Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

[Quenga]

So this is my first post aside from my intro post. I'm new to 'advanced' detailing. I've always been into cleaning my car and have always done it religiously. Well, I recently separated from the Marine Corps and am now going to school and working full-time to pay off bills. I get paid to go to school for the next four years, but I don't want to work full-time. After this first year, I want to get into detailing as a side gig (I get paid enough during school where I don't even need to work!). To save money, I got rid of my gas guzzling 02 GMC Sierra and bought the same car I had before I left to the military.

Well, this car...um...well, putting it nicely...is the most horrible car I've ever had. Haha. But, I got it for cheap, I know a lot about fixing it up and I wanted a project to keep me busy (this was before I decided to work full-time of course!).

So, now that you know more than you probably needed, here's my 'project' car. This was just a basic 'detailing'. No machine polishers, no high tech stuff...just your average guy detailing and a RugDoctor .


Here is what I started with, I didn't take many outside shots you'll get the idea:








Here's the trunk and interior I was dealing with:












Yeah, this is cool...just leave wires open all over the place...









Next post will have the afters...

[Quenga]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

Oh, I forgot the money shot!




All I did here was spray some degreaser, let it soak and then power washed it all off. Nothing special. I am replacing and painting a bunch of parts, so I'm not really worried about how detailed it looks right now.





Here's a shot of the hood before/after the clay bar and cleaner wax. I didn't even spend much time on it.




Here's what a Rug Doctor can pull out of your car! I emptied 5 of these!




I still have to get rid of some more nastiness and do some odor removal, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Now some updated shots of the interior:












I had to return the Rug Doctor, so I just painted the carpet I plan on replacing anyway. Looks way cleaner and I now want it all black!





Here's my first shot at doing the rims. I don't realy want the polished rims, I'm going to paint them black, but until I do...I'm gonna work on polishing these up. Here's a before and after:









This was with spending maybe 10 minutes with some metal polish...







Well, as you can see...I've got my work cut out for me. But, it's a good car to learn on. I don't care if I mess up the paint because I'm going to eventually repaint it. However, it's my project car, so I'm using it to learn on.


My camera died and I never got around to taking updated photos of a lot of stuff. So, when I get the chance, I'll update again. The wife just said I could buy me a DA today! So, we'll see...I could be getting some good detailing done soon!!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

What a mess. Good luck.

[MDetail]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

Does anyone clean a car anymore before they sell it?

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

What a mess! I would hate to see this persons house! Have fun! I know you'll be proud to show it off after your done.

[Quenga]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

OH MAN! I put the wrong aftershots of the carpet on! Haha...here are the real 'after' shots....










And the headlight. I could have made it better, but my drill died and I'm replacing these too, so...for now:

[Quenga]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

Does anyone clean a car anymore before they sell it?

That's EXACTLY what I thought. But, the car was worth it. He had $1000 coilovers on the car and he didn't even know it! There are a ton of things wrong with this car, but for what I paid and the fact that I got those coilovers, I'm happy. My parents and my wife got on me for buying the car like this, but...what am I supposed to do? MAKE him clean it?

What a mess! I would hate to see this persons house! Have fun! I know you'll be proud to show it off after your done.

I did see his house! It's WORSE! You know, I actually cleaned out some of the car before I even took photos. I took out dirty old clothes, bags of McDonalds...etc. His house was horrible though. There was rotten food on the table, it looked like they had a mud fight in their house (literally mud all over the floors and some on the walls!). It stunk real bad...etc etc. I could not wait to get that pink slip and be GONE!

And yeah, I can't wait until I can get new photo's and clean out the car even more. Can't wait for my G-110 either!

[Nappers]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

What a mess!

Looks like your making some headway though

and.....Thank you for serving our Country my good fellow!

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

lol!!!

[audionutmike]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

First things first. Thank you for your service to your country, we are indebted to you and all our military. Getting out of the military can be a scary thing in many ways, but it sounds like you've got a good plan to get back to civilian life. All the best to you on your schooling as well.
Second, welcome aboard!! You'll find a wealth of information on these forums and plenty of advice and help.
Lastly, wow....you had some steel b*&^ls when you bought that!! Lots of work, but it is looking great! Keep it up.

[eric96ser]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

I remember seeing those pictures when you first posted them on the sr20 forum. When I bought my B13, the carpet was nasty. I removed it, and took it to a car wash, and used the wand to clean it. The water looked like coffee. The good thing about the back cars, are they are single stage. So as long as there is enough paint left, you should be able to remove most of those swirls. My B14 is black, and I've found that 82 does a great job. Try that with the G-110, and let us know the results.

[Sal329]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

Looks like it s commin along nicely.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

What a mess... looks like the previous owner was living in the car...

Good job cleaning it up!

[MDetail]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

Well its good for you, you get a better deal on the car, and just put a little elbow grease in it, make it look like new again. I just can't imagine people leave their car like that, don't they want top dollar? Great job on that carpet.

[Quenga]

Re: Basic Detail: 200sx SE-R

Yeah, I'm actually on the edge of selling the car or keeping it. I want to sell it because I want a Camaro . But, I've put a lot into the car so far (almost as much as I paid for it!), and it gets way better gas mileage.

Wife okay'd the purchase, so I'm just trying to find the best place to order the G-110 right now. I'm such a nerd when it comes to finding the best deals with the coolest free bonuses. Can't wait! Will update for sure!