09 R35 GTR Stealth Bomber

[AutoGenie]

I'm lucky enough to look after quite a few high performance cars and I have a real soft spot for GTRs. I'm a mobile valeter based in the UK, and my typical work time is only about 5 hours per car. This matte wrapped 650hp monster was a real challenge!

Some before and afters
Initial inspection

Road grime and mud everywhere!

Heavily built up soot from the tuned engine

The car was only wrapped three weeks ago so bonded contaminants such as tar and bugs weren't an issue. I got started with a very gentle wash routine to avoid marking the wrap. Wheels, tyres and arches first before tackling the exhaust. These were all cleaned using PH neutral shampoo with a range of brushes and microfibre cloths. The paintwork was cleaned using a pre-wash method prior to using Swissvax Opaque shampoo and a two bucket method. This was then rinsed and dried using ultra soft towels and a hot air blower for all of those panel gaps and recesses.
The body panels were protected with Swissvax Opaque wax, alloys were sealed with FK1000p and tyres were dressed with Autosmart products, leaving me with this as a finished result

In lousy UK winter weather it was touch and go as to whether I'd get a chance to finish up, but it stayed dry and the interior was treated to a full vacuum, mats were shampooed and the leather seats were conditioned. The owner was pleased with the turnaround in the time available, so that's good enough for me.
Thanks for reading :xyxthumbs:

 

[281]

Nice job! Tose GT-R's are BEAST!!!

 

[MshawnBauer]

What a car! How is it working with the matte finish? Does it streak easily? special products required? Amazing how aggressive that finish makes the car look!

 

[AutoGenie]

It was kind of hard work. The vinyl wrap marks really easily so I had to be oh-so careful when I was washing off the mud and dirt (any grit across the paint would have left a really obvious glossy scratch) In terms of streaking, I just had to rinse the surface really thoroughly and then dry it as quickly as I could. I bought specific products from a British firm called Angelwax and the client had products from Swissvax. using a matte friendly shampoo and wax meant that it finished up to a lovely consistent finish, but I would definitely advise waxing and removing one panel at a time. I would hate to try and seriously buff the wax off if it cured rock solid!!

 

[Monster Shine]

Working with vinyl can be rough, been there a few times. Brilliant finish and result!

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Looks good! Thanks for sharing.

 

[AutoGenie]

Working with vinyl can be rough, been there a few times. Brilliant finish and result!

This GTR will be one that I look after all year, so you may be able to help answer something for me How do you 'safely' remove bonded contaminants such as tar and bugs that have dried on? I've read a few threads about this and yet to have a convincing solution to this issue :xyxthumbs:

 

[Monster Shine]

This GTR will be one that I look after all year, so you may be able to help answer something for me How do you 'safely' remove bonded contaminants such as tar and bugs that have dried on? I've read a few threads about this and yet to have a convincing solution to this issue :xyxthumbs:

I have used Iron-X & Tar-X with great success. Spray it on, let it dwell for a few minutes and then rinse off. A little goes a long way and can also be reapplied if needed in trouble spots.

 

[Deranged_9n3]

Nice one !!

 

[AutoGenie]

I have used Iron-X & Tar-X with great success. Spray it on, let it dwell for a few minutes and then rinse off. A little goes a long way and can also be reapplied if needed in trouble spots.

That's interesting. I had been told to go extremely careful when using solvent based products like Iron-X as they can be very damaging to the wrap, even taking the colour out on occasion? I have tar and fallout remover products and was recommended by the manufacturers to avoid using them on matte finishes.

Thanks for the kind comments :dblthumb2:

 

[Monster Shine]

That's interesting. I had been told to go extremely careful when using solvent based products like Iron-X as they can be very damaging to the wrap, even taking the colour out on occasion? I have tar and fallout remover products and was recommended by the manufacturers to avoid using them on matte finishes.

Thanks for the kind comments :dblthumb2:

I was told directly by CarPro (Iron-X Manufacturer) that Iron-X only reacts with iron particles and its solvent free base is save for vinyl.

 

[Caleb@ImpeccableImage]

Killer job. That GTR looks sinister!

 

[antti@561detailing]

Gtr is not my cup of tea...dont like datsuns...but you did awesome job on this...maybe one of my favorite looks on it

 

[Sicoupe]

The job you did looks amazing

 

[AutoGenie]

I was told directly by CarPro (Iron-X Manufacturer) that Iron-X only reacts with iron particles and its solvent free base is save for vinyl.

Thanks Monster Shine
I know Iron-X is ok, but Tar-X isn't as the solvents are all citrus based. rops: (I meant to say Tar-X in my original post above)

Thanks to all for the kind comments. I'll get some other interesting cars shared in the next day or so.......

 

[Monster Shine]

Thanks Monster Shine
I know Iron-X is ok, but Tar-X isn't as the solvents are all citrus based. rops: (I meant to say Tar-X in my original post above)

Thanks to all for the kind comments. I'll get some other interesting cars shared in the next day or so.......

Got it. I have actually never actually came across any tar. Just stuck on tire bits.

Here is what 3M recommends for their wraps:

Soften difficult contaminants such as bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap and similar contaminants by soaking them for several minutes with very hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. If further cleaning is needed, test one of these products in an inconspicuous area to
ensure no damage to the wrap film: Meguiar's Gold Class™ Bug and Tar Remover or 3M™ Citrus Base Cleaner. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) (two parts IPA to 1 part water) or denatured alcohol may also help. Spot clean the contaminants. Do not use rough scrubbing or abrasive tools, which​

will scratch the film. Wash and rinse off all residue immediately.

 

[AutoGenie]

Thanks Aaron Great Forester by the way! I've owned a couple of Impreza's but not a Forester...........yet.

 

[Monster Shine]

Thanks Aaron Great Forester by the way! I've owned a couple of Impreza's but not a Forester...........yet.

You're welcome. :xyxthumbs:

Thanks, it is a fun car. Like every Subaru it is "Stage 2"
Fun little daily driver, it gets raced in about every way imaginable; Auto-X, Drag, Rally and is still coming back for more.

 

[AutoGenie]

Fair play :xyxthumbs:
My first one was a UK spec Classic so 205hp and pretty good for stock, but my next one was a tuned Sti so somewhere around 280hp. I need another one I think so a Legacy GTB is next on the list.

Thanks again for your thoughts and experience on matte finishes. I have a fair amount of experience on matte race cars, but matte £50k+ cars is something else.