2017 Aston Martin Rapide S (Long Story & Lots of Photos)

[Dabbac]

First off, I hope i posted this in the correct place......


Hey Guys,

I’m new to this forum and have been lurking/learning the past few weeks. I ended up here because of my OCD and I’m glad I found you guys….

A little history about cars, cleaning & me….

I’ve been driving for 21 years, in and out of almost 20 different vehicles of my own (I uploaded a bunch into an album on my profile); I say this because the majority of my vehicles have been either White or Silver. Only two have been black and now I know why I waited almost 20 years before buying black again!

I have never believed in car washes, I grew up with a father who worked all of the time. He enjoyed washing his cars and watching this at a young age, I wanted to be out there with him. (As my son of 9 y/o asks me constantly to come out and help) At about the age of 16, I joined in this peaceful, relaxing, enjoyable and rewarding process.
There was nothing fancy about how he washed a car. 20+ years ago (for us) it was a bucket, some fancy sponge, soap and a few chamois, along with a hose and a vacuum. Fast forward to today’s - pressure washer, soap gun, hose, 3 microfiber washing mitts, 2 bucket system, wheel spray, interior cleaner, leather conditioner, interior & exterior brushes, microfiber towels, a leaf blower, vacuum and swirl finder light (I’m sure I am missing a few items) But this is only since I found you guys… So thank you, but my wife might think different!

Onto why I came looking… About 4 months ago a coworker of mine had picked up a Mercedes Benz GLE63 Black on Black and came to me asking my opinion on ceramic coating. I knew nothing of it. He went on to show me some videos and explain what it was. I was passive about the conversations because I enjoyed my time washing and waxing my cars (or maybe just comfortable/content with my process) But in the back of my head, I did just pick up a black car in December and once a week after I washed, I would always apply GG wax or one step sealant) so I would be happy with the appearance. (Back in 98 with my first black car, it was 3M imperial Hand Glaze). Mind you, this is after I would wash two other SUV’s.
Fast-forward to about 5 weeks ago, I am with my cousin, him and his father are both the same way when it comes to washing their cars, I bring up Ceramic coating in conversation. The next day, he calls me and tells me him and his father are interested in the process. I call my father to let him in on what we were thinking. We all agree that we would all go for it. Mind you, this is a total of 11 vehicles between the 4 families.
I then researched an authorized ceramic coating detail shop and started an email asking how to go about quoting a job of ceramic coating 11 cars (I’m pretty sure the shop thought the email was BS). In the email I wrote the year/make/model/colors of all of the cars and offered to figure out how to bring all of these in for inspection. 4 days go by, and no return email. I email again, again, no reply. Instead of going elsewhere, and the type of person I am, I felt, we or I can do this myself. (As long as I had the information and comfortable)
I then began my quest for information…. Stumbling onto this forum. I lurked around for a few days, and then joined. Searching, reading, learning… I then became comfortable with placing different orders to beef up my product collection. I decided on starting with my Black car, a 2017 Aston Martin Rapide. The way I saw it, if I can perfect the process on a black car, moving onto white would be much easier (I hope so)

Products lined up to use if needed:
GG BOSS G15 & G21
Wolfgang Swirl mark remover
Wolfgang Deep Gloss
GG paint prep
GG Complete Compound
GG fast correcting cream
GG Correcting cream
GG Perfecting cream
GG Finishing sealant
GG Clay bar
GG Speed Shine
Carpro Iron X
Carpro Eraser
Carpro Reflect
Carpro Cquartz
Carpro Essence
Carpro Essence Plus
Car Pro reload
Carpro polishing pads
LC HDO PADS
Full line up of GG BOSS pads for both polishers
Chemical Guys Hex Pads


On to the fun/maybe not fun just yet part……….. (the process was a few days due to having to go to work J )


I stripped the car of all contaminants; waxes and oils then began inspecting the paint. From afar, the car looked good,




up close, I started to think, maybe I took on more then I could handle!







Then I began testing out different combos of products and pads to achieve the best outcome.
I thought I found my combo of the BOSS finishing and polishing pads with the Wolfgang swirl mark remover.



This is a reflection shot off the hood and back at the rear of the house




The following day, I was going to start with the Carpro Eraser, but some of the Carpro products I ordered came it. As I do, I pull the car out into the sun to inspect it in the direct sunlight. I noticed the driver side doors weren’t where I wanted it to be. I pulled out the car Pro Reflect and the BOSS Polishing pad followed by Carpro Essence and the Finishing pad. I did one section like that, then another with the Reflect and each different pad, and also tried the Essence with both Boss pads. MAN! I was happy with the Reflect and then the Essence… On to more work,





After the Reflect






Up next Post Essence shots

[Dabbac]

After Essence





This is after the Cquartz and reload




Onto Doing my wife’s White 2016 LR Discovery Sport, Then 2017 White Range Rover HSE. After that, I move onto my father’s cars. This will be a while, but so far, I am happy with the results on the Rapide.



PLEASE feel free to comment or suggest anything, I am currently finding out that the same products used on the MB’s are good for Range Rover and Porsche.


I’m also considering adding HD, Menzerna, Pinnicale, and some more wolfgang products to my supply. Any thoughts/Advice?


The line up of cars to do are what I had mentioned above plus 2016 Mercedes S550 Sedan and Coupe Disegnio White for both, 2015 Mercedes Benz GL450 Silver Black, 2014 Porsche Turbo White/Black, 2015 Mercedes Benz CLS 63 White/Black, 2015 Range Rover Sport Silver/black, 2016 Porsche Macan Turbo White/Black, 2017 Cadillac Escalade White/Black

[Rsurfer]

Nice job and nice bunch of rides in your corral. You started with the hardest (black) car and did a great job. The other 10 cars should be a breeze.

[Dabbac]

Completed these as well, definitely not as difficult as black



It's taken about two months of working on weekends only to get these done, but after doing these 5, I feel like redoing the Aston

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170814/




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[Rsurfer]

Completed these as well, definitely not as difficult as black



It's taken about two months of working on weekends only to get these done, but after doing these 5, I feel like redoing the Aston

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170814/




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow, you wash in the streets!

[TMQ]

Wow...stunning work! Black is a test of skill and you passed with flying colors!

I am impressed.

By the time you get to the 11th car---you're going be very good!

Good write up, equipment list and photos.

And---I love Rapides.

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Way to jump in head first!

Nice work!

[Dabbac]

Wow, you wash in the streets!

Yes Sir, unfortunately NYC doesn't offer tons of property. But the detailing work gets done in a two car garage. Usually, if I'm washing more then 1 or 2, it's faster having them all out together "on the street"


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dabbac]

So, after doing a few cars, I became unsatisfied with the results on the Aston.
I ended up spending 14hrs removing the ceramic and perfecting the paint to the best of my ability, to then reapply multiple coats of cquartz.


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[TMQ]

Did it make a difference?

Tom