2007 black 997 Carrera S - autoLavish at it again...

[MarcHarris]

Sorry we haven`t posted one of these in awhile, things have been hectic with personal and professional things. We have a special mega post coming within the next week or two, but for now, we bring you this:



This 2007 997 Carrera S is a car that`s enjoyed to the fullest. Outside of having over 40,000 miles on it from being driven year around, the car has seen many track days. The owner truly enjoys this baby.



For the owner`s recent birthday, his wife gave us a call and decided to have us clean this beauty up. After arrival, we unpacked and got started with the scheduled two-step job + interior.



While equipment was being set-up, I took paint readings to check for any irregularities or low spots.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01732.jpg



With everything set to go, it was apparent even before the initial wash that the car was quite dirty and in need of a little love.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01740.jpg



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http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01749.jpg





While foam dwelled, P21S and some brushes cleaned up the rims and calipers nicely.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01757.jpg



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01766.jpg



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http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01772.jpg





With the rims clean, the paint was foamed down with a thick mix of Chemical Guy`s Citrus Wash & Clear, then washed.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01775.jpg



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01786.jpg





Sonus mild clay was used on the upper portions of the car and on the clear-bra covering the front bumper while their purple clay took care of the much more contaminated areas: lower portions, behind wheel arches, etc.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01779.jpg



Little known autoLavish fact: Jacob gains his strength from eating contaminated clay.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01780.jpg





Following claying, we foamed the car...again...this time the soap pulled off the clay lube residue.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01784.jpg



http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l367/harrisdetail/Decorated%20images/DSC01777.jpg





We always appreciate owners like this: not only does he enjoy the car, he takes good care of it too. Two bucket washing by hand only, regular waxing, etc. The only issue was the light swirling, with few RIDS compared to the norm.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01797.jpg



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http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01803.jpg





The clear-bra on the front bumper looked rather dull and beat-up, as did the signal indicators



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01806.jpg



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01815.jpg





Door jams, the gas cap, and gas cap area all received Klasse AIO while taping took place.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01823.jpg



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While Jacob continued taping, I worked on the very sad looking exhaust tips. This was done using #0000 steel wool, and Blue Magic metal polish...and it took 2+ applications. The afters will give you a good idea of how dramatic the turn-around was.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01834.jpg





Two proven combos were tested to assess what would work best - M205 or Menzerna IP, both which were to be followed by 3M Ultrafina. Jacob worked 205/IP using the Flex + 3M green UK + the 3M yellow foam backing plate, and I followed each using the Makita with a red Lake Country pad + Ultrafina + 3M grey foam backing plate.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01844.jpg



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01846.jpg



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http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01853.jpg



The winner was IP: it cut better and quicker leaving less RIDS and cleaning up fine with Ultrafina



I gave Jacob a chance to get ahead of me on his cutting stage by working the tail lights with M205 + 3M green UK 3inch pad



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01861.jpg

[MarcHarris]

The rock-guards that come stock, forward of the rear wheels, were hit with the PC + M205 on an orange LC pad and came out outstanding.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01871.jpg





I hit larger portions of the car (doors/hood) with the 3M Ultrafina pad and LC backing plate, while tighter areas continued to be finished out with the smaller LC pad and 3M grey foam backing plate.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01872.jpg





Jacob took care of the rear wing with the smaller 3M green pads and M205



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01873.jpg





Interior work was comprised of vacuuming...



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01877.jpg



1Z Cockpit Premium on hard surfaces...



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01883.jpg



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01880.jpg



and leather cleaning.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01878.jpg





The paint received its final cleaning to insure no oils were left from polishing, to clean all the crevices, and to have the paint ready for a good sealant.



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01887.jpg





After being blow dried, Blackfire was applied using the PC. The end results of the car`s polishing + a layer of protection speaks for itself



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01891.jpg



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01896.jpg



http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01897.jpg



http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l367/harrisdetail/Decorated%20images/DSC01904.jpg



http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l367/harrisdetail/Decorated%20images/DSC01905.jpg



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http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Porsche%20911%20997%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC01913.jpg





A happy owner - our number one goal



http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l367/harrisdetail/Decorated%20images/DSC01921.jpg

[Barry Theal]

very nicely done. Keep up the great work!

[imported_Jakerooni]

Now that`s how it`s done guys.. Man now I want to go out and get som IP. Nice comparison shots there. Never have really used any mezerna products. great results!

[MarcHarris]

hey thanx a lot fellas.



Jake - we still need to have a get together before you leave man. I have no doubt you can teach me a few things, especially when it comes to interiors. While I think the Meg`s polishes are awesome, there are times some of the Menzerna`s really shine too. In this case, IP gave us better cut while finishing off just as good. The downside was pads got gunky quicker using it rather than m205

[Thomas Dekany]

Beautiful work man!!!!!!

