This exciting project was brought to me all the way from Washington DC, so that I could properly paint correct, clear wrap, ceramic coat and make some cosmetic upgrades to this Mclaren MP4-12C Spider. This stunning color combo was getting ready for a cross country journey that would end up spanning over 2 months with the owner and over 12k miles after leaving me. I’m here to show you guys the visual transformation it received before being enjoyed by it’s new owner to the fullest! What better way to enjoy your new to you exotic?

This Spider came in with just three thousand miles on it, and while it wasn’t in rough shape, it could be taken up a few notches. Even better so, now benefitting from the added protection it received before going on it’s long trip. I’ll let the pictures take the story from here…

https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5493/2...cb347a94_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 1
https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5538/2...bd9970dc_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 2

The brakes were standard black, which the owner felt was too plain on such an awesome color combination. So he decided to have us match them to McLaren Orange. We completely degreased, sanded down and etched the calipers then painted them using high heat enamel based primer and base coat, airbrushed the logos and then finished them with a high heat enamel clear. Giving them a completely OEM look! We choose not to go the powdercoat route to avoid having to rebuild the calipers and full brake system service, given the cars plans to go cross country.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5575/2...681cb6d3_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 3
https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8573/2...cadaeef9_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 4

While the brakes were being done, the wheels were removed to be completely DeIronized, clayed, polished and then ceramic coated using CQuartz . Below you will see the before and after results!

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5714/2...cd65e43f_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 6
https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8676/2...f20c1f39_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 7
https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5729/2...307ff546_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 8
https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5629/2...7444d3a9_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 9
https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5565/3...dabe588f_k.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/NqCsVG] https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5671/2...8d985436_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 11
https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5799/3...980d0b55_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 12 11.
With the wheels and brakes curing, next was preparing the paint to be both clear wrapped and ceramic coated. The paint condition, while wasn’t dire, still needed a full correction to qualify for the desired protection install. The following shows the before condition under powerful LEDs that mimic direct sunlight, then the 50/50 photos and finished non coated paint in the same lighting after the half and half shots.

https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5766/2...3d1100e2_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 13
https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5807/3...ff3306c8_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 14
https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5526/2...97f47fe8_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 15
https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5348/3...ad6f56a4_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 16
https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5783/2...38c18cd1_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 17
https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5704/3...62c274c0_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 18
https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8651/2...804b5e75_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 19
https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5796/2...9ab51ea0_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 20
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5558/2...9e790d3d_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 21
https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8620/2...2ffafb80_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 22
https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8670/2...216457f9_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 23
https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8594/2...f49e5751_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 27
https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8569/3...7b54fdb2_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 28 https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8573/2...56ed2132_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 29 25.

And with a little bonus of the 50/50 shot on the Key itself

https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5722/2...c7d4ebdd_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 24

With the paint prepared properly prepared, the clear film install was able to commence. This was a completely custom install to remove all seams and wrap all edges to make it as invisible as possible. Here you can see the initial install and the films appearance after initial install.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8631/3...56aed792_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 31 https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8571/3...d1878248_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 30
https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8653/3...4a7db35c_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 32
https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5574/3...0da99872_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 33

Post film install and reprep, the entire body was then coated with CQuartz Finest Ceramic coating in three layers. All painted and clear wrapped surfaces received the coating and was IR cured as shown in the photo below!

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5630/3...5c3d1a9e_k.jpgMclaren Oakes Detail 33(1)