Before and afters of my ‘85

[Anthony84]

Originally bought as beater for some household chores over the summer we have planned - but I can’t leave any car alone

Quite the refresh; just enough to make it look better sitting outside my garage that houses the wife’s car and my beloved Marauder.

Before pics are a combo of the Craigslist ad and day I brought it home; after are last week when I deemed it “done” (only thing left is fix the AC)

New interior floor mat, seat cover, restored the gauges, all new stereo (added sub as well). Replaced every single lightbulb in the truck since half of em didn’t work anyways; new tail lamp, side marker, and turn signal housings as well…new tires, wheels straightened and powder coated argent silver…and clear coated the patina so I didn’t fret about making the body perfect or repainting it while letting it keep its old man truck vibe. Lots of other small fixes along the way as well but fairly trivial and also some NOS goodies like the center caps and steering wheel.

 

[superj]

wow!!! that truck looks really good now. you even got my favorite bench seat cover

 

[Shran]

Looks awesome! Good work!

 

[outatime88]

Wow what a difference, looks great. When you say you "clear coated the patina", what exactly did you do?

 

[Anthony84]

Wow what a difference, looks great. When you say you "clear coated the patina", what exactly did you do?

Used a “newer” product called Poppy’s Patina. A wipe on clearcoat that’s supposed to last for years like a modern acrylic finish. Incredibly hydrophobic. All I do is just hose the truck off.

 

[Anthony84]

Wow what a difference, looks great. When you say you "clear coated the patina", what exactly did you do?

Like your name by the way - my wife refers to my Ranger as the “other” back to the future star truck she said that’s why I can’t sell it but I know me and I will because of my automotive ADD

 

[outatime88]

Like your name by the way - my wife refers to my Ranger as the “other” back to the future star truck she said that’s why I can’t sell it but I know me and I will because of my automotive ADD

Yours looks 100% exactly like that Ranger! I didn't realize that till now lol

Used a “newer” product called Poppy’s Patina. A wipe on clearcoat that’s supposed to last for years like a modern acrylic finish. Incredibly hydrophobic. All I do is just hose the truck off.

Interesting, just did some reading on that product. I've never heard of it before. So I'm guessing you used their "gloss wipe-on" version? Looks a little expensive, but some of the before and after pictures on their website look pretty good.

 

[svtcards]

I had a quote to get mine clear coated from a body shop near by.He quoted 1500 to do it.under 200 to do whole truck with this kit is a steal if it works like they say it does.

 

[racsan]

nice! A twin-tank V6 longbed, and its a manual!

 

[dvdswan]

Day and night change. Nice work.

 

[Anthony84]

I had a quote to get mine clear coated from a body shop near by.He quoted 1500 to do it.under 200 to do whole truck with this kit is a steal if it works like they say it does.

I paid around $159 for the kit (the whole shebang) in gloss and a couple extra applicators. Wife wanted to help. Works amazing - and is very forgiving. It’s self leveling so put it on fairly heavy.

 

[Anthony84]

Yours looks 100% exactly like that Ranger! I didn't realize that till now lol



Interesting, just did some reading on that product. I've never heard of it before. So I'm guessing you used their "gloss wipe-on" version? Looks a little expensive, but some of the before and after pictures on their website look pretty good.

Gloss wipe on; and it’s way cheaper than having someone spray anything on. like I mentioned- this is just my “beater” so I didn’t wanna invest too much. Just enough to freshen it up.

 

[svtcards]

I paid around $159 for the kit (the whole shebang) in gloss and a couple extra applicators. Wife wanted to help. Works amazing - and is very forgiving. It’s self leveling so put it on fairly heavy.

Did u end up using the whole kit?If not what's the shelf life of the left overs do u know?

 

[oldgeek]

Still say that vintage is the best looking Rangers made.

Thanks for sharing. Care to do mine?

 

[gaz]

@Anthony84 ,
Time, effort and coins well spent