Upcoming Ferrari 458 Italia - advice needed

lawrenceSA

lawrenceSA

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So I have my first super-car booked for next weekend - a Ferrari 458 Italia. :dblthumb2:

Does anyone who has worked on one of these have any advice for me?

Indicative paint hardness?
Potential areas of concern?
Products that did or didn't work?

I would like to think that I have got the basic principles of detailing down, given the results I have been getting (as per my threads in the show n shine section) so I am more just looking for anything specific to this car in particular that may help me out.

Thanking you in advance.
 
Wish I could help you but never had the opportunity to work on such a fine car.
I'll be waiting on pics however. Lol
You'll do just fine:)
 
Closest I come is a F430....


We've all seen your work and it's always exceptional...


Just follow the basics,

  • Wash and dry or wipe clean
  • Inspect the paint both visually and with your sense of touch
  • Do a "Test Spot" and dial-in your process. Make sure your process, (pads, products, tools and technique), works to one small area and then duplicate the process over the rest of the car.
Looks like a pretty easy buff to me... mostly smooth, gently curved panels like a classic car...


ferrari-458-italia-05.jpg




Tap off any raised body lines if you want to be super careful for the aggressive correction step and then remove them for the polishing step and the polishing step will remove the tape residue lines.


What do you plan to use for your LSP?


:)
 
I have been fortunate enough to have done several.As mike always says do a test spot. I have found Ferrari is not as concerned about paint quality as going fast! I have found both hard to work paint and softer than a Porsche paint! Keep a lookout for sanding marks and pigtails to. Also rest up for some hand polishing in the real pain in the butt areas. The carbon fiber is easily done by hand if you need to.
Congrats and good luck!
Just remember,it is just paint just like any car!
 
Mike firstly taking the time out of your busy schedule to reply to my post. Secondly thank you deeply for your kind comments about my work - coming from you it is wonderfully humbling and has made my day..... nay...... my whole detailing 'career'. :urtheman:

I suppose I am just feeling a little nervous with it being my first supercar, and I just don't wanna get it wrong....

I will be extra cautious with raised body lines etc during tape off - this is always such solid advice as the time/cost of taping off up front as a preventive measure far exceeds the potential cost of a burn through.

I do not have a very wide range of LSP's at my disposal but am thinking along the lines of sealing with SmartSealant (about the only sealant I have on hand and want to provide some durability) and topping with Pete's 53.

Other options I have are Collinite 845 and Meguiars NXT - not much I know:(
 
Mike lambert said:
I have been fortunate enough to have done several.As mike always says do a test spot. I have found Ferrari is not as concerned about paint quality as going fast! I have found both hard to work paint and softer than a Porsche paint! Keep a lookout for sanding marks and pigtails to. Also rest up for some hand polishing in the real pain in the butt areas. The carbon fiber is easily done by hand if you need to.
Congrats and good luck!
Just remember,it is just paint just like any car!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your insight:xyxthumbs:
 
I refer to this scene a lot when the kids I coach make it to the final/regionals/nationals....I think its appropriate here as well.
Its a car, 4 wheels and paint ;)
Just treat it like you do the rest of your cars and you will be fine.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb4QP6kNAoc]Checking the dimensions at Butler.avi - YouTube[/video]
 
What everyone else posted is true. These cars have been known to get delivered with defects. I have done 2 over the last few years both pretty much brand new (25 miles and apx 350miles). Both had plenty of heavy swirls, holograms, and bad orange peel. THE ONE THING I CAN'T stress enough is to fully inspect all of the paint. I've read about some having thin paint in areas. Neither of the two had thin paint exactly, but one did have thin base coat. When shining your inspection light over the raised edge on the rear quarter panel, you could visibly see the thin base coat. Car was black - with the inspection light it had a brownish translucent color to it. Its better to find it before you start so you can take appropriate steps. Test spot and masking!
Have fun - Awesome car! :dblthumb2:
 
Theperfectshine said:
What everyone else posted is true. These cars have been known to get delivered with defects. I have done 2 over the last few years both pretty much brand new (25 miles and apx 350miles). Both had plenty of heavy swirls, holograms, and bad orange peel. THE ONE THING I CAN'T stress enough is to fully inspect all of the paint. I've read about some having thin paint in areas. Neither of the two had thin paint exactly, but one did have thin base coat. When shining your inspection light over the raised edge on the rear quarter panel, you could visibly see the thin base coat. Car was black - with the inspection light it had a brownish translucent color to it. Its better to find it before you start so you can take appropriate steps. Test spot and masking!
Have fun - Awesome car! :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for this. Very valuable information that I will put to good use.



Sent from my GT-I8190 using Tapatalk 2
 
smack said:
For show stopping good looks, polish it up with Menzerna and then coat it with Pinnacle's new Black Label Collection!!!!!

Pinnacle Black Label Collection
Click to expand...

Dammit you beat me to it!!!

But seriously, inspect every single edge for previous clear coat burn through. I've worked on 3 Ferraris now in the past month and all have paint thickness readings that are at least double any "normal" car. That being said, the hand sanding process the factory uses has resulted in edges being burned before the owner even gets the car. Much better for us to find these types of things before we do any work than after, if you catch my meaning :-p


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
ekennett said:
Dammit you beat me to it!!!

But seriously, inspect every single edge for previous clear coat burn through. I've worked on 3 Ferraris now in the past month and all have paint thickness readings that are at least double any "normal" car. That being said, the hand sanding process the factory uses has resulted in edges being burned before the owner even gets the car. Much better for us to find these types of things before we do any work than after, if you catch my meaning :-p


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thank you and
I hear you.

Mike's vehicle inspection form springs to mind...:thumbup:
 
pm me with what questions you may have , also what products you have on hand and what results are you looking for.
i did a few 458
 
Before cleaning the wheels I would take a look at the rotors on the car and make sure they are a not carbon ceramic material that might be damaged by a typical wheel cleaner.
Looking forward to lots of pictures.
 
Cosmin said:
pm me with what questions you may have , also what products you have on hand and what results are you looking for.
i did a few 458
Click to expand...
Thanks for the offer - I will be sending you a PM shortly.

geekdout said:
Before cleaning the wheels I would take a look at the rotors on the car and make sure they are a not carbon ceramic material that might be damaged by a typical wheel cleaner.
Looking forward to lots of pictures.
Click to expand...

I have already established that they are indeed carbon ceramic.

My usual go-to wheel cleaner is Meguiars All Wheel and Tire Cleaner, which I do not think is a wise option on these. I also have AF Imperial and am hoping that a weak dilution will do the trick.

Would anyone know if using an iron remover such as AF Iron Out will be safe to use - thinking of rather spraying it onto a MF towel and wiping it onto the wheels instead of spraying and risk getting some on the rotors?
 
Im sure you are going to enjoy this one, eagerly awaiting pics!
 
Cosmin said:
pm me with what questions you may have , also what products you have on hand and what results are you looking for.
i did a few 458
Click to expand...


You know I never understand why people feel the need to take their discussions to PM's?


In fact, I'm just the opposite, I prefer people to "talk" on the public side of the forum.

Love you like a brother Cosmin... just sayin...

GTG in San Antonio, Texas Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Cosmin and me... Great seeing you again Cosmin, thanks for making the long drive...

SanAntonioGTG008.jpg




:dunno:
 
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