S. Florida Hack Correction – Brown Porsche Turbo

[David Fermani]

I was contacted by this Porsche Turbo owner after he brought his vehicle to another S. Florida Detailer that claimed to be the best around. This person was commissioned by a well known local Porsche tuner and was told to do a complete detail. Immediately after picking the vehicle up the owner noticed the car did not look the way he anticipated. Price was not this person’s concern, but yet the “detailer” assumed that the client didn’t want a proper job. Quite frankly, my client was so disappointed that he didn’t even want this person to touch his car again in fear of his inability to pacify his expectations after making multiple excuses as to why the car came out so poorly. Within a few days after the detail, my client carefully washed his car and couldn’t help noticing that his car’s appearance went drastically downhill. The owner then found me through another detail forum and I immediately made an appointment to inspect the car and coach him on what can be done. Upon seeing the vehicle, I couldn’t help to notice slight buffer trails, RIDS and wash marring all over. It was obvious that this so called “expert detailer” basically half-arsed buffed the car, filled the defects and slathered some greasy toppings on not only the paint, but the entire interior. We immediately made an appointment for him to drop the car off at my place for a well deserved multi-day rejuvenation.

I sprinkled some water on the paint to check out the beading and couldn’t help noticing a swirly haze all over the paint (red flag):



Saturday bright & early I prepped the car. As you can see, the paint was beading quite well. A characteristic that a car getting a detail shouldn’t have.





One of the most important things to do before attempting a paint correction is to make sure the paint is as bare as possible. I achieved this by using Optimum Power Clean (3 to 1) and Dawn via HD Grout Sponge.




Here’s how the water laid after stripping all the polish, glaze and wax from the paint. No surface tension.








In somewhat of surprise, this car was terribly riddled with deep buffer trails that the prior detailer installed. This really portrays the skill (or lack of skill) of this individual. In all actuality, this is quite typical of most “high end” detailers in S. Florida. Most owners are tricked into thinking that what they are getting is an acceptable result. Again, this car was just freshly detailed.
















Here’s where the detailer attempted to polish out a scratch only leaving deep clearcoat hazing (minor burning).




50/50 shots after M105 via DA using the infamous Kevin Brown Method (KBM) and 2 alcohol wipe downs. The paint ultimately was finished with Menzerna 85RD via 5.5 white LC flat foam. Protection was copious amounts of Z2/Z5/Z8.














Deep rocker panel marring from conveyor car washes required sanding. I used grits ranging from 1500 to 4000.











Another thing that stood out like a sore thumb was the interior. The hack detailer didn’t really clean anything (even though it was soiled), but applied a greasy slurry of dressing all over everything. I’m a firm believer that glossy leather is unhealthy leather. Shiny interior surfaces are usually attributed to not only accumulated dirt, but the use of incorrect conditioners which accelerates and recaptures soiling. The complete interior was scrubbed with a toothbrush & Leather Masters Strong cleaner. Then preservation was achieved with LM Protection Cream. Here’s some 50/50’s:

[David Fermani]

Afters (Interior):






Unfortunately the day the car was completed (Sunday) it was pretty cloudy. I tried snapping as many full sun shots peeking out of the clouds as possible.

[FivePoint.0]

BEAUTIFUL, David!!!!!! Not a shocker, though.

What pads did you use with M105? Also, did you spray on OPC when stripping, or add it to the wash solution?

[Marc08EX]

Wow!!! Amazing job David!!! Great turnaround and awesome save from a hack detailer! I would really like to know the owner's reaction upon picking up the car. The reflection and depth of the paint is second to none. It a detail job worthy of a shot in the Porsche brochure!

[Impressions]

Mr Fermani.........awesome job

[Chris27182]

I love hack detailer corrections.

[reality33]

Very beautiful correction! Inside and out.

[BobbyG]

A car well deserving of the finest attention, nice work!

[Advanced Detailing]

I believe this hack detailer to be me and obviously you know it was me by putting my name in your title.
What was not mentioned is that the Tuner who had his car, never had me talk to owner himself and they asked to do a very basic clean up job, never mentioning that he wanted a full detail. Also i never touched his interior at all, again because i wasn't told to do so.
When the owner showed up i could tell that he had been told something completely different from what the tuner asked me to do.
I decided not to make the tuner look bad and left it at that, full well knowing that i would let a customer leave, not satisfied.
My problem is with you going out of your way to let the world know who worked on this car by putting my name in your title and making it seem that i'm incompetent.
I learned my lesson by not accepting work without speaking with the customer myself.
The tuner told me they had discussed a certain price with the owner which covered very little and therefor very little was done.
I don't know you and have never met you but perhaps you should try to find out more details before you come out and trash someone else
's "detail".
If my best work was actually this bad , i would not be in bussiness after all these years and have the clientele that i do.

[AlPap]

Beautiful job. I wished you lived closer so I could drop my Porsche off.