Black Ferrari 360 (finished)

I guess i never posted the finished detail up on this forum. Anyways, here it is:

This is the same car i did a while ago but the pics got messed up on it and i just did another write up. This write up was also done for a more consumer based forum so it is a little less specific i believe. here ya go!


When detailing a car, it is very important to set your mindset to perfection. Most of us live a life of rationalization however in some fields this rationalization needs to be turned off. This lack of rationalization means that there are no exceptions to perfection. Within the heart of just about every detailing shop there is a major flaw. This flaw is the fact that the time spent on the car is essential to make money. The company (or companies in question) makes its money on getting cars out as quickly as they can. For this exact reason Daniel Wendell works alone keeps the level of perfection up to his desired mark.
This particular car is a 2002 Ferrari 360 Spider that has about 10,000 miles on it. Many people think cars are delivered to the customer (when brand new) perfect. This is a common misconception. Many cars (especially exotics) go through grueling tests before they even get to the dealership. For example, every single Ferrari is test driven at the test track in Italy where the cars are made. I have had the pleasure of knowing a man who has been to the Ferrari plant in Italy and seen this with his own eyes. He said that he met the first driver of his Ferrari, which was a humbling experience because he finally knew how much time and effort went into the car that he was buying.
Now that I have explained a little about the background of this car, I will get a little more specific. This particular car had a good amount of swirl marks and another common defect in the paint known as holograms. Holograms are a mark left behind when an inexperienced detailer gets behind a polisher and tries to buff the paint to remove holograms. My educated guess would be these holograms were instilled in the car at the Ferrari factory. The swirl marks are a common defect that can be extremely hard to remove. Swirl marks are induced by incorrect washing techniques and/or improper care of the car. I have yet to find a Ferrari dealership (much less a Honda dealership) that spends the time and funds necessary to wash a car correctly.
Here are some pictures of the car before the detailing commenced.






The way I start off every detail is by washing the car (correctly). The first step in washing a car is cleaning the wheels to perfection. This means using special wheel gel that is not acidic and does not corrode the alloy wheels found on today’s most expensive and luxurious cars.









After this the car is sprayed off with pressurized water to remove loose dirt and particles. Immediately preceding this step, the car is then ‘foamed’ with a shampoo which helps dissolve some of the contamination and add lubricity to the paint.



The car was then washed using the two-bucket method (a method to reduce the chance of inducing swirl marks), a sheepskin wash mitt and Dodo Juice Born To Be Mild.



Finally the car was then hosed down and dries using only high quality microfiber waffle weave towels.





What most people do not know is that the main part in a detail is not a ‘wax’ (or polymer sealant) it is the polishing. This is a fact; 98-99% of the great look that comes from a car is the pre-wax process. This in most cases means polishing however in others can mean adding excess oils to the surface to fill in the swirl marks in the finish and add depth and gloss to the paintwork. However in all circumstances I recommend removing the swirls and other defects instead of filling them in. This method is more expensive in the present however will pay dividends in the look of the car and the longevity of the look if properly maintained.

Before polishing it is important to tape up the cars trim so that polish residue does not stain it. This is done with special tape that has less adhesive then normal painters tape as to not leave any adhesive on the trim.







Every high quality detailer has an arsenal of different polishes for different uses and even some for the same. The polishes that are used by quality detailers are usually made specifically for a certain environment (most are the factories which have a set environment). This means that sometimes polishes might act up in, for instance higher temperatures or humidity. For that simple fact I carry quite a few different polishes with me on every detail.
Due to the fact that some polishes act up, the first step of polishing is essential. This step is the testing step where you see what route you will need to take. Polishing is like having a map but no compass if this step is not carried out. When polishing it is essential to carefully examine and evaluate everything that goes on. For instance just about every polish’s abrasives are made to break down into smaller abrasives to refine the surface of the paint even more. If the abrasives are not breaking down, it is a problem. There are many more factors of why it is important to do a test panel first. My test panel was the hood of the car. With this panel I figured out that I must use a mild polish in conjunction with a finishing polish to make sure the surface is perfectly leveled true to reveal the deepest and best gloss possible.





After the test panel is complete you will know what your process will be. Once that is finished it is just mindless droning on, which gets extremely boring but is livened up by the constant hum of 900-2000 RPM’s in your ears.

