Prep for a Cross Country Journey - McLaren MP4 Spider - Oakes Detail

[Oakes]

This exciting project was brought to me all the way from Washington DC, so that I could properly paint correct, clear wrap, ceramic coat and make some cosmetic upgrades to this Mclaren MP4-12C Spider. This stunning color combo was getting ready for a cross country journey that would end up spanning over 2 months with the owner and over 12k miles after leaving me. I’m here to show you guys the visual transformation it received before being enjoyed by it’s new owner to the fullest! What better way to enjoy your new to you exotic?

This Spider came in with just three thousand miles on it, and while it wasn’t in rough shape, it could be taken up a few notches. Even better so, now benefitting from the added protection it received before going on it’s long trip. I’ll let the pictures take the story from here…

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The brakes were standard black, which the owner felt was too plain on such an awesome color combination. So he decided to have us match them to McLaren Orange. We completely degreased, sanded down and etched the calipers then painted them using high heat enamel based primer and base coat, airbrushed the logos and then finished them with a high heat enamel clear. Giving them a completely OEM look! We choose not to go the powdercoat route to avoid having to rebuild the calipers and full brake system service, given the cars plans to go cross country.

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While the brakes were being done, the wheels were removed to be completely DeIronized, clayed, polished and then ceramic coated using CQuartz . Below you will see the before and after results!

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With the wheels and brakes curing, next was preparing the paint to be both clear wrapped and ceramic coated. The paint condition, while wasn’t dire, still needed a full correction to qualify for the desired protection install. The following shows the before condition under powerful LEDs that mimic direct sunlight, then the 50/50 photos and finished non coated paint in the same lighting after the half and half shots.

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And with a little bonus of the 50/50 shot on the Key itself

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With the paint prepared properly prepared, the clear film install was able to commence. This was a completely custom install to remove all seams and wrap all edges to make it as invisible as possible. Here you can see the initial install and the films appearance after initial install.

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Post film install and reprep, the entire body was then coated with CQuartz Finest Ceramic coating in three layers. All painted and clear wrapped surfaces received the coating and was IR cured as shown in the photo below!

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Now for the finished result, showing the true gloss and depth that this color has to offer. Starting off with some reflection and full vehicle profile shots inside under fluorescent and LED lighting. Then shown outside under the true test, sunlight!

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What better way to end the write up, than with a wave good bye as this MP4 was loaded on to my custom built trailer that is tailored to low, wide exotics to transport it back to Washington DC? After this photo, the car went on to tour the entire US and cover over 12k miles in just two months...if only all exotics were enjoyed the same!

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As always, thanks for checking it out. Hope you enjoyed the transformation! There are plenty more exciting threads coming!
-Oakes

[haris300]

Really nice work as always. I love the photography. Great job capturing that impressive transformation.

[SabbyNJ]

Flawless!

[WAXOFF]

Nice work. I've done one of these also. It was a medium grey with orange calipers and orange and gray leather seats. It's a nice feeling when someone trusts you with a car of this caliber.

[FrankS]

Beautiful work!

[Sicoupe]

Looks outstanding my friend!

[Sizzle Chest]

Excellent work! Love it that the customer is going to use it...and use it big time/mileage! Awesome.

[natewood70]

Wow!

The paint looks incredible, fantastic job.

I remember when I was younger and all my friends liked Lamborghini's & Ferrari's (especially with the posters in their bedroom), but I was the only one that had a different path. The McLaren F1 has been the car that I fell in love with and made me the devout McLaren fan that I am today.

The engineering and design that takes place within McLaren's walls still amazes me, and it makes me so happy to see someone purchase this type of vehicle to actually enjoy it and not have it as a garage queen.

Thank you for breathing life into the paint, and truly making this car look as amazing as the engineering behind it. I feel like a little kid again scrolling through these pictures.

[coles_paint_correction]

Always enjoy ur write ups!
Awesome work indeed as always.

[noslef]

Nice work! I especially like the work on the brake calipers!