2003 Dodge RAM 1500

Nica

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This is yet another referral from the previous work I did on the 2003 Tiburon. This vehicle was in okay conditions, the owner was more interested on the interior and well that’s where I focused majority of my attention, the exterior needed some work and even though the customer only wanted me to do some work in the exterior I went and did a little extra but this vehicle required wet sanding and I had to pass on the wet sanding on this one as customer did not want to pay for the wet sanding. To conclude, I had fun detailing this vehicle and I was satisfied with the results.

2003 Dodge RAM 1500

Exterior Process

Wash:
I used Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo with two bucket method and the white ShMITT.

Clay:
The vehicle was in rough shape so I used Red Clay Magic, the vehicle had some war wounds and lots of tree sap so I went with Red Clay Magic.

Polish

Optimum Hyper Compound – Metabo – Meguiars Cutting Wool pad – 1500rpm
Menzerna 106FF – Metabo – Menzerna White Pad – 1500rpm
Menzerna Final Polish II – Metabo – Menzerna Orange Pad – 1500rpm

Glaze:
Pinnacle XMT Carnauba Finishing Glaze – applied by hand and removed my hand.

Wax:
1 – coat of Meguiars #16

Tire dressing/wheel wells:
For the tires and the wheel wells I used Meguiars Hot shine Tire Spray.

Exterior plastic peaces/trim:
I used Mothers Back to Black.

Glass:
Stoners with glass Cobra MF

Engine bay:
Used a degreaser found locally 1:1 and dressed with Meguiars Hot shine Tire Spray.

Interior Process:

Vinyl and rubber:
I used Meguiars #40, but prior to it I gave the entire vehicle a nice wipe down with Meg’s APC mixed with water 1:1.

Carpet:
Meguirs APC used it on the carpet and seats as well 10:1 ratio again. I scrubbed with a brush then extracted it with my shop-vac. I did this for the entire vehicle because it needed it.

Observations:
I found that Optimum Hyper Compound with Meguiars cutting wool pad didn’t have the affect I saw using the Menzerna Power Gloss Compound. When I used Meguiars cutting wool pad and Menzerna Power Gloss Compound it removed lots of swirls. Not sure if it had to do with the clear coat but then again if I would have done the exterior of this truck properly I would have wet sanded and I did not wet sand…the point is I’ll need to give this Combo (Meguiars cutting wool pad with Optimum Hyper Compound) a fair comparison. Not sure if anyone has had anything like this and I just thought I’d share that’s all. Oh one bonus on the Optimum is that no dusting what’s so ever, compared to Menzerna lots of dusting and Optimum didn’t gum up the wool pad as fast as Menzerna.

Now for pictures:

Before:
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After:
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Before:
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After:
This one is inside the garage
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This one is outside
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After:
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After:
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After:
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After:
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1/2
 
Before:
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After:
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Before:
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After:
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After:
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Now for some reflection shots in side the garage:
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Now for some outside shots:
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Any feed back feel free to post, I welcome any kind of feed back...oh and that's all for pictures :D
 
I see young grasshopper that you have learned my pic posting technique. hehe Great job Nica, as usual. I definately love the tire shot!!!

DSC02465.jpg
 
Also, how long did that take you and what did you charge?
 
Bigfoot - Thank you compadre...this one I called a BOOOOOOMBA! hahahaha como en las cansiones Latinas hahahaha. This one was a fun one, and I love the new products I used on it.

