My eXtreme Garage Makeover plus some detailing work

Tato

New member
Joined
Nov 27, 2013
Messages
2,157
Reaction score
0
Dear Friends,

It's been a while since my last show'n'shine but at any moment of my detailing routine I've forgot about any of your lessons and shared enthusiasm to this craft / art / etc.

Also I cannot help but say I'm truly (eternally) grateful to many people here who helped me SO much (AGO Staff and Members) in a very professional and friendly manner. More than detailing, here I've learned important aspects of being a (much) Better Human being. Thanks for giving the example.


:Picture: Sure!,

Lonnnng Story short, here's a recent picture of my Garage (workplace) front entry condition:
mak1-a-1.png


This is happening because someone decided to put a building next door.
mak1-a-2.png


Honestly, I'm not against modernization but how unlucky can be a detailer to face such situation next door?

The worst part (dust raising) was more than an year ago, luckily their routine is not disturbing mine in any manner nowadays, but other colateral damage left / building related were boring me a lot.

Here's what happened to my garage floor due to building:
mak1-a-4.png


Aw! Man! Although I was working normally (but bored), it was agreed someday they would repair it (at their own cost). The day finally arrived.

All that bad brought GOOD improvements to my workplace as follow.

Old flooring was fully removed
mak1-a-5.png


And they started everything from scratch.
mak1-a-6.png


mak1-a-7.png


Taking advantage of the makeover project, I decided to improve my roof too, in order to improve cleanness and clarity even more.

Here's how it looked:
mak1-a-8.png


Here's how it looks:
mak1-a-9.png


But there was still something bothering me even though a lot of improvement was going on.

Can you see it? Try. You'll realize bellow:
mak1-a-10.png


NOT yet?
mak1-a-11.png


Ok, this is it:
mak1-a-12.png


The building engineers were very gentle and friendly providing an easy and fast way to take off both pillars from my garage turning it into an ample and unobstructed work area.
mak1-a-13.png


mak1-a-14.png


I've then soldered screws to the new sustentation bar to reinstall my lighting
mak1-a-15.png


Then came the new floor tiles
mak1-a-16.png


Almost ready, I just need to work on to beautify the electrical installation but I'll only do it when I found enough time to do it properly.
mak1-a-17.png


In the Meanwhile

I took my time to rest a little bit and rearrange things here but I also got a lot of great detailing experiences like going mobile or traveling for detailing while all this was happening.

On a episode I did a 2010 Land Rover Freelander with very low mileage together with a great friend at his detailing business, ~100km from my place.

Few cell pics, but we did it 'Like a Boss' (Claude ;) ),
mak1-a-18.png


And my test spot, (shock (or not!)), Flex 3401, white LC hybrid pad, SF4000 and IPA wipedown.

Left side, unpolished:
mak1-a-19.png


Right side, polished.
mak1-a-20.png


I found time to airbrush my work ladder in silver and clearcoat it - hard to see but my friend manufactured skate wheels into '4 small foots' to my ladder (in red), very durable and wont slip.


I could meet detailers in my area, and work on some cars with them, including this BMW 118i
mak1-a-22.png


mak1-a-23.png


mak1-a-23b.png


This paint was unnecessarily hard for the finishing potential it was offering, but I could work it out using SHC300 and SF4000, coated with PBL surface coating and topped (24h later) with BlackFire BlackIce!
mak1-a-24.png


mak1-a-25.png


One advantage I can cite working outside is the easiness for inspection and 'Free' full lighting provided
mak1-a-27.png


mak1-a-28.png


Ended up really nice
mak1-a-29.png


Back to home, Be all Welcome to my new home.
mak1-a-30.png


I could already perform some work and I must say I'm very happy with the outcome. I've selected some pictures of white and black Peugeots that I'll share now, but I really want to keep on pace and restart sharing car by car after each work (and I have some exciting work coming).

Here's is whitey (208 model) ready to delivery
mak1-a-31.png


It's a white car, nothing too exciting but look how it arrived:
mak1-a-32.png


mak1-a-33.png


And how it left after the 'whole detailing thing':
mak1-a-34.png


Creamy. FF3000, white pad - basically one step.

