And??? have you been driving your DB9!
After all the waiting must be a big relief driving her back.

 

I guess Andrew is still driving it with a big grin on his face..

 

Wow Guys been a long two weeks since traveling from the Middle East. Arrived in DC at REDPANTs and due to shippers NOT sending correct brake caliper seals the car was on blocks still so had to wait for 3 days just to hear it. Rich put me up and even offered to fly me home and drive the car to me, however I waited it out at his house and we got it together Monday Dec 12. My first drive was in wet weather and beginning of rush hour in northern Va. Then it was dark and foggy for the rest of the 500 miles. I was nervous, tired, jet lagged, migraine etc.... so my first drive was not what I imagined, but still loved the car. The exhaust with the cat delete option is the best for sure.

Pic below is the arrival at its new home beside its older partner.


I then evaluated the paint, to see where it was after being cleaned and what I was expecting for the Paint Correction. I found light to medium swirls on most surfaces, they appeared to be mostly surface level marring, however due to Aston's soft paint, they can be a bear to deal with. I then measured all panels in numerous places for paint depth. The interesting thing is most cars, or a lot of cars, measure between 5-7 microns of paint and clear. This Aston, measures on outside panels between 5.5 and 13 microns. That even varies panel to panel. There was no rhyme or reason exactly why they varied so much but it was good to know that in most areas I had plenty of paint to work with.



The AM got a full clean up, and headed to Charlotte to GMP performance to install the VAP lowering springs.


Install of Lowering Springs at GMP

 

After returning from Charlotte and getting the springs installed I couldnt bear to start the paint correction with the garage being such a mess and too many things stacked around and laying about. So started a new project to neaten the garage up, so I didnt worry about anything possibly falling on it or into it while I am gone next year. I bought all new cabinets to store items and threw away a lot.

After settling the garage mess, I started the in depth cleaning process to prepare the paint for the paint correction. I spent about 2 hours making sure the car was as clean as possible and the paint was bare. I didnt actually need to clay bar the car, it was smooth to begin with, which likely gives evidence to Speedracer800 not ever driving it in the rain and didnt leave it outside ever, so no contaminants on the paint. That is a blessing, due to the soft soft soft paint that Astons have, usually any type of Clay bar, or Nano Skin synthetic clay, will marr the surface. So very happy I didnt need to go through that process.



I have started Dec 23rd the Paint Correction and what a pain the car is being. Every panel is taking a different combination of pads and products to just get the first compound leveling step done. I will be writing up a separate thread covering all the products used and the process done.

Love the car, just been so busy to really enjoy it. Will be though this week and right before I return to the middle east

 

Sheriff,

What a great Christmas present and a great way to spend the time home with your new toy! I'll be interested in your write up as I'll be tackling the paint on my DB9 later in the spring.

Merry Christmas and congrats again on acquiring such a great car!!!

JIM

 

Thank you for your service, Sheriff! Glad you're stateside where you can enjoy things, including your Aston!

 

Thank you, glad to do the work that I do. Drove the Aston about 30 miles today, cloudy again, but no rain and loved it. More pics to follow

 

She is a looker. enjoy it as much as you can. I have to wait till April, when winter is over. that s the only down side of owing these kind of cars. Not be able/wanting to drive them in bad weather. The only thin you have to do is replace us license plate to EU spec. It is s much nicer. I love your diffuser!

 

Congrats to your Christmas present!

I bet you spend a lot of time staring at your car since you are home, right?

It seems I was a good hubby since my wife refreshed my Swizöl (Swissvax) supply with leather and wax stuff. What wax do you use?
From my experience, I always come back to Swizwax products.

 

Install of Lowering Springs at GMP
[/QUOTE]

Came out great!! Thank you again for allowing us to perform the install!

 

Came out great!! Thank you again for allowing us to perform the install![/QUOTE]

Absolutely!!!!

i contacted GMP from the Middle East around Dec 3rd asking for a Dec 18th date for install of the VAP springs. That was the ONLY date I could have it done. They worked this out for me without any issue and were a complete pleasure to deal with.

I spoke to the technician who actually knew all about AMs and how to go about the spring install. They also found on my rear wheels (10" wide Vantage S wheels) with 8mm spacers the lug nuts (factory) only had about 4 turns on them. They quickly sourced nice lugs with threads starting at the tips of them and had them installed that evening when I arrived. Huge thanks and safety saving for me on that.

I will likely use them after returning from the Middle East for anything I may need to get done that doesn't require a dealer. I typically go to CLT whenever I am home so getting that work should be easy. But we will see. I also will work with them over the next year to source a set of HRE P101s in 20" for the car. I like the new Vantage S wheels, but something pushes me towards the P101s. I wish there was a used place to source them. Not 10k. They have to be sold somehow somewhere when people sell their cars.

But huge Thanks for GMPs help and work!!!! Highly recommend them to any CLT or NC owner. I don't normally give recommendations publicly but they definitely will take care of you and know what they are doing.

Andrew

 

Thanks Andrew! We appreciate the feedback and look forward to working with you more in the future!

 

Looks great! Glad you got back safely and hope you get to enjoy her soon

 

Been working back overseas a lot and haven't had time to post,

But, here are pictures of the Rear Diffuser (V3 Collection) and the Trunk Lip in FRP provided by them also. The fitment was absolutely perfect on both. However, as we (Rich and I) came to find out, the V3 Diffuser has a standard fitment, but where the rear two parking sensors are, they can be in slightly different places depending on who knows what. They said out of several hundred diffusers, they have only had 5 or so where the sensors didnt line up. I will have to remove them, cut the plastic shroud they are in, and replace them in the diffuser when I get back next year. But for now the Diffuser looks great.

 

Next up was the Paint Correction. I realized I didnt have enough time to correctly do the work that I wanted, so I did do a quick one getting the paint to about 90% except for the bumpers, and lower side skirts. You can see in the one pick below how well the door came out.

The Calipers are another issue----I do NOT like the at all. The powedercoaters swatch color didnt even come close to coming out correctly. I am not willing to spend another 1k to get them powder coated again, so thinking some options. 1. I can take them off myself, and paint them like I did on my AMG add the stickers, then clear them with high temp clear. Should be just fine and not have to worry about them again. I dont track the car. BUT, buying yellow ones from AM bits might work then sell mine. Not sure. It could go to Bright Silver (wheels below), yellow, or the AMG burnt copper. Still leaning burnt copper.

Wheels--- Although they are Vantage S wheels and are brand new, and they do look good, I just cannot seem to not think the HRE P101 in either brushed titanium or standard clear silver. I am planning on getting those this year while I am gone and let these go to hopefully a forum member.