Some time ago, one of my client’s that’s been visiting us since early in our history told me how he’d been waiting for his 2014 Porsche GT3 for months up until Porsche told him he would not get a 2014 due to the engine recall issues. He was posed with the either not getting a GT3 or he could order a 2015 and wait even longer. Obviously, he decided to put in the time to wait for a 2015. Because he’d sent other cars straight to us in Atlanta for new car detailing, paint correction, clear bra installation and nano-coating application, he knew to tell the dealership that he expected a dirty car to arrive.
This Porsche was the second that he purchased from a dealership from the mid-west. Because of logistics and scheduling, he was not going to be able to be present when the Porsche GT3 was delivered to us. In short, we had to ensure the car was safely removed from the trailer. The last car that came to us via the same process (but to him at night and not to us during the day) had extensive dirt/grease/filth on the inside a-pillar, leather and the door card from what we can only presume was the driver’s gloves or dirty hands. It’s great that the dealership used an enclosed trailer. But when it came to getting inside the vehicle to back it out, it seems that was a great opportunity for the interior to get filthy and possibly stained.
With all that said, my staff and I were overly cautious to this exposure and insisted that the car be removed the same way as if it were my own fine automobile. As the pictures indicate, the driver was not in touch with what it means to have an OCD car owner’s vehicle removed “safely” from an enclosed trailer.
When we saw this I had to request that he keep his hands off the paint. It sucks being “that guy” to someone just trying to do his job, but someone has to or the paint gets damaged.
Before getting started on the GT3, I had to get a perfect sense of how the owner would live with his car. Would it be a beaten up track mule? Would it be a garage queen or something in between? Spending a few hours with the owner gave me what I needed. The owner would see value in our best car detailing, paint correction, a full body clear bra wrap and a nano-coating over the whole exterior.
I’ll save you the paces of a car wash and prep as it’s typically the same for most cars and this one was no different. It came to us rightfully dirty because the dealership honored the owner’s wishes for it to not be touched by anyone.
Here’s the thing, my client waited well over a year to get into his Porsche GT3 and we could not begin on the project for about 2+ weeks due to other scheduled projects. One evening I got a call that he was back in the country and wanted to swing by for a quick zip around in his long awaited prize. Sure, I had left for the day already, it was freezing cold and the clock just ticked to 9pm. But the car guy in me could not deny him a brief spin in the automobile he’d waited so long for. I told him to come by and I’d have it warmed up for him by the time he arrived. So, around 10pm we synced up and he got to finally enjoy it. I told him to enjoy it because we’d be working on it for a few weeks!
Detailing & Paint Correction
Some areas of the GT3 needed extensive paint correction, while others just required a brief cleaning up. We wanted the best looking and better than new’est (yeah… I said that) GT3 possible, so we went a bit above and beyond the typical car detail:
The carbon fiber engine cover was in need of detailing, correction and protection.
It simply had to be removed and properly addressed.
After a few hours and Swissvax Crystal Rock it was spot on.
An example of some of the paint defects. The engine lid has not been addressed and the fender has been.
The spoiler was removed to allow correction on all portions.
Paint Protection Film – Clear Bra Installation
This car and client deserved the absolute best we had. No simple “clear bra installation” would do. Parts were removed to allow a more thorough and stealth wrap.
Time to remove the door handles, mirrors and window strip. If you don’t know already, this is an incredibly time consuming process. Don’t bother with trying this unless you’re a brave soul.
Can you tell which panel has clear bra protection installed (look below the picture for the answer)?
The right panel is the one wrapped with clear bra – paint protection film (ppf).
A door wrapped the best way possible!
The whole exterior body was completely wrapped with clear bra – paint protection film (ppf).
Subtle Styling Changes
After discussing it with the owner, he liked the idea of removing the rear emblems and keeping them off. We took advantage of this and ensured the clear bra on the rear bumper did not have the relief cuts for the emblems. Pictures of this can be found in the finale shots at the end of the article.
The front amber side markers were removed and wrapped with smoke colored Lamin-X film.
Buttoning Up
All parts were reinstalled to factory spec.
All parts were labeled and stored. Not a single nut, bolt or clip was left over or broken when we were finished with the project.
Carbon fiber engine cover was safely reinstalled once all the exposed paint had been received nano-coating and was cured.
Almost done…
A Fresh & Clean Finish
After many hours, the project is complete. It has an incredible clear bra installation, the paint has been corrected and been given a high level of shine and it’s all buttoned up with a Modesta glass coating.
Clear bra taken to the next level.
The owner can now enjoy his prized automobile with a peace of mind.
Final Words
We appreciate all the fantastic feedback we’ve received through the years on the various projects we’ve worked on. When going into business for myself, I had the choice to be a volume operation or focus on caring for the needs of other OCD owners like myself. It’s clear which direction I aimed my business.
The projects we work on tend to be extensive ones that require many hours of intense labor. This project consumed over 115 actual labor hours to complete!
I’ve come to realize that this is not really a job. While my staff and I support ourselves and our families with the income that the business generates, it’s come to be more of a lifestyle for me. This craft is one that many other hardworking individuals pour their life and soul into. I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for such a fantastic industry full of these individuals. With the internet, we now have the ability to follow folks that continue to push the boundary of what excellence means. Thank you for all of the support in the community and allowing my company to be a part of it! We at Detailed Designs Auto Spa truly love what we do. The ability to support ourselves by providing the highest caliber professional car detailing, clear bra installations and nano-coat applications that we can is absolutely wonderful.
All of us at Detailed Designs Auto Spa look forward to your continued feedback!