Hood before:
mak1-a-35.png


Afters:
mak1-a-36.png


mak1-a-37.png


mak1-a-38.png


mak1-a-39.png


mak1-a-40.png


Side Panel:
Before (ambient lighting)
mak1-a-41.png


Before (swirl finder lighting)
mak1-a-42.png


After (right side done)
mak1-a-43.png


More on afters:
mak1-a-44.png


mak1-a-45.png



And the black one (308 model), ready to go:
mak1-a-48.png


Many polishing hours were invested on this one, FG400 & SF4000 duo, orange and white hybrid pads respectively.

This car was very neglected and showing (apart from terrible rids) terribly polishing attempts

mak1-a-49.png


Always relying on various light sources
mak1-a-50.png
 
Afters:
mak1-a-51.png


mak1-a-52.png


Front end, passenger's side
mak1-a-53.png


Ugly staining (won't come off :( )
mak1-a-54.png


Rinsed the dirty (touchless) to uncover the real state of the paint:
mak1-a-55.png


After (went the safe route and unfortunately had to leave the RIDS after some improvement)
mak1-a-56.png


Those stains had already damaged the clearcoat
mak1-a-56b.png


Overall, it was enough improvement
mak1-a-57.png


mak1-a-58.png


Bad scratches and haze at front end / passenger's side
mak1-a-59.png


Before:
mak1-a-59b.png


After:
mak1-a-60.png


Holograms wherever you focus
mak1-a-61.png


Had to recompound and polish to achieve an improvement:
mak1-a-62.png


See the overall aspect of the hood:
mak1-a-63.png


Ugly, uhn?
mak1-a-64.png


mak1-a-65.png


mak1-a-66.png


mak1-a-67.png


mak1-a-68.png


mak1-a-69.png


mak1-a-70.png


Done:
mak1-a-71.png


mak1-a-72.png


mak1-a-73.png


mak1-a-74.png


mak1-a-75.png


mak1-a-76.png


mak1-a-77.png


mak1-a-78.png


mak1-a-79.png


mak1-a-80.png


Side Panels:

Driver's Side
Before:
mak1-a-81.png


After:
mak1-a-82.png


Passenger's side
Before:
mak1-a-83.png


Afters (Ouch, there's a lint on my pic!)
mak1-a-84.png


mak1-a-85.png


Pillars
Before:
mak1-a-86.png


Only the strongest will survive :buffing:
mak1-a-87.png


Rear Side
Before:
mak1-a-90.png


Afters:
mak1-a-91.png


mak1-a-92.png


Trunk Lid (wth!):
mak1-a-93.png


mak1-a-94.png


Working out:
mak1-a-95.png


mak1-a-96.png


mak1-a-97.png


mak1-a-98.png


Well!, that's it folks.

--------------------

I really hope you enjoy watching as I've enjoyed doing all this,

you're all welcome to comment, criticize, suggest, ask questions, I'd like to read your opinion,

Thank you very (VERY) much for watching,

Sincerely,

Kind Regards from Brazil.

Count on me AGO!
 
Wow, Tato!

The new workplace looks amazing - hopefully worth all of the trouble over the last year or so.

Beautiful work as always - loved the writeup and always enjoy seeing your results. Well done! :xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs:
 
Incredible detailing studio, being mobile I would kill for a place that looked that nice!

My girlfriend is Brazilian she's going down to Brazilia this summer to visit some family, I will try to convince to stop by you and pick your brain!

Anyways awesome pictures and great job on the work!!!
 
Very nice!! I love the transformation of your workspace, and wow so many lights! I'm envious. That beam would have also driven me nuts. I'm glad you had an opportunity it remove it. Excellent paint correction work too, Tato!
 
The garage is looking good. Nice to have the posts gone. Hopefully you can get back to a normal routine now. Thank you for sharing.
 
What a wonderful transformation to your work space Rafael - I am super happy for you.

Really nice work on the detailing too, as always.

Thanks for sharing:xyxthumbs:
 
+1 on the great garage, correction and photography work!!!! My work space is in need of a makeover. Waiting to see if we are moving. If we do then next garage is getting done over nice.

Keep up the great work Sir!
 
Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for sharing opinions regarding my new workplace and work, it's a pleasure hearing from you!

Best Wishes.
 
Darn... you went all out there brother! Looking awesome

...and the work looks great as usual!
 
Incredible transformation Rafael! Thanks for sharing :buffing:
 
Hey, buddy, your garage looks awesome! I'm eager to see it firsthand!
Your work, perfect as always, you are the best detailer I know, professor.
Let's keep in touch, eh
 
Well worth it bother. Great transformation as well on the vehicles. Keep up the amazing work Tato. Vamos que vamos.
 
Wow! What an amazing garage transformation buddy! That is a beauty to work out of now. I would put a bed out their and sleep in that garage!

Keep up the outstanding work good sir. Really happy for you.
 
Wow, Tato!

The new workplace looks amazing - hopefully worth all of the trouble over the last year or so.

Beautiful work as always - loved the writeup and always enjoy seeing your results. Well done! :xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs:

Dear Rob - you're right, honestly nowadays I have no hard feelings regarding them, and they are supporting me as they can.

Not long ago you gave me the privilege to test BlackIce (sent it over to Brazil!), I needed to show you (and friends) someway how I'm using it (see the black BMW pics), it's 'our' BlackIce! And it's truly great product.

Thank you for all!

Incredible detailing studio, being mobile I would kill for a place that looked that nice!

My girlfriend is Brazilian she's going down to Brazilia this summer to visit some family, I will try to convince to stop by you and pick your brain!

Anyways awesome pictures and great job on the work!!!

Thank you for kind comments. Not only you / girlfriend, but every AG friend are always very welcome to my place.

Don't forget to bring detailing stuff and be ready to participate.


That is one awesome workspace you got there!

Thank you for kind words.

Some great correction shots you got there. Nice work!

Thank you mate, glad you enjoyed.

Very nice!! I love the transformation of your workspace, and wow so many lights! I'm envious. That beam would have also driven me nuts. I'm glad you had an opportunity it remove it. Excellent paint correction work too, Tato!

Thank you, I'm happy being able to capture some moments and share in a concise / logical manner with you.

Without the building disturbing me for a while nothing would happen (at least not so fast)... We won't give up! (I won't.)

The garage is looking good. Nice to have the posts gone. Hopefully you can get back to a normal routine now. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Mike. I'm going after the normal routine now, will let you updated for sure. Thanks for comment.

Great post, exceptional work!

Thank you for kind words.

What a wonderful transformation to your work space Rafael - I am super happy for you.

Really nice work on the detailing too, as always.

Thanks for sharing:xyxthumbs:

I am super happy hearing from you my friend, thank you for coming by.

Nice garage, nice correction work, and nice photography :)

Nice comment you got, I really appreciate your kindness.

+1 on the great garage, correction and photography work!!!! My work space is in need of a makeover. Waiting to see if we are moving. If we do then next garage is getting done over nice.

Keep up the great work Sir!

Thank you a lot, wish my thread motivates your garage ambitions lol, let us know.

Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for sharing opinions regarding my new workplace and work, it's a pleasure hearing from you!

Best Wishes.

I haven't got time to answer each comment but I read them all and even took my time working on answers.

I also wrote the first message of this thread with many typing / grammar mistakes, please, forgive me I had to do this thread in record timeframe.

Kind Regards.

Darn... you went all out there brother! Looking awesome

...and the work looks great as usual!

Like a boss, you stood by me on the Land Rover my friend. Thank you for sharing your reviews, ideas, and work performed. They are our (mine, at least) inspiration when working.

Incredible transformation Rafael! Thanks for sharing :buffing:

Thanks for watching James, glad you enjoyed.

Hey, buddy, your garage looks awesome! I'm eager to see it firsthand!
Your work, perfect as always, you are the best detailer I know, professor.
Let's keep in touch, eh

Thanks my friend, I look forward working more and more with you,

Appreciate your kindness but I reserve 'best' for most that came into this thread to give me support, I'm simply an OCD!

Thank you for kind words.

Great work on the garage and the work is great as always!

Thank you for watching and sharing your opinion!

Well worth it bother. Great transformation as well on the vehicles. Keep up the amazing work Tato. Vamos que vamos.

Thanks Francisco, glad to hear from you!

Wow! What an amazing garage transformation buddy! That is a beauty to work out of now. I would put a bed out their and sleep in that garage!

Keep up the outstanding work good sir. Really happy for you.

Dear Mike, glad you enjoyed, although I believe you were the only one knowing a bit more about what was going on I'm certain you wasn't expecting some of what I've showed. Sure, be ready for more,

I will also realize the bed suggestion because it's bothering me sleep on the floor!

Happy hearing from you.


Kind Regards.
 
Back
Top