BluKoo
Member
Registered: 8th Apr 02
Location: Stonehaven (Scotland)
User status: Offline
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As usual, all pictures and text are lifted from detailing world.
Also its not me doing the work. Its my brother, so I can't answer any detailing questions.
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Hello and a Happy New Year to you from all of us at PB 
As some of you may know, I sold this back in November:
This then gave me the opportunity to start the long (or at least so I thought)search for it's replacement. What I was after was a Porsche 996 Mk2 GT3 Club Sport and it had to be in either Speed Yellow or Guards Red....
However approximately a week later a member on one of the Porsche forums contacted me saying he was moving to France in the summer and as a result his much pampered Club Sport was potentially available. It wasn't Yellow or Red but after getting full details of the car and sending a much respected Professional Detailer round to inspect it for me a deal was done - the car was just too good to miss!
Brief spec of the car was as follows:
- Believed to be 1 of 9 GT3's in Cobalt Blue.
- Just over 11,000 miles!
- Litronic Headlights.
- Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB)
- AC/Climate Control.
- FPSH.
- RS Air Intake.
- PARR Fast Road Set Up.
So the following weekend and after nervously watching the weather forecast as the snow continued to come and go my Dad and I flew down to sussex to collect the car. We couldn't have been more fortunate with the weather as it stayed completely dry 99% of the journey home except for a bit of rain at Birmingham and Glasgow.
Once I got it home on the Saturday evening I gave it a foam with Auto Finesse Avalanche and a thorough rinse off just to get rid of the majority of dirt until the next morning.
Sunday AM arrived and I was back at work as soon as it was light enough to get the car washed and get the underside all cleaned to remove any road salt:
Luckily the underside was still pretty clean so a good going over with AF Citrus Power and then a final foam with Avalance was sufficient:
The plan is to get the underside completely sealed and protected with an undercarriage wax but the existing protection is still very good so that's for another day and another write up entirely!
From here on in not everything may have been done in this order but as the work was carried out over the last 3 weeks or so it's easier to read if I do it in this way 
The wheels were removed to give the arches a quick going over to remove the worst of the dirt before paying more attention to them inside:
A combination of road grime and old wax protection applied from the factory detracted from the look:
So after a thorough degrease with AF Citrus Power and old wax removed with Autosmart Tardis the arches were ready to be sealed with a new coating.
Masked up to prevent any overspray landing on the car:
After a bit of research it seemed Bilt Hamber's Dynax UC was what I was after:
I'm not a fan of Black or Brown wax oil type products so with the Dynax UC's completely transparent appearance and corrosion inhibitors it seemed to be the perfect choice.
Rear arch after a bit of polishing and application of the Dynax (I'm going to have to sort the flaking paint on the springs as it's driving me mad!):
Front arch done:
This pic shows the wax approx 10 minutes after application (3 thin-ish coats) - now that it's dried completely you can't even tell it's been applied:
Overall impressions of the Dynax UC are very good, the can works perfectly on it's side/upside down and there's no overspray like you would get with an aerosol can when spray painting etc :thumb:
Now onto the discs and calipers:
The long rod is one of Porsche's wheel removal tools which prevents the wheel from chipping those pricey discs. I ordered a 2nd one for extra safety and they really are such a simple but effective thing to have, especially for the rear wheels which are substantially wider than the fronts
The centres were slightly dull and had a bit of water spotting but a bit of light polishing with Swissvax's new Metal Polish did the trick:
 
The calipers were then cleaned with IPA...
...and then sealed with 22PLE Pro Glass Coating:
22PLE was also applied to the wheels while they were off:
Back on and looking good!
With the wheels and arches sorted it was then time to sort the paintwork out. First of all I removed the GT3 badge to allow for polishing behind:
A line of tape accross the letters before removing keeps the spacing correct if you plan to re-use it.
I later fitted a Club Sport Decal instead as it makes cleaning easier and saves a bit of weight 
Overall, for a car that had never seen any paint correction before (the paint is all original too except for the air intake on the engine lid) the paintwork was in pretty good condition with just the odd collection of random scratches here and there.
The paint was really sticky (common theme with Porsches and especially the 996's) but fortunately this usually means the paint is easily corrected as sticky paints tend to be on the soft side. As a result, even the deeper marks were easily removed with the Flex DA machine and Menzerna 106FA with a Cyan Cutting Pad.
The reason for using a finishing polish with a cutting pad was basically to use the pad's cut to correct the paint whilst using the oily nature of the polish to act as a lubricant, this is one of several ways of combatting really sticky paints where alot of polishes instantly dry up and it worked well here:
 
