Here's a old story, perhaps might be long, and hopefully not boring.
Many years ago, I was asked to detail, and fix a best friend's car, which he had bought just a month earlier. "Cadillac Jimmy's Car" was a extremely clean, all original all black 1965 Cadillac Calais. Bought it from a "little old lady"! LOL
After James got through with the car, he said it looked even worse, and wanted the car looking right, as he wanted to place the car in an auto show the following weekend.
Hence, this is where I come in. James said the car was nothing but a big mass of streaks, swirls, clouds, and the paint just basically was looking like crap after his efforts.
He was living in Addision, Ill at the time, and myself in Chicago. So off I go with an entire trunkful worth of products, and tools, pads, bonnets, etc.
At the time, I was largely dealing with a now long gone wax factory in Chicago called "Nu Look". They made a lot of really superb products, specifically catering to the detailing shops abroad.
I had considerable reservations initially of even taking on the job, the compliments, and the important need of my abilities were of course nicely taken, but I then knew my abilties were going to be placed in an extremely demanding position. That what I was going to do, would have no compromise, what I would do would have to be no less than perfect for this specific job.
When I personally inspected the vehicle, I knew I was going to be in for hell, as there were light scratches, haze, swirls, and a lack of luster.
I did confer with the owner of Nu Look, Frank D'Amato beforehand, as to what would be the best choices within his personal lines of products.
The vehicle did need High Speed Buffing, Polishing, and then a final wax, and detail. I was indeed scared shitless of taking high speed buffer to 25 year old Laquer Paint.
I spent a total of 8 hours doing the major processes, and concentrating on the major flaws to get James "out of the woods", and would leave any minor detailing processes such as Door Jambs, Interior Cleanup and Detail to him, and left him an entire cardboard box worth of detailing sprays, interior cleaners, waxes, polishes, Tire Cleaners-Treatments, and a host of Perfumes. Frank must've had the largest selection of Perfumes on the planet, about 40 in all.
I think I lost 6 lbs in sweat with the work, and worry with that car! LOL
The car was looking magnificent, like one huge black mirror. The Pink Magic pure Liquid Carnauba that Frank used to make ($13 Gallon) at the time was really a fantastic product.
James was 100% happy with the work, but I still had reservations about how my work would be taken by car show enthusiasts, and perhaps Judges? And as well, whether my work would be seen as properly done as time passed, and whether that work would stand the test of time?
I got the call from James the next day following the Car Show.
It was all great news, he took a "Best in Show" out of about 100-125 vehicles.
The Judge's first questions, were, "Who painted the Car", and James told them, "GM did 25 years ago!" They couldn't beleve it.
They also commented that "He had the best smelling car at the Show!
That was the "Bubble Gum" Perfume he decided to use, which used to smell just like Juicy Fruit Gum.
James still has that car, now lives in Sarasota Florida, has amassed probably 150 Trophies, and has earned himself the name "Cadillac Jimmy". He's been a car club president down there for quite a few years as well, and probably does shows almost every weekend.
The car still wears the original Paint! Mark
rops: Mark
