Tropically Detailing: A LONG WEEKEND (Lambo, Ferraris, Bentelys)

TH0001 · 10-19-07, 06:00

First let me start this thread by giving credit where credit is due. Brian (VASuperiorShine) has joined the Tropical Detailing Excellence family and will be handling all Tropical Detailing projects on the West Coast of Florida. I was very fortunate to have him Brian along for the 4 day, 80 hour work week (yes you read that right

).

The trip started early (4:30 AM) for me, but earlier for Brian (2:30 AM, to drive to Orlando). We made a trip to Miami for four cars on the first day (luckily only two corrections).

Because we where pressed for time the entire time, we where not able to document a lot of the details, but more or less snapped pictures as time allows. As such, I will recap the major details that I can remember about the details, as it was a LONG weekend.

Ferrari 360 Spider.

Wash with Megs Hyperwash

Clay with Zaino Z18

Polish with a combination of Menzerna (SIP and IP), OP, and 3M Ultra Fina. Also certain scratches on the Euro style rear plate required 3M Extra Cut and a LC Purple Wool. The leveling power was great and Brian and I where able to remove some very serious defects safely.

Rewash with Zaino Z7

Two coats of DeepFinish Deep SWAX

Zaino Z8 final wipe

Zaino AIO on rims, glass

Zaino Z16 on tires

DeepFinish Deep Chrome on Tubi Exhaust

other stuff

Pics

VA(Brian) working OP with a 3M finishing pad at low RPM's to jewel the surface. The paint had a lot of swirling and scratches that where removed. Time didn't allow us to document, but the turn around was stunning.

Polishing under the halogen...

Finish perfected!

Yours truely removing defects by way of LC purple wool and 3M Extra Cut with quite a few RPM thrown in!

We pulled the car outside to check in the sun, but there was none to be found ( a common theme for the entire 4 day trip). However, the reflections where crisp and the paint was glowing before any LSP.

Using the foam gun to lather on Zaino Z7 after polishing...

The owner's other baby, which recieved a Z7 wash and Z8 wipedown (the full correction will have to wait until next month on the Lambo)...

I had orginally planned a multi coat Zaino LSP package for the Ferrari, but time was short so I settled on two very quick coats of DeepFinish Deep SWAX. The paint took on a very nice glow.

Brian inspecting the finish while I was goofing off (taking pictures)!

Now that's a DEEP finish :P

TH0001 · 10-19-07, 06:02

Next was a 30 minute trip to North Miami Beach for a detail on a previous customer. '08 Z06....

ONR Wash with a Z6 wipe down...
2 coats of Z5pro
Z8 final wipe
DeepFinish Deep Chrome on rims and exhaust
Z16 on tires...

Famous Zaino glow (the paint is blinging

)

After we finished up it was down to south Florida for a forum member's Jag S-Type.

Clay with Z18
Polish with SIP on a white pad
Zaino AIO on a blue pad
Z2pro
Z16 on tires
Z-AIO on rims, glass, ect..

It was very dark at this point so we couldn't take a lot of photos!

Day one complete on to day two which started in Boca Raton with a Bentley Flying Spur exterior and a new Bentley Azure interior detail.

Flying Spur...

Wash with Meg's Hyperwash
Clay with Z18
Polish with 3M Extra Cut, LC purple wool/ Menzerna SIP, LC Orange/ Menzerna 106ff, LC White Pad
Z7 Wash
Z5 pro x 2, Z2 pro
Z8 Final Wipe
Z16 on tires
ZAIO on rims
DeepFinish on Exhaust

Brian spinning the wheel on the Bentely...

Again time was limited, so a lot of pictures couldn't be taken (I had to leave to quote a couple clients on classic Ferrari details)

Working on the Azure interior (recieved a complete Leatherequie treatment)

TH0001 · 10-19-07, 06:03

Our client's 08 Ferrari 612 that will be getting a full polish and Zaino treatment on the next trip (along with his 2 other Bentleys)

A couple photos of the Bentley in the garage..

We finished up in Boca with two Porsche's but the Nikon's camera had died

Day three was very simple and went smoothly with a couple of Corvette details. Of course, we only took pictures on one, lol...

A full C5 correction

Wash with Meg's Hyperwash
Clay wit Z18
Polish with 3M Extra Cut on LC purple wool, Menz SIP on Orange, OP on White
ZAIO with blue pad
3 coats of Z5pro
Z16 on tires
ZAIO on rims
Deep Finish Deep Chrome on exhaust

The paint was very FLAT and dull before getting started... Here I am inspecting it...

Here is the car after making one pass of SIP/Orange across the hood and fender... Much glossier (though some deep defects remained, so the car had to be repolished with 3M and wool before being brought back..)

Yours truly peforming surgy by way of rotary...

After AIO...

Full Zaino bling...

Day four was with one client and a lot of driving around quoting prices. Next trip will be crazy (four Ferrari's scheduled a month out, already!).

