Rennlister Refreshes 997 and Gets a Brand New-Looking Ride

By Brett Foote - July 31, 2017

This 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S is indisputable proof that a little elbow grease and the right products can work wonders.

Porsche owners are, as a general rule, obsessive about their cars. After all, when you own such a fine automobile, you feel obligated to care for it properly. So, forget about automatic car washes and cheap department-store polishes. If you want to keep your ride in tip-top shape, only the best products will do.

Then again, many of you probably entrust the detailed cleaning of your Porsche to a professional. Detailing is quite literally an art form these days. And the right shop can make even the most neglected Porsche look new again. Plus, watching them perform this kind of work is rather fascinating.

That’s why we found this thread documenting the rejuvenation of a downtrodden 997 to be so interesting. The work was completed by Detailed Designs Auto Spa out of Atlanta, Georgia. They also happen to be Rennlist members, so we were already familiar with their work.

But even having previously seen the high quality of their work, this particular transformation that Detailed Designs’ crew performed on Rennlister Silver Stealth‘s 2010 911 Carrera 4S is nothing short of outstanding. And it is especially impressive when you factor in the initial challenges that the team faced.

The 997 rolled in with more than a few issues, but nothing that couldn’t be saved.

“For this Porsche 997 911 4S, we were to perform paint correction, remove the old clear bra (that neither looked good nor had good coverage) and replace it with our performance paint protection film wrap. Remove the wheels for a full detail and application of Modesta BC-06 and BC-08 and then cap off the paint and film with Modesta BC-04.”

The goal? To restore the shine on the 997, protect it from the outside world, and make it easier to clean. It all starts with a thorough wash using P21S Total Auto Wash and a boar’s hair brush. Then, years of oils and contaminants are removed with a chemical cleaner before the car is clay barred. The car also had a protective film on it that had to be removed.

“The clear bra that was originally installed on the car about 7 years ago held up pretty well. It helped protect the surfaces from rock chips and other defects, but it was definitely time to come off. Too, we wanted to give more ideal coverage on the areas that would wear and give an installation that was aesthetically more pleasing. Front-end film was removed along with the rear quarter/hip/fender-factory film. The performance wrap would look better and protect better across the board. “

To give you an idea of just how obsessive Detailed Designs is with their work, look no further than the clean up job that follows.

“With all the film removed, we began the paint correction process. It started with removal of the rear badges (urgh…years of build up…this is the right way to do things!). All surfaces are buttoned up and the paint comes away from the process with truly world-class gloss and luster.”

A second wash ensures that all the dust particles are gone before applying the new paint protection wrap. But before that work is completed, the wheels are removed and thoroughly detailed, followed by the wheel wells, brake calipers, and exposed suspension bits. After all, all that work on the body would be for naught if you’ve got some dirty stuff showing behind your wheels.

“The wheels are then treated with Modesta BC-06, cured, then treated with Modesta BC-08 and cured again. Modesta BC-06 offers industry-leading heat resistance for wheels and calipers. Laying Modesta BC-08 over the BC-06 is a level of opulence that…well, quite frankly I do it for myself, but our clients greatly benefit with added gloss and an even more hydrophobic surface. In the end, the wheels are a dream to take care of and look incredible.”

Applying paint protection film is an art form in itself. And by the looks of it, these guys are true artists.

“For a Porsche 997 911, headlights are removed for maximum coverage on the fenders and bumper, mirrors, hood, fenders, and front bumper are custom wrapped for beautiful fit and finish. Rocker panels are fully protected and are wrapped inside the door opening, rear fender opening and reach about 24″ up between the door and rear fender opening. Protection is added behind the rear wheels and a 20-mil-thick additional layer is added to the highest wear and tear areas inside the fender lips. The film we used on this 997 is Clear Guard Nano. At 8.2 mils thick, it is the thickest film on the market and it has a gorgeous gloss with minimal texture that gives it a paint-like look.”

With the tedious application completed, another layer of Modesta BC-04 goes on all the surfaces. It acts like a layer of silica glass, giving the car a little extra shine. Detailed Designs claims this combination provides up to 10 years of protection. One thing’s for sure, the results here speak for themselves. And the chap who owns the car, Rennlister Silver Stealth, couldn’t be happier.

“Jean-Claude and his team did such an AMAZING job. I got the car home in the garage after picking it up and just pulled out a chair to stare at the little details.

“Originally, I found the car at a Porsche dealer in Colorado and flew out and drove it back to Atlanta. The paint was in pretty fair shape, given the age of the car. It wasn’t until I saw the finished results that my jaw literally dropped. I plan on keeping this car for a very long time. So, this type of investment was totally worth it to me.

“The icing on the cake is the performance wrap that goes far beyond a front clear bra and will be a great asset on the track, as it covers all the critical areas. No more ugly stone guards!”