE DIFFICULT TO VISIBLY DETECT CONTAMINANTS ON DARKER-COLORED VEHICLES, THEY CAN BE FELT DURING THE WASH PROCESS (WHEN THE PAINT IS LUBRICATED WITH SOAP).
OVERALL, THE PAINT HAD A MILD AMOUNT OF CONTAMINANTS STUCK TO THE SURFACE - MOSTLY ON THE HORIZONTAL PANELS (HOOD, ROOF, TRUNK, ETC.). HOWEVER, THE LOWER PORTION OF THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS THE WHEEL WELLS HAD A HEAVY TAR BUILDUP - UNDERSTANDABLE GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.
ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS ADHESIVE RESIDUE BY THE LICENSE PLATE AREA.
NOTE: CLAY BARRING SHOULD ONLY BE DONE WHEN REQUIRED (WITH THE FINEST/LEAST ABRASIVE GRADE OF CLAY POSSIBLE) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MARRING THE FINISH.
IN PREPARATION FOR THE POLISH, EMBEDDED CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS TAR, SAP, AND FALLOUT WERE REMOVED DURING THE DECONTAMINATION PROCESS. FOR THIS VEHICLE, WE CHOSE TO USE A CLAY BAR RATHER THAN CHEMICAL DECONTAMINATION.
CLAY BARRING IS THE PROCESS OF LIGHTLY RUBBING A PIECE OF DETAILING CLAY AGAINST THE PAINT (ALONG WITH A LUBRICANT SUCH AS CLAY LUBE OR SOAP).
ALTHOUGH IT'S MORE DIFFICULT TO VISIBLY DETECT CONTAMINANTS ON DARKER-COLORED VEHICLES, THEY CAN BE FELT DURING THE WASH PROCESS (WHEN THE PAINT IS LUBRICATED WITH SOAP).
OVERALL, THE PAINT HAD A MILD AMOUNT OF CONTAMINANTS STUCK TO THE SURFACE - MOSTLY ON THE HORIZONTAL PANELS (HOOD, ROOF, TRUNK, ETC.). HOWEVER, THE LOWER PORTION OF THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS THE WHEEL WELLS HAD A HEAVY TAR BUILDUP - UNDERSTANDABLE GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.
ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS ADHESIVE RESIDUE BY THE LICENSE PLATE AREA.
NOTE: CLAY BARRING SHOULD ONLY BE DONE WHEN REQUIRED (WITH THE FINEST/LEAST ABRASIVE GRADE OF CLAY POSSIBLE) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MARRING THE FINISH.
TAR BUILDUP
ADHESIVE RESIDUE
ENGINE DETAILING
TO CLEAN UP THIS ICONIC V10 ENGINE, WE STARTED THE PROCESS BY IDENTIFYING AND MASKING OFF/PROTECTING SENSITIVE AREAS SUCH AS AIR INTAKE FILTERS AND EXPOSED WIRING. TO PREVENT STAINING, WE ENSURED THAT THE ENGINE HAD COOLED OFF BEFORE DETAILING.
AFTERWARD, WE RINSED THE ENGINE BAY AND GENTLY AGITATED THE DIRT USING A VARIETY OF SOFT BRUSHES AND LIGHT CLEANERS.
WHILE DETAILING ENGINES, WE TYPICALLY DO NOT SPRAY THE HOOD PAD/HEAT SHIELD DIRECTLY AS SOAKING THE MATERIAL CAN CAUSE DAMAGE/SAGGING. INSTEAD, THE ENTIRE HOOD PAD THAT COVERS THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CLAMSHELL HOOD WAS SHAMPOOED COMPLETELY BY HAND.
TO ENSURE NO COMPONENTS REMAINED WET FOR LONGER THAN NECESSARY, WE AIR-DRIED THE ENGINE BAY WITH HEATED, FILTERED AIR AFTER CLEANING.
ADDITIONALLY, ALL VINYLS, PLASTICS, AND WIRING WERE DRESSED USING A SMALL BRUSH (I.E., NOT SPRAYED) AND ALL PAINTED AREAS (INCLUDING THE VALVE COVERS) WERE TREATED TO A SYNTHETIC SEALANT.
FINALLY, THE K&N AIR INTAKE FILTER RECEIVED A MUCH-NEEDED CLEANING USING K&N AIR FILTER CLEANER. ONCE THE FILTER AIR-DRIED NATURALLY, THE FILTER WAS COATED WITH K&N AIR FILTER OIL AS PER MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATION.
TO CLEAN UP THIS ICONIC V10 ENGINE, WE STARTED THE PROCESS BY IDENTIFYING AND MASKING OFF/PROTECTING SENSITIVE AREAS SUCH AS AIR INTAKE FILTERS AND EXPOSED WIRING. TO PREVENT STAINING, WE ENSURED THAT THE ENGINE HAD COOLED OFF BEFORE DETAILING.
AFTERWARD, WE RINSED THE ENGINE BAY AND GENTLY AGITATED THE DIRT USING A VARIETY OF SOFT BRUSHES AND LIGHT CLEANERS.
WHILE DETAILING ENGINES, WE TYPICALLY DO NOT SPRAY THE HOOD PAD/HEAT SHIELD DIRECTLY AS SOAKING THE MATERIAL CAN CAUSE DAMAGE/SAGGING. INSTEAD, THE ENTIRE HOOD PAD THAT COVERS THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CLAMSHELL HOOD WAS SHAMPOOED COMPLETELY BY HAND.
TO ENSURE NO COMPONENTS REMAINED WET FOR LONGER THAN NECESSARY, WE AIR-DRIED THE ENGINE BAY WITH HEATED, FILTERED AIR AFTER CLEANING.
ADDITIONALLY, ALL VINYLS, PLASTICS, AND WIRING WERE DRESSED USING A SMALL BRUSH (I.E., NOT SPRAYED) AND ALL PAINTED AREAS (INCLUDING THE VALVE COVERS) WERE TREATED TO A SYNTHETIC SEALANT.
FINALLY, THE K&N AIR INTAKE FILTER RECEIVED A MUCH-NEEDED CLEANING USING K&N AIR FILTER CLEANER. ONCE THE FILTER AIR-DRIED NATURALLY, THE FILTER WAS COATED WITH K&N AIR FILTER OIL AS PER MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATION.
HEART OF THE SNAKE
LIKE MOST VIPERS, THE 1999 DODGE VIPER GTS IS POWERED BY A LARGE-DISPLACEMENT, NATURALLY-ASPIRATED 10-CYLINDER ENGINE. IN STOCK FORM, THIS 1999 DODGE VIPER GTS PRODUCED 450HP (@ 5,200RPM) AND 490FT/LBS OF TORQUE ( @3,700RPM) FROM AN 8.3L (487.6 CUBIC INCHES) THAT ROARS TO A 6,000RPM REDLINE.
WITH THE ADDITION OF A PAXTON NOVI 2000 PRO CHARGER WITH AN AFTER MARKET 3" PULLEY, BELANGER HEADERS, HI-FLOW CATS, A 3" CORSA CATBACK EXHAUST, A 400LPH FUEL PUMP WITH CUSTOM 60LB INJECTORS BUILT BY ROE RACING, CUSTOM TIMING COMPUTER...
THIS MONSTER PRODUCES 670HP AND 690FT/LBS (AT THE WHEELS)...
EQUATING TO A STAGGERING 770HP AND 790FT/LBS AT THE CRANK (ON BOOSTANE RACE FUEL).
BEFORE
BEFORE
WHEEL CARE
TO CLEAN AND PROTECT THE RARE, HIGH-END, 3-PIECE 18" HRE 895R RIMS (11.5" FRONT, 13" REAR), WE PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING STEPS, ONE WHEEL AT A TIME:
- GENTLY REMOVED SURFACE DIRT AND DEBRIS BY PRESSURE WASHING THE INNER FENDERS, TIRE TREAD, AND RIMS (IN THAT ORDER).
- AGITATED THE DIRT USING A VARIETY OF ULTRA-SOFT BRUSHES FOR THE CHROME/POLISHED ALUMINUM PORTIONS OF THE RIM AND MICROFIBER WHEEL BRUSHES FOR THE BARREL OF THE RIM.
- AFTER RINSING THE RIMS AND COMPLETING THE WASH PROCESS, THE RIMS WERE AIR-DRIED
TO CLEAN AND PROTECT THE RARE, HIGH-END, 3-PIECE 18" HRE 895R RIMS (11.5" FRONT, 13" REAR), WE PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING STEPS, ONE WHEEL AT A TIME:
- GENTLY REMOVED SURFACE DIRT AND DEBRIS BY PRESSURE WASHING THE INNER FENDERS, TIRE TREAD, AND RIMS (IN THAT ORDER).
- AGITATED THE DIRT USING A VARIETY OF ULTRA-SOFT BRUSHES FOR THE CHROME/POLISHED ALUMINUM PORTIONS OF THE RIM AND MICROFIBER WHEEL BRUSHES FOR THE BARREL OF THE RIM.
- AFTER RINSING THE RIMS AND COMPLETING THE WASH PROCESS, THE RIMS WERE AIR-DRIED
FUN FACT
EVEN WHEN THE FIRST DODGE VIPER CAME OUT IN 1992, IT PACKED A STAGGERING (PUN INTENDED) 335 SECTION REAR TIRE AND A 275 SECTION FRONT TIRE.
TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUGATTI VEYRON WITH CLOSE TO 1,000 HORSEPOWER (STOCK) HAS 365 SECTION REAR TIRES AND 245 SECTION FRONT TIRES.
EVEN WHEN THE FIRST DODGE VIPER CAME OUT IN 1992, IT PACKED A STAGGERING (PUN INTENDED) 335 SECTION REAR TIRE AND A 275 SECTION FRONT TIRE.
TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUGATTI VEYRON WITH CLOSE TO 1,000 HORSEPOWER (STOCK) HAS 365 SECTION REAR TIRES AND 245 SECTION FRONT TIRES.
ADVANCED WHEEL CARE
AFTER THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE RIMS RECEIVED A SECOND CLEANING TO REMOVE ANY REMAINING SURFACE DIRT AND DEBRIS. SINCE THE RIMS WERE SO WIDE AND HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY DECONTAMINATED IN A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, WE-OPTED TO USE CHEMICAL-DECONTAMINATION TO HELP LOOSEN THE SURFACE TAR, AS WELL AS MECHANICAL DECONTAMINATION (I.E., CLAY BAR) AFTER TO HELP PREP THE RIM FOR POLISHING.
NOTE: A SEPARATE PIECE OF CLAY WAS USED FOR EACH RIM TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL MARRING AND WAS DISCARDED AFTER USE.
USING A MACHINE POLISHER, THE BARRELS AND BEHIND THE SPOKES WERE GIVEN A FINE POLISH TO HELP BRIGHTEN THE ALUMINUM RIM WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ORIGINAL FINISH. THE POLISHED ALUMINUM LIPS WERE ALSO POLISHED.
AS POLISHING LEAVES BEHIND ABRASIVES AND OILS WHICH NEED TO BE REMOVED PRIOR TO APPLYING CERAMIC COATINGS, EACH RIM WAS WIPED-DOWN WITH AN IPA-LIKE CHEMICAL BEFORE COATING.
FOR PROTECTION, EACH RIM WAS COATED WITH GTECHNIQ C5 WHEEL ARMOR TO HELP REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST THAT STICKS TO THE RIM, INCREASE HYDROPHOBIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MAKES MAINTENANCE CLEANS EASIER.
AFTER CAREFULLY RE-INSTALLING THE WHEELS, THE LUG NUTS WERE TORQUED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATION.
AFTER THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE RIMS RECEIVED A SECOND CLEANING TO REMOVE ANY REMAINING SURFACE DIRT AND DEBRIS. SINCE THE RIMS WERE SO WIDE AND HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY DECONTAMINATED IN A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, WE-OPTED TO USE CHEMICAL-DECONTAMINATION TO HELP LOOSEN THE SURFACE TAR, AS WELL AS MECHANICAL DECONTAMINATION (I.E., CLAY BAR) AFTER TO HELP PREP THE RIM FOR POLISHING.
NOTE: A SEPARATE PIECE OF CLAY WAS USED FOR EACH RIM TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL MARRING AND WAS DISCARDED AFTER USE.
USING A MACHINE POLISHER, THE BARRELS AND BEHIND THE SPOKES WERE GIVEN A FINE POLISH TO HELP BRIGHTEN THE ALUMINUM RIM WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ORIGINAL FINISH. THE POLISHED ALUMINUM LIPS WERE ALSO POLISHED.
AS POLISHING LEAVES BEHIND ABRASIVES AND OILS WHICH NEED TO BE REMOVED PRIOR TO APPLYING CERAMIC COATINGS, EACH RIM WAS WIPED-DOWN WITH AN IPA-LIKE CHEMICAL BEFORE COATING.
FOR PROTECTION, EACH RIM WAS COATED WITH GTECHNIQ C5 WHEEL ARMOR TO HELP REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST THAT STICKS TO THE RIM, INCREASE HYDROPHOBIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND MAKES MAINTENANCE CLEANS EASIER.
AFTER CAREFULLY RE-INSTALLING THE WHEELS, THE LUG NUTS WERE TORQUED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATION.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHEEL-OFF DETAIL
TO PROPERLY DETAIL THE WHEELS, INNER FENDERS, AND ACCESSIBLE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED.
AS THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN REGULARLY, SOME SERIOUS TLC WAS NEEDED. WE STARTED BY LETTING THE FENDER LINERS AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS SOAK IN A FOAMING CLEANING SOLUTION, RINSING, AND THEN AGITATING THE CAKED ON DIRT/TAR WITH A VARIETY OF BRUSHES. LOTS OF ELBOW GREASE WENT INTO REMOVING THE THICK LAYER OF DIRT THAT COATED THE MAJORITY OF THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. ONCE DRY, WE DRESSED THE PLASTIC AREAS AND APPLIED A SYNTHETIC SEALANT TO THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.
THE BRAKE CALIPERS ALSO RECEIVED SOME MUCH-NEEDED ATTENTION - RECEIVING A GOOD CLEAN AND WIPE-DOWN PRIOR TO COATING WITH GTECHNIQ C5.
TO PROPERLY DETAIL THE WHEELS, INNER FENDERS, AND ACCESSIBLE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED.
AS THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN REGULARLY, SOME SERIOUS TLC WAS NEEDED. WE STARTED BY LETTING THE FENDER LINERS AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS SOAK IN A FOAMING CLEANING SOLUTION, RINSING, AND THEN AGITATING THE CAKED ON DIRT/TAR WITH A VARIETY OF BRUSHES. LOTS OF ELBOW GREASE WENT INTO REMOVING THE THICK LAYER OF DIRT THAT COATED THE MAJORITY OF THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. ONCE DRY, WE DRESSED THE PLASTIC AREAS AND APPLIED A SYNTHETIC SEALANT TO THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.
THE BRAKE CALIPERS ALSO RECEIVED SOME MUCH-NEEDED ATTENTION - RECEIVING A GOOD CLEAN AND WIPE-DOWN PRIOR TO COATING WITH GTECHNIQ C5.
EXHAUST TIP CARE
NATURALLY, WE COULDN'T RESIST MAKING THE EXHAUST TIPS ON THIS AWESOME-SOUNDING 3" CORSA CATBACK SYSTEM SHINE. AFTER GENTLY CLEANING THE TIPS, THE CHROME FINISH WAS POLISHED BOTH BY HAND, AND BY MACHINE PRIOR TO COATING WITH GTECHNIQ C5.
NATURALLY, WE COULDN'T RESIST MAKING THE EXHAUST TIPS ON THIS AWESOME-SOUNDING 3" CORSA CATBACK SYSTEM SHINE. AFTER GENTLY CLEANING THE TIPS, THE CHROME FINISH WAS POLISHED BOTH BY HAND, AND BY MACHINE PRIOR TO COATING WITH GTECHNIQ C5.
BEFORE
AFTER
NTERIOR DETAILING
TO BEGIN THE INTERIOR DETAILING PROCESS, ALL PERSONAL BELONGINGS WERE GATHERED, PACKAGED, AND NEATLY PLACED ASIDE.
AFTERWARD, WE VACUUMED THE VARIOUS SURFACES OF THE VEHICLE AND WIPED DOWN THE WHOLE INTERIOR WITH A LIGHT INTERIOR CLEANER AND MICROFIBER TOWEL/INTERIOR BRUSH TO REMOVE THE SURFACE DUST, DIRT AND GRIME. FOR ADDED ACCESSIBILITY, THE SPARE TIRE WAS REMOVED, CLEANED, A SYNTHETIC SEALANT WAS APPLIED TO THE RIM, AND RE-INSTALLED DURING THIS PROCESS.
DURING THE SECONDARY WIPE-DOWN, WE WENT OVER ALL OF THE HEAVILY-TEXTURED PLASTICS AND APPLIED A SATIN-FINISH UV PROTECTANT TO HELP PROTECT THE SURFACE FROM UV DAMAGE/FADING.
ONCE THE INTERIOR WIPE-DOWN AND VACUUM WAS COMPLETE, WE SHAMPOOED THE CARPETED SURFACES USING A CARPET EXTRACTOR. AS THE CARPET WAS NOT HEAVILY SOILED, WE OPTED TO SHAMPOO USING COLD WATER. THE CARPETED PORTIONS OF BOTH DOORS WERE HAND-SHAMPOOED AS WELL.
LEATHER CLEANING/CONDITIONING
AFTER VACUUMING THE SEATS, WE USED AN ULTRA-SOFT LEATHER CLEANING BRUSH TO LATHER A PH-NEUTRAL LEATHER CLEANER INTO THE LEATHER - ONE SECTION AT A TIME. EACH SECTION WAS IMMEDIATELY DRIED WITH A MICROFIBER TOWEL TO PICK UP THE DIRT CONTAINED IN THE FOAM GENERATED BY THE CLEANING PROCESS.
ALL LEATHER PORTIONS OF THE VEHICLE (SEATS, STEERING WHEEL, ETC.) WERE CONDITIONED AFTERWARD.
TO BEGIN THE INTERIOR DETAILING PROCESS, ALL PERSONAL BELONGINGS WERE GATHERED, PACKAGED, AND NEATLY PLACED ASIDE.
AFTERWARD, WE VACUUMED THE VARIOUS SURFACES OF THE VEHICLE AND WIPED DOWN THE WHOLE INTERIOR WITH A LIGHT INTERIOR CLEANER AND MICROFIBER TOWEL/INTERIOR BRUSH TO REMOVE THE SURFACE DUST, DIRT AND GRIME. FOR ADDED ACCESSIBILITY, THE SPARE TIRE WAS REMOVED, CLEANED, A SYNTHETIC SEALANT WAS APPLIED TO THE RIM, AND RE-INSTALLED DURING THIS PROCESS.
DURING THE SECONDARY WIPE-DOWN, WE WENT OVER ALL OF THE HEAVILY-TEXTURED PLASTICS AND APPLIED A SATIN-FINISH UV PROTECTANT TO HELP PROTECT THE SURFACE FROM UV DAMAGE/FADING.
ONCE THE INTERIOR WIPE-DOWN AND VACUUM WAS COMPLETE, WE SHAMPOOED THE CARPETED SURFACES USING A CARPET EXTRACTOR. AS THE CARPET WAS NOT HEAVILY SOILED, WE OPTED TO SHAMPOO USING COLD WATER. THE CARPETED PORTIONS OF BOTH DOORS WERE HAND-SHAMPOOED AS WELL.
LEATHER CLEANING/CONDITIONING
AFTER VACUUMING THE SEATS, WE USED AN ULTRA-SOFT LEATHER CLEANING BRUSH TO LATHER A PH-NEUTRAL LEATHER CLEANER INTO THE LEATHER - ONE SECTION AT A TIME. EACH SECTION WAS IMMEDIATELY DRIED WITH A MICROFIBER TOWEL TO PICK UP THE DIRT CONTAINED IN THE FOAM GENERATED BY THE CLEANING PROCESS.
ALL LEATHER PORTIONS OF THE VEHICLE (SEATS, STEERING WHEEL, ETC.) WERE CONDITIONED AFTERWARD.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RESTORATION
TO ELEVATE THIS INTERIOR DETAIL, WE OPTED TO ENHANCE THE CONDITION OF THE GAUGE FACES BY POLISHING THE MAIN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, AS WELL AS THE CUSTOM GAUGES BY THE SHIFTER. THIS INTRICATE WORK WAS PERFORMED USING A SPECIAL MACHINE POLISHER THAT COULD DO THE JOB PROPERLY WITHOUT REMOVING THE CLUSTER.
SURROUNDING MATERIALS WERE MASKED OFF DURING THE POLISHING PROCESS WHEN REQUIRED. THE GAUGES RECEIVED A STAGE II POLISH USING FINE/ULTRA-FINE PAD/POLISH COMBINATIONS. QUICKER ARM MOVEMENT WAS USED TO PREVENT HEAT BUILDUP DURING THIS PROCESS.