Before:


50/50:


Finished:


Before:


After:




Before:


During:


After:


In this next picture you can see a 50/50 of unpolished and polished. If you look close the black is so much sharper.



After polishing is complete it is time to start prepping the surface for the wax or sealant. The car is first foamed to remove the loose dust and then washed a second time.



Immediately after cleansing the surface I apply a pre-wax cleanser, which adds depth and gloss to the paint. My preferred product for this step is Dodo Juice Lime Prime Lite.





Finally after about 10 hours (which polishing can take up to 3 times longer) the paint is ready for the wax. The wax I used on this car was Dodo Juice Supernatural. This is the best superwax on the market (I feel). It is expensive however some clients and I myself have noticed a difference in the appearance when using the high-end boutique wax.

 

Now that the car is finished, it is time to show some after shot. These shots were taken in the detailing bay where i worked.



















This was a funny part: for the passed two days it had been raining and drizzling but that didnt stop us from getting this car in the showroom! WITH THE TOP DOWN BABY!





After pics in the showroom:

 

Very nice finished project! :applause2: Thank you for sharing your process and pictures with us.

 

Great detail, you are sure making a name for yourself. :thumb:

 

Awesome job! That's is one hot car.

 

Vehicle looks great :applause:

Just one thing, next time please don't include your company name on the photos (http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/f29/amendment-rules-1818.html) or else I'll have to delete your thread.

 

I was under the impression that Name is ok, however contact info is not?

but thanks!

 

Its a beautiful car but the one question I have is in regards to this quote, "This write up was also done for a more consumer based forum so it is a little less specific i believe. here ya go!" WTF is that, hopefully you meant it for another forum as I don't think we fall under that category here.

 

Nice work on the Ferrari.

The write up sounded a lot like a sales pitch though. And the only products that you actually mention by name are Dodo (no surprise), what other brands of products did you use?

Also, you mention that 98%-99% of a vehicle's look is accomplished by the polishing step. I agre with that. Yet, in a few paragraphs down, you mention how Supernatural makes a difference in appearance vs. other waxes. Can you elaborate on how the last one or two percent makes a noticable difference?

 

Regretably, you can't post neither. From the link I posted, the rule I'm referring too is this one:

- Please do not post pictures with your company name/website on your pictures.

Only those who pay to advertise/promote there detailing company have the right to post there company name/website/contact information.

Oh I've also edited the tittle of the thread as well.

 

This write up was written for a consumer based forum where i was aiming to get clients. Hence the sales pitch. That is also the reason for the use of a lot of Dodo. I by no means only use Dodo. I used P21S, 1z, Menzerna(i use this on every detail in 1 form or another). I did this a few months ago so it is hard to remember. i even used some souvy to compare... for the possibility of possibly someone saying i am spamming i am not going to report my findings there.

I think boutique waxes do add a little something to the appearance of a vehicle. I can notice a difference on this car and so could the 3 or 4 other guys watching me. I do think that SN is an amazing wax! It is in my top 2 or 3 with Vintage as my 1 however i do not have a full pot of Vintage. I think everyone would agree that waxes do add something to the paintwork!... this is easily observed by people spending thousands and thousands of dollars on waxes.

and this is all my opinion and is backed up by observations that i have gathered.

Do you agree that waxes do add a little something? Can you notice the difference?

,Dan

 

Wile I appreciate the honesty here, if your going to share other details here at Detailing Bliss please make sure to comply with the rules. Your not allowed to promote your company...we've head this discussion before.

 

The write up was written for a different forum. I was asked a few times in PM's what happened with this ferrari and not wanting to have to write another write up i copied and pasted it to here. I did the exact same thing at autopia a while back however just forgot about this board.

I am not promoting my company (or that was not the reason for me posting this) with this write up on this forum. I am sharing my work. I figured if a few people are asking me how it went they would like to see the write up.

Carlos, i apologize if it looked like i was trying to promote my company.

 

nice work

 

Great job!

Haha when I was reading it I kept on thinking was this a presentation for one of his classes?

 

what can i say awesome work awesome shine just awesome lol.

 

Haha! I tryed to turn it in as a creative writing assignment... didnt work.. haha

appreciate it!

 

Nice work, I think carnauba adds a little glow to a car, I like carnuaba:mounty:

 

Hi Dan, What A nice job you did. It really looks great...:thumb:

 

Great job, it looks outstanding!
I have a question. Is the white car lined up in the back ground hitting the wall :yikes: