I was contacted by this Porsche Turbo owner after he brought his vehicle to another S. Florida Detailer that claimed to be the best around. This person was commissioned by a well known local Porsche tuner and was told to do a complete detail. Immediately after picking the vehicle up the owner noticed the car did not look the way he anticipated. Price was not this person’s concern, but yet the “detailer” assumed that the client didn’t want a proper job. Quite frankly, my client was so disappointed that he didn’t even want this person to touch his car again in fear of his inability to pacify his expectations after making multiple excuses as to why the car came out so poorly. Within a few days after the detail, my client carefully washed his car and couldn’t help noticing that his car’s appearance went drastically downhill. The owner then found me through another detail forum and I immediately made an appointment to inspect the car and coach him on what can be done. Upon seeing the vehicle, I couldn’t help to notice slight buffer trails, RIDS and wash marring all over. It was obvious that this so called “expert detailer” basically half-arsed buffed the car, filled the defects and slathered some greasy toppings on not only the paint, but the entire interior. We immediately made an appointment for him to drop the car off at my place for a well deserved multi-day rejuvenation. I sprinkled some water on the paint to check out the beading and couldn’t help noticing a swirly haze all over the paint (red flag): Saturday bright & early I prepped the car. As you can see, the paint was beading quite well. A characteristic that a car getting a detail shouldn’t have. One of the most important things to do before attempting a paint correction is to make sure the paint is as bare as possible. I achieved this by using Optimum Power Clean (3 to 1) and Dawn via HD Grout Sponge. Here’s how the water laid after stripping all the polish, glaze and wax from the paint. No surface tension. In somewhat of surprise, this car was terribly riddled with deep buffer trails that the prior detailer installed. This really portrays the skill (or lack of skill) of this individual. In all actuality, this is quite typical of most “high end” detailers in S. Florida. Most owners are tricked into thinking that what they are getting is an acceptable result. Again, this car was just freshly detailed. Here’s where the detailer attempted to polish out a scratch only leaving deep clearcoat hazing (minor burning). 50/50 shots after M105 via DA using the infamous Kevin Brown Method (KBM) and 2 alcohol wipe downs. The paint ultimately was finished with Menzerna 85RD via 5.5 white LC flat foam. Protection was copious amounts of Z2/Z5/Z8. Deep rocker panel marring from conveyor car washes required sanding. I used grits ranging from 1500 to 4000. Another thing that stood out like a sore thumb was the interior. The hack detailer didn’t really clean anything (even though it was soiled), but applied a greasy slurry of dressing all over everything. I’m a firm believer that glossy leather is unhealthy leather. Shiny interior surfaces are usually attributed to not only accumulated dirt, but the use of incorrect conditioners which accelerates and recaptures soiling. The complete interior was scrubbed with a toothbrush & Leather Masters Strong cleaner. Then preservation was achieved with LM Protection Cream. Here’s some 50/50’s: Afters (Interior):
Unfortunately the day the car was completed (Sunday) it was pretty cloudy. I tried snapping as many full sun shots peeking out of the clouds as possible.
That is just stunning. Great work turning another's failure into perfection. Love that interior on the Porsche, great 50/50 of your work.
What on the face of the earth did he put on those seats? Motor oil or tire shine lol joking. I have never even seen anything that can make seats that shiny. Awesome work, the owner must wondering if that's the same car I can't believe how wet that thing looks in the sun, damn setting the bar to a new level
Un-freaking-believable! I hope the tuner shop is no longer using this hack. Did you speak to the tuner shop David?
Very nice works David! do you know what name of color is? I can remember old macadamia brown color from porsche but this look much better
Fantastic save Dave!! I can't imagine handing a car back in the condition it was and expecting the owner to be anything less than completely pissed off. That was terrible.
damn david that was hell that you had to work with. What a turn around. Those 50-50 shots were rather sweet if i might add.
