Greg Gellas
I'm Greg :)
I was contacted by a wonderful gentleman who had just purchased his first pre-owned Maserati. Mac wanted that "glossy, candy coated look." We decided on a 2 step correction followed by a coating with Cquartz Finest.
However, things are not always that simple. Mac, in the excitement of his new car decided to wash it. During drying, he snagged his towel on one of the emblems breaking an "arm" off. Naturally, he decided to glue that piece back on. To Mac's dismay, the super glue went everywhere, leaving a big mess with glue surrounding the emblem.
We began with a full wash and decontamination of the paint. Using Iron-X and a nanoskin pad, we got this car decontaminated.
Now we can see what we are dealing with.
DSC_0555_zpsc4275c5e by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0568_zps3efb956f by GregGellas, on Flickr
All of the wheels had some curb rash. Since this is not something we do in-house, all of the wheels had to be sent out for re-finishing. Wheel repair is a specialized service and not something I would attempt. While the wheels were out for repair, we completely cleaned the entire wheel well area using steam and an APC.
DSC_0578_zpsfb3408c7-2 by GregGellas, on Flickr
IMG_9146_zps36f2513d by GregGellas, on Flickr
Felt Wheel Wells can be a pain, using steam and some boars hairs brushes we were able to clean them up.
IMG_9027 by GregGellas, on Flickr
IMG_9048 by GregGellas, on Flickr
IMG_9026 by GregGellas, on Flickr
IMG_9049 by GregGellas, on Flickr
We also paid attention to the calipers, they were steamed, IPA'd and then coated also.
IMG_9023 by GregGellas, on Flickr
IMG_9053 by GregGellas, on Flickr
Though this is a small detail, the lenses on lights always need to be corrected.
DSC_0053 by GregGellas, on Flickr
When choosing a Paint Protection film, some of the cheaper films may seem appealing, but go for a quality film. The person applying the film may have less experience, Lee, at leeberbs, who I share shop space with, has over 20 years of film experience. We pulled the old yellow film and replaced it, this time with wrapped edges and a 10 year Xpel Ultimate Warranty. Remember get that warranty card with an installer ID, otherwise they may be installing a less expensive film and claiming it is Ultimate. If you ever have a question if they are certified installer contact Xpel.
DSC_0042 by GregGellas, on Flickr
The excess glue surrounding the emblem needed to be sanded off. I had the body shop standing by just in case I sanded through the paint. The owner of the car knew it was a real possibility that I could strike-through the paint while removing the glue. No need this time! The super glue was successfully removed without going through the paint. We already had a new emblem on hand, knowing it would need to be replaced.
DSC_0561_zps2c6d91d3-2 by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0170 by GregGellas, on Flickr
The bumper had been re-sprayed, but not well. It had a ton of peel to it.
DSC_0546_zps0f8fe35c by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0545_zpse5cda910 by GregGellas, on Flickr
We sanded every section we could to better level the clear. We went as far as leveling the fog light area.
DSC_0013 by GregGellas, on Flickr
Now on to the paint correction. Here you can see I left a lot to DA Haze. I wasn't worried, I knew it would come out with the next two polishing steps. This car needed some heavy handed correction that took quite a long time. Not a problem because it made each additional step that much easier. I would rather spend extra time during the correction step to make the finishing steps that much easier.
IMG_9123 by GregGellas, on Flickr
Now it was time to coat this beauty. After another wash and two Car-pro Eraser wipe downs, we were finally ready to apply Cquartz Finest.
IMG_9127 by GregGellas, on Flickr
IMG_9129 by GregGellas, on Flickr
By now you want to see the results of many hours of correction. Also, let's see how that glue spot came out.