Rear wing removed to gain access underneath:
 
Rear light clusters before and after:
 
Rear quarter before and after:
 
The plastic panels of the car were slightly tougher so the Meguiars MF System again with the Flex DA was used:
 
With the first stage of correction complete I took a break from polishing and decided to fit some new light bulbs that had arrived.
The orange indicator's were replaced with some nice chrome ones (that still flash orange):
This really freshens a car up in my opinion:
 
The same was done for the rear.
I also replaced the front side lights with LED's as their yellow appearance looked horrible compared to the white light of the Xenons:
 
Number plate lights also got the LED treatment, I think it's fairly obvious which one is which:
The interior also got the LED treatment:
 
Whilst I was messing about with electrics I wired up a quick release plug from my battery conditioner to the battery to save having to remove the compartment lid every time I wanted to take the car out the garage:
Back to polishing now. The first stage had created a bit of dust so I gave the car a rinse off outside and then dried with the Metro Vac.
Stage 2 was the refining stage to really bring out the clarity in the paintwork - for this I used Scholl S40 with a Crimnson Finishing Pad which worked brilliantly on the sticky paint:
While doing the driver's door I noticed the lock could do with a bit of a spruce up so 30 seconds with a cotton bud and some Swissvax Metal Polish did the trick:
 
With the machine polishing finally completed and after a dust down with a lambswool duster it was time to choose an LSP (Last Step Product). I'd initially planned to go with 22PLE but as this isn't going to be a daily driver maximum durability really isn't an issue so I went with one of the best waxes available:
It also means I can give the car another coat or 2 if I'm in the mood whereas the 22PLE is more of an apply and leave it product, unless you wanted to top it with a wax but that defeats the purpose in my opinion
22PLE was used however (Rim & Metal Coat) on the tailpipes after they'd been polished with Swissvax Metal Polish:
 
The exterior glass was cleaned with IPA and then protected with Nanolex Ultra:
The interior glass was cleaned with Auto Finesse Crystal:
Including the absolute pain in the backside that is the rear screen - thanks largely to all the scaffolding getting in the way!
 
Werkstat Acrylic Jett was applied to all the exterior window rubbers and plastic trim:
For trims that are in "as new" condition I still find this hard to beat as it beads like crazy, is durable and doesn't streak/run while giving a completely natural look:
If you do fancy something even more durable though or if your trims are more faded, the 22PLE Plastic and Trim Restorer is also very good:
Not convinced? How about some 22PLE on the splitter then?...
Auto Finesse Tripple was then used to polish and protect the door shuts:
Engine bay paintwork also done:
Another small job for the ever impressing Swissvax Metal Polish:
 
