Oakes - Detailed: 1963 Jaguar XKE-Type Roadster - Original Paint Recovery!
 

A paint corrective only detail of a 1963 Jaguar XKE-Type 3.8L Roadster with the ORIGINAL factory paint! This car came to me in hopes of reviving the factory paint on the car, as you can see in the before photos it was badly oxidized and in many portions of the car you couldn't see yourself in the "reflection." The car first came to me to do a test panel to see if there was hope, or if a repaint was imminent, and obviously, revival was possible!

The owner then removed all the chrome trim pieces, bumpers, head and tail lights, door handles and mirror to maximize the benefit to the paint to all the edges. When the car returned we took paint readings through out the entire car, almost 3-4 inches apart once we learned how unlevel the paint was. The readings were from 60-157, and in some places up to 1900, due to lead being used in the seams. With those kind of unstable readings, we had to be extremely careful with the process of correction, and in some places, only light polishing was acceptable, and in some other areas, compounding was possible to help balance out the entire car.

I will try and be as descriptive as possible with the photos as this gray color does a good job of hiding a good bit in the photos. I will list the "process" as well, but it is not in order as different steps were used throughout the entire car.

Process:
Power Gloss - Purple Wool
Power Gloss - Yellow Foam
Menzerna 203 - Orange Foam
Menzerna 203 - Green Foam
Menzerna 106FF - Green Foam
Menzerna 106FF - White Foam
P21S Paint Cleanser
Menzerna FTG - Black Foam
BlackFire Wet Diamond Sealant - Blue Foam
Pure Carnuaba Wax - Hand

Before pictures: You can see that while there is some reflection in the paint, is very blurred and oxidized. Look directly at the light reflections in the paint to see how broad the light is dispersed, showing how unrefined the paint it.

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars152.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars153.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars154.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars155.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars156.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars158.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars161.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars163.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars165.jpg

The following pictures are mainly 50/50 photos, it may be difficult to initially see the difference, but once again, look at the direct light points on each portion of the panels. You will see that on the uncorrected sides, the lights is just a blurred spot, on the corrected portions, you can actually see the outlines of the light bulbs and their fixtures.

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars168.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars175.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars177.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars178.jpg

This picture shows the correction quite well, look directly at the garage door opener in the bulge of the hood as it is seperated by the oxidized and corrected paint

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars181.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars193.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars194.jpg

More 50/50 photos

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars204.jpg

This is the uncorrected side of the hood

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars210.jpg

... and here is the corrected side of the hood

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars209.jpg

Finished reflection photos of the car, you can see much more clarity in the paint now.

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars270.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars271.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars274.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars275.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars279.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars280.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars281.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars282.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars283.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars284.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars289.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars291.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars293.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars303.jpg

Full Finished photos of the car

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars269.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars272.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars273.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars276.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars278.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars285.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars286.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars288.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars294.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars295.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars296.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars299.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...ar/Cars300.jpg

As always, Enjoy! Please feel free to comment!

-Oakes

damn, the front end is way long on that thing. nice work tho.

Wow, Nick...what an awesome job you did on this E-type! I know it's huge work but it must also be so nice to get your hands on all that nice machinery.

You know I have a special soft spot for this one since I owned a '67 roadster that looked like that, but mine was maroon...and the '67's had the 4.2L while this '63 would have the 3.8L which was a little revy'er. I loved that car.


I'll do a little correction on you....they don't have "hoods" they have "bonnets" :-p

You might already know, but part of the reason for the longish hood is that it allows almost the entire HUGE straight six to be behind the front axle line...so the less than 2800 lb. total weight was distributed to nearly a perfect 50F/50R.

Wow you do amazing work

PM sent!

I did not know that, thanks for the info!

also, Nick, I dunno why but the color of this car makes me want to ask... what will you do if you ever detail a Delorian? hahaa

Good work! huge difference! Quick question, How long is that finish expected to last?

Well I stand corrected! haha, I knew you'd enjoy this one Nick, the owner has 3 of these. I'll be doing his Ferrari Boxer 512BBi next :wink:

I just noticed the PM now! Sorry for the delay, responding shortly!

I won't be able to detail a Delorean as their paint is pretty much a flat silver from the factory, so getting close is like buffing flat black paint, won't happen.

Thanks you sir! A finish like this, depending on the use of the vehicle, can last 6 months to 2 years.