Just a little one from me tonight.. some recent work on a Basalt Black 997 Porsche.
PS, following JD's recent post RE GTechniq's kit, I have ordered a few bits myself :approve: :evil: (Will do my best to include them in my documentation in the near future)
Porsche 997 Carrera S – Minor Correction
Although already very clean, the owner wanted the 997 putting through a mild polishing process to remove a ‘haze’ that’d be caused by light swirls and some wash marring.
Shortly before buying the car some 15 months back now, the 997 was put through a similar detailing process to prep it in readiness for its sale. Being thrilled with the results then, it was up to me to match (or even better!) the results this time round.
Product
· 3M Glass Cleaner
· AutoSmart G101
· AutoSmart Tardis
· Autosol
· Blackfire Wet Diamond – All Paint Protection
· Chemical Guys JetSEAL109
· Dodo Juice Born To Be Mild
· Elite Car Care’s Mild Grade clay bar
· Jeffs Werkstat Prime
· Meguiars Wheel Brightener
· Meguiars Super Degreaser
· Meguiars Last Touch
· Menzerna Power Finish 203s
· Menzerna Final Finish 106FA
Inspection…
‘Clean’, just grubby on the edges. Again, this is a very well looked after car.
Wash process: Wheels, Arches, Tyres, Sills, Badges & Crevices, Rinse, Snowfoam, Rinse, Snowfoam, Two-Bucket Wash and clay bar…
This was about the worst contamination I could find!
Also noting through the wash stages how well the bodywork was protected..
Once dried down and inside , the sun made appearance (typical) and a rough idea of the overall defects were spotted on the O/S front corner:
Although only 4 years old, throughout, there were some pretty low paint thickness readings. Averaging ~90/95um. Lowest reading spotted was 76um.
Highest number spotted 121um on the bonnet:
With these low readings in mind, I was pleased I was only there to perform a single pass with a mild polishing approach as otherwise we’d be pushing our limits somewhat with the already thin paint!
Pads and polish used for the correctional work: 3M yellow polishing pads (both the 150mm and the smaller spot pad), a white Hexlogic polishing spot pad, Menzerna 203s for some tough areas and Menzerna 106FA for the majority.
Starting with some of the smaller spot pad work at the back and I’m not getting on too well.. Switch pads, try another polish combo… “Nope, something strange going on”. Polish isn’t breaking down well, a few new vibrations/jumps on the rotary and generally not having much luck. Come the time to switch pads again though I noticed:
My Gloss-It backing plate had split. This could have been a potential disaster had I not spotted it sooner rather than later. Bummer!!
So, in switching backing plates I was able to crack on and complete the N/S rear quarter:
Stepping up to the 3M 150mm polishing pad for some of the larger areas like the roof.
Before:
After:
And a few more ‘befores’ spotted on the N/S panels that when in the sun, were showing swirling and ‘movement’ within the paint.
Leading edge of the bonnet complete and haze free:
Tricky area this, switching down to the small 3M polishing pad, I carefully machined the vents on the engine cover to the rear: (it didn’t help that my ‘oh-so beloved’ Gloss-It backing plate had broke either!)
Before and After: (much better)
Some light scratches taken out of the tailgate itself:
And moving on to the rear clusters with 3M yellow spot pad and Menzerna Power Finish 203s:
Before:
After:
Front nose before/after:
With the machine work complete, the 997 was popped outside for a quick rinse and then blown dry with the Black Baron Vehicle Dryer. At this point, an executive decision was made; we agreed that I’d re-visit first thing in the morning as there was lots of moisture in the air and the jobs which I had left to do would only be affected by this and I’d only grumble as I began to struggle!
Rise and shine, back to it first thing and I start with an IPA wipedown.
Exhausts cleaned up with Autosol:
Before/After:
Before/After:
Along with the alloy wheels, the calipers were protected with JetSEAL109.
Some toothpickery work:
BlackFire’s All Paint Protection system was laid down and in the meantime, I did the glass with 3M’s Glass Cleaner. Sealant residues removed, one or two final touches and we’re there.
And with the Brinkman torch:
The true finish will be revealed once the car first rolls into direct sunlight.