FINALLY, ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE PROTECTED USING A CERAMIC TOP-COAT, RATHER THAN A HARD CERAMIC BASE-COAT SO THAT THE COATING CAN BE FULLY REMOVED WITHOUT COMPOUNDING IF NEEDED IN THE FUTURE.
***WARNING*** INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/GAUGE FACES ARE PLASTIC, FRAGILE, AND VERY EASY TO DAMAGE. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS AND EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE.
TO ELEVATE THIS INTERIOR DETAIL, WE OPTED TO ENHANCE THE CONDITION OF THE GAUGE FACES BY POLISHING THE MAIN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, AS WELL AS THE CUSTOM GAUGES BY THE SHIFTER. THIS INTRICATE WORK WAS PERFORMED USING A SPECIAL MACHINE POLISHER THAT COULD DO THE JOB PROPERLY WITHOUT REMOVING THE CLUSTER.
SURROUNDING MATERIALS WERE MASKED OFF DURING THE POLISHING PROCESS WHEN REQUIRED. THE GAUGES RECEIVED A STAGE II POLISH USING FINE/ULTRA-FINE PAD/POLISH COMBINATIONS. QUICKER ARM MOVEMENT WAS USED TO PREVENT HEAT BUILDUP DURING THIS PROCESS.
FINALLY, ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE PROTECTED USING A CERAMIC TOP-COAT, RATHER THAN A HARD CERAMIC BASE-COAT SO THAT THE COATING CAN BE FULLY REMOVED WITHOUT COMPOUNDING IF NEEDED IN THE FUTURE.
***WARNING*** INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/GAUGE FACES ARE PLASTIC, FRAGILE, AND VERY EASY TO DAMAGE. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS AND EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE.
BEFORE
AFTER
SWIRLS
I.E., A COLLECTION OF SCRATCHES APPEAR SOMEWHAT CIRCULAR AS A RESULT OF TOUCHING THE VEHICLE - TYPICALLY WHILE WASHING, DRYING, ETC.
I.E., A COLLECTION OF SCRATCHES APPEAR SOMEWHAT CIRCULAR AS A RESULT OF TOUCHING THE VEHICLE - TYPICALLY WHILE WASHING, DRYING, ETC.
GASOLINE STAINING
I.E., CLEARCOAT ETCHING CAUSED BY SPILLING GASOLINE ON THE PAINT WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE.
I.E., CLEARCOAT ETCHING CAUSED BY SPILLING GASOLINE ON THE PAINT WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE.
CHEMICAL ETCHING
I.E., CLEARCOAT ETCHING CAUSED BY SPAYING SOME SORT OF CHEMICAL ON THE PAINT.
I.E., CLEARCOAT ETCHING CAUSED BY SPAYING SOME SORT OF CHEMICAL ON THE PAINT.
PASSENGER-SIDE FENDER/HATCH
DRIVER-SIDE HATCH
PASSENGER-SIDE HATCH
DRIVER-SIDE ROOF
DRIVER-SIDE DOOR
DRIVER-SIDE B-PILLAR
DRIVER-SIDE QUARTER
DRIVER-SIDE HOOD
DRIVER-SIDE HOOD VENTS
DRIVER-SIDE FRONT BUMPER
HEADLIGHT RESTORATION
AS THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OXIDIZED/FADED, WE OPTED TO RESTORE THE HEADLIGHT LENSES VIA A MULTI-STAGE WET-SAND AND POLISH TO RESTORE CLARITY AND GLOSS. SURROUNDING AREAS WERE MASKED TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING AREAS DURING THE RESTORATION PROCESS.
THE TAIL LIGHTS/SIGNAL INDICATORS ALSO RECEIVED A MULTI-STAGE POLISH BUT DID NOT REQUIRE WET-SANDING.
THE TAIL LIGHTS/SIGNAL INDICATORS ALSO RECEIVED A MULTI-STAGE POLISH BUT DID NOT REQUIRE WET-SANDING.
