What I really do
- hewesfisher
- Admiral
- Posts: 1764
- Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:20 am
- Location: Spangle, WA
What I really do
I know I've been posting a lot in the boat forum about our new Hewescraft, and for the last several days it's been the focus of my attention just to get it in the water, but today I had to get back to the "real deal" and get some work done.
I'm a bodyman by trade and have been doing this kind of work for the past 6 years. In that time, I've earned my ASE Master certification as well as completed I-CAR training and certification. These are the two primary organizations that identify and establish repair standards in the collision repair industry.
I got laid off a little over two weeks ago, but that doesn't mean I can't still get some things done. I've had a project in my shop since early November, it's my brother's '90 Miata. It was here for some body work and a full repaint. I got it painted the week after my layoff, and have been working on "cutting and buffing" the past couple days in between applying Sharkhide on the new boat.
First step in the process is to de-nib, which means to sand down any small imperfections due to lint or small dirt particles that get in the clear coat. I went overboard with that since it's my brother's car, and took it one step further, and fully sanded the entire car, first with 1500 grit, then with 3000, and after that, started the buffing process.
Here's what it looked like after going over the whole car with 1500 grit...
After that, it gets another complete sanding with 3000 grit, notice the difference in the reflection of the light on the right side of the decklid vs the left. The right side has been sanded with 3000 and the left side only with 1500, you can see the difference...
The next step is to buff the clear to start to bring the shine up. I do this with a white wool pad and 3M Perfect-It 3000 compound, notice the swirl marks on the left quarter panel...
After buffing the entire car, I begin the first stage of polishing using 3M Perfect-It 3000 swirl mark remover. To show how this process works, I start with the left fender and capture the reflection of the light on it. The first photo shows what it looks like after initial buff with the wool pad...
Same fender after the first polishing stage...
Notice the difference in the reflection, it's much more distinct in the second photo. Normally, I wouldn't go beyond this step, most of the time, this already looks better than the rest of the car and I don't want to make the repairs "stand out" nor do I want to have to buff the whole car to make it look as good as the repair.
Last step in the process when someone wants the extra "pop" on their car really brings it all together. Again, look at the light reflection and compare to the previous two photos. The difference is subtle, yet visible, even in a photo. The difference is huge in the sun.
And here are the sides after the final polish...
So, what's all this take you ask? It took 17 hours to prep, mask, seal, and paint and I've probably got 20 - 25 hours in cutting and buffing the car. This doesn't take into consideration the 40 or so hours it took to disassemble car parts, make repairs, and least partially reassemble. I have another couple days worth of work to finish assembling the car and then I get to wash and detail it for delivery, which will take, oh, half a day anyway. I've amassed 80 - 90 hours in this job and that's probably a little light on actual labor.
Just thought I'd share.
I'm a bodyman by trade and have been doing this kind of work for the past 6 years. In that time, I've earned my ASE Master certification as well as completed I-CAR training and certification. These are the two primary organizations that identify and establish repair standards in the collision repair industry.
I got laid off a little over two weeks ago, but that doesn't mean I can't still get some things done. I've had a project in my shop since early November, it's my brother's '90 Miata. It was here for some body work and a full repaint. I got it painted the week after my layoff, and have been working on "cutting and buffing" the past couple days in between applying Sharkhide on the new boat.
First step in the process is to de-nib, which means to sand down any small imperfections due to lint or small dirt particles that get in the clear coat. I went overboard with that since it's my brother's car, and took it one step further, and fully sanded the entire car, first with 1500 grit, then with 3000, and after that, started the buffing process.
Here's what it looked like after going over the whole car with 1500 grit...
After that, it gets another complete sanding with 3000 grit, notice the difference in the reflection of the light on the right side of the decklid vs the left. The right side has been sanded with 3000 and the left side only with 1500, you can see the difference...
The next step is to buff the clear to start to bring the shine up. I do this with a white wool pad and 3M Perfect-It 3000 compound, notice the swirl marks on the left quarter panel...
After buffing the entire car, I begin the first stage of polishing using 3M Perfect-It 3000 swirl mark remover. To show how this process works, I start with the left fender and capture the reflection of the light on it. The first photo shows what it looks like after initial buff with the wool pad...
Same fender after the first polishing stage...
Notice the difference in the reflection, it's much more distinct in the second photo. Normally, I wouldn't go beyond this step, most of the time, this already looks better than the rest of the car and I don't want to make the repairs "stand out" nor do I want to have to buff the whole car to make it look as good as the repair.
Last step in the process when someone wants the extra "pop" on their car really brings it all together. Again, look at the light reflection and compare to the previous two photos. The difference is subtle, yet visible, even in a photo. The difference is huge in the sun.
And here are the sides after the final polish...
So, what's all this take you ask? It took 17 hours to prep, mask, seal, and paint and I've probably got 20 - 25 hours in cutting and buffing the car. This doesn't take into consideration the 40 or so hours it took to disassemble car parts, make repairs, and least partially reassemble. I have another couple days worth of work to finish assembling the car and then I get to wash and detail it for delivery, which will take, oh, half a day anyway. I've amassed 80 - 90 hours in this job and that's probably a little light on actual labor.
Just thought I'd share.
