Tesla detailing and Opti Coat in Detroit and Charlotte

[mikenap]

By now, everyone is familiar with Tesla`s Model S techno-marvel. It`s quite unlike anything else currently on the road, and these cars are becoming increasingly popular. With massive amounts of luxury, technology and integration, the Model S is setting standards that many automakers will be following in the years to come. New owners of these gorgeous EVs are especially interested in protecting their investment, and are seeking out detailers to apply Opti-Coat Pro to shield their car`s paint from environmental damage, while making cleaning and maintenance easier. I`ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to work on a few of these cars, and would like to share some pics.`
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This summer, I was also lucky enough to be invited to Michigan to work alongside a highly accomplished detailer, and one whose work I`ve admired for quite some time....Marc Harris of AutoLavish, based in Detroit, Michigan. Marc`s resume as a detailer is impressive, and his level of craftsmanship is well-known, so it`s no surprise that he stays busy. When he called asking if I had time to travel to help him knock out some cars, I jumped at the chance. Isn`t this what vacation days are for anyway? :) `So I took some time off from my full-time job, loaded the Mazda and headed north for a week!
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The first car was a beautiful grey Model S. Working together, Marc and I washed, IronX`d, and prepped this car for a light polish and Opti Coat Pro application.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMG_20130724_102904_zps6b2349be.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMG_20130724_102904_zps6b2349be.jpg.html`)
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We started by cleaning the wheels and tires.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMG_20130724_103405_zps14ad6c64.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMG_20130724_103405_zps14ad6c64.jpg.html`)
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Next came the wheel wells.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1003_zpscb880fef.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1003_zpscb880fef.jpg.html`)
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Marc then foamed the car down prior to washing, to break down remaining waxes and also lift off heavier debris.`
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1004_zps2180d99d.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1004_zps2180d99d.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1006_zps7b8ef41e.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1006_zps7b8ef41e.jpg.html`)
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After foaming, the car was rinsed, hand-washed carefully, and rinsed again.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMG_20130724_130904_zps7f80d6c5.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMG_20130724_130904_zps7f80d6c5.jpg.html`)
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Here I`m polishing with HD Advanced Polish on a Buff and Shine green pad with the Rupes 21. This light combo was perfect for this particular paint.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMG_20130724_155650_zpsb4f26729.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMG_20130724_155650_zpsb4f26729.jpg.html`)
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The pillars were much softer, so a black B&S pad was used here.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1008_zps4c19e16a.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1008_zps4c19e16a.jpg.html`)
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No swirls!!
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1009_zpsabd7a36a.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1009_zpsabd7a36a.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1011_zps42c6f067.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1011_zps42c6f067.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1013_zpsa6912871.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1013_zpsa6912871.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMG_20130724_192235_zpsc493e7db.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMG_20130724_192235_zpsc493e7db.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMG_20130724_193032_zpsd177d9fd.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMG_20130724_193032_zpsd177d9fd.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMG_20130724_193142_zps0e53bafc.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMG_20130724_193142_zps0e53bafc.jpg.html`)
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After this Tesla, Marc and I worked to prep a Porsche GT3 RS for the Concours D`Elegance of America at St. John`s. This beautiful car received a thorough cleaning and light polishing to get it ready.`
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/IMAG1030_zpsb48abfec.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/IMAG1030_zpsb48abfec.jpg.html`)
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Marc doing a final wipedown with Dodo Juice Red Mist Tropical
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/IMAG1034_zps962642a1.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/IMAG1034_zps962642a1.jpg.html`)
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The owner and his massive torque wrench tightening the center locks.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/IMAG1037_zps6cd2f7b1.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/IMAG1037_zps6cd2f7b1.jpg.html`)
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Afterward, the owner took each of us for a spin in his Ariel Atom. To say this was an intense ride would be beyond understatement. It probably took years off my life...
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Once I returned to Charlotte, I had another couple of Teslas wanting polishing and Opti-Coat Pro. One silver and one black, these couldn`t be more polar opposites as far as condition. Factory sanding marks were everywhere on the black one, most under the clear where polishing can`t fix them. The silver one had a couple in the clear, but those were easily remedied.`
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1128_zps22232302.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1128_zps22232302.jpg.html`)
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Foaming once again.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1129_zps3650b240.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1129_zps3650b240.jpg.html`)
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Here you can see the IronX runoff after it has dissolved the iron contaminants in the car`s paint.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1133_zps93f18969.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1133_zps93f18969.jpg.html`)
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Too busy this time for many in-process pictures.
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1135_zpsa76b579c.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1135_zpsa76b579c.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1136_zps2cdde5ec.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1136_zps2cdde5ec.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1137_zps932ca5bc.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1137_zps932ca5bc.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1141_zpsd457f3fc.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1141_zpsd457f3fc.jpg.html`)
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This last Tesla was done with the help of David Strum, a semi-retired detailer (busiest retired detailer I`ve ever seen!) from Charlotte that some of you know as weekendwarrior on several detailing forums. Thanks for the help as always David!
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1411_zps97c242ef.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1411_zps97c242ef.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1413_zps539cca1d.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1413_zps539cca1d.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1417_zps31fb91ae.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1417_zps31fb91ae.jpg.html`)
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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/micnap/Teslas/IMAG1419_zps2c0f249f.jpg (`http://s213.photobucket.com/user/micnap/media/Teslas/IMAG1419_zps2c0f249f.jpg.html`)
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Thanks for looking!

