1968 Firebird, Full wet sand and buff: Rasky's Auto Detailing

[RaskyR1]

1968 Pontiac Firebird, Full Wet Sand and Buff.

This fine example of classic muscle actually belongs to one of my dealer accounts from back in the day when I worked for a high volume shop. The owner had purchased the vehicle as a personal collector/project car, and like most restorations, it has been a long tedious process over several years and it apparently lost some steam along the way. For those of you who’ve restored a car of this magnitude before you more than likely know exactly what I’m talking about. ;) In fact, this car had actually been painted about ten years ago and was then tucked away for what turned out to be a very long hibernation. As she awoke from her long slumber this spring she was treated to a new convertible top, exhaust, tune, and finally an extreme make over by yours truly.

Prior to delivery I was under the impression that the car had not been cut and buffed yet, but it was blatantly obvious upon seeing the car that it had already been done by the painter. Unfortunately, that was also the era where the “rocks in the bottle” 3M compound was widely used by body shops which left very deep marring throughout the finish. While the finish was pretty smooth as far as orange peel, the paint had shrunk down considerably over the last 10 years which required some additional leveling.

The car actually arrived with 99% of the trim and chrome off the car, which is definitely a plus when you’re wet sanding. Here is how she looked upon arrival.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3008.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3009.jpg

As you can see the painter was nice enough to leave me some 10 year old compound (concrete) left behind in cracks and throughout the vehicle.

Compound splatter on the wheels
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3010.jpg

“Like removes like”, a good friend once told me. M105 on a MF towel worked great for removing the left over compound in the jambs.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3020.jpg


Having had plenty of prior notice on this car I had decided to order up some Mirka sanding disks that I’d been wanting to try for some time now. Normally 3M is my go to abrasive for sanding but several people I look up to had spoken highly of the Mirka abrasives and this car made for a great test subject. Below you can see the 1500 grit Mirka Royal Micro disks, and the 2000/4000 grit Mirka Abralon disks. However, since the car had already been leveled a good amount the 1500 disk were not used/required.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3085.jpg

After a thorough wash with Chemical Guys Citrus wash n’ Clear mixed at a paint prep ratio, I pulled out my halogen and dual xenon lights to better inspect the finish. As you can see from the pics, the painter had left a LOT of deep marring and holograms in the paint.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3015.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3013.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3014.jpg

A few RIDS and chips had been inflicted over the years. Most the scratches were fully removed and chips were touched up.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3017.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3062.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3018.jpg

Marring shown with the Brinkmann Dual Xenon light
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3068.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3070_crop.jpg

There was also undercoating over spray on several areas of the car which was removed with Tarminator
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3029.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3031.jpg

I zoomed in on the hood and took a pic to better show the amount of shrink which had occurred over the last ten years. As you can see this resulted in a dull distorted looking refection….wait until you see the after pic of this one! ;)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3028.jpg

[RaskyR1]

After the inspection was done and the majority of the undercoating was removed I clayed the paint using a mild clay and Meguiars Final Inspection as clay lube.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3081.jpg

After claying 1/4 of the hood you can see the amount of surface defects that were still bonded to the paint.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3083.jpg

Once I had the surface prepped I then tapped off all my sharp edges using 1/4 3M fine line masking tape. Since the car was initially leveled by someone else, I wanted to avoid any possibility of a strike through on all sharp edges. 3M fine line tape is expensive, but its benefits are well worth the cost on an application such as this. If you’ve never worked with this tape before I suggest picking up a roll and trying it out. ;)

http://www.pivco.net/images/3M6404.gif

Car all taped up
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3103.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3104.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3105.jpg

For the actual wet sanding I chose to go with the Abralon 2000 grit disks followed by the 4000 grit disks. All sanding was done via PCXP with a Mirka foam interface pad. I did notice that the Mirka interface pad was significantly stiffer than the 3M ones I have. Not sure if it’s because my 3M’s pads are old and used or not but it’s just something that was noticed.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3111.jpg

Some pics of the car all sanded waiting to be buffed.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3112.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3113.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3117.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3118.jpg

This back section was the only area on the car where some hand sanding was needed and it had never actually been sanded before.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3123.jpg

Normally I would finish sanding a car out with 3M Trizact 3000 grit disks, which makes the compounding step a breeze in itself, but these 4000 grit Abralon disks made it even easier!

My process for the sanding scratch removal and the refinement steps went as follows:


M105 on the rotary equipped with a Meguiars Maroon Solo wool pad .
M105 on the rotary equipped with a orange LC foam pad.
M205 on the PCXP equipped with a black LC pad.
3M Ultrafina on the rotary equipped with a blue LC pad.
(Some areas were done with 3” and 4” pads or by hand)


Initial buffing step
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3134.jpg

Hitting some tight areas with the 3” wool pad
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3147.jpg

Lowers got sanded too!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3148.jpg

50/50 shots (Steps 1-3 only)
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3127.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3129.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3131.jpg

Deck lid turned out amazing!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3136.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3137.jpg

The engine bay was also to receive a quick cleanup to remove the 10 years of dust…nothing crazy though.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3157.jpg

[RaskyR1]

Now for some finished pics! ;)
After the 3M Ultrafina
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3153.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3151.jpg

I pulled the car out for some sun pics...the sun had been a rare site the last few weeks and I lucked out on Mothers Day! LSP was 2x Blackfire Wet-Diamond

(I did later remove the black over spray on the front splash pan ) ;)
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3158.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3160.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3161.jpg

Rear deck lid
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3162.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3163.jpg

Love the hood pics
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3165.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3166.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3167.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3168.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3170.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3171.jpg

Smooth as glass! ;)
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3174.jpg

Halogen shots
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3188.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3189.jpg

Brinkman Dual Xenon shots
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3199.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3201.jpg

Some cool reflection shots
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3178.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3182.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3183.jpg

Removed as much of the other guys compound as I could
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3202.jpg

Engine
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3198.jpg

Wheels/tires
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3184.jpg

Remember this close up pic on the hood?
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3028.jpg

How’s it look now? :)
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3191.jpg


Last but not least….car being loaded back up to head home and get assembled.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3203.jpg


As always, thank you for taking the time to view my work,

Rasky

[Mary S]

That's a beautiful job, Rasky, quite a transformation! Thanks for the pics!

[tecka]

:worship

That looks like a brand new paint job!

[RDVT4ME]

Really nice work!

A question....what did you do to the edge area's that were taped off? Polish out by hand?

[Murr1525]

Looks great.

[woblynne]

Looks like liquid!!!!

Great job

Mark

[RaskyR1]

That's a beautiful job, Rasky, quite a transformation! Thanks for the pics!

Thanks! :)



:worship

That looks like a brand new paint job!


Thank you! In a way it was still a new paint job. :D


Really nice work!

A question....what did you do to the edge area's that were taped off? Polish out by hand?

Thanks Bob!

I Guess I probably should have noted that in my original write up of that car. :D After I finished going over the car with my second step (M105 and orange LC pad) I pulled the tape off and hit those areas with the same combo. I did it panel by panel though and I left tape on the opposite edge as I did each one. I also made sure that the rotary was polishing/spinning away from the edge as much as possible.


Looks great.

Thanks Murr! :)


Looks like liquid!!!!

Great job

Mark


Thanks Mark! :)

[Michael Stoops]

Sa-weeeet!!!! Beautiful, beautiful work!

[ClearlyCoated]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3134.jpg

Excellent job, Rasky. As always.

Where did you get the cover in the pic?

[RaskyR1]

Sa-weeeet!!!! Beautiful, beautiful work!

Thanks Mike! :)




Excellent job, Rasky. As always.

Where did you get the cover in the pic?

Thanks buddy!

I actually just went down to Wallmart and picked up some cheap bed sheets. I normally use them to cover up the motorcycles while buffing but they worked out great for the top too. ;)


Rasky

[TurboNed]

Really good job there, Rasky :goodjob2

[J. A. Michaels]

Fantastic work. The Firebird looks fabulous. Always a pleasure reading your write ups. Keep up the excellent work.

The paint looks so smooooth.

[aris]

Awesome work

[TimG]

Turned out looking awesome, Chad. Crystal clear reflections man! Just like my Jap girl says, "supa wetto". LOL

Plus good tip on the coverings. Cheap bedsheets here I go.

[Driven Auto Detail]

INCREDIBLE work!!!!!!! Simply stunning! :drool

[Shawn T.]

Awesome job! I wish I could do that........

Out of curiosity, what type of clay were you using? It looks like it is the Hi-Tech Mild Clay from ADS. Incredible work once again!!!

[RaskyR1]

Really good job there, Rasky :goodjob2

Thanks Nedim!


Fantastic work. The Firebird looks fabulous. Always a pleasure reading your write ups. Keep up the excellent work.

The paint looks so smooooth.

Thanks JAM! ;)


Awesome work

Thank you!


Turned out looking awesome, Chad. Crystal clear reflections man! Just like my Jap girl says, "supa wetto". LOL

Plus good tip on the coverings. Cheap bedsheets here I go.

Thanks Tim!

I actually got the bed sheet idea from Mike Phillips. ;)


INCREDIBLE work!!!!!!! Simply stunning! :drool

Thanks Mike!


Awesome job! I wish I could do that........

Out of curiosity, what type of clay were you using? It looks like it is the Hi-Tech Mild Clay from ADS. Incredible work once again!!!

Thank you!

I was actually using the medium grade clay from Detailed Image (http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Accessories-M12/Medium-Grade-Clay-Bar-P376/180g-S1/).

[KC's]

:worship:

hail to the king of wet sanding....absolutely ma ma mia

like yr write up...thanks for sharing
xyxthumbs:xyxthumbs:xyxthumbs:xyxthumbs

[DualActionDetail]

Really awesome, did you do the entire back end with 4" pads? I'm sure it was relieving when the car arrived without trim and badges and handles and what not.

Red looks so good when done right....

[InfiniteDetail]

Superb work! Thanks for the tip on the 1/4" tape :bigups

[yalerd]

Amazing work!! Love the results and how crisp the paint looks :bigups

[RaskyR1]

:worship:

hail to the king of wet sanding....absolutely ma ma mia

like yr write up...thanks for sharing
xyxthumbs:xyxthumbs:xyxthumbs:xyxthumbs


Thanks KC! :dance1


Really awesome, did you do the entire back end with 4" pads? I'm sure it was relieving when the car arrived without trim and badges and handles and what not.

Red looks so good when done right....

Thanks Mark!

I was very relieved when I seen all the trim was off. I removed the two hood "350" emblems and it had two other badges on the drivers fender that I removed as well. Nothing I hate more than trying to sand and buff around trim. ;)

That back panel was done with a 3" wool and some 4" foam pads but I did polish by hand around the tail light inserts.



Superb work! Thanks for the tip on the 1/4" tape :bigups

Thanks Jeff!

I need to source that tape in bulk! :D


Amazing work!! Love the results and how crisp the paint looks :bigups


Thanks Francis! :)

[Brook]

Truly stunning. Great artistry.

[thedirtyshow]

you are an inspiration to watch, your r1 detail brought me in but the details keep me around. i am thinking of getting into detailing you and tuck91 and nick gave me the bug and now it's impregnated. thanks for everything.

[Joenok]

great stuff! Handsome car..

[Andrew C.]

Awesome Work!!!!

[RaskyR1]

Truly stunning. Great artistry.

Thanks Max!


you are an inspiration to watch, your r1 detail brought me in but the details keep me around. i am thinking of getting into detailing you and tuck91 and nick gave me the bug and now it's impregnated. thanks for everything.

LOL! It's all over for you know! :D

Thanks!


great stuff! Handsome car..

Thank you!

Something tells me you're an Audi fan??? :D

I have an S4 coming in Friday, though it's just a 1-step and interior job. ;)


Awesome Work!!!!

Thanks Andrew! :wavey

[smack]

What an amazing job!

[Fly Bye]

...

[Fly Bye]

Good show Rasky :xyxthumbs



I tried adding to your rep, but got this message...

''You must spread some reputation around before giving it to RaskyR1 again.''

[Mark Kleis]

Rasky,

Most of us could only ever dream to have the talent and knowledge you possess. Extremely well done write-up, and flawless work on the paint.

Well done sir!

[RaskyR1]

What an amazing job!

Thanks smack! :)



Good show Rasky :xyxthumbs



I tried adding to your rep, but got this message...

''You must spread some reputation around before giving it to RaskyR1 again.''






LOL! you gots to share the love man! :D

Thank you!


Rasky,

Most of us could only ever dream to have the talent and knowledge you possess. Extremely well done write-up, and flawless work on the paint.

Well done sir!


Thanks Mark! :)

[Tuck91]

Not sure how I missed this one.

Incredible work Rasky! I really enjoyed the writeup!

[sleepy]

Rasky, I enjoy seeing your work. It is hard to believe that you can do this in your garage and it come out looking that good!