Street Dreams: Aston Martin DB9 ...

[Street Dreams]

2008 Aston Martin DB9 Sport Pack

Car was booked for a 3 day full correction and show preparation.

Wheels came first, tires pre cleaned using ARO. P21s wheel gel was left to sit for a few minutes, even though the wheels were very dirty I just dont believe in letting wheel cleaner sit on the wheel for 20 or 30 minutes. If it works, it will do the job in a few minutes or so... otherwise you need a stronger wheel cleaner but thats just my opinion.

Behind the spokes, calipers, hub mounting face etc. all cleaned with various brushes. Wheel wells received APC 4:1 scrubbed with a MF mitt.

Everything was rinsed thoroughly...

After, inner barrels de-tarred with Tarminator later on before polishing.

Paint was rinsed at high pressure, then foamed using a mixture of CG maxi Suds and a Biodegradable APC to help strip some of the prior LSP

Rinsing off the foam

2 bucket method carried out using CG citrus wash and clear.

Before the sun came back out I pulled the car inside to dry it and begin claying. Megs mild clay and ONR lube were used. The clay picked up a good amount of grime, some areas like the hood and truck were clayed twice.

Before starting correction I worked on the interior

Interior, although small took me about 2 hours to get back to 100%. All plastics, glass, trim, doorjambs and leather were treated.

Doorjmabs were hand polished and sealed, the rubber trim around them was dressed with TRV too.

Some finished shots (Passport 9500i properly hardwired and discrete like it should be, so many of my customers have valentine 1 wires hanging from the windshield:shakehead

The aluminum trim around the shiftboot was hand polished using wet mirror finish, which has proven to be a killer all around product. After

Trunk jambs were cleaned and sealed as well...

during

After...

After claying the car was given 2 IPA wipedowns to ensure all prior waxes or sealants were stripped off as well as any clay residue. Good test to see if the finish is well stripped if to place your finger tip on a panel and gently rub, if it squeaks instantly your usually okay to move onto correction.

All delicate areas and trim were tapped off. Paint readings were taken after that, the driver side front fender had been repainted but was a surprising perfect match to the rest of the car.

 

[Street Dreams]

(Yes I got a haircut as the heat was getting to me)

The front nose and headlights had clear film protection. I started with those areas. While the paint was rotary corrected I found that Bob's DA method works best on the clear film.

I used the Flex 3401 and a polishing pad with Menzerna 106FA to correct, and then followed up with 106FA again on a finishing pad. I like the FA on the film because its pretty oily so it helps keep the heat down.

Under the halogens

The car had some RIDS and wash induced stuff. Nothing major but this was not a 95% job, this was a 100% so I chose a 3 step process which would properly correct and finish down the paint the way I wanted it.

Menzerna Power finish w/ a polishing pad
Menzerna 106FA w/ a polishing pad
Menzerna 85rd w/ a glazing pad

Working the hood with Power Finish. I started at 1100,1500, 1900rpm then backed down to 1100rpm. I finished down each stage as thoroughly as possible to really ensure the finish was properly leveled.

This being an Aston my main concern was sanding scratches which come from the factory. The car seemed to get away clean except for a few select areas like by the lower blinkers.

This same area on the blue vantage Bob and I did has a ton of issues. Spotting them in the halogens on the silver was tough but with the lights off in the garage the fenix picked up some pigtailing and RIDS.

I switched up to M105 with a 3" tufbuf wool pad, and then followed up with the 106FA and 85rd again.

Some various correction shots...

Working 85rd with a 3' finishing pad

The passenger side had a tiny scratch just above the door handle. After a few attempts at compouding it didnt budge so I had to wetsand it with 2500grit and follow up with the wool. Its lightened a bit was not able to be removed 100%.

Some more cut was needed on the passenger side so I stepped up to the DD yellow cutting pad from the green. Very surprised at the level of cut and finish you get with this, much more smooth than the orange foams.

Powerfinish breaking down

Trunk under the halogens, 2 steps down.

After correction..

Some old wax residue by the plate

Fixed

Tailights needed some attention. Before shots under the fenix

Before..

After..

Jeweling. When jeweling I only brought the rpms up to 1500 for 2 or 3 passes just to ensure i broke down 85rd all the way, after than I just made slow passes at 1100prm until I was happy with the look.

 

[Street Dreams]

Trunk after jeweling

Trunk under the fenix LED with teh lights off, otherwise you cant see much of anything!

Some finished pictures after all the polishing and 2 IPA wipedowns. No wax or sealant applied yet.

I left the plastic tag on one of my halogens wire grills btw if your wondering what the little hook is in some of the pics.

After correction, no LSP yet either

Since the car was silver I decided to get it as wet looking as possible. I started the LSP process with Danase wet glaze on a LC 100ppi foam pad using the Flex 3401. I worked in the glaze at speed 5 until it was clear and buffed off right away. This helped with the wetness and slickness of the paint.

Working DWG

After that I applied Jetseal 109 by hand and let it cure for about 2 hours before buffing off. While it was curing I moved onto the trim.

Rear plate areas was pretty dry. After a light cleaning I applied TRV to all the plastics using a foam painters stick.

Before

After

I appled the first coat of tire dressing (secret sauce I call it) with a DD sponge, living 5 minutes away from Phils place has some benefits... I just pick up whatever I need but also I get to feel a product before I buy it. I really like how thick these were so I bought 1 and ended up buying a bunch more a few days later.

I always dress the tires first before polishing or sealing the wheels, no matter how careful you are some sling will end up on the wheel at some point:doh:

Flaps before

After dressing with TRV

Engine was cleaned using a light mixture of APC and DI water, no direct spraying. Just a damp MF works best for me, that is if the engine is not a total mess.

Engine all finished

Dressing applied on front cover as well

Under the hood was cleaned and sealed using Werkstat, in an area like this a sprayable selaant really helps.

After cleaning and sealaing...

 

[Street Dreams]

The DB9 had a QuickSilver exhuast system, even at idle it just sounded great. Stock tips kept everything looking as it should however, I like that.

Tailpipes before..

polishing with #0000 steel wool and white diamond metal polish

After

Lower rear valance was dressed as well for a dark matte finish

Wheels and brakes were hand polished with CG wet mirror finishm then sealed with 2 coats of JW acrylic jett

All finished with the undercarrige dressed

Glass was hand polished and then sealed using Werkstat again

All metal trimwork polished as well...

Wiper cowl cleaned and dressed

As a finishing touch I like to spay some lightly scented de-odorizer in the interior. Back in the day (about a whole 2 years ago) I would spray some Febreez but Bob showed me Ozium (glycol-ized air fresherner) and I loved it.

I like the smell of well treated leather but I also want a lasting fresh scent in the car when the owner opens the door.

After all the finishing touches were taken care of I applied a carnauba wax.

To be honest I have not put a nuba on my own or a customers car in about 8 months, I just prefer sealants. But I decided since the Aston was on its way to a show (concourso type event) than a nice nuba may add something to the finish. The wax was a new version of Lusso Oro which I put on top of the DWG and basecoat of Jetseal.

I had no issues with sweating either as I went back and checked the finish hours later.

Okay, enough of my longwinded explanations and some final shots...

Of course, cloudy skies however:waiting2:

 

[Street Dreams]

(The plate is just too cool to blur out)

Before the rain came I pulled it back in

Halogens only as backlighting

Total time: 22.5hrs

Always enjoy these longer details, get a chance to do everything all out. I did this 2 weeks ago so the blackfire was not in my hands... next writeup will surely have some in there:thumbup:

Thanks for looking

 

[Old Pirate]

Cool plate! Thanks for sharing it here with us at TID. Awesome workmanship on the DB9, looks insane Dsms.........:drool5:

 

[jastg]

AMAZING JOB. She is a real stunner. Great documentation of your process. I'm jealous an Aston is first on my list if I ever hit the lottery. I prefer a Vanquish if I had that kind of bank.
If you can't buy them, detail them. Sometimes that's all you need. I would be happy just firing up that engine to hear her purr. Giving her a makeover like that should have you smiling from ear to ear for a while my friend. You did an incredible job.

 

[imported_Stokdgs]

Wow, David, you did a beautiful job !!

There is no other Aston Martin DB9 that looks that great !!
Thanks for taking alot of time just in getting pics and putting them up so we can all learn from your obvious awesome talent.

I had to laugh when you talked about using Ozium - I was using it in vehicles as you are today, back in the late 60's! Yes, its been around at least that long if not longer - even before you were born !
I'ts great stuff and next to doing Ozone I like it alot for neutralizing odors and leaving that clean-car-smell inside.. You are a bright kid ! I dont know your whole story, etc., but I do know hard work, attention to detail, and a great talent when I see it. Thanks again for taking the time to post up here at TID.

Congratulations on a beautiful result of a most beautiful vehicle. I get to watch a new one drive by every day when I am outside detailing, and hope that someday I might get to see it in my garage for a detailing too.

Keep up the great work, David, we really appreciate you and the awesome work !

Dan F

 

[Street Dreams]

There is no other Aston Martin DB9 that looks that great !!
Thanks for taking alot of time just in getting pics and putting them up so we can all learn from your obvious awesome talent.

I had to laugh when you talked about using Ozium - I was using it in vehicles as you are today, back in the late 60's! Yes, its been around at least that long if not longer - even before you were born !
I'ts great stuff and next to doing Ozone I like it alot for neutralizing odors and leaving that clean-car-smell inside.. You are a bright kid ! I dont know your whole story, etc., but I do know hard work, attention to detail, and a great talent when I see it. Thanks again for taking the time to post up here at TID.

Congratulations on a beautiful result of a most beautiful vehicle. I get to watch a new one drive by every day when I am outside detailing, and hope that someday I might get to see it in my garage for a detailing too.

Keep up the great work, David, we really appreciate you and the awesome work !

Dan F

Thank you Dan. I know Ozium is old school but it works, like I said Bob was using it way before me and once I tried it I liked it.

One last thing, dont call me kid, lol.... but seriously

 

[Puckman]

Absolutely amazing, both the work and the car!

 

[iCeMaN57]

Amazing work!! Guys like you who take the extra time to do it the right way deserve a two thumbs up! I wish there were people like you in my area that did quality work like yourself! Oh yea, I like Ozium as well. It kind of smells like jelly beans to me lol :thumbup:

 

[imported_Luster]

The car looks incredible!!! I've never had a customer yet who would let me go all out like that on their car. Always a budget to consider! I've done quite a few 10-hour jobs, but never a 22.5!!!:thumbup:

..... I take that back! I recently did a 24-hour detail on my '03 Vette that I just bought!:wink:

 

[iCeMaN57]

edit I can't keep my eyes off of the DB9!! :thumbup:

 

[Street Dreams]

The car looks incredible!!! I've never had a customer yet who would let me go all out like that on their car. Always a budget to consider! I've done quite a few 10-hour jobs, but never a 22.5!!!:thumbup:

..... I take that back! I recently did a 24-hour detail on my '03 Vette that I just bought!:wink:

The car left my house and went directly to a car show where it was 1 of 50 (out of 500) selected vehicles to be featured at the show. The owner was thrilled his car made the cut and wanted it looking mint.

Like I said I really enjoy this type of detail work, the kind where I have enough time to get every surface prepped properly.

One of the things I hate most is when I do an "exterior only" detail and the owner opens the door and says "My carpets still have stains in them!"

Thank you for all the kind comments!

 

[imported_Auto Concierge]

The car left my house and went directly to a car show where it was 1 of 50 (out of 500) selected vehicles to be featured at the show. The owner was thrilled his car made the cut and wanted it looking mint.

Like I said I really enjoy this type of detail work, the kind where I have enough time to get every surface prepped properly.

One of the things I hate most is when I do an "exterior only" detail and the owner opens the door and says "My carpets still have stains in them!"

Thank you for all the kind comments!

Of course what you want to say at that time is "yes Mr Cheapinowski it only costs a little more to go first class, but you are obviously a coach level kind of guy" doh!!!!!!.

 

[jastg]

Well you get what you pay for. Well the owner has one sweet whip and now they just had the perfect detail.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

WOW DAVE!!!!! This was the 'long' write up that I didn't skim through and read every word. VERY NICE WORK on the Aston Martin, the owner is lucky to have the car polished to that level.

Also the quality of your photographs and the 'classy' feel of the presentation of the work is top-notch.

Thanks for sharing on TID!

 

[imported_Stokdgs]

Hey David -

Apologize for calling you a kid - but you look so young ! It was meant as a compliment and not an insult, ok ?

Its just that when you get to be as old as I am, almost everyone looks like a kid to me !

Hope that you have a nice holiday weekend and get to take a break once and awhile.

Congratulations again on a fabuloso detail, and wish you continued success.

Dan F

 

[Street Dreams]

Apologize for calling you a kid - but you look so young ! It was meant as a compliment and not an insult, ok ?

Its just that when you get to be as old as I am, almost everyone looks like a kid to me !

Hope that you have a nice holiday weekend and get to take a break once and awhile.

Congratulations again on a fabuloso detail, and wish you continued success.

Dan F

No worries but there was no offense taken.

 

[imported_Slik560]

Splendid work. A fine example of how an Aston should look. :wink: