[Analog Imports]

Win!

[HRE_Wheels]

One of my favorite 991 GT3's - this one is just too good not to share.
19x9.5 19x12 HRE R101 wheels in Satin Black just barely clear the PCCB's. Crazy purpose built track fitment!

































Thanks for checking it out!

[JN1]

All in the details. This looks amazing!

[buddalun]

I prefer OE.

[trustbran]

Wow, that is too nice not to share!

-Brandon

[HRE_Wheels]

Esoteric had this insane write up of their work on a C7 Corvette Z06/Z07 that we'd love to share with all of you. Hope you enjoy!

C7 Z06 / Z07 Corvette in Torch Red. 100+ hour detail by ESOTERIC, featuring HRE Wheels, Akrapovic Exhaust, Gyeon Quartz Coatings, and Suntek Paint Protection Film!

Given the size of this article and the amount of photos, I will not be able to post up the entire piece here on the Corvette Forum. Here is a direct link for those who wish to go straight to the article. It includes over 80 photos, lots of details, and a video as well. Additionally, the photo quality looks better on our blog. C7 Z06 / Z07 Corvette. Torch Red. 100-Hour Detail.

We started working on this project back in December, and are very glad to finally have it done. This not only showcases all of the services we are capable, and the brands we offer, but also acts as a perfect example of the turnkey show cars that we can create.

From the ESOTERIC Learning Center Blog:

We at ESOTERIC have detailed a lot of Z06 / Z07 Corvettes, and have also published articles outlining the tremendous amount of work we have done in order to give them a finish that equals the amazing performance that they are capable of. The C7 Corvette has become a specialty of ours over the last couple of years…it’s a car that we know well, and a community that we have strongly embraced. As a part of that commitment to the Corvette community, we decided to purchase our own Z07 Corvette in Torch Red to use as a tool to showcase the finest level of detailing and protection that is available…anywhere! We invested 100+ hours in the detail to create the absolute best looking Corvette in existence, and based off of the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received, we far surpassed that goal.

100+ Hours to Detail a Brand New Corvette? Really?!

Yes!

Why? Because we have the ability to take the finish to entirely new levels that factories aren’t capable of, and to add high levels of protection to the paint in the form of Quartz Coatings and Paint Protection Film (aka Clear Bra). This protection aspect of the detail is the most important, as well as the most popular service(s) in the lineup. Even if one is happy with the looks of the vehicle straight from the factory, it won’t stay looking that way unless the finish is properly protected. While a wax may last a month or so, quartz coatings will protect the finish for years from airborne contaminants, and paint protection film will protect from rock chips for a very long time.

It is common mistake by those who don’t understand what highline detailing is all about to say: “Why would you spend that much time detailing…it will just get dirty after your first drive?!”. If we were spending that much time doing simple cleaning, then that statement might hold some validity. But the fact is that what we are doing is making permanent changes (for the better) to the paint, and then adding a very high level of protection in the form of quartz coatings and paint protection film. Driving your car and getting it “dirty” has no negative impact to the work that is being done here (provide you clean / maintain it properly afterwards). “Highly detailed” and “driver car” are not mutually exclusive terms. You CAN have a highly detailed car that is regularly driven. One of our best long-term customers always has us perform a high level detail and protection package on his new Ferraris. He drives them about 20k miles per year, even in the snow. And when you see his cars at events, you’ll agree that the paint looks better than just about every car there!

Granted, it’s rare to put this much time into a new car detail (or an old car detail for that matter), but the goal here was to showcase all that is possible, and to set the standards by which every other detail / protection package is measured. We at ESOTERIC offer turnkey show-car AND track day solutions for those who wish to have the absolute best of the best, and this project is a thorough representative of that level of bespoke services.

Our Ultimate New Car Prep is our most popular new car service, and that usually requires 30 hours or so of work…just to put it into perspective.

As with pretty much any brand / new car, there are many spots where we can make improvements to the OEM finish. We can always find haze, sanding marks, swirls, and light scratches that will prevent the true clarity and gloss from coming through, and by using proper and modern polishing techniques, we can safely get rid of all of this to bring the finish to its true potential.

Here are a few examples of what we found on our new Z06 / Z07 Corvette that needed to be addressed. This isn’t a knock against GM / Chevrolet, it’s just the reality of automotive manufacturing.

Sanding marks:


Swirl marks:


Fine texture:


Orange peel and texture:


Scratches and swirls in carbon flash painted spots:


The game plan and goals:

Before getting started on a project of this magnitude, it’s a good idea to break it down to smaller components to make it easier to manage. If you work on it one segment at a time, it makes the job run much more smoothly.

