There are a lot of satisfying things to watch on the internet, like the massive tank that Porsche’s cars swim through on the production line or crash tests of luxurious motors. Those pale in comparison to footage of cars getting a long-overdue clean, especially rare cars like the Ferrari F40.
If those are the kinds of videos that float your boat, then YouTube channel I Am Detailing will be right up your street. The channel has carried out some meticulous detailing work on cars like the Ferrari F50, countless Porsche 911s and even a lovely little Honda S2000. In the channel’s latest upload, it’s given a Ferrari F40 that was once owned by Formula 1 champion Nigel Mansell a thorough clean.
The process is quite mesmerizing and includes all kinds of steps that only the rich and famous think of performing on their multi-million-dollar models. To start, the vintage Ferrari is thoroughly inspected all over to uncover any problem areas that might need additional work, such as inside the wheel wells or under the hood.
Once those checks are complete, it’s into the washroom where the car is given a better bath than most people. It’s thoroughly soaped up and rinsed off before the finer details can begin. A laser is brought out to clean the rust of OEM bolts and washers that are beginning to show signs of their near-30-year age. Dry ice and lasers are also used to clear blemishes from the brakes and wheel mounts.
Instead of being zapped by lasers, the windows of the classic Ferrari are buffed within an inch of their life. The polishing process starts at the rear before moving onto the sides and driver windows to keep visibility looking crisp.
It’s then time for a thorough inspection of the car’s vibrant red paintwork, with any problem areas masked off for correction. This process covers the pillars, roof and side panels on the F40 and involves several rounds with the orbital polisher and buffing discs that clear away minor marks and get the classic car looking factory-fresh once again.
The tail lights and Ferrari badges are also removed and deep-cleaned, and there’s even a process to polish the sides of the pop-up headlamps and rear wing, which both gave the car its iconic looks.
The whole process is carried out by the team at I Am Detailing, a California shop that’s made a name for itself cleaning cars for concourse events and private collectors. A full service to prep your car for a show starts at around $4,000 according to the company’s website, which in the case of the Ferrari F40 detailed here is about the same price as two replacement wheels for a classic Ferrari.
If you need more satisfying detailing videos to brighten up your day, head here to see a team clean a gorgeous vintage Lamborghini or here to watch a barn find car get its first wash in decades.