Porsche Cayman S

Wash with Z7
Clay with Z18
Polish with SIP/Orange x 2, OP/White
Z7 Wash
DeepFinish Deep SWAX x 2
Tropical Detailing 7 Step Rim package (ask Brian, I was giving a quote, but the results where stunning!)
Z10 on interior
Z16 on tires
Deep Chrome on exhaust

MB AMG S63

Wash with Z7
Clay with Z18
Polish (scratches) 3M Extra Cut orange/ Zaino Z-PC on White
DeepFinish Deep SWAX
Zaino Z8 wipe (and on interior piano black surfaces).
Tropical Detailing 7 Step Wheel package (Brian's not sharing)
Z16 on tires
Deep Chrome on exhaust
Leatherquie on interior

Ferrari F430 Spider (previously detailed with Bryan/GMblack3a and myself, just a touch up)

Wash with Z7
Spot polish with SIP/106ff to remove some scratches from the track
2 coats of Z5pro
Z8 wipe down
Z16 on tires

SIP on white, testing the lower panels on the Porsche

TH0001 · 10-19-07, 06:05

Scatches on the AMG

Gone

Qtips :P

The only real "after pic" of the AMG. The owner had to leave so I was unable to get more (I will though

) Brian finishing up the Porsche...

Almost done (glossy and blinging)

Afters (none of the AMG

)

red4.8 · 10-19-07, 06:16

Holy crap what a list..
Every one of the cars look amazing, every time I see one of your post you blow my mind with how Great your cars come out. Very Good job as always....

poweredbytorque · 10-19-07, 06:19

Great job, I'm kinda jealous of you though. You seem to have the entire exotic market to yourself :P

stiffdogg06 · 10-19-07, 06:33

Honestly, I actually get excited to see your CnB's Todd!

Congrats to Brian for joining your "crew!"

- Andrew

EDIT: Isn't Brian's screen name VaSuperShine?

zoomzoom mazda5 · 10-19-07, 06:43

TOTALLY AWESOME THE WORK YOU BOTH DID!

, talk to Brian this evening and it looks like the company is starting to grow

Enjoy the weekend and i'll be waiting with my club

for the judges...........Angelo...........

YoMike · 10-19-07, 06:53

Wow so much great work! Has this SWAX taken the place of your Zaino?

baseballlover1 · 10-19-07, 07:00

WOW! You are the closest to paul dalton i know. Stunning work, as always!

Congrats to brian by the way!

TH0001 · 10-19-07, 07:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by red4.8

Holy crap what a list..
Every one of the cars look amazing, every time I see one of your post you blow my mind with how Great your cars come out. Very Good job as always....

Thanks! I really enjoy the compliments, we worked very hard for four days straight with a lot of drive time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiffdogg06

Honestly, I actually get excited to see your CnB's Todd!

Congrats to Brian for joining your "crew!"

- Andrew

EDIT: Isn't Brian's screen name VaSuperShine?

Hey Andrew THANKS! I'm very lucky to have Brian, and yes his screen name is VaSuperShine, but Super isn't good enough, so from now on, its Superior in my eyes! (Okay, I'm really just messed up :P)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoomzoom mazda5

TOTALLY AWESOME THE WORK YOU BOTH DID! , talk to Brian this evening and it looks like the company is starting to grow Enjoy the weekend and i'll be waiting with my club for the judges...........Angelo...........

Thanks Angelo. I'm glad your in touch with, we could always use somebody in North Tampa :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoMike

Wow so much great work! Has this SWAX taken the place of your Zaino?

Thanks Mike!And no, Deep SWAX has not replaced Zaino at all. I might as well address this here, since I have recieved a lot of PM's concerning all.

I post less then half of my details, and I would say that Zaino is what I grab 90 percent of the time. However, I am not loyal to any brand nor any product, so I must use what works with me and my customers, given restraints and time scheduling.

In comparing Zaino to Deep SWAX, there is none. Zaino gives amazingly shape reflections, while Deep SWAX is very carnuaba in appearance, with a deep, reflective glow, that still maintains sharpness. In testing next to Zymol Concours, I found that SWAX was as deep, and sharper, very unique. Because, I do this professionaly, I don't always have the time to prep the car and apply multiple coats of Zaino. Sometimes I need something quicker.

Zaino is the king of high gloss sealants (and they have great depth IMO, esp will multiple layers) plus it lasts forever. I now carry Deep SWAX as a carnuaba like look that I can get on and off quickly. I have no idea about the durability. I feel with Zaino, Zymol (recent addition to the line) and Deep SWAX I have a three way attack that suites every need.

But to answer your question, no I have no intention of replacing Zaino, but I sometimes need a cheaper, quicker solution to my pricer multi-layered Zaino packages. Both rock, in different ways. Most of the products I try, I throw away, the good ones I keep.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baseballlover1

WOW! You are the closest to paul dalton i know. Stunning work, as always!

Congrats to brian by the way!

Wow, thanks! Paul is my idol, so that is a huge compliment!

DantheMan · 10-19-07, 07:48

Hope you guys made some good coin.. You deserve it. Everything looks perfect. Great work guys..