how did you paint the wheel archers, and what with, did you take them off and prime or leave them on and spray?
we just use a chassis black on the wheel arches. i prefered using one in a spray gun but the powers that be in our workshop banned us from using it because of the fumes so we have to use a different one in a hand pump. it can get pretty messy and i don't like using it but it does look really good and it sticks to anything. on customer cars i try not to use it unless they ask for it. we get spray cans for the calipers in gloss, satin or matt black and in silver alloy. they work awesome and if you prep the parts well it looks just like a spray gun. a job this involved i would charge around $280. i can only do side projects on Saturdays for cash and time is against me. if the car is in good condition its $150 and $200 for a more thorough job.
Am I the only one thinking that the spraying of the shocks and everything is a bit rough? The wheel arch yes, the camber arms, maybe... but the shock tube and strut? I don't mind being called out for this opinion, but if that were my ride I'd get right uppity!
I'd hazard a guess and take this as implying that the customer asked for it to be done Roadeater, though I may be wrong. I wouldn't mind if they were just shocks, for the sake of looking stealthy in those wheel arches. If they were coilovers or something I might get a bit irked.
$280? I hope thats JUST for removing the wheels and painting the inner guards. If not, with the amount of hours in that, there should be another "0" at the end.
yeah i don't like it either but thats what my bosses want. if a car has coilovers, decent struts, adjustable arms or any special links i just straight out refuse to do it or take the time to cover up and tape all the good bits. this car has all grubby well used shocks and springs that are way passed their used by date anyway. its missing 2 wheel studs on the passenger side. had a hard life this poor thing.
I would also hate to be the one who gets the job of removing the suspension next, all those threads filled with paint!
My thoughts exactly. A week's wage, cost of materials, and the surcharge for the service would be right up there. Still looks 500% better (if not more)
The job at the end does look very good. How many hours spent? You guys seem to use a lot of products IE: acid wheel cleaner that really should not be used in todays day and age. I have been detailing for a fair number of years and today we dont even use acid based products anymore mainly due to OHnS. I'm not keen on the painting of the suspension and wheel arch linings. With the amount of time you had spent I would of spent a little bit extra and taken out the wheel arch linings and given them a really good clean with soapy water then use a plastic trim protector that makes it look nice and shiny! A-Bris-Z: If you look in the tech section under Body you will find some detailing tips for off the shelf products.
@zanjara - do you do this professionally like Boost Junkie or as a hobby? I would love to get my zed detailed, and i would rather get it done by somebody that knows zeds and does a quality job. Abraham
OHnS is fine man but we're not allowed to use this stuff outside the washbay or workshop. all the water from the washbay goes through an oil and water separator/filter and is perfectly clean when it comes out. OHnS drops into our dealership pretty regularly so everything has to be up to scratch. we've tried heaps of the new wizz bang products but keep coming back to the old stuff simply because it works well and is fast and efficient. i work in a major car dealership so getting paid per job isn't an issue but, if i ran my own business and did jobs this size then i'd charge accordingly. i do get lots of cash jobs through word of mouth.
I have been detailing for the past 15 years. At this point in time i dont do detailing on weekends due to my work as i work weekends. If you are after a professional job done on your zed i would say take it to this place. http://www.finalinspection.com.au/ Sorry i cannot help out it with doing it myself it would be nice but with the amount of work we have going any spare time i get i try and relax. We are the same as well. We have to use non acid based products theses days which is not too bad but it can be a pain in the arse on some of the used cars. I'm not sure what they use at the dealerships as i work in our pre delivery center as a deailer/pre delivery technician. I do agree the old stuff does work well tho. Extra cash is always a good thing if you have the time
finally finished wires are for the amp engine came up pretty damn nice the finished product. this was a massive job and, as rough as it may be, it is pretty rewarding to see it come from beat up to clean and shiny. the next job i got after this is a black 2008 Hilux, raised, air lockers, cool rims and heaps of extras. i've already stripped the interior, washed it and cleaned the carpets and door trims. tomorrow i'll be doing another epic buff job. it never ends.
nah no heat paint. we use the same paint on our own cars and it holds up fine but i don't think it'd last long on a track car.
Awesome Detailing job BTW Just goes to show you what looks fantastic on the lot, could have sat in someone's yard for 5 years after being thrashed for the previous 5
Great work! Who knows, in 18mths you might have the same car back needing another makeover. What products were needed to clean the engine bay? Thanks.
