Ferrari F40 detail with Peter Tromboni and AOWheels

What an experience to be able to detail a world icon vehicle! It really doesn’t get much better in my book! And to have Peter…. “an outstanding photographer” accompanies me… “Blessed” to say the least!
Most of you may know how great this car is! But for the ones who don’t know… There was only 1,315 made world wide through the years of 1987 to 1992. The vehicle was made with weight in mind and to save some, Ferrari shot the car with single stage paint with only one coat. With that being said… It would be to my knowledge… The F40’s and F50’s of the world would be some of the most difficult cars to perform a paint correction detail to.

 Detailing on a relatively priceless automobile has got to be one of the most exciting experiences a car lover and detail guru “such as myself” could achieve!!! This Ferrari F40 detail lasted about 3 weeks working bank hours. Being able to go through every inch of this remarkable vehicle is something that will never be forgotten!  And I say this not only for me…. But for the great photographer who joined me in the moments!!!! Peter Tromboni!!!

Through this write up, I’m only going to share some of the pics Peter, has taken!!! I wish I could take him everywhere with me…… It certainly is a great treat having a professional automotive photographer by your side!!!

 Before getting started with the detail, I knew that this was going to have to be dealt with in the most safest manner possible…. knowing that only one wrong move or one UN focused step could mark disaster for the O-so-sensitive paint.

 Folding a bit of masking tape over every edge during the paint correction process is a most when dealing with most kevlar or carbon painted cars. This will prevent me from going thru the paint while machine polishing, and will also keep the heat from getting to great along the edges.

 Getting started on day one, the focus was at a high alert!!! Testing and figuring out a good process that will work well for the rest of the detail. Once I got a good method down and a level of comfort with the paint…. It was go time!!! Using two different types of machines and various sized pads throughout the whole detail…. I was in the zone!

The F40 was Swissvax corrected for most of the paintwork. For some of the deeper scratches Megs . 105 and Megs. D/A cutting discs where used.

 Since I’m sharing only the awesome photos by Peter, for this detail write up!!!! Its tough to say how the paint looked prior to the detail. Well… look at it like this… The car is around 20 years old and has never had a machine polish taken to it. During those years the car had been subjected to many washes and wipe downs… also the wear and tear factor. There is no possible way to make this car 100% perfect. Not every scratch is able to be worked out the paint… Its just to thin to try. Most of the deeper scratched areas on the car were found down by the lower rockers and door jams. This is a high build up area for large pebbles and other road debris caused by the front wheels kicking up gravel.

 In these next few shots you will be able to see a bit of before / after work!!! Otherwise known as the 50/50!

The rear vents above inner cooler city and under the rear wing! 50/50

A section on the front hood 50/50 (below)

The rear wing 50/50 (below)

Passenger side door 50/50 (below)

Below is one of my favorite shots Peter took!!!! I very rarely get some work in progress pics of myself… But this how all paint correction details go at AOWheels!!! No spot is to low or out of reach!!! Getting down and dirty for those hard to reach places!!!

Moving on past the paint with other areas in need of correction was the rear lexan window. With a light / medium cutting pad and Swissvax Medium polish, We corrected the light weight rear windshield!

Below is a 50/50 on the lexan!!! Now starting to show some clarity on the right side!!!

The lexan was completely polished inside and out… Not easy… Reaching and trying to find a comfortable body positions to get the inside done took a bit of time and patience. Resting my body weight on about 2 inches worth of frame to get it done!!!

Peter, lending a helpful hand to get the rear deck lid up a bit higher than the mount would allow it!!! This didn’t last to long…. that is one heavy section on the F40….

Very carefully working around and detailing this super advanced turbocharged motor capable of 471 hp on a incredible light weight chassis!!! From the time of birth, the F40 was a race car… And to this day, “It’s still is a force to be reckoned with”! …. So much Ferrari history in this car! Being able to touch and feel some of the craftsmanship that went into it, is just to special!!! Words cannot explain what Peter and I shared in this detail!

Since the rear deck was up and the mid engine beast was exposed…. A proper engine detail took place!!!

From one end of the car to the other… doing some interior touch ups!!! Sitting in a car like this and wondering what it would have been like to do 200 mph in the early 90′s?!?!

Because Race Car!!!

The F40 only came one way….. The only thing you had the option in was the seat belts. This car was able to be purchased with either harness style seat belts or a motorized regular style type of seat belt. The air vents on the top of the dash are very rare to come by these days… making them practically irreplaceable or very expensive to replace.

So, so much went into this detail…. Cleaning and protecting to preserve the life of a world icon vehicle for the years to come! The paintwork was Swissvax protected with a developmental Swissvax Wax that has yet to make its way to general public yet! If I may say…. It’s an incredible wax that delivers unreal results and adds the protection deserved for such vehicles!

The windows were completely Nanolex, cleaned and protected! “Nanolex sealants”…. A product from Germany that is currently making its way into the States. This product has gained a great name from some of our professional detailers over seas! Still testing the rest of the line of car care products from Nanolex myself……. But, due to my prior testing with the window sealant…. It was a no brainier to coat the F40 and treat all the windows with it!!!

The interior door panels received a correction as well! Two panels you’ll never get “glass type” perfect…. But nun-the less was a great improvement and added a great shine!

Below is a picture that you can just about make out the weave from the kevlar under the razor thin single stage paint!!!

A small section on the front end had clear bra and received a correction before protection!

Touching up on all the final details by hand!!!

Swissvax USA protection (developmental wax) Two coats!!!

What a privilege…. I hope you enjoyed this detail as much as we did!!!

We would like to wish Peter Tromboni, a very special “Thank You”!!!! For taken the time to capture this incredible detail experience!!!! Please check out Peter’s, Full SET on the FERRARI F40 pics and the aowheels detail on flickr to get the best quality of these photos!!!

For more information on Automotive Photography. Please check out PeterTromboni.com

RELATED LINKS TO THIS F40 DETAIL:

Ferrari F40 Detail by AOWHEELS Detailing Teaser !!!! On MyCarPortal.net

You will find much of my work on MyCarPortal.net!!!! Keep up with them!!!

Ferrari F40 teaser…. L4P GOES HARD!!! Featured on Luxury4Play.com

And of course… the original write up!!!! Ferrari F40 detail with Peter Tromboni and AOWheels also on Luxury4Play.com!!!

 

Thanks for Viewing!!!