CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion - Porsche Speedster Detailing (S. Florida)

I worked on this vintage Porsche 356 Speedster a little while ago and just now I’m having time to get caught up on doing the write up. I’ve done several cars for this client (mostly classic Porsches) and not only does he use the heck out of them, he also wants them maintained to the highest levels on a regular basis. Just recently he transported a few of his cars to California just to drive them on the mountainous road terrain. This is the 1st of several sessions I’ve spent working on this vehicle and here is how it went.

As it arrived:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356001.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356004.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356005.jpg

During the wash prep process. I used 3D Yellow Degreaser for the wheels, tires & wheelhouses.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356009.jpg

Decades of dirty and grime scrubbed and rinsed away. I didn’t want to use a pressure washer to avoid disturbing the existing undercoating even though the owner will be having it reapplied:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356010.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356012.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356015.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356016.jpg

This old finish lacked depth, so I decided a light hand sanding with Micro-Mesh 3600 Grit was in order. I used 3D’s Pink Car Wash Soap as a lubricant. This level of grit easily and effectively leveled the topical defects to aid in breaking through to the workable finish which greatly helped the canvas for correction.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356024.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356021.jpg

Here’s how it looked prior to correction (keep in mind that a 3600 sand scratch is quite easy to polish out):
Outside shots:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356025.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356029.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356030.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356038.jpg

A little taping off (the plate frame assembly did get removed):

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356045.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356043.jpg

50/50’s to see how perfect the restored finish was able to get. I used HD UNO V4 with 5 inch MF pads for the correction and then finished down with 3D Black Finishing Foam Pads.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356054.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356062.jpg

After the post correction rewash was done, I then preceded to clean, recondition and detail the interior and trunk compartments. I used HD TOTAL for all the cleaning duties. Here is what the interior looked like before:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356086.jpg

Here is a mild concentration of HD TOTAL soaking on the seats. The more it dwelled, the more it allowed all the deeply embedded soiling that resided here for decades to gently free up and away from the surface. I used the HD DUO Pad for the scrubbing/agitating duties. Here’s a taste of what was lifting:

Spray:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356089.jpg

Agitate:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356090.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356097.jpg

After breaking things up and a little more dwell time:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356092.jpg

And here’s how differently the seats looked after cleaning along with the dirt that lifted onto the towel:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356093.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356096.jpg

Here’s a sample of the soiling that lifted from the door panels:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356084.jpg

Other sections received some love from various brushes:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356100.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356101.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356099.jpg

Because the seats looked a touch dingy and the owner prefers a little gloss (as long as it’s tasteful) on this vehicle, I used HD PROTECT as the icing on the cake. This stuff smells incredible! You can alter the gloss after the product sets up. Just take a separate towel and buff it to the desired gloss level w/o any greasy feel.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356104.jpg

Here is how the interior turned out:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356122.jpg

Dash clean, shined & sealed:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356125.jpg

On to the trunk. Here’s how it started:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356071.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356070.jpg

The floor mat was removed and hand scrubbed and then rinsed:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356075.jpg

The fuel tank was polished with HD UNO with a HD Green Foam Pad and then sealed with HD POXY:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356072.jpg

Seals were treated with 1Z Gummi:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356076.jpg

Trunk Afters:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356078.jpg

Engine got a light rinse and wipe down:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356116.jpg

Toward the end of the day, I applied a thin layer of HD POXY sealer and let is cross-link overnight:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356108.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356109.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356105.jpg

Here’s the afters:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356140.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356136.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356153.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356135.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356145.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356138.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356137.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356143.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356160.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356133.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356146.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356131.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356141.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...ter/356161.jpg

Because of the chance for rain, my client decided to get this vehicle towed back to his place. He would have left it, but was having a party
and was anxious to show off his car to his friends

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...dster/mail.jpg
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...psc93aa5e6.jpg