RUPES BigFoot Mk.II vs. Ferrari Daytona

[Todd@RUPES]

Some cars simply deserve to be perfect. The legendary Ferrari Daytona checks that box. What better to improve the appearance of the already stunning Italian supercar than to use the latest in Italian technology: The RUPES LHR 21 Mark II BigFoot Random Orbital Polisher.

The Ferrari Daytona is the muscle car of the fabled Italian brand’s line up. Testosterone fueled lines, a massive V12 upfront, and loads of tire twisting torque make this one of the most desirable cars of all time; and arguably one of the most beautiful.

Manufactured less than 2 hours away from Ferrari’s hometown of Modena, Italy, RUPES SpA has been making world-class tools for the better part of 7 decades outside of Milan. In fact, the first RUPES tools hit the market the same year Ferrari built their first road going car: 1947.

The Mark II versions of the RUPES LHR 21 and LHR 15 feature 30% more power and efficiency (closer to 40% but who wants to brag), improved electronic controls, more RPM, and a more rugged body. In addition, when teamed up with the careful RUPES BigFoot pads and compounds, these tools deliver legendary Italian performance that leaves other tools and countries scratching their heads.

The first order of business was to clean the Ferrari Daytona and prep it’s surface for polishing. It was carefully washed using a prototype RUPES soap and dried using waffle weave micro fiber towels. Compressed air made quick work of any lingering water. Cyclo’s classic twin-headed orbital polisher with Nanoskin pads removed any embedded contaminants from the paint. While the random orbital design of the BigFoot polisher greatly reduce the chance of damaging trim, it was taped none-the-less using 3M Green Tape.






This classic Ferrari had seen better days. Using the calibrated inspection RUPES’ pen light highlighted the paint defects. Sadly, this car deserved much better.







[IMG]


RUPES offers a wide variety of pad and compound options to tackle a number of defects. Given the frequency and depth of these of defects, I elected to use the Mark II tool to its fullest potential by teaming it up with blue micro fiber cutting pad and Zephir compound.

RUPES micro fiber pads are slotted to aid in surface cooling and help balance the weight of the pad to the counterbalance of the tool. As you can see in the photo below, no matter which angle you mount the pads, you will always interface the cooling holes in the backing plate.




To prime the pad, simply draw a thin coating of product over the face of the pad.






Use RUPES’ micro fiber pads on speed 3-4 for maximum effect. Work over the section 3-4 times using slow arm speed.






Optional: Although not officially recommended by RUPES, you can add a mist of water to the surface and continue to polish in order to increase the cutting power significantly.




Spraying the surface with water will amp the cutting power significantly, but allow increase the amount of haze on the surface. However, the trade off was clearly worth it as the I was able to remove 100% of the defects in just 1-step!




Microfiber pads work best when they are cleaned of built-up residue. Use compressed air to blow out debris frequently. When the pad no longer blows completely clean, switch to a fresh micro fiber pad.




For polishing the detail areas, the RUPES LHR 75E “Mini” was used with a 100mm blue micro fiber pad and Zephir compound. Again speed for was used for about 3-4 section passes.








After the initial compounding step was carried out, I switched to RUPES UHS Easy Gloss Compound and the UHS Foam Pad to refine the haze. Note: This haze likely wouldn’t have been present if I hadn’t used the water to amp the cutting power.

Start with 6 drops of product on the outer third of the pad and run for 30 seconds using firm pressure. Afterwards, use only 2 drops of UHS to reload the pad and run at speed 4-6 using light pressure for maximum effect.

[Todd@RUPES]

The improvement in gloss was significant; The Ferrari Daytona began to look as good as it should.






For the detail work, I decided to go with pneumatic LHR 75 BigFoot. The massive 15mm orbit and 11,000RPM make this not only one of the most powerful tools in the BigFoot line up, but one of the most powerful tools period.






The improvement in gloss was MASSIVE. I was happy!




To be honest, I could have easily stopped here. I wanted to take the Daytona to it’s absolute potential so I elected to do a final polishing step using RUPES BigFoot Diamond White Compound and the white foam pad.

There is no real need to prime this pad, instead use three-pea sized drops and run at speed 4 for 3-4 section passes.






For the detail areas I switched back to the electric LHR 75E “Mini”. Again using Speed 4 (all RUPES BigFoot tools are calibrated to deliver consistence performance relative to polishing area size). Working 3-4 section passes ensured complete breakdown (and easy removal) of the Diamond Ultrafine Polish.






After wiping off the polish I was greeted with a stunning finish. I decided to use BLACKFIRE’s amazing BlackICE montan wax (A wax I helped to design as the Director of Development for BLACKFIRE in a previous life).




Finally I wiped down the engine of the Daytona using a prototype RUPES detail spray and cleaned the leather of the interior using RUPES Leather Fast Cleaner.













Finally, all trim was replaced onto the now-stunning paint.










While rainy weather prevented any sun shots, the Daytona was now perfect. Some shots using the RUPES’ penlight.














Finally, some after shots!

[Dylan@RUPES]

WOW! Came out spectacular.

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Jeez Todd you did an amazing job.

Was if base coat clear coat or single stage?

That one reflection shot of the rupes poster and the shelf, It took me a while to realize it was a reflection. Amazing job is a under statement what a beauty.

Also got to get my hands on that mini, just waiting for sema to see what you guys do if your making a new mini.

😀

[custmsprty]

Outstanding work and that Italian Stallion looks like it should now.

[7.3powerstroke]

Any idea how much time you put in that black beauty?

Have a great week at SEMA!

[haris300]

Excellent work! Makes me want to watch an episode of Miami Vice.

[GS2011]

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Beautiful work Todd! That black Ferrari looks impeccable.

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to put this together and share with us.

[Tato]

Dear Todd,

What to say, I went through your thread once, twice, 3 times in a row to ensure I haven't missed a line from this lesson.

Results are impressive, perfect to say the least. By perfection I do understand limitations and I mean it when achieved the best ever possible: you did it!

I also liked the 'walkthrough' pattern you used for thread posting, I've worked this Ferrari vicariously through your pictures - thankfully 'we' finished it out so nice!

Thank you so very much for taking your time sharing with us,

Now I'll take another read and definitively share with my friends. Yes, I like my friends that much! This is a must see.

Best Wishes, from Brazil.