Detailing Tricks .com

Hi everybody! Well I finally get the chance to post a detail and it’s one of my all time favs. The first Exclusive detail I did for this client was on his white 2007 Mercedes E63 which I got to take home for a couple of days! No that was a fun car to drive and work on. So he called me back to give his 98′ Ferrari 550 Maranello an “Exclusive” make over also. It needed new plug wires which made it run rough and out of idle so he didn’t think it would make the long trek to my house. SCHUCKS!!! But he did tell me “Next time.” WHOO-HOO! Can’t wait.

He also informed me that he and the rest of the exotic club are Superferrying to Maui this weekend for a cruise and a carshow. Wish I could go but I have prior appointments but it would’ve been nice to see. The Ford GT is also making the trip too! I hope they still have my business cards!

First day I tackled the interior first and gave it through body wash and claying.

Talk about leather. There was leather everywhere. After a vacuuming and dusting the interior was wiped down with a gentle solution of Woolite and water. Gauges and and middle console was treated with 1z Cockpit Premium. I opted to treat the leather with Lexol today. It has never let me down and always finishes with a a nice semi luster.

Sorry. Pics were taken with iPhone again so not the best.

Wheels were cleaned with P21s Wheel Gel

A swissvax brush and wood toothbrush were used to get the brake calipers and wheel weights.

Lower half was pretreated with Megs APC to combat any road film or tar.

Then it was sudded up and left to dwell for about 5 mins to help float away any dirt or other heavy particles that may be present. It also helps breakthrough the stronger layer of dirt and/or debris that may be present.

Then it was rinsed and bathed using a bucket of clean water with a Grit Guard inserted. A soft Zymol sponge was used to gently bathe the car.

Next came claying with a yellow “secret” clay bar that I got from Ranney. J/k I forgot what it was called but it was a pretty good bar. A little stiffer and tuffer than the Sonus green but still easy to work with. Megs Last Touch was used as a clay lube.

I bathed the car once more and did the “flow dry”. It’s a very effective technique to combat waterspots and in most cases you would use only one large MF towel where you would normally use two. It also makes drying time much shorter IMO.

Before. Alot of water drops!

Let it flow…..

and your left with little to no water. Results may vary according to the vehicles paint surface condition or LSP currently applied.

Called it a day (3 pm) and headed straight to KFC. I needed refuel to take on my kids at home while mommy was at work! Hehehehe…..

Day 2:

Taping off and finishing.

Paint correction was with a Makita 9227. The roof, hood and trunk was worked with a yellow CCS cutting pad and SIP at 1100 to 1300 r/min and the side panels got the white CCS polishing pad and 106f set at the same speed. The roof, hood and trunk got this combo as a second step also. After an alcohol (70%) wipe down, Chemical Guys Wet Mirror Finish was applied using a blue CCS Finishing pad to the entire vehicle. Then topped off with Swissvax Smarged/Best of Show.

As I let the wax set I dressed the wheel wells with Megs Hyper Dressing and the tires with XP Cool Blue. The wheels and brake calipers got a shot of Zaino Z8.

Here’s the final product! The pics don’t do it justice but the Wet Mirror Finish and Smarged combo is AWESOME! This was the best results I got on a silver EVER!

The owner was very happy and told me I should expect a call very soon from a friend. I asked “What does he have?”. “A yellow Ferrari 360″ he says. :drool: I’ve finally made it into Ferrari land. Now only if I could get my hands on a Lambo. :thumbup: