93 Mercury Topaz EXTREME MAKEOVER

[GINA]

Greg was unfortunately blessed with a 1993 Mercury Topaz when a member of his family passed away. This piece of crap barely runs and we both loathe the hunk of metal. So, naturally, it's never been washed since he's owned it for more than 3 horrific years. I got a new buffer (Meguiars G100 - a total godsend) but wasn't sure how to use it properly, so I decided I'd practice on Greg's car since neither one of us care what happens to it. Let me just say that Mel (she told me her name today) and I bonded today and had a major heart to heart. Poor thing just needs a little TLC!

Here are some BEFORE photos:

[GINA]

I washed the entire car with Gold Class wash and cleaned the wheels as much as I could (lots of caked on brake dust). After drying, I used some paint cleaner and got all the crap out off. There's some good paint under all that grime! I tried to polish afterwards, but I must've been doing something wrong, so I stopped and went straight to some liquid carnuba wax. Then I grabbed a big trash bag and started emptying the inside -- eww. I detailed and vacuumed the interior as much as my sore back would allow. Pics don't do this justice. It really looked like some butt before hand, and looks very awesome now.

Here are some AFTER pics - camera battery started dying, so they're not all clear

[GREG]

hey sweet ride! what would I do without you? (note the BEFORE pictures...I think that answers the question)

[dnyed]

It's amazing what a little TLC can do.

[GINA]

You been pimped, homie

[Lnzbug]

Nice job Gina! I hope Greg knows he owes you BIG time

[Maggadog]

You do nice work!! If you come to CA, you can detail my NB!

[mentalVdub]

car loox amazing now!

[iScott]

"I'm gonna buy me a Mercury and cruise it up and down the road."

Great work, G. At least we know the paint won't burst into flames now.

[callisto9]

wow, that looks pretty awesome! nice job gina!

[FlwrPwer]

WOW G!!!! It looks like Mel is worthy enough to park by Pepper now

Oh and Hi Greg

[Growler]

gina,

any idea what the bolt pattern is on those wheels?

if its 4x100 I would love to see what those look like on my GTI.


you did an awesome job.. that color looks really nice when its cleaned up.

[GINA]

Thanks everybody The nice words make me feel like this wasn't a total waste since it's pouring now. The paint really is good, it's all metallic-y which is a nice change from my flat paint. Now if we can fix everything else that's wrong with it...we'll be set. But with a 3 speed automatic, it hardly seems worth it

Aaron, I think the bolt pattern is a whacky 4x108. But are you on crack?!? Why would you want these pieces of crap?

[dnyed]

Originally Posted by GINA

Aaron, I think the bolt pattern is a whacky 4x108. But are you on crack?!? Why would you want these pieces of crap?

I think it's delirium from lack of sleep, what with new twin babies in the house.


But, there ARE worse looking wheels out there......

[Shay]

Nice job Gina

[ginagodfather]

I bet it will run better now... Or at least in your mind(or mine). Cars run better when they are clean.


i think

[GINA]

I totally agree, Pepper runs like a champ when he's nice and clean. This car....not so much. But I'd like to think Greg can ride with a little more confidence now

[Mr.Yellow]

Its amazing how a little TLC will do for a car

[FineExampl]

Gina you're my freakin hero! Come visit me in Jersey and show me how to detail. We can take stock class by storm you and I! I'm cleaning my seats this go round! Screw those seat covers! I hated them from day one. I'm just hopin there's no remnants of ol' beanbutt (that's Mazzzja for those in the know).

Seriously, you're a wizard with a can of wax!

[GINA]

haha thanks John I certainly try. Just wait til I get my hands on my own car with this buffer! Bye bye swirls

You know, I always hated those seat covers, but I didn't wanna say anything. Glad they're gone!