Bigpower

Hi Guys

Busy, busy times for me so I thought I would share some of the more interesting cars I've been working on
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642568487/" title="IMAG1611 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/9642 ... f1c2_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1611"></a>
I know several guys who own R35 GTR's and although we've discussed me valeting or detailing them, this was the first one I had booked in. The owner very recently picked it up and wanted me to do a basic inspection, followed by a full protection valet for the interior and exterior.
Inspection shots
Carbon build up on the exhausts
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642563749/" title="IMAG1614 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/9642 ... b87c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1614"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642573391/" title="IMAG1606 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/9642 ... 5181_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1606"></a>
High velocity bug splatter
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645803654/" title="IMAG1612 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/9645 ... 6769_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1612"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645808960/" title="IMAG1608 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/9645 ... 8a93_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1608"></a>
All important cooling vents
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642570699/" title="IMAG1609 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/9642 ... 4e9e_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1609"></a>
Forged alloys were caked in brake dust but that's to be expected with nigh on 600hp vs 1800kgs!!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642560085/" title="IMAG1616 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/9642 ... d98a_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1616"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645807656/" title="IMAG1610 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5444/9645 ... dd2a_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1610"></a>
Still a badge to stir the soul of my dormant passion for fast cars
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645799130/" title="IMAG1615 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/9645 ... 483c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1615"></a>
The interior was pretty clean as you'd expect of a car with this kind of price tag, but even so, it was a long way short of my standards
With mud on the mats and dirt on the pedals, there was no way this was good enough!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642558565/" title="IMAG1617 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/9642 ... 2246_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="IMAG1617"></a>
Fingerprints everywhere
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645794756/" title="IMAG1618 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/9645 ... 35ff_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1618"></a>

With the inspection process completed, it was time to start gently cleaning the vehicle so that the paintwork, alloys, exhaust and interior are prepared to the highest standard possible in one day whilst working outside.

(more in the next post )

The car's paintwork appeared to be in reasonable condition. The supplying dealer had valeted the car prior to the new owner's collection, but there was no protection on the paint at all which was a little unusual. The alloys were cleaned first, along with the arches and tyres. Once these were completed it was onto the exhaust tailpipes and then the whole car was washed using a gentle PH neutral shampoo, a good quality lambswool mitt and two buckets (a separate mitt and buckets to the paintwork for those that are interested!)
The lower half of the car had tar spots on it which is pretty typical so these and other bonded contaminants needed to be removed prior to any polishing or protection.
Tar spots being dissolved
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642554451/" title="IMAG1620 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/9642 ... e065_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1620"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642554861/" title="IMAG1621 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/9642 ... 27a1_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1621"></a>
Once the tar, bugs and tree sap was removed it was time to re-wash the car and then dry it safely (this was done one panel at a time to avoid water spotting due to the extreme heat on the day).
Here we are with a fundamentally clean car
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642552233/" title="IMAG1624 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/9642 ... 1a1f_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1624"></a>
Greatly improved exhaust trims (prior to hand polishing and sealing)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645787340/" title="IMAG1625 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/9645 ... 3f1a_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1625"></a>
Alloys on both outside and inside faces were cleaned, tyres were scrubbed and primed for their protection, and the calipers were cleaned too (prior to hand polishing and sealing)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642546383/" title="IMAG1627 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/9642 ... 4dbe_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1627"></a>
The paintwork was then lightly polished to enhance the gloss and to heighten the metallic in the paint
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642544835/" title="IMAG1628 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/9642 ... 9730_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1628"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642542733/" title="IMAG1629 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/9642 ... 584c_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="IMAG1629"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645778310/" title="IMAG1630 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/9645 ... 5110_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1630"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642540519/" title="IMAG1631 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/9642 ... fd6d_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="IMAG1631"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642537087/" title="IMAG1633 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/9642 ... 929c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1633"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642535815/" title="IMAG1634 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/9642 ... 783d_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="IMAG1634"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645770486/" title="IMAG1637 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/9645 ... ede3_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1637"></a>
With the paintwork ready for protection, it was simply a case of a careful application of a durable sealant before moving on to the rest of the job

(more to follow)

The interior was next up, and what an interior this is!! The doorcards were carefully cleaned with plastics and rubbers protected afterwards, the leather was cleaned with a specific leather cleaner before conditioning it with a cream designed to nourish and provide UV protection without making it artificially glossy or greasy to touch.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642528933/" title="IMAG1640 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/9642 ... a73a_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1640"></a>
Door shuts were cleaned of any remaining light dirt, water spots and the like and then treated to make them more resistant to these things.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642528285/" title="IMAG1642 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/9642 ... 0e9a_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="IMAG1642"></a>
Kick panels
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642528179/" title="IMAG1641 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/9642 ... e626_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1641"></a>
The leather seats were also cleaned and conditioned, with the suede inserts cleaned and striped
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645762450/" title="IMAG1645 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/9645 ... 07ba_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1645"></a>
The usual routine for carpets and mats was completed, with a thorough vacuum, shampoo and re-vacuum process applied to front and back
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642523827/" title="IMAG1647 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/9642 ... 6d24_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1647"></a>
Dash and doorcards were completed with all of the controls and switchgear dusted and cleaned of fingerprints
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642513197/" title="IMAG1654 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/9642 ... 0573_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1654"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642512597/" title="IMAG1655 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/9642 ... 9cc2_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1655"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645741206/" title="IMAG1661 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/9645 ... 537f_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1661"></a>
Tyres and alloys were protected and dressed
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642514785/" title="IMAG1653 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/9642 ... b7ef_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1653"></a>
Exhausts were polished and sealed
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9642501289/" title="IMAG1664 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/9642 ... 44b4_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1664"></a>
And the glass was cleaned inside and out with a final check over to make sure that everything was mint prior to the handover
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93963817@N07/9645733602/" title="IMAG1666 by Stuart Staples, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/9645 ... 56e5_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="IMAG1666"></a>

There we go.......my first R35 and a memorable one too. Thanks for reading if you got this far More updates to follow over the next few days

Fantastic job mate and what a car.

I think that's gotta be my favourite colour when the suns out. Only pipped by my love of white.

Superb work mate although not sure about the rave hat

Well done

Looks well guess you were sweating doing that!

Aw mate, mega, love the seats once you've 'lined' them ..

Not my favourite colour onnthe GTR normally but I have to say that looks stunning once cleaned......I wouldn't want to drive it after all that hard work

Always nice to see a shiny GTR, have to say the 2-3 days I usually spend detailing mine is well worth it, especially sealing the wheels and exhausts, they just rinse clean weeks later

Think i must be getting lazy now and thinking a wrap is the way forward, especially for their cream cheese paintwork lol

RX7 wrote:Fantastic job mate and what a car.
I think that's gotta be my favourite colour when the suns out. Only pipped by my love of white.
Superb work mate although not sure about the rave hat

The hat is a life saver with my hair cut In direct sunlight this colour seems to come alive

Billy wrote:Well done
Looks well guess you were sweating doing that!

Not wrong Billy, although I have to say that this really wasn't that tough.........I suppose I was having too much fun to consider it hard work

Ben wrote:Aw mate, mega, love the seats once you've 'lined' them ..

Thanks Ben......it really is one hell of a car, and your name came up when I was working on it ("I know a guy that would love this!" )

john B wrote:Not my favourite colour on the GTR normally but I have to say that looks stunning once cleaned......I wouldn't want to drive it after all that hard work

I fully expect that this car will get driven hard pretty much all the time, let alone mothballed!

Hope4sun wrote:Always nice to see a shiny GTR, have to say the 2-3 days I usually spend detailing mine is well worth it, especially sealing the wheels and exhausts, they just rinse clean weeks later
Think i must be getting lazy now and thinking a wrap is the way forward, especially for their cream cheese paintwork lol

2-3 days!! Wow.......I would have loved 2-3 days on this as the option to get into the real detail of it would have been wonderful but 6 and a bit hours was all that could be squeezed in this time around.

Awesome job Stu, and the hat is epic. Ignore the haters, Genie's got style