BEFORE
AFTER
POWER POLISHING
STAGE I - COMPOUNDING/HEAVY DEFECT REMOVAL
STAGE II - POLISHING/REFINEMENT
STAGE III - FINE POLISHING/JEWELING
TO THOROUGHLY, ACCURATELY, AND SAFELY RESTORE THE ORIGINAL PAINT ON THIS AMERICAN EXOTIC, WE CHOSE TO USE A VARIETY OF DUAL-ACTION/RANDOM ORBITAL POLISHERS THAT UTILIZE SMALL DIAMETER PADS THAT CONFORMED WELL TO THE VIPER'S COMPLEX FIBERGLASS/COMPOSITE BODY PANELS.
OVER 90% OF ALL SCRATCHES WERE REMOVED DURING THE STAGE III POLISH. WHILE NOT "FLAWLESS" PER SE, WE CHOSE TO EXERCISE CAUTION GIVEN THAT THIS 20-YEAR-OLD PAINT IS ORIGINAL AND THE CAR IS DRIVEN REGULARLY.
STAGE I - COMPOUNDING/HEAVY DEFECT REMOVAL
STAGE II - POLISHING/REFINEMENT
STAGE III - FINE POLISHING/JEWELING
TO THOROUGHLY, ACCURATELY, AND SAFELY RESTORE THE ORIGINAL PAINT ON THIS AMERICAN EXOTIC, WE CHOSE TO USE A VARIETY OF DUAL-ACTION/RANDOM ORBITAL POLISHERS THAT UTILIZE SMALL DIAMETER PADS THAT CONFORMED WELL TO THE VIPER'S COMPLEX FIBERGLASS/COMPOSITE BODY PANELS.
OVER 90% OF ALL SCRATCHES WERE REMOVED DURING THE STAGE III POLISH. WHILE NOT "FLAWLESS" PER SE, WE CHOSE TO EXERCISE CAUTION GIVEN THAT THIS 20-YEAR-OLD PAINT IS ORIGINAL AND THE CAR IS DRIVEN REGULARLY.
BEFORE
AFTER STAGE II POLISH
AFTER STAGE III POLISH + COATING
CERAMIC COATINGS
UNLIKE TRADITIONAL WAXES AND SEALANTS, CERAMIC COATINGS (I.E., NANO COATINGS) FORM A SEMI-PERMANENT, CHEMICALLY BONDING LAYER THAT HARDENS OVER THE CLEARCOAT, OFFERING SOME SWIRL RESISTANCE, GREAT HYDROPHOBIC CHARACTERISTICS, RESISTANCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS (TAR, SAP, ETC.), AND PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS. THESE LONG-LASTING COATINGS MAKE WASHING THE VEHICLE MUCH EASIER AND THEY MAKE IT MUCH EASIER TO MAINTAIN THAT "FRESHLY POLISHED" LOOK LONG-TERM.
WHEREAS A TRADITIONAL WAX OR SEALANT MAY LAST A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS, THE LIFESPAN OF CERAMIC COATINGS ARE TYPICALLY MEASURED IN YEARS.
PAINT
BASE COAT: GTECHNIQ CRYSTAL SERUM LIGHT (CSL)
DURABILITY: ~3-5 YEARS
GTECHNIQ CSL IS A CERAMIC, SEMI-PERMANENT COATING THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM GLOSS, SWIRL RESISTANCE, AND CHEMICAL RESISTANCE. INTERESTINGLY, YOU CAN ACTUALLY MEASURE THE ADDITIONAL THICKNESS OF THE PAINT AFTER APPLICATION. AS PER MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATION, WE APPLIED ONE LAYER.
MID-COAT: GTECHNIQ EXO
DURABILITY: ~1.5 - 2 YEARS
GTECHNIQ EXO IS DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE THE HYDROPHOBIC CHARACTERISTICS AND GLOSS OF THE PAINTWORK. AFTER CSL HAD FULLY CURED, WE INSTALLED ONE LAYER OF EXO.
TRIM
GTECHNIQ C4 PERMANENT TRIM RESTORER
DURABILITY: ~1-2 YEARS
AS THE TRIM WAS FADED ON THE AREA UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND WEATHER STRIPPING, WE USED GTECHNIQ C4 PERMANENT TRIM RESTORER TO RESTORE THE PLASTICS.
UNLIKE TRADITIONAL DRESSINGS, GTECHNIQ C4 CHEMICALLY BONDS TO THE TRIM AND RESTORES/PROTECTS IT, WHILST ADDING A TASTEFUL SATIN FINISH.
