What's the worst P.O.S you've ever detailed?

Coach Steve

Coach Steve

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The love affair people have with their cars is profound and often bizarre. We get attached to them and some folks are so proud of them they kinda lost sight of what their particular car actually is.
Case in point:
Some years ago, I did a Chevy Vega. I didn't know there were even any left on the road. It would have been one thing if this particular Vega was something that had been kept in pristine condition and was somewhat of a collector's item (I can't even imagine that...) but it wasn't. It looked like your typical 30 yr. old car that had been parked outside its entire life. The owner wanted to, "just see if it could look new again - or almost new". I honestly did my best to try and talk the owner out of spending the money to do it, but he wanted what he wanted. Cracked and torn vinyl seats, super faded orange paint, all 4 tires were different brands... the thing was a mess. But, sadly, at the time, I needed the extra change so I did what I could and the owner was ecstatic! I thought it still looked hideous but whatever.

The other car that shares the top spot on my lsit of such cars wasn't really a P.O.S. well, actually it was, it just didn't look all that bad for its age. It was an AMC Pacer that the owner - the original owner I might add - wanted prepped to sell. It was in remarkable shape due to it always being garaged and washed frequently. That was last year and I really wish I'd remembered to take a few pics because it really turned out nice. It was Purple (Eggplant I think was the actual name of the color) with white vinyl interior if you can picture that.

I know you've had your share of turds come through your business that you wondered perhaps even out loud, "Why the Hell are they having this P.O.S. detailed?!" Share your story.
 
I had a client call me and he had a small Corolla wagon..I think it was a corolla. He had bought it really cheap and it was nasty. He had ask if I could clean it and I told him I would give it a try. We basically pulled every seat and all the carpet out and I pressure washed the carpet. I really feel like it was too far gone, but I wanted to try and he wanted me to try. To this day, I will remember that one.
HUMP
 
White Buick Regal. I guess I could have called the CDC to swab it for Ebola and other various lethal things. When I finished it, the Regal looked a pretty decent, the owner had a huge smile on his face (not sure he recognized his car); I threw out all the pads & microfiber towels- in Hazmat bags. I think the bags are being stored in some bunker in Nevada
 
Just yesterday a guy asked if I'd do a full paint correction on his older model Crown Vic.
The clear coat was all but gone, I told him there was nothing I could do with it, still he offered me full price to do it, I told him no that I wasn't going to take his money, he didn't care if it didn't come out perfect just to make it better which to me nothing could be done.
He respected me turning it down but said he would ask someone else.
I know some hack detailer will take on the job and charge the dude 300-400.
No way I would want him to tell people I corrected his car.
The side panels looked OK I guess but the rest was done for.
 
My neighbor's 94 Mustang. He bought it almost new and drove the crap out of it before passing it on to his son. It sat for three years before he brought it to me for some restoration work... and boy did it need it!

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50/50 door before, rear quarter after. 90% correction and a lot of trashed clay and sandpaper!

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My own cars :) Hehe. They are the only ones I do so I guess that makes them both the best and the worst eh?
 
Just last month. A neighbor bought a twenty year old black Honda Accord.

Luckily for me I had the Flu.

I told them where to look in my garage for a bottle of Honeydew car soap and a trusty Car Pro mitt. Told her how to do it and left her on her own. Even let her use my driveway and hose.

I wonder what horrible disease I will have if she asks me to polish it.
 
oldmodman said:
Just last month. A neighbor bought a twenty year old black Honda Accord.

Luckily for me I had the Flu.

I told them where to look in my garage for a bottle of Honeydew car soap and a trusty Car Pro mitt. Told her how to do it and left her on her own. Even let her use my driveway and hose.

I wonder what horrible disease I will have if she asks me to polish it.
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Ebola would prevent you from working on it ;)
 
I was a Detailer/Buffer at a body shop. The cars was so disgusting inside, that I went to the manager and asked him if I could hire a detailer to come do the interior, out of my own pocket. They sent me back and I had to do it. It was gross :awman:

Im the MAN:buffing:Im the MAN
 
I actually had fun on this one. Was for a family friend, getting it ready to sell. '05 Taurus.

Sitting for over a year at the end of a gravel driveway.
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I wasn't even trying for epic correction. They just wanted it shiny. D151/Orange CCS/PCXP Awww yisss!
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The end.
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Nicholas@Autowerx said:
I actually had fun on this one. Was for a family friend, getting it ready to sell. '05 Taurus.

Sitting for over a year at the end of a gravel driveway.
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I wasn't even trying for epic correction. They just wanted it shiny. D151/Orange CCS/PCXP Awww yisss!
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Wow that looks phenomenal! I had to do my uncles car once that was in similar condition and they are so much work. But I do like doing those types because the end results can be stunning.
 
Just about any REPO from the local bank and I detail all the Local Community College Law Enforcement Training vehciles. Most had not been even washed in 5 or 6 years and had mold growing all over the paint. They were a nightmare.
 
Matt-erhorn said:
Wow that looks phenomenal! I had to do my uncles car once that was in similar condition and they are so much work. But I do like doing those types because the end results can be stunning.
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Thanks! They were ecstatic. The car sold in 1 day haha!
 
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