DSC_0215 by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0210 by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0216 by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0206 by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0205 by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0202 by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0198 by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0194 by GregGellas, on Flickr
IMG_9251JJJ_zps4c85e86f by GregGellas, on Flickr
IMG_9249JJJ_zps0710a350 by GregGellas, on Flickr
DSC_0219 by GregGellas, on Flickr
IMG_9253JJJ_zpsd4bd76b6 by GregGellas, on Flickr
However, things are not always that simple. Mac, in the excitement of his new car decided to wash it. During drying, he snagged his towel on one of the emblems breaking an "arm" off. Naturally, he decided to glue that piece back on. To Mac's dismay, the super glue went everywhere, leaving a big mess with glue surrounding the emblem.
We began with a full wash and decontamination of the paint. Using Iron-X and a nanoskin pad, we got this car decontaminated.
Now we can see what we are dealing with.
DSC_0555_zpsc4275c5e by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0568_zps3efb956f by GregGellas, on FlickrAll of the wheels had some curb rash. Since this is not something we do in-house, all of the wheels had to be sent out for re-finishing. Wheel repair is a specialized service and not something I would attempt. While the wheels were out for repair, we completely cleaned the entire wheel well area using steam and an APC.
DSC_0578_zpsfb3408c7-2 by GregGellas, on FlickrIMG_9146_zps36f2513d by GregGellas, on FlickrFelt Wheel Wells can be a pain, using steam and some boars hairs brushes we were able to clean them up.
IMG_9027 by GregGellas, on FlickrIMG_9048 by GregGellas, on FlickrIMG_9026 by GregGellas, on FlickrIMG_9049 by GregGellas, on FlickrWe also paid attention to the calipers, they were steamed, IPA'd and then coated also.
IMG_9023 by GregGellas, on FlickrIMG_9053 by GregGellas, on FlickrThough this is a small detail, the lenses on lights always need to be corrected.
DSC_0053 by GregGellas, on FlickrWhen choosing a Paint Protection film, some of the cheaper films may seem appealing, but go for a quality film. The person applying the film may have less experience, Lee, at leeberbs, who I share shop space with, has over 20 years of film experience. We pulled the old yellow film and replaced it, this time with wrapped edges and a 10 year Xpel Ultimate Warranty. Remember get that warranty card with an installer ID, otherwise they may be installing a less expensive film and claiming it is Ultimate. If you ever have a question if they are certified installer contact Xpel.
DSC_0042 by GregGellas, on FlickrThe excess glue surrounding the emblem needed to be sanded off. I had the body shop standing by just in case I sanded through the paint. The owner of the car knew it was a real possibility that I could strike-through the paint while removing the glue. No need this time! The super glue was successfully removed without going through the paint. We already had a new emblem on hand, knowing it would need to be replaced.
DSC_0561_zps2c6d91d3-2 by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0170 by GregGellas, on FlickrThe bumper had been re-sprayed, but not well. It had a ton of peel to it.
DSC_0546_zps0f8fe35c by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0545_zpse5cda910 by GregGellas, on FlickrWe sanded every section we could to better level the clear. We went as far as leveling the fog light area.
DSC_0013 by GregGellas, on FlickrNow on to the paint correction. Here you can see I left a lot to DA Haze. I wasn't worried, I knew it would come out with the next two polishing steps. This car needed some heavy handed correction that took quite a long time. Not a problem because it made each additional step that much easier. I would rather spend extra time during the correction step to make the finishing steps that much easier.
IMG_9123 by GregGellas, on FlickrNow it was time to coat this beauty. After another wash and two Car-pro Eraser wipe downs, we were finally ready to apply Cquartz Finest.
IMG_9127 by GregGellas, on FlickrIMG_9129 by GregGellas, on FlickrBy now you want to see the results of many hours of correction. Also, let's see how that glue spot came out.
DSC_0215 by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0210 by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0216 by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0206 by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0205 by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0202 by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0198 by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0194 by GregGellas, on FlickrIMG_9251JJJ_zps4c85e86f by GregGellas, on FlickrIMG_9249JJJ_zps0710a350 by GregGellas, on FlickrDSC_0219 by GregGellas, on FlickrIMG_9253JJJ_zpsd4bd76b6 by GregGellas, on Flickr