WHEELS/CALIPERS/EXHAUST
DURABILITY: ~1-2 YEARS
GTECHNIQ C5 WHEEL ARMOR IS A LONG-LASTING, HYDROPHOBIC, HEAT-RESISTANT COATING THAT PROTECTS RIMS, BRAKE CALIPERS, EXHAUST, AND OTHER AREAS THAT ARE EXPOSED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. C5 ALSO HELPS REPEL BRAKE DUST AND MAKES THE SURFACE EASIER TO CLEAN.
UNLIKE TRADITIONAL WAXES AND SEALANTS, CERAMIC COATINGS (I.E., NANO COATINGS) FORM A SEMI-PERMANENT, CHEMICALLY BONDING LAYER THAT HARDENS OVER THE CLEARCOAT, OFFERING SOME SWIRL RESISTANCE, GREAT HYDROPHOBIC CHARACTERISTICS, RESISTANCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS (TAR, SAP, ETC.), AND PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS. THESE LONG-LASTING COATINGS MAKE WASHING THE VEHICLE MUCH EASIER AND THEY MAKE IT MUCH EASIER TO MAINTAIN THAT "FRESHLY POLISHED" LOOK LONG-TERM.
WHEREAS A TRADITIONAL WAX OR SEALANT MAY LAST A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS, THE LIFESPAN OF CERAMIC COATINGS ARE TYPICALLY MEASURED IN YEARS.
PAINT
BASE COAT: GTECHNIQ CRYSTAL SERUM LIGHT (CSL)
DURABILITY: ~3-5 YEARS
GTECHNIQ CSL IS A CERAMIC, SEMI-PERMANENT COATING THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM GLOSS, SWIRL RESISTANCE, AND CHEMICAL RESISTANCE. INTERESTINGLY, YOU CAN ACTUALLY MEASURE THE ADDITIONAL THICKNESS OF THE PAINT AFTER APPLICATION. AS PER MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATION, WE APPLIED ONE LAYER.
MID-COAT: GTECHNIQ EXO
DURABILITY: ~1.5 - 2 YEARS
GTECHNIQ EXO IS DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE THE HYDROPHOBIC CHARACTERISTICS AND GLOSS OF THE PAINTWORK. AFTER CSL HAD FULLY CURED, WE INSTALLED ONE LAYER OF EXO.
TRIM
GTECHNIQ C4 PERMANENT TRIM RESTORER
DURABILITY: ~1-2 YEARS
AS THE TRIM WAS FADED ON THE AREA UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND WEATHER STRIPPING, WE USED GTECHNIQ C4 PERMANENT TRIM RESTORER TO RESTORE THE PLASTICS.
UNLIKE TRADITIONAL DRESSINGS, GTECHNIQ C4 CHEMICALLY BONDS TO THE TRIM AND RESTORES/PROTECTS IT, WHILST ADDING A TASTEFUL SATIN FINISH.
WHEELS/CALIPERS/EXHAUST
DURABILITY: ~1-2 YEARS
GTECHNIQ C5 WHEEL ARMOR IS A LONG-LASTING, HYDROPHOBIC, HEAT-RESISTANT COATING THAT PROTECTS RIMS, BRAKE CALIPERS, EXHAUST, AND OTHER AREAS THAT ARE EXPOSED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. C5 ALSO HELPS REPEL BRAKE DUST AND MAKES THE SURFACE EASIER TO CLEAN.
RESULTS
NONE OF THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS HAVE BEEN EDITED IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.
THE PHOTOS ACCURATELY DEPICT THE RESULTS ACHIEVED.
THE PHOTOS ACCURATELY DEPICT THE RESULTS ACHIEVED.
BEFORE/AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
INTERIOR
EXTERIOR
CLOSING COMMENTS
OPERATION SUCCESSFUL
PATIENT RESTORED TO FORMER GLORY AND RELEASED BACK INTO ITS NATURAL HABITAT
#SAVETHEMANUALS
END LOG/
"THE EXORCIST" HAS BEEN LOGGED OUT.
SESSION TERMINATED.
OPERATION SUCCESSFUL
PATIENT RESTORED TO FORMER GLORY AND RELEASED BACK INTO ITS NATURAL HABITAT
#SAVETHEMANUALS
END LOG/
"THE EXORCIST" HAS BEEN LOGGED OUT.
SESSION TERMINATED.