I then dusted down the interior...
...before removing the padding from the seats to be able to hoover more thoroughly:
The leather and vinyl then got a wipe over with a damp MF towel leaving this:
Engine bay after being dressed with Aerospace 303 Protectant:
Finally it was finished (after a wipe down with AF Finale), well done if you made it this far and here are the after shots
I then took a few pics outside as it looked like the sun was about to burst through...
True to form though, it never did come out so I had to put the car back inside and make do with some imitation sun instead 
Thanks for looking and hopefully you enjoyed our first post of 2013
Clark
P.S - don't worry, the car will get driven as much as it gets cleaned! 
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random dav
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: NSW
User status: Offline
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Looks awesome. I was not sure about the colour at first but I think it looks fantastic now.
WRLFC !
Project cars
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Ben J
Member
Registered: 31st Jan 05
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
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Saw this on Twitter. Looks amazing.
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Ben J
Member
Registered: 31st Jan 05
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
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Steering wheel looks out of place IMO. Needs an alcantara trimmed jobbie in there.
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_Allan_
Member
Registered: 24th Mar 04
User status: Offline
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 Amazing job as always
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
User status: Offline
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looks much better, but think how amazing it would look in speed yellow 
the plate is quite good too
is he going to use it on track?
and yes it needs my momo 7 wheel
[Edited on 05-01-2013 by Tomnova16]
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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Balling
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Apr 04
Location: Denmark
User status: Offline
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Expensive products everywhere, when suddenly:
"The leather and vinyl then got a wipe over with a damp MF towel"... 
Looks an awesome job, and love the colour. 
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BenC1985
Member
Registered: 5th May 12
Location: Northants
User status: Offline
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Looks awesome. But after showing my missus the pics she realises me being outside doing two cars in 4 hours is actually quite quick.lmao mind you the two cars dont come up anything like that though. Haha
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Balling
Expensive products everywhere, when suddenly:
"The leather and vinyl then got a wipe over with a damp MF towel"...
Looks an awesome job, and love the colour.
i thought that too, but then it does work well and i bet it was in fantastic condition to begin with.
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ArdenblueDan
Member
Registered: 23rd Aug 12
Location: Basildon
User status: Offline
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How much would something like this cost to do?
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Kyle T
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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Ah I've been waiting for this thread.
Really good job, the car looks smashing.
Lotus Elise 111R
Impreza WRX STi
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Christopher
Member
Registered: 14th Oct 10
Location: Eastbourne
User status: Offline
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Wow that looks fantastic! Really thorough! Great work as always!!
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ChazSXi
Member
Registered: 26th Jan 03
Location: Waterlooville, Hampshire
User status: Offline
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Blonde moment...what is the wiring you have done...?!?!!
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
User status: Offline
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trickle charge for the battery i would imagine, stop it going flat when its not used all the time.
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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BenC1985
Member
Registered: 5th May 12
Location: Northants
User status: Offline
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As already asked how much would something like this cost to have done??? My cars on 32k but doesent look great, would love it to be treated like that but i dont have the products or skills.lol
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SXI - Matt
Member
Registered: 8th Jul 07
Location: Leicestershire Drives: Corsa C SRI
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Ben J
Steering wheel looks out of place IMO. Needs an alcantara trimmed jobbie in there.
I thought this but then that's the only thing  stunning car bet he's made up with it
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Graham88
Member
Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by BenC1985
As already asked how much would something like this cost to have done??? My cars on 32k but doesent look great, would love it to be treated like that but i dont have the products or skills.lol
This question gets asked on every detailing thread. It entirely depends on what you wanted done. You'd need to message them for a quote
Looks great, I really do hope it gets used properly as that's the only bit that disappoints me when I see how maticulate the cleaning gets. Cotton bud in a lock!?
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Colin
Member
Registered: 4th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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Looks brand new!!!
Nice motor, reckon if kept long enough these will appreciate in value in time.
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ed
Member
Registered: 10th Sep 03
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Tomnova16
trickle charge for the battery i would imagine, stop it going flat when its not used all the time.
Newer Porsche batteries are a bit shit and if it's not being used every day then they discharge and can't be recharged again. If the cars still under warranty then you can't take the standard one out and stick a Bosch one in there which are far better 
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Carl
Member
Registered: 9th May 04
Location: Jimmy Bennett's la la land.
User status: Offline
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Missed a bit!
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big eck
Member
Registered: 20th Apr 03
Location: Tullibody. Drives - Audi B8 S4 & Fiesta Zetec-S
User status: Offline
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It does look nice but I personally think the WR1 looked better lol. No doubt there leagues apart but that one just ain't my thing.
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corsa_sean
Member
Registered: 11th Mar 08
Location: aberdeen
User status: Offline
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Looks like a great job !
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by big eck
It does look nice but I personally think the WR1 looked better lol. No doubt there leagues apart but that one just ain't my thing.
Eck you do have some strange taste
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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Ste
Premium Member
Registered: 5th Mar 03
Location: Taif, Saudi Arabia
User status: Offline
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Shame about the shit wiring job. Nice and clean then a crappy bit of red wire traipsed across the boot. I would have spent half a day less cleaning the bits no-one ever sees and spent that afternoon doing a proper job of the remote charge wires.
I would rather lose by a mile because i built my own car, than win by an inch because someone else built it for me.
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Robin
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: Northants Drives: Clio 182 Cup
User status: Offline
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My god I hate LED bulbs more than I ever thought I did.
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