[C. Charles Hahn]

Looks like you`ve had a busy season, Mike! Nicely done sir.

[mikenap]

Looks like you`ve had a busy season, Mike! Nicely done sir.



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Thanks Charlie! It`s been a great year, and I`ve had the chance to meet some really great fellow detailers as well. Hopefully I can make a return trip to MI to meet you and a couple of others that I didn`t have time to while I was there.....Marc worked me like a dog!` :lol:

[gmblack3]

Great work Mike and help. :) I have personally had Mike and David down at my place to help me on a few cars. These guys are top notch and IMO should be your choice in NC.

[RaskyR1]

Great work you guys!


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That Atom is off the hook....lucky ```````s! :D

[mikenap]

Great work Mike and help. :) I have personally had Mike and David down at my place to help me on a few cars. These guys are top notch and IMO should be your choice in NC.



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Thanks Bryan, that`s a huge compliment! It`s been a real exciting year, getting to work with some of the best in the country!


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Great work you guys!


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That Atom is off the hook....lucky ```````s! :D



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Thanks Chad! That Atom is brain-melting fast. Thank God the owner is highly skilled behind the wheel!` :o

[Woob]

Looking good for an old guy!

[Dellinger]

Mike, the cars look great.`


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What commitment you have shown to `take time off your daily` in order to `work more`. `What an honor it must have been to be called in to help Mr. Harris.


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Well done.


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-Dellinger


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P.S.- `I`ll see you this Saturday, lol! `You didn`t even know it! `I had my parents contact you to coat their `11 Chevy 2500 (black) last May. `Since I`m on the west coast, I wasn`t able to do it myself. `I`m flying in tomorrow for Thanksgiving and my mother said you were stopping by to look at the bug etching (haven`t seen it myself.) `Anyway, looking forward to it.

[mikenap]

Looking good for an old guy!



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Thanks Brandon, I do my best when my arthritis isn`t flaring up....and I can find my bifocals!` :P





Mike, the cars look great.`


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What commitment you have shown to `take time off your daily` in order to `work more`. `What an honor it must have been to be called in to help Mr. Harris.


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Well done.


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-Dellinger


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P.S.- `I`ll see you this Saturday, lol! `You didn`t even know it! `I had my parents contact you to coat their `11 Chevy 2500 (black) last May. `Since I`m on the west coast, I wasn`t able to do it myself. `I`m flying in tomorrow for Thanksgiving and my mother said you were stopping by to look at the bug etching (haven`t seen it myself.) `Anyway, looking forward to it.



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Thanks Gabe, I`ll be looking forward to meeting you this weekend!`

[David Fermani]

The Italian Stallion hooks up with the MuttGrunt to grind down paint in the suburbs of the D! Looks like you guys had a bunch of fun.`

[white gecko]

great tag team and work!

[hamza7]

Great work guys.`

[mikenap]

The Italian Stallion hooks up with the MuttGrunt to grind down paint in the suburbs of the D! Looks like you guys had a bunch of fun.`



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Thanks David, it was a blast. But next time I`m up there, don`t get on the first plane to Florida this time... ;)


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great tag team and work!



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Thanks Jeff!


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Great work guys.`



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Thank you Hamza!