It's HEMI time !!! Compliments of NJSteve

[427TJ]

I was in 6th grade in 73-74 and almost all of the boys had Glenn Cambell hair. All the guys on my YMCA after school swim team wore Mark Spitz Speedo swimsuits too.

Please Steve--back to Cragars and Firestones!!!

[njsteve]

After looking at that NOS pair of American Racing 200S "Daisies" I had for so long, I got the itch to finally clean up the 38 years of "patina" i.e. tar, overspray, and road grime that wouldn't come off despite numerous attempts with more and more volotile chemicals each time.

Since I had the Charger sitting on the vintage Cragars over the winter, I spent some time and dismounted the old Daisies and had the centers glass beaded. Prior to the glass beading, I covered the rest of the rims in duct tape and that worked pretty well to protect the polished areas.

Here's the "before" shot from last year:



And here is one of the NOS wheels I had. You can definitely see from above, what 38 years did to the finish on the raw aluminum hub area:



And here she is today after a run to the ice cream shop with the kids:








They came out very well and now look very close to the finish of the NOS pair that I recently sold. I also remounted the tires with the blackwalls out this time. Just for a change in the look so it didnt look so modern with the white "Radial T/A" logos showing.

[njsteve]

Whenever we take the Charger out, my son always demands that I drive it "Speedy Fast", which means screaching the tires while going through the gears. He was funny today perched in his booster seat when, after I hit second gear, he says, "OK, that's enough for now".

I think he was testing me to see if I still had my motor skills and manual dexterity at my advanced age.

I got a feeling he'll be the one signing the papers to put me away when it comes time for him to "take over" the car.

[mockingbird812]

When yr son made that comment, Mac, did he have a note pad (and crayon) in his little hands taking copious notes on power shifting? Don't give up all your secrets or soon "Dad" will be dispensable!!

Car looks great!

[JRSully]

I get my Daughter to try to hang on to the bench seat head rest as she sits in her fully belted in booster seat in the rear, It's a hoot, (I don't think anybody could hang with a 1-2 6k powershift)" Woo Hoo, burn rubber Daddy" is usually how it goes, tons of fun.

[bashton]

That's awesome Steve and brings back some memories from when my Son, (buckled into his car seat) who is now 25, used to tell me "Go medium, Dad! after the 2-3 shift.

BA

[njsteve]

I celebrated Father's Day Eve by washing the Charger. I have never been one for those gimmicky waxes and cleaning concoctions but I thought I'd try the Mother's clay bar cleaning system since the paint on the car felt really rough to the touch for years, from overspray and dirt and other atmospheric crapola.

I used the Mother's clay bar kit and it was absolutely amazing. I washed the car, dried it and then used the bar and their detail spray in the kit. The difference is unbelievable. Before, you could feel the roughness and flatness in the paint when you ran your hand over the roof. With just one run of the bar over each panel, it became like glass. I then used the wax included in the kit. (I've never waxed this car in the 21 years I've owned it - bad owner )

The paint is so slick now, that I had trouble putting the car cover back on. Every time I tried to place it on the roof to unfold it, it would slide off and I'd have to run to catch it before it hit the ground.

[mockingbird812]

Yowza! She looks FINE and FINE! Happy Father's Day Mac!!

[MosportGreen66]

Looks like you had good results Steve! Good work. I have been using clay bars for many, many years and it has taken several years of market wide advertising to bring an article on correct detailing procedure into fruition in Hemmings. Not a knock in the slightest. Just a little FYI - if you think the transformation is good on a seldom used muscle car, you should clay your daily driver! Not to steal the light, but if anyone needs detailing pointers, PM me, I love correcting paint.

-Dan