Dust - What can I say bro, I learn from the best :righton: Oh I love the way the tires/rims finished off...owner oculd not beleave it was the same truck...just blown away by it. Thank you for the compliment...and glad you approve of the pictures :D
 
Great job Carlos..it sounds like you were bummed he didn't let you (ie..pay for) a complete restoration. So far I've been lucky with people who have let me have free reign. You're sure getting good use out of your garage setup. Now you're only missing one key, very important, technique from your detailing arsenal. You have to take up smoking cigars buddy!!! It truly is heaven being out there, puffing away, tunes going..something cold to drink..sound of the rotary...and gleaming paint. I know AL53 smokes them..we need more converts:D
 
Thanks richy, yea I was bummed about not being able to wetsand...heck I didn't even have to use a wool pad the customer said he just wanted the exterior to look okay and when I heard that many "okay's" whent through my head hahaha...his "okay" is not my "okay" hahahaha. Turned out nice and I'm getting the hand of the wool pads. cigars huh, well I actually have lots of them from back home. I hardly ever smoke them though, only on Christmas or very special ocasions..the ones I have are from back home and have a big centimental value and I love staring at the box and the cigars them self's.

Oh I got another vehicle I'm working on right now...yea I should get going but on this one I was told "money is not an issue" :righton: so I'm going all out on it :D

I'll post when done.
 
Nice work buddy! The ram looks brand new! I love the interior, looks so clean :D
 
joe.p - Thank you for the compliment buddy. I enjoyed my self way to much with this truck :D

pirex - Thank's bro, it turned out nice and the customer was blowned away. He couldn't get over the engine bay and the interior :righton:
 
Nica, that tire shot is amazing!!! Such nice work as usual, love the way you made that blue just SHINE!
 
Oh my gosh, nica! what a turn-around!
I enjoyed all the pictures, especially the ones of you wearing socks with flipflops in the reflecion. So sexy! oooh!
hee hee hee
But seriously, that rocks! Ready to quit your day job? You probably could!
 
Way to get it done. No wonder he was blown away. Very nice.
 
Again, another awesome detail, Carlos! Exterior and interior look great, and that engine bay is spotless!
Question...did you have to remove the bug-shield/deflector from the hood before polishing? I used to have one, and all kinds of crap used to get stuck in there.
 
Very nice NICA your details always look awesome! Love the engine bay turnaround.
 
P1et - Thank you for the compliment bro, the truck turned out good. Yea I like the way the tires looked :awesome: oh and the paint, I have to give props to Meg's #16. Such a good wax but I wished the customer would have let me done some wet sanding...the truck totally required it..but you make do with what your handed and I thought it tourned out nice..FPII is wicked stuff, gave the truck that extra gloss.

ltoman - Yea that was early in the morning wiht the flip flops and the temperature was wicked, nice and hot just the way I like it. I didn't think the the reflection was going to turn out as good as it did but the before and after affect is much better. Quit my day job....na...I'm the detailing king at work and people left right and center are coming to be for advise on what to do to there vehicles and I'm always sharing with them...I got a few vehicles lined up....I'll never quit my day job, I have way to much fun there...besides detailing is a pasion for me and I'm just scratching the surface of it...I'm still new at this....a few more years of detailing and I may be able to play with the big boys ;)

Jimmie - Thank you bro, I have to admit watching the owner circle his truck and remove his sun glasses and just stare at the vehicle was very satisfying to me.

alban61 - Yea when I showed the customer the engine he was totally impressed...hahaha...he had to take a step back and just stare at it hahahaha...that's what it's all about :righton:. Oh and yes I had to remove the bug-shield/deflector, there was lots of "stuff" stuck there...it was easy to clean, remove and put back. It's these little extras step that define a detailer if you ask me...may be tedeious but very satisfying for me...it's funny becuase my wife was making fun of me when the owners of any vehicle come and pick up there vehicles I just stare at the vehicle drive away from my place with a grin in my face...that's what my wife says hahahaha probably true too hahahaha.

ehuth1 - Thank you for the compliment bro, but you know credit should be given where it is deserved and I couldn't have done it with out the help of the memebers here...including your self. Reading review after review and seeing the before and afters tought me alot. That's why I do my best to not only blow away the owners but also my felaw Geeks aswell :grouphug:. Thank you for the compliment, means alot coming from you.
 
Carlos, another amazing job. Great write up too. I do love the way you made that paint jump out at you. Love your work.. I heard that you can mix OP with Menz for great looks and less ducts, haven't done this myself. Give it a try and let us know... Again beautiful detail.:applause:
 
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