Tropically Detailed: Custom `68 Vette (formerly Hugh Hefners) and `08 Z06

**Todd@RUPES** · 08-12-2007, 11:38 AM

I had the chance to detail two amazing Corvettes, both owned my a lucky guy. The `68 was custom built by the same man who designed the batmobile in 1970. It was completely done by hand and everything all fiberglass was layed by hand and leveled by "eye".

Two cars where built in this manner in 1970, both twins, though one did have side pipes. The one with sidepipes went on to tour the world and was the offical "Goodyear Corvette" in the early 70`s. At one time this Corvette was owned by Hugh Hefner (Playboy), though I`m not sure how much he actually drove it.

The car was pretty marred up and required 3-4 passes of Menzerna S.I.P. with an Orange pad @ 1800-2000 rpm to get the correction done. Even at this, I did not have the time nor the facilities to get this car to 100 percent (I was polishing in 100 degree heat in the Miami sun with a cermaclear polish, it was interesting). I would say that the Corvette came out 95 percent defect free, and it was a 100 percent improvement.

After polishing, I layered two coats of Z5pro on top (after a 50/50 wipedown) and dressed the tires with Z16. Again, the Z5pro worked amazingly well, considering the high surface tempatures of the car. Neverdull topped with NXT Metal Polysh covered chrome, and IG did the glass.

Some before`s of the `68, it was in rough shape.

So I settled in for a steady 3 hours of polishing on the rotary. The paint was VERY VERY hard, and defect removal was a time consuming process. Both powergloss and wool pads where not cooperating in the difficult conditions, so I stuck with SIP on an orange pad for all correction and finishing. On the hard paint, it really finished nice.

Split shot, before and after

As you can see, it wasn`t 100 percent but the deeper defects where not worth chasing and comprimising the paint or my health (I lost 11 lbs of water weight!)

Before

After

Okay afters...

Here you see the paint job better. 7 different reds are blended together in stunning 1970 fashion!!!

**Todd@RUPES** · 08-12-2007, 11:45 AM

Next up was the owners `08 Z08. Another detailer "Zainoed" the car by layering some of Z on top of the factory sealant, then was left wondering why the paint had "issues" like streaking and spotting. He never came back and fixed the job.

This car was pretty much perfect, minus the issues with the previous detailer. I washed it Meg`s Hyperwash, clayed it Z18, and topped it with two coats of Z5pro (ZFX`d). ZAIO on the rims, glass, and trip, and Z16 on the tires.

**Adam's Polishes** · 08-12-2007, 12:07 PM

Awesome work... that first one is definitely one of the most rare covettes ever.

**03COBRA** · 08-12-2007, 12:16 PM

Very nice work on both!

A little off topic, but how do you like Hyperwash?

**imported_GregCavi** · 08-12-2007, 12:17 PM

Wow!! Crazy looking vette! You did stunning work on both.

Greg

**Hey, Moe!** · 08-12-2007, 12:29 PM

Loved the red on the `70. The work on both was two thumbs up!

Must have been a tiring day in that heat. We got a wee break here in the Northeast. Didn`t even wear a headband as I washed and took care of a few problems on my car.

**gmblack3** · 08-12-2007, 12:52 PM

Todd as usual excellent work on both. Most would ask how in the hell do you survive 3 hours of polishing in that kind of heat? Now that I have seen you work in person, you are a polishing machine. :buffing:

(more on that later :secret )

The C3 is very cool and the way its setup I would have a hard time choosing between that and the new Z06.

**mgm2003** · 08-12-2007, 01:00 PM

Stunning work as usual.

**Frito Bandito** · 08-12-2007, 01:03 PM

While you did an amazing job on both `Vettes that 68 is uuuuuuuuuuuuugly. I`m a huge fan of C3 Corvettes but I can`t stand most of the custom Vettes from the 70s.

**imported_Dave1** · 08-12-2007, 01:09 PM

I love this shot.....:xyxthumbs

The color and paint job look fantastic. Nice work.....:buffing:

**Old Pirate** · 08-12-2007, 01:29 PM

The 68 vette brings back memories of my younger days with my 76 vette. Had it painted with 7 different purple colors and some maroon too. Use to take it to many car show for yrs and then sold it. Awesome work like always Todd! :up

**imported_fishbonezken** · 08-12-2007, 01:48 PM

Todd,

you are an amazing detailer. That job, and photos is simply stunning. I`m speechless.

**imported_Picus** · 08-12-2007, 03:12 PM

Sweet cars, excellent work. Sounds like it was a long day!

**Brian_Brice** · 08-12-2007, 03:25 PM

sweet work todd, the 68 is unbelievable!

**Todd@RUPES** · 08-12-2007, 07:30 PM

Thanks for all the comments guys

Originally Posted by VaSuperShine

sweet work todd, the 68 is unbelievable!

Originally Posted by Picus

Sweet cars, excellent work. Sounds like it was a long day!

Originally Posted by fishbonezken

Todd,

you are an amazing detailer. That job, and photos is simply stunning. I`m speechless.

VA, I agree, the `68 was amazing! Picus, too long of a day!!! Fishbonezken, thanks man, thats a hell of a compliment comming from you

Originally Posted by zoomzoom mazda5

The 68 vette brings back memories of my younger days with my 76 vette. Had it painted with 7 different purple colors and some maroon too. Use to take it to many car show for yrs and then sold it. Awesome work like always Todd!

Next time we get together, I want pictures Angelo, I bet that was SHARP!

Dave1 I love this shot.....

The color and paint job look fantastic. Nice work.....

Thanks Dave

Originally Posted by Frito Bandito

While you did an amazing job on both `Vettes that 68 is uuuuuuuuuuuuugly. I`m a huge fan of C3 Corvettes but I can`t stand most of the custom Vettes from the 70s.

The Chicago Tribune did a study last year that found that 73 percent of America where not entitled to their own opinions and 80 percent where not entitled to voice their opinions. I`ll let you choose which category you fall into.

Originally Posted by mgm121499

Stunning work as usual.

Originally Posted by Dylan06SS

Awesome work... that first one is definitely one of the most rare covettes ever.

Originally Posted by GregCavi

Wow!! Crazy looking vette! You did stunning work on both.

Greg

Originally Posted by Hey, Moe!

Loved the red on the `70. The work on both was two thumbs up!

Must have been a tiring day in that heat. We got a wee break here in the Northeast. Didn`t even wear a headband as I washed and took care of a few problems on my car.

Thanks for all the kind words guys!!! Yes, it was hot out

Originally Posted by O4cobra

Very nice work on both!

A little off topic, but how do you like Hyperwash?

Its just OKAY. It is not very slick, doesn`t clean that much, ect... Also, if you mix it too strong, it will leave terrible soap crap that will not rinse off clean. For very clean cars, it does an alright job (I wouldn`t trust it on a black car that was a little dirty). I just doesn`t lube very well, and on dirty surfaces it will stick a little bit. For the price, its decent, but I normally use it on lightly soiled cars or cars I will be polishing with a buffer.