[imported_DJ Mayo]

Niiiiice guys. I too prefer Menzerna polishes as they are extremly versatile and represent a true correction.

[Deanski]

Great work guys!!:xyxthumbs



As you found out, this paint is soft as all hell. I`ve found Menzerna works best with the paint they used on the 997`s.



I also see the owner has GT3 steat as opposed to *** (Adaptive Sport Seats).



The 0000 wool and Flitz works best for these tips, I had to remove mine to get them clean. It`s just a bolt and they come off, so I can now use the bench wheel and jewelers polish bars to really make them bright.



One of the Porsche restoration experts actually uses a mix of Blue Magic and P21S Paintwork Cleanser as a mild polish. Never tried this and never will as this is why there are correct polishes for every kind of finish.



Black is one tuff color to correct 100% and with it being so soft, it just makes it that more of a problem.



Once again, great work and pics on all the steps you took. I liked the wash after full polish to remove all oils as well. Just be careful or all that hard work goes out due to the softness of the paint finish.



Regards,

Deanski

[MarcHarris]

Thanks for the words fellas ;)



And trust deanski, everything was done carefully - surely don`t want to undo all the works we put into it :)

[imported_Shaun Carollo]

Nice work. Is that Stonewater in Northville? If so, I was there last week haha! small world. There are some absolutely beautiful homes in that neighborhood. We seemed to have switched, I was in your neck of the woods last week, as you were in mine. We really do need to meet up sometime. Feel free to come stop by the shop anytime in Livonia, right off 96. I just bought 105/205 so I can`t speak on those, but I love working IP on Porsche paint; always seems to work just right.

[Apollo_Auto]

Very nice work on some irritating paint guys! Jacob, try the yellow clay... that`s the one that makes ya fly, homie :)!

[DetailnByDustn]

Excellent work! "Eating clay is like eating taffy, I always get some stuck in my teeth" :).

[Alex Boyce]

Great work, great attention to detail on this one.



Glad to see some other clean cars here in MI.

[Deanski]

Thanks for the words fellas ;)



And trust deanski, everything was done carefully - surely don`t want to undo all the works we put into it :)



Good to hear as you found that this paint is so soft, you look at it the wrong way and it starts to mar:chuckle: I did it after washing. Damn it! :hairpull Problem with new mit.



I went through towels trying to find the best to remove polish or sealants and ones for QD work. And God help you if you have one bad hard spec of dirt or whatever caught in a towel with this paint. Jeez this is soft! I have a few DF towels and some from Dave at Autopia which are really soft and plush for QD work. Use the wrong nap and get ready to start over!



You`d think they would offer a Ceramiclear finish, but nope. Maybe my next one I`ll do paint to sample and see if they can do that clear as well.



Wheels can be difficult being deep. Some of the special wheel brushes that fit on drills work well.



I love 1Z Cockpit Premium for all the plastic in the engine bay and elsewhere, gives a nice mat finish.



Leather, I find that the Sonus does really well for Porsche leather, not overpowering smell of leather from it, but what it does seems to be quite wonderful. Give the leather a more firmer new feel, no greasy feel at all. Just a more "grippy" feel when you sit in the seat as opposed to other conditioners where you swim in the seat.



Also, it releases natural Porsche leather odor. After treatment, I shut the doors and in hours, opened them up and it was like it rolled off showroom.



Paint film is a wise choice for this paint as I too did film as I do to all of my cars I had (have) etc. Sure easy to remove film than to re-shoot a panel!



Mezerna with the right pads seem to really bring out the best in this paint. Some of the Menzerna can get dusty, but you can work it longer with water if needed. 85RD and other final finish polishes from Menzerna can make black look insane! Most don`t lie working with Menzerna due to dusting or it gumming up if not used and matched correctly to pad/paint/tool.



If Mercedes, Porsche and Maybach use Menzerna and telling from some of the finishes coming out from factory are stunning on the high-end lines.



Lately, I`ve seen some high-dollar cars from all mfg`s come into port looking terrible. Orange peel, poor clear application and others. :shocked Waterborne paints just don`t have that perfect look like true oil based paints. I`m sure in time it will improve with better application tools and better paint finishes.



Wonderful work and keep this up!!!!!!



Regards,

Deanski

[MarcHarris]

hey I feel you buddy, but if you think these 911`s have soft paint, try living with a berlina black s2000 or NSX. Even softer!

I couldn`t even finish down on my red s2000 with a rotary without trails no matter what I finished with. Had to go to the PC.



I don`t seem to hear much good about the new water-based base-coats. Seems the solvent-based paints still take the cake. Of course once folks learn what it takes to do water-based correctly, they`ll no doubt be just as good, and much better for the environment