Ferrari 246GT (Dino) Detail and Paint Correction
Ferrari 246GT (Dino) Detail and Paint Correction
I must admit, whenever I work on a classic, I get a bit carried away. This Ferrari 246GT was a lot of fun. Overall, this was a 3-day project totaling a little over 22 hours. I wanted to get across the scope of work involved in reconditioning a classic such as this Dino. I could have gone for another 22 hours, but I had to hold myself back. I hope you guys enjoy this thread as much as I did working on this gem.
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:31 AM.
Tires and Wheels: 20 minutes
Tires and Wheels are cleaned using a citrus-based cleaner and a pH balanced wheel cleanser
Washing and Drying Exterior Paintwork: 45 minutes
Paint is washed using deionized water, 100% Australian Sheepskin Wash Mitt, and a mild plant-based soap
I always work in small sections in order to keep the surface wet. This helps avoid drying the soap along with the dirt to the car's paint surface
I then rinse my mitt before dunking it back into the clean soap bucket. This helps flush out any dirt I just picked up and not contaminate the clean soap bucket
The soap is then rinsed off the car. The key is to never let the surface of the paint dry. Constantly irrigate the finish
The exterior is dried using a microfiber drying cloth and further dried using a filtered blower
Tires and Wheels are cleaned using a citrus-based cleaner and a pH balanced wheel cleanser
Washing and Drying Exterior Paintwork: 45 minutes
Paint is washed using deionized water, 100% Australian Sheepskin Wash Mitt, and a mild plant-based soap
I always work in small sections in order to keep the surface wet. This helps avoid drying the soap along with the dirt to the car's paint surface
I then rinse my mitt before dunking it back into the clean soap bucket. This helps flush out any dirt I just picked up and not contaminate the clean soap bucket
The soap is then rinsed off the car. The key is to never let the surface of the paint dry. Constantly irrigate the finish
The exterior is dried using a microfiber drying cloth and further dried using a filtered blower
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:40 AM.
Day 2
Sometimes it's easier to remove parts to properly clean
Sometimes it's easier to remove parts to properly clean
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:41 AM.
Interior Cleaning and Conditioning: 210 minutes
The ashtray took a good 30 minutes to clean and polish. I'm glad I didn't cut my fingers along the sharp edges
Polished using an all-natural towelette which contain lactic acid, milk, as an active ingredient
The ashtray took a good 30 minutes to clean and polish. I'm glad I didn't cut my fingers along the sharp edges
Polished using an all-natural towelette which contain lactic acid, milk, as an active ingredient
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:45 AM.
I don't know why the mirror was designed this way. Once again, opening Pandora's Box
The interior should have a subtle satin look
All leather surfaces were conditioned using a natural beef tallow conditioner with banana oil and aloe vera
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:49 AM.
Prepare exterior for polishing: 240 minutes
I'm pretty sure where everything will go......
A lot of wax residue...this step took way longer thane anticipated. It had to be done though
I'm pretty sure where everything will go......
A lot of wax residue...this step took way longer thane anticipated. It had to be done though
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:52 AM.
Paint Correction: 480 minutes
Only two pads for the whole car......
OK...maybe a few more than two. This was a single-stage paint where the clearcoat and pigment are mixed together. I measured the paint prior to polishing and there were some high reading, ranging from 200 microns to some areas as high as 600 microns
The whole car was polished using the FLEX random orbital polisher
Only two pads for the whole car......
OK...maybe a few more than two. This was a single-stage paint where the clearcoat and pigment are mixed together. I measured the paint prior to polishing and there were some high reading, ranging from 200 microns to some areas as high as 600 microns
The whole car was polished using the FLEX random orbital polisher
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:55 AM.
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Re-assembly of parts: 210 minutes
I ended up replacing all these gaskets, or rubber, that the previous restorer installed
Polished light housing
Polishing lights
Polishing license plate
I ended up replacing all these gaskets, or rubber, that the previous restorer installed
Polished light housing
Polishing lights
Polishing license plate
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:59 AM.
Polished chrome bumpers
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 02:00 AM.
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:08 AM.
Hand polish and wax: 100 minutes
Hand polish using all-natural paint cleanser containing montan oil, apricot kernel oil, and cocoamide. This step is crucial to gain further depth and bring out the warmth in the paint
Hand wax using one of the world's rarest natural carnauba waxes. Talk about a sensual experience
The wax is warmed in palms of hand, then gently massaged into the paint. I can feel anything I may have missed during this step. If all the prep work was done properly, the surface is smooth as silk
Glass surfaces are cleaned and polished. Meguiar's Detailer Line Glass Cleaner is quite possibly the finest out there. I've been using it since 2004 and haven't seen anything better
The glass can make or break a detail in my opnion. Our GP MicroGlass towels leave a streak-free surface
Hand polish using all-natural paint cleanser containing montan oil, apricot kernel oil, and cocoamide. This step is crucial to gain further depth and bring out the warmth in the paint
Hand wax using one of the world's rarest natural carnauba waxes. Talk about a sensual experience
The wax is warmed in palms of hand, then gently massaged into the paint. I can feel anything I may have missed during this step. If all the prep work was done properly, the surface is smooth as silk
Glass surfaces are cleaned and polished. Meguiar's Detailer Line Glass Cleaner is quite possibly the finest out there. I've been using it since 2004 and haven't seen anything better
The glass can make or break a detail in my opnion. Our GP MicroGlass towels leave a streak-free surface
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 02:08 AM.
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:23 AM.
I enjoyed this detail very much. It was a change from the newer cars I work on daily. I feel it's up to us to carry the torch for these classics and they should be cared for with respect and dignity. The owner of this Dino didn't expect a Concours outcome. We were realistic and focused on making this Dino the best she can look. A detail of this scope should be done every 12-18 months depending on maintenance. The paint correction portion shouldn't have to be done again if cared for properly.
So for those of you fortunate enough to have classics like this, please treat them right. It's not too difficult to care fore these older automobiles properly. The right tools, right technique, and a little TLC is all that's needed.
Last edited by MoeMistry; Mar 25, 2009 at 02:13 AM.
Thanks for looking....the whole process took about 22 hours over 3 days.