Ferrari 458 Italia: Full wetsand and paint perfection - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Todd@properautocare.com · 11-16-2010, 10:01 AM

Because the Camaro5 Forum only allows 800 pixel wide formatting the text on this write up is a little hard to read. Click here for the full sized version (easier to read and much better detail in the pictures).

Todd@properautocare.com · 11-16-2010, 10:04 AM

Before looking at the full sized after photos it is important to reflect with two full sized before photos.

There was heavy orange peel over the Ferrari's entire surface.

Here is an in progress shot taken of the 458 Italia prior to the end of day three. A lot of time was spent double and triple checking the progress and results. If there had been enough factory paint thickness to completely sand the body completely flat, this job would have been easier. As such the goal was to get as close to perfect as possible, which meant giving it a consistent and uniform finish everywhere. Over sanding and over flattening a small amount too much would have meant re-sanding the entire surface flatter as well to ensure total uniformity.

The remaining pictures are after shots, taken both in direct sunlight and in the shade close to the house. Thank you for reading.

I would also like to thank Kevin Brown for graciously taking the time to proof read this thread and for making many beneficial suggestions!

After Note:The picture of the mil gauge reading was borrowed from a previous write-up of mine but worked for the story line. Since I originally was writing this for my website, I used artistic freedom with that picture. All other pictures used on the write up and every description is 100% correct and was taken during the course of the write-up.

MuttGrunt · 11-16-2010, 12:05 PM

Still one of, if not, your best write-ups Todd. Truly amazing presentation.
-Marc

racrx451 · 11-16-2010, 12:24 PM

wow.. great job! I don't want to know what that costs..

garcmol · 11-16-2010, 02:15 PM

Nice. That would have scared the hell out of me!

Todd@properautocare.com · 11-16-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

Still one of, if not, your best write-ups Todd. Truly amazing presentation.
-Marc

Thank's Marc!

Quote:

Originally Posted by racrx451

wow.. great job! I don't want to know what that costs..

LOL, barely enough to cover my medical bills from having a sore back!

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcmol

Nice. That would have scared the hell out of me!

It's the challenge that makes it fun!

2010 SSRS · 11-16-2010, 04:09 PM

wow, that looks awesome.

Indpowr · 11-16-2010, 04:27 PM

We had a professional do our Camaro in Orlando. I am sure you know of each other. We will do it again. Maybe I should look you up..LOL

toesuf94 · 11-16-2010, 04:38 PM

Todd:

Beautiful work on a beautiful car. That car has captivating lines.

Uncle Harvey · 11-16-2010, 05:26 PM

I want one!!

Michael_Js · 11-16-2010, 07:46 PM

Wow! That be a lot of work!
Sure looks beautiful though!

Great job!

2LTRS · 11-16-2010, 11:51 PM

Wow.. great work.. you've got much larger cajones than I.

Todd@properautocare.com · 11-17-2010, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2010 SSRS

wow, that looks awesome.

Thank you very much for the compliment!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indpowr

We had a professional do our Camaro in Orlando. I am sure you know of each other. We will do it again. Maybe I should look you up..LOL

Thank you. To be honest I am not overly familiar with a lot of my competitors (only those whom I am friends with) because I can only focus on the work I do and the results that my clientel expect.

I would also add that if you are happy with the quality and value of the work you received from the previous detailer that you are often best served sticking with them.

Many detailers excel at certain aspects so if you find one you click with, you best bet is stay where you are happy. (Not saying I wouldn't like the opportunity, only trying to be honest.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by toesuf94

Todd:

Beautiful work on a beautiful car. That car has captivating lines.

Thank you very much!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Harvey

I want one!!

Me 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael_Js

Wow! That be a lot of work!
Sure looks beautiful though!

Great job!

Not only was it a lot of work (about 65-70 hours in total) but honestly it was very skillful work. This wasn't a simple do step A thru M and be happy.

The factory paint is fairly thin so I only had so much film build (clear coat thickness) to work with. The owner is so anal that if I were to overly flatten one area, then he would want the rest of the car blended in to match (removing valuable clear coat from the whole car). This meant that each stroke of the sandpaper had to be precise and the work constantly checked to re-sculpt the paint.

I have detailed several award winning concours cars for the owner and he wanted to the paint to be polished to absolute perfection (if you look in the after shots in direct sunlight you will find absolutely zero swirl marks or scratches) so another 30 hours had to be invested into creating a flawless and super high gloss finish.

On top of this, there was no room for any mistakes or damage. So I really appreciate the compliments, thank you!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2LTRS

Wow.. great work.. you've got much larger cajones than I.

Or I'm just much dumber

km9v · 11-17-2010, 10:23 AM

Nice work. You would think that a Ferrari would have a better paint job to start with.

11-16-2010, 10:01 AM	#1
Todd@properautocare.com Drives: Wrecked! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 52	Ferrari 458 Italia: Full wetsand and paint perfection Because the Camaro5 Forum only allows 800 pixel wide formatting the text on this write up is a little hard to read. Click here for the full sized version (easier to read and much better detail in the pictures).

11-16-2010, 02:15 PM	#5
garcmol Drives: 10 1LT SIM; 91 B4C sleeper Z Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ft. Mitchell, Alabama Posts: 7,199	Nice. That would have scared the hell out of me! __________________ Pedders Pace Car Package, Injen CAI, Flowmaster AT, AAC Lighting, ZL1 fascia/skirts, RKSport Ram Air hood, vented fenders, painted stripes (Gary's Customz), Honor and Valor badged (Thank you, John)

11-16-2010, 04:09 PM	#7
2010 SSRS Drives: 3 V8 Camaros Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Ocean State Posts: 111,187 View My Garage	wow, that looks awesome. __________________ Jannetty Racing JRE Street Package

11-16-2010, 04:38 PM	#9
toesuf94 Drives: THR #11 E-force supercharged Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 4,746	Todd: Beautiful work on a beautiful car. That car has captivating lines. __________________ Cars and women are both going to give you problems...but you can pay somebody else to fix your car!

11-16-2010, 07:46 PM	#11
Michael_Js SoCal C5 Family Member Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS - Black w/IOM; 6M Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 5,299 View My Garage	Wow! That be a lot of work! Sure looks beautiful though! Great job! __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2010 Black 2SS/RS; 6M; IOM, GFX, sunroof; ADM Race CAI; Zoomers CB; Viper Alarm; Pdaft F&R sways, Adj Endlinks, Rtrailing arms, Camber kit, strut brace, Front Trailing Arm Bushing; SLP Skip-Shift Elim; Tinted lights/windows; Hurst Short-throw; LoJack; Door & Dash ABL Mods; ********; JBA Shorty headers; AACStyle LEDs; Stillen DS rotors, Hawk Ceramic pads; Havoc Blk Chrome wheels: 20x9s; Lingenfelter Blk Al Pedals; RevXtreme Catch Can; Goodridge SS lines; Ported TB; RK Sport hood; Hotchkis chassis brace; KW V3 coilovers;

11-16-2010, 10:04 AM	#2
Todd@properautocare.com Drives: Wrecked! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 52	Before looking at the full sized after photos it is important to reflect with two full sized before photos. There was heavy orange peel over the Ferrari's entire surface. Here is an in progress shot taken of the 458 Italia prior to the end of day three. A lot of time was spent double and triple checking the progress and results. If there had been enough factory paint thickness to completely sand the body completely flat, this job would have been easier. As such the goal was to get as close to perfect as possible, which meant giving it a consistent and uniform finish everywhere. Over sanding and over flattening a small amount too much would have meant re-sanding the entire surface flatter as well to ensure total uniformity. The remaining pictures are after shots, taken both in direct sunlight and in the shade close to the house. Thank you for reading. I would also like to thank Kevin Brown for graciously taking the time to proof read this thread and for making many beneficial suggestions! After Note:The picture of the mil gauge reading was borrowed from a previous write-up of mine but worked for the story line. Since I originally was writing this for my website, I used artistic freedom with that picture. All other pictures used on the write up and every description is 100% correct and was taken during the course of the write-up.

11-16-2010, 12:05 PM	#3
MuttGrunt Drives: Not Enough Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 106	Still one of, if not, your best write-ups Todd. Truly amazing presentation. -Marc

11-16-2010, 12:24 PM	#4
racrx451 Drives: 2010 white SS Join Date: May 2010 Location: DMI Posts: 216	wow.. great job! I don't want to know what that costs..

11-16-2010, 04:27 PM	#8
Indpowr Account Suspended Drives: Corvette C6 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 6,959 View My Garage	We had a professional do our Camaro in Orlando. I am sure you know of each other. We will do it again. Maybe I should look you up..LOL

11-16-2010, 05:26 PM	#10
Uncle Harvey Drives: 2011 2SS RS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Senoia, GA Posts: 237 View My Garage	I want one!!

11-16-2010, 11:51 PM	#12
2LTRS Detailing Connoisseur Drives: 2010 Rally Yellow 2LT RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lakewood, ca Posts: 1,131	Wow.. great work.. you've got much larger cajones than I. __________________

11-17-2010, 10:23 AM	#14
km9v Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 419	Nice work. You would think that a Ferrari would have a better paint job to start with.