They refer to it as “the largest discovery in a barn.” It is undoubtedly immense in terms of size. It is non-functional, incapable of being driven, and covered in a thick layer of dust that appears to be firmly attached to its body and windows. Additionally, they are unsure of its color due to the excessive amount of dirt covering it.
The team responsible for detailing traveled all the way to Ohio, a three-hour drive from their main office, to work their magic on a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500.
According to the owner, he left the truck in the barn because it had transmission issues that prevented it from shifting into gear. The problematic component is a five-speed manual gearbox, paired with a 4.3-liter V6 engine that once powered the Silverado 2500HD. Those days are long gone…
Nevertheless, the owner desires to bring the truck back to life and utilize it for both on-road and off-road purposes, given its appearance.
The pickup truck showcases a bull bar and a winch at the front, as well as protective grilles covering the taillights. Thus, it appears ready for a variety of tasks. However, it needs to be operational and free from all the dirt and grime.
The 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD has been lifted 30 inches off the ground using a suspension lift kit and is equipped with 30-inch wheels. Unfortunately, these wheels are currently stuck. As a result, the team brings in a tractor to tow the pickup truck out of the barn.
Due to its size and weight, the truck cannot be loaded onto a flatbed tow truck, especially considering the rough terrain along the route. Consequently, it is towed all the way to a garage situated on a 480-acre property, with the tires covered in mud. However, maneuvering the monster truck into the garage proves to be the most challenging task.
The process begins by removing the mud and grass from underneath the truck, filling an entire bucket in the process. They opt to remove as much as possible manually to avoid the nightmare of cleaning up a heavily soiled truck in the garage. Simply removing the mud and pebbles from the wheels takes over an hour.
Next, the team focuses on cleaning the wheel wells and tires. In order to pressure-wash the truck, they need to elevate it on a bench. Otherwise, they would only be able to wash it up to the level of the mirrors. To document the process, they utilize a scaffold. Clearing off the load bed results in a cloud of dust filling the garage, but it also reveals the presence of rust.
Once the grime is eliminated, the truck’s Silver Birch Metallic exterior shines as if it is attempting to make up for lost time.
The next step involves cleaning the engine bay, allowing the mechanic to work under the hood without being covered in dirt. They utilize a pressure-wash, as well as sponges and brushes to remove any remaining soil.
Cleaning the undercarriage is a straightforward task due to the truck’s height, eliminating the need for the team to crawl underneath it.
The interior of the cabin, however, does not appear nearly as bad as the exterior. It resembles the typical truck cabin. However, after vacuuming, the carpet reveals numerous stains that must be eliminated.
A degreaser, a brush, and an extractor containing hot water are utilized to complete the task. Cleaning the rubber carpets is a breeze in comparison to the rest of the interior. Another box is checked: the rubber carpets now look brand new.
The seats undergo the same treatment, as it is evident that they were not well-maintained prior to the truck being abandoned in the barn.
To restore the paint to its original appearance from 19 years ago, the team performs a light polishing procedure to eliminate various marks.
The chrome on the truck displays numerous oxidation spots, but a metal polish effectively restores its shine. The silver inserts, chrome tailpipe, and side steps now glisten like mirrors.
The detailing stage is complete, but the truck is only halfway there. It will now be taken to a mechanic who will repair the transmission. Afterward, it will be returned to its owner, who eagerly awaits the sight of those wheels spinning once again.
After hours of work, the door cards, dashboard, and instrument cluster all look immaculate. And that’s it. We must accept the fact that a 2005 Chevy truck is considered a barn find. Gone are the days when barn finds were vehicles from the 30s and 40s that had been hidden away for years.
According to the Source autoevolution.com