Thanks for reading..
Jim.
PS, following JD's recent post RE GTechniq's kit, I have ordered a few bits myself :approve: :evil: (Will do my best to include them in my documentation in the near future)
Porsche 997 Carrera S – Minor Correction
Although already very clean, the owner wanted the 997 putting through a mild polishing process to remove a ‘haze’ that’d be caused by light swirls and some wash marring.
Shortly before buying the car some 15 months back now, the 997 was put through a similar detailing process to prep it in readiness for its sale. Being thrilled with the results then, it was up to me to match (or even better!) the results this time round.
Product
· 3M Glass Cleaner
· AutoSmart G101
· AutoSmart Tardis
· Autosol
· Blackfire Wet Diamond – All Paint Protection
· Chemical Guys JetSEAL109
· Dodo Juice Born To Be Mild
· Elite Car Care’s Mild Grade clay bar
· Jeffs Werkstat Prime
· Meguiars Wheel Brightener
· Meguiars Super Degreaser
· Meguiars Last Touch
· Menzerna Power Finish 203s
· Menzerna Final Finish 106FA
Inspection…
‘Clean’, just grubby on the edges. Again, this is a very well looked after car.
Wash process: Wheels, Arches, Tyres, Sills, Badges & Crevices, Rinse, Snowfoam, Rinse, Snowfoam, Two-Bucket Wash and clay bar…
This was about the worst contamination I could find!
Also noting through the wash stages how well the bodywork was protected..
Once dried down and inside , the sun made appearance (typical) and a rough idea of the overall defects were spotted on the O/S front corner:
Although only 4 years old, throughout, there were some pretty low paint thickness readings. Averaging ~90/95um. Lowest reading spotted was 76um.
Highest number spotted 121um on the bonnet:
With these low readings in mind, I was pleased I was only there to perform a single pass with a mild polishing approach as otherwise we’d be pushing our limits somewhat with the already thin paint!
Pads and polish used for the correctional work: 3M yellow polishing pads (both the 150mm and the smaller spot pad), a white Hexlogic polishing spot pad, Menzerna 203s for some tough areas and Menzerna 106FA for the majority.
Starting with some of the smaller spot pad work at the back and I’m not getting on too well.. Switch pads, try another polish combo… “Nope, something strange going on”. Polish isn’t breaking down well, a few new vibrations/jumps on the rotary and generally not having much luck. Come the time to switch pads again though I noticed:
My Gloss-It backing plate had split. This could have been a potential disaster had I not spotted it sooner rather than later. Bummer!!
So, in switching backing plates I was able to crack on and complete the N/S rear quarter:
Stepping up to the 3M 150mm polishing pad for some of the larger areas like the roof.
Before:
After:
And a few more ‘befores’ spotted on the N/S panels that when in the sun, were showing swirling and ‘movement’ within the paint.
Leading edge of the bonnet complete and haze free:
Tricky area this, switching down to the small 3M polishing pad, I carefully machined the vents on the engine cover to the rear: (it didn’t help that my ‘oh-so beloved’ Gloss-It backing plate had broke either!)
Before and After: (much better)
Some light scratches taken out of the tailgate itself:
And moving on to the rear clusters with 3M yellow spot pad and Menzerna Power Finish 203s:
Before:
After:
Front nose before/after:
With the machine work complete, the 997 was popped outside for a quick rinse and then blown dry with the Black Baron Vehicle Dryer. At this point, an executive decision was made; we agreed that I’d re-visit first thing in the morning as there was lots of moisture in the air and the jobs which I had left to do would only be affected by this and I’d only grumble as I began to struggle!
Rise and shine, back to it first thing and I start with an IPA wipedown.
Exhausts cleaned up with Autosol:
Before/After:
Before/After:
Along with the alloy wheels, the calipers were protected with JetSEAL109.
Some toothpickery work:
BlackFire’s All Paint Protection system was laid down and in the meantime, I did the glass with 3M’s Glass Cleaner. Sealant residues removed, one or two final touches and we’re there.
And with the Brinkman torch:
The true finish will be revealed once the car first rolls into direct sunlight.
Thanks for reading..
Jim.
