Show 'N Shine: Porsche Panamera (Part 1) How to clean and protect wheels like a Boss!

[Dr_Pain]

The title of the thread is a little self-indulgent so please don't think I am that conceded. Just to be honest, that is the only title that came to mind LOL!

I recently did a paint correction/coating on a 2013 Porsche Panamera which involved multiple steps and procedures, so instead of having one enormous thread with TONS of pictures I thought it would be fun to break them down in multiple "satellite" Show 'N Shine projects. Our first order of business was to remove the wheels for a complete wheel off cleaning, correction and coating, so let's start there.

DISCLAIMER: For those not in the habit of taking wheels off, please make sure to read and understand the manufacturer torque specs. This is a major liability!!!!

The Disassembly Process:



As you can see, the wheels were taken off BY HAND! The main reason is to avoid burnishing or scarring the lug and wells with an impact wrench. The socket was properly wrapped and care was taken to keep all the lugs together with the wheel they came off of. Take your time and be smart in your preparation and procedures. Nobody is above a wrench slip, and those are expensive!

The Inspection Process:





As you can see, these wheels were covered in brake dust and had nice blobs of tar everywhere. One thing that was hard to show with a pic was the surface scratches in the clear. I do have a picture to share after the clean up.

The Wash/Decon Process:

The wash process started with a nice power washing.





Then came the IronX decontamination of the face, spokes (front and back), and inner barrel and tar removal using TarX









Inspection following the wash and decon revealed face, spoke and barrel scratches. It is hard to see but the darker portion of the inner barrel (on the left of the picture) shows fine scratches



The Polishing Process:

Test spots demonstrated that Menzerna PF2500 on a 3.5" CarPro Flash Pad (using my GG6 fitted with a 3" backing plate) did wonder on getting rid of those unsightly scratches. did destroy my Flash Pad in the process . Those grooves in the inner barrel as well as the sharper edges of the spokes did not show mercy. All tight corners and hard to reach places were hand polished.



Some hard labor but the results do speak for themselves though!!



The Inner Fender and Caliper Process:

Sorry for the lack of pretty pictures but this is pretty simple. Soap solution, APC, brake cleaner + a variety of brushes did wonders for those suspension parts and calipers, as well as for the plastic and fabric fender inserts. The rotors were treated with Hydes Serum Ruststopper. This is done to prevent flash rust from forming as you are detailing all those rust prone parts



After proper decontamination with a generous Erasor wipedown we coated the plastic inner fenders and caliper with CarPro DLUX. On the other hand, we experimented using 303 fabric protectant on the fabric inner fenders as a means to repel some of the dirt and grime. Only time will tell if we were geniuses or just plain fools



The Coating of the Wheels Process:

The customer selected our highest Finest package which included using CQuartz Finest on the wheels as well. The results were stunning!







And that's it folks!!! After all this work the wheels were re-installed (BY HAND!) using the torque specs provided by Porsche, and the car was lowered back to the ground.

As always, I appreciate comments, questions and even suggestions.

[Tato]

Not only an incredible detailer, you're a mastermind, Claude.

The title is great, made me laugh (good manner) while my jaw broke reading and watching the pictures. Awesome,

Sure, you're The Boss!

Looking forward part 2, 3, 4, ...

Have a wonderful day,

Kind Regards.

[FUNX650]

Hi Claude...

A Very Nice wheel detail!
A nice read as well.

Thought I'd share this Panamera-picture I took this weekend:
It could use a really thorough going-over by you.




Bob

[jamesboyy]

As always excellent/amazing work DR pain or should I say DR perfection

[dad07]

Yep, Claude your the BOSS!

[Sicoupe]

As always, A+ work my friend!

[Eric@CherryOnTop]

Just think how easy it's going to be keeping those puppies clean!!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Wow Claude, impeccable attention to detail. Those wheels looks fantastic now.

Really liking the idea how you broke this massive job up into dedicated threads showing what was specifically accomplished. As you mentioned, this route will break up a thread with a million pictures.

BTW, great idea using some 303 on the fabric liners. I don't think you wasted anything here.

Can't wait to see the rest of this job.

[davey g-force]

Amazing work

I can't believe you corrected the inner barrels!

[Dr_Pain]

Not only an incredible detailer, you're a mastermind, Claude.

The title is great, made me laugh (good manner) while my jaw broke reading and watching the pictures. Awesome,

Sure, you're The Boss!

Looking forward part 2, 3, 4, ...

Have a wonderful day,

Kind Regards.

Dang it Rafael, now I have to do more than 4 installments LOL! Thank you my friend. Always fun to read your remarks.

Hi Claude...

A Very Nice wheel detail!
A nice read as well.

Thought I'd share this Panamera-picture I took this weekend:
It could use a really thorough going-over by you.




Bob

Thanks Bob. This one Panamera may have landed me another one soon

As always excellent/amazing work DR pain or should I say DR perfection

James, Dr. Perfection I am not. I have much much much to learn before coming close to being in Dr. Mike Philips' caliber who is truly Dr. Perfection

Yep, Claude your the BOSS!

Thanks bud! I guess the title was a product of reading too many FB posts LOL!

As always, A+ work my friend!

Thank you for the compliment. Hopefully the rest of the installments will be of the same caliber

Just think how easy it's going to be keeping those puppies clean!!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Eric, this is the ONE thing I can't wait to see. I picked up the maintenance account on it so I will see her again soon

Wow Claude, impeccable attention to detail. Those wheels looks fantastic now.

Really liking the idea how you broke this massive job up into dedicated threads showing what was specifically accomplished. As you mentioned, this route will break up a thread with a million pictures.

BTW, great idea using some 303 on the fabric liners. I don't think you wasted anything here.

Can't wait to see the rest of this job.

Thanks Mike!! Have you ever used 303 on those fabric liners. I research a little and just decided to pull the trigger. Sugarcane season is upon us down South so it will be interesting to see if my experimentation will pay off.

Amazing work

I can't believe you corrected the inner barrels!

I sure did! For 2 reason. #1 because it looks better and more finished and #2 (more importantly) it assured me that I had the best possible substrate to coat (ie. contaminant free).