NEGLECTED Camaro interior - Before & After

Don M

Don M

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The last year of my career, I was working 12 to 16 hour shifts (AND I lived an hour away, so in reality they were 14 -18 hour shifts). So my life was LITERALLY work, sleep, work again. Even my days off were not for rest and relaxation - they were for RECOVERY, so I didn't have much (if any) time to do things *I* wanted to do, like cleaning my Camaro.

Sure, I managed to keep the OUTSIDE looking decent, but the INTERIOR ...
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I stored the car dirty in October when I retired, with a few mechanical issues that could wait until Spring. Since I didn't NEED the car for work transport anymore. So LAST MONTH, I had it towed to my shop. I got it back YESTERDAY (I won't say what I'm thinking about labor shortages causing supply-line issues, it would be censored on a XXX forum
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)

Now mechanically the car is 100%. VISUALLY, well, I'll let you see for yourself. It also spent all it's time outside, in the weather, next to a busy street (lots of dust + rained on & left to dry in the sun
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). So the PAINT needs some serious love as well. Not the fault of the mechanic/owner of the shop, he runs a small (but busy and GOOD shop) and just doesn't have the indoor space.

I mentioned in the 'Off Topic' forum, that I started my own YouTube Channel, so yesterday, I posted a quick "Walk-around" video of the condition of my car's interior - worse than ANY horror movie you can imagine. Then I THOUGHT I was filming how I went about cleaning it, but due to technical difficulties (stupid camera operator - ME), it wasn't recording. So I ended up doing an "After" walk-around with the interior being about 85% - 90% done. The front seats still need shampooed, the rear seat trim cleaned, all the trim dressed and protected and the interior glass cleaned.

I will make THAT video in a few hours as well as compounding/polishing and waxing the exterior.

Here are the videos, take a look for yourself.



 
Nice. We as detailers are always obsessing over the outside of the vehicle. But the inside is where we spend the most time and see the most of.
 
I hate doing interiors. I mean mine stays very clean since no one really gets in my truck plus I don't drive it that often. Quick dusting of the dash and console with a MF towel, done. But the wifeys Durango not so much. Got to deal with the kiddos (teens) and their crap and candy wrappers and starbucks cups. The wife always gets on my case when she finds that I only cleaned the outside but not the inside. LOL
 
evo77 said:
I hate doing interiors. I mean mine stays very clean since no one really gets in my truck plus I don't drive it that often. Quick dusting of the dash and console with a MF towel, done. But the wifeys Durango not so much. Got to deal with the kiddos (teens) and their crap and candy wrappers and starbucks cups. The wife always gets on my case when she finds that I only cleaned the outside but not the inside. LOL
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So do I, but it was so bad, I HAD to do SOMETHING.
 
Looks really good Don! Cleaning the car up is like cleaning the stress and exhaustion from your soul during the 12s/16s. I’ve been there. Your shoulders don’t need to bear that weight anymore.


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Can't wait to see the full review of the completed car!

Interior was well overdue for some love and came out looking fresh and clean.
 
Tasmania said:
Can't wait to see the full review of the completed car!

Interior was well overdue for some love and came out looking fresh and clean.
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It is ALMOST done. I did the major cleaning of the interior Tuesday, and completed the rear seat area 100% yesterday. As well as a 2-step compounding of the hood, roof and trunk (TW One & Done on a maroon, Meguiar's cutting pad, speed 6, followed by One & Done on an orange, Lake Country LIGHT cutting pad). The sides were fine and just needed a light going over with the orange Lake Country pad + One & Done. And a coat of To The Max Wax applied to the whole car (that was about 3 pm, YESTERDAY - but I was too tired & sore to remove it, so I'll do that shortly it's 1 am here right now). The front 1/2 of the interior needs 303 Protectant applied and the door windows/windshield cleaned - then a quick follow up vacuum and it's done.

Then polish the door sills, remove the Max Wax and clean/dress the tires.

I PLAN (weather permitting) to do a full interior/exterior walk around today (Thursday) when the sun comes up.
 
JDGolden said:
Looks really good Don! Cleaning the car up is like cleaning the stress and exhaustion from your soul during the 12s/16s. I’ve been there. Your shoulders don’t need to bear that weight anymore.


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I've been away from "That Place" for almost 9 months and Officially retired since December 9th, but it is STLL affecting my sleep - which is why I'm wide awake at 1 am, and getting ready to go out to the garage
 
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