Paint Correction, Leather and a Dinan E46 M3 by Greg Gellas of Signature Detailing

Greg Gellas

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I was contacted by an old client to give his M3 some love. We discussed some options, and during drop off we added some services that were needed. This car had almost every Dinan part you can purchase, including an inter cooled supercharger, larger throttle bodies, exhaust, brakes, suspension, pretty much everything. Really a cool car!

I began with a nice wash using some Dawn and CG Citrus wash and clear.

DSC_0075_zps44d21842.jpg


I followed this up with a much needed Iron-X treatment. You can see here, after a light spray of water, the amount of iron that was being pulled from the paint.

3f8f8820-ab73-4518-8252-8ae7ba92380e_zps71f144c4.jpg


One service we added during inspection was a complete Leatherique treatment. Not only was the leather stained, it was starting to get rigid and wasn't up to par for this car.#
#
DSC_0025_zpsa08786e2.jpg


Every inch of leather was slathered with the Rejuvinator Oil and left to sit in the sun for most of the day. This creates a steaming effect, allowing the pores of the leather to open and help pour the dirt and oil out.

DSC_0035_zpsb099fc15.jpg


While the rejuvenator oil was doing its thing on the leather, I pulled the car in and began see what sort of correction I could get from the paint.

DSC_0063_zps23065640.jpg


After a couple of test spots and considering the fact that the client wanted as much correction as possible I decided that M105 with a MF cutting pad was perfect for defect removal. Additionally, it wasn't leaving a ton of DA haze after correction. Although this single step would have been enough, we went ahead and followed up with a Rupes White pad and some M205 to really bring out the gloss. While I did use my LHR21 for the larger areas, a 3" bp on a PC, and my 2" air powered machine was used for tighter areas.

DSC_0067_zps88ac8890.jpg


Now that the paint was corrected I could move back to the leather. Using warm water, a brush, and some MF towels and Prestine clean I remove the rejuvenator oil and a ton of dirt! Once all the dirt was out there were some areas that were missing dye, and had some scrapes.

DSC_0103_zps361b24e1.jpg


DSC_0104_zps01f1dea8.jpg


We decided to fill and re-dye these areas to bring back the appearance.

DSC_0114_zps7facbc8c.jpg


DSC_0117_zpsdd434911.jpg


After another bath to remove polishing dust and any oils, the entire car got an Eraser wipe down to further ensure that I was down to paint. I then coated all the painted surfaces with Cquartz Finest. The results of 2+ days really stand out in the "after" pictures. We shot the car beside a 911 turbo that was also just coated with Finest.#

DSC_0177_zpsdf73d00e.jpg


DSC_0168_zpsc908e6b1.jpg


DSC_0132_zpsb5b5f07e.jpg


ac8ff8f7-dedc-49d7-9d0a-580d869d3802_zps9fcff5b2.jpg


DSC_0186_zps3f1d1c07.jpg


As always, thanks for reading. Greg Gellas
 
"...and my 2" air powered machine was used for tighter areas."

What areas are you using a 2" polisher on?

Where did you get foam pads for one?
 
"...and my 2" air powered machine was used for tighter areas."

What areas are you using a 2" polisher on?

Where did you get foam pads for one?

They are out there, I can't post a link cause it is against the rules.

Are you using a Touch-up Pen for the leather?

No this is a custom repair, colors are blended on the spot to ensure proper match, and the leather gets a cleaner, some fill, and then color.
 
Could you provide more details on how to corrected the leather? I have a job coming next week that could really use some leather care. Thanks for the great write up!
 
Thanks Mike! I had to do this write up pretty quickly, I hoped the pictures made up for the lack of information. :)
 
They are out there, I can't post a link cause it is against the rules.



No this is a custom repair, colors are blended on the spot to ensure proper match, and the leather gets a cleaner, some fill, and then color.


I think it is OK to post the name of the product.

I don't think AGO sells a competitive product.
 
From memory i know grex and chicago pneumatic both produce 2in random orbital airtools.
 
I was contacted by an old client to give his M3 some love. We discussed some options, and during drop off we added some services that were needed. This car had almost every Dinan part you can purchase, including an inter cooled supercharger, larger throttle bodies, exhaust, brakes, suspension, pretty much everything. Really a cool car!

I began with a nice wash using some Dawn and CG Citrus wash and clear.

DSC_0075_zps44d21842.jpg


I followed this up with a much needed Iron-X treatment. You can see here, after a light spray of water, the amount of iron that was being pulled from the paint.

3f8f8820-ab73-4518-8252-8ae7ba92380e_zps71f144c4.jpg


One service we added during inspection was a complete Leatherique treatment. Not only was the leather stained, it was starting to get rigid and wasn't up to par for this car.#
#
DSC_0025_zpsa08786e2.jpg


Every inch of leather was slathered with the Rejuvinator Oil and left to sit in the sun for most of the day. This creates a steaming effect, allowing the pores of the leather to open and help pour the dirt and oil out.

DSC_0035_zpsb099fc15.jpg


While the rejuvenator oil was doing its thing on the leather, I pulled the car in and began see what sort of correction I could get from the paint.

DSC_0063_zps23065640.jpg


After a couple of test spots and considering the fact that the client wanted as much correction as possible I decided that M105 with a MF cutting pad was perfect for defect removal. Additionally, it wasn't leaving a ton of DA haze after correction. Although this single step would have been enough, we went ahead and followed up with a Rupes White pad and some M205 to really bring out the gloss. While I did use my LHR21 for the larger areas, a 3" bp on a PC, and my 2" air powered machine was used for tighter areas.

DSC_0067_zps88ac8890.jpg


Now that the paint was corrected I could move back to the leather. Using warm water, a brush, and some MF towels and Prestine clean I remove the rejuvenator oil and a ton of dirt! Once all the dirt was out there were some areas that were missing dye, and had some scrapes.

DSC_0103_zps361b24e1.jpg


DSC_0104_zps01f1dea8.jpg


We decided to fill and re-dye these areas to bring back the appearance.

DSC_0114_zps7facbc8c.jpg


DSC_0117_zpsdd434911.jpg


After another bath to remove polishing dust and any oils, the entire car got an Eraser wipe down to further ensure that I was down to paint. I then coated all the painted surfaces with Cquartz Finest. The results of 2+ days really stand out in the "after" pictures. We shot the car beside a 911 turbo that was also just coated with Finest.#

DSC_0177_zpsdf73d00e.jpg


DSC_0168_zpsc908e6b1.jpg


DSC_0132_zpsb5b5f07e.jpg


ac8ff8f7-dedc-49d7-9d0a-580d869d3802_zps9fcff5b2.jpg


DSC_0186_zps3f1d1c07.jpg


As always, thanks for reading. Greg Gellas

Damn fine job on the overall job. Re-dyeing the leather is not an easy job, nicely done.

Could you provide more details on how to corrected the leather? I have a job coming next week that could really use some leather care. Thanks for the great write up!

There are leather restoration classes you can find.
 
This thread made my day as the LSB E46 is my favorite modern car (although its basically a decade old now) The color is simply amazing, seriously and just looks perfect on the car!!

You did an incredible job on an incredible car, that's one lucky guy right there!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
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