Phil
'09 Hewescraft 20' ProV
150hp Merc Optimax
8hp Merc 4-stroke
Raymarine DS600X HD Sounder
Raymarine a78 MultiFunctionDisplay
Raymarine DownVision
Raymarine SideVision
Baystar Hydraulic Steering
Trollmaster Pro II
Traxstech Fishing System
MotorGuide 75# Thrust Wireless Bow Mount
'09 Hewescraft 20' ProV
150hp Merc Optimax
8hp Merc 4-stroke
Raymarine DS600X HD Sounder
Raymarine a78 MultiFunctionDisplay
Raymarine DownVision
Raymarine SideVision
Baystar Hydraulic Steering
Trollmaster Pro II
Traxstech Fishing System
MotorGuide 75# Thrust Wireless Bow Mount
- tommytitan08
- Lieutenant
- Posts: 292
- Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:20 am
- Location: Tacoma, wa
RE:What I really do
Hewesfisher that looks great. Nice job. I went to school for a degree in automotive technology at Bates technical college but by trade i do security for multicare health system at it's hospitals. It's great you stuck with your trade. I just didn't go to work at a stealership because of the whole you don't turn a wrench you don't get paid thing. I like to know what i'm going to bring home every two weeks. I guess its always something to fall back on.
Hopefully the government controlled economy stabilizes, so that people can get back on their feet and move on with their lives.
Hopefully the government controlled economy stabilizes, so that people can get back on their feet and move on with their lives.
" It is far better to be judged by 12 than to be carried by 6 "
- Gisteppo
- Commodore
- Posts: 1016
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:26 am
- Location: Lake Spokane (Long)
- Contact:
RE:What I really do
Speaking of, we never got to talk about my pickup while you were here....
2004 Toy Tac TRD with a crappy paintjob on it. I will do the disassembly and initial prep. you do final prep and paint. I don't care much about getting the mirror look you achieved on the Miata, just a good coating of paint to prevent corrosion as it is a truck not a showpiece.
E
2004 Toy Tac TRD with a crappy paintjob on it. I will do the disassembly and initial prep. you do final prep and paint. I don't care much about getting the mirror look you achieved on the Miata, just a good coating of paint to prevent corrosion as it is a truck not a showpiece.
E
RE:What I really do
Nice work hewesfisher :thumleft: looks good
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- kutthroatkilla
- Commander
- Posts: 502
- Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:07 am
RE:What I really do
Put a hitch on her and she'll be towin that spankin new boat of yours... :bounce:
Last edited by Anonymous on Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Get with the Fast Money Bros
RE:What I really do
Nice job!
Looking at those photos reminded me of this thread I ran across awhile ago:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/s ... hp?t=81391
It's a great read, even if it's not really your thing. It's LONG, with a lot of photos, but OMG I had no idea people went to such lengths to make a car "perfect".
If anyone actually makes it to the end, bravo.
Looking at those photos reminded me of this thread I ran across awhile ago:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/s ... hp?t=81391
It's a great read, even if it's not really your thing. It's LONG, with a lot of photos, but OMG I had no idea people went to such lengths to make a car "perfect".
If anyone actually makes it to the end, bravo.
- flippinfool
- Commander
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:33 pm
- Location: FOLLLLLLOOOOW ME!
RE:What I really do
DO U DO ANY CHOP AND CHANNELING .1949 MERC IN NEED OF CUSTOM WORK .
LIVE LIFE DONT LET LIFE LIVE YOU GO FISHIN!!!!!!!!
- hewesfisher
- Admiral
- Posts: 1764
- Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:20 am
- Location: Spangle, WA
RE:What I really do
Sorry, I don't do custom work.flippinfool wrote:DO U DO ANY CHOP AND CHANNELING .1949 MERC IN NEED OF CUSTOM WORK .
Hmm, wonder why?:bball:Gisteppo wrote:Speaking of, we never got to talk about my pickup while you were here....
Can do, we need to get together so I can look it over.Gisteppo wrote:I will do the disassembly and initial prep. you do final prep and paint. I don't care much about getting the mirror look you achieved on the Miata, just a good coating of paint to prevent corrosion as it is a truck not a showpiece.
Last edited by Anonymous on Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Phil
'09 Hewescraft 20' ProV
150hp Merc Optimax
8hp Merc 4-stroke
Raymarine DS600X HD Sounder
Raymarine a78 MultiFunctionDisplay
Raymarine DownVision
Raymarine SideVision
Baystar Hydraulic Steering
Trollmaster Pro II
Traxstech Fishing System
MotorGuide 75# Thrust Wireless Bow Mount
'09 Hewescraft 20' ProV
150hp Merc Optimax
8hp Merc 4-stroke
Raymarine DS600X HD Sounder
Raymarine a78 MultiFunctionDisplay
Raymarine DownVision
Raymarine SideVision
Baystar Hydraulic Steering
Trollmaster Pro II
Traxstech Fishing System
MotorGuide 75# Thrust Wireless Bow Mount
- racfish
- Rear Admiral Two Stars
- Posts: 4701
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:11 pm
- Location: Seward Park area
RE:What I really do
Id love to have my Toyota 4x4 painted in that red.Is that what you do ?,or some of what you do?Nice clean work youre doing.Look awesome.
When youre up to your rear end in alligators,its hard to remember that the initial plan was to drain the swamp.