So let’s take a look at our plan / goals / objectives:

Installation of the Akrapovic Exhaust System
Apply multiple layers of protective coating to new HRE Wheels, then install new tires
Measure paint thicknesses to establish safe levels of paint polishing / correction.
Disassemble trim pieces and other items that will make polishing / paint protection film more efficient
Perform multiple step paint polishing
Remove seats, polish seat backs, and apply Gyeon coating
Further disassemble car for paint protection film so that all edges can be tucked in
Apply paint protection film…full front end, A-pillars, mirrors, rocker panels, side skirts, front splitter, rear impact spots, custom door protectors.
Re-assemble vehicle.
Apply Gyeon Mohs+ Coating (total of 4 coats)
Finishing details

As you can see, we have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, so let’s get busy!

For the FULL article, please click over to our Learning Center: C7 Z06 / Z07 Corvette. Torch Red. 100 Hour Detail!

Now, I will show some of the "process" photos to give you an idea of just how much work we performed on the Z07.

Removing stock exhaust to install Akrapovic Evolution System. The Akrapovic weighed 37 pounds lighter than the stock system.



Polishing the backs of the Competition Seats:



Removing the front bumper and headlights so we could tuck all of the edges of the Suntek paint protection film:



Coating and IR Curing HRE P101 Wheels (No other HRE supplier can provide this!):



Polish / coat all small items:



Turn carbon fiber into a mirror:





Take measurements / readings with tools that nobody else has:



A little before and after. Compare the reflections of the one on the left to the one on the right!



Apply Suntek paint protection film:




Finished photos of our highly detailed and customized Z07!








































And now, a 2.5 minute video showcasing the entire process:

Please do yourself a favor and check out our full article: Z06 / Z07 Corvette. Torch Red. 100 Hour Detail.

[swanson]

Love it. Looks great.

[GOLFFRR]

that detail process insane

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

that detail process insane

word!
Why on earth can't there be a place like this in Texas.....here, take my money.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Blksnowflake

word!
Why on earth can't there be a place like this in Texas.....here, take my money.

There are plenty of first class detainees here. Check Autopia.

Hehe, crazy spellcheck. Detailers. Although we do probably have some first class detainees too. Looking at you, El Chapo and Affluenza Bozo.

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

There are plenty of first class detainees here. Check Autopia.

Hehe, crazy spellcheck. Detailers. Although we do probably have some first class detainees too. Looking at you, El Chapo and Affluenza Bozo.

Thanks, will do.
Edit: That's just an auto forum talking about detailing, and checked the local detailers page, nothing grabs my attention.
I've been to Vive in Houston, they're just okay but the attention to detail is not quite there plus they're expensive.
Still looking....

[Lalit@autocouture]

[TSM330i]

Look great!!!

Anyway you could photoshop them gold or bronze? I think they would look even better!

[wisesoul]

Sorry, I don't think 22 inch wheels belong anywhere near a Ferrari. Too big

[HRE_Wheels]

HRE Performance Wheels, over the last 30 years, has been designing, engineering and manufacturing top-tier quality wheels in the automotive industry. That you may already know, but what you may not know or what you may not see is what we do here on a (daily/weekly) basis, and that's our intention with this thread. We want to invite you to take a look at some photos that we have posted up of things that we have going on around the shop! For those who are unable to come and visit us during our open house that we have, this thread is an opportunity to get another view inside HRE Performance Wheels, and to see all the fun things we're working on in the process.

1-Piece wheel in the process of being machined


3-Piece center in the process of being machined (S204 Wheel)


A couple of our 4-axis Toyoda machines putting in some work!


Front row of our hard working machines, which keep pumping thanks to our hard working employees


Some of our mills just behind the front row


Some of our 3-piece forgings in the foreground, and to the right you can see some of the 1-piece forgings


P101 Wheels made for a Ferrari La Ferrari










S204 Centers after getting brushed (not cleaned yet so they appear dirty)








HRE P101 Wheels out from being hand brushed


P40SC's and some P101's look to be ready to ship out soon


Couple sets of R101's for track use!


S101 Centers after machining
One thing you may notice is that the spokes are thicker, this is because they are going onto an SUV, therefore the load rating has to be higher to make sure they can take the abuse


If you have any requests for things you want to see around the shop, just post your request and I'll see what I can do! Thanks for checking us out and subscribe if you want to see updates on more of what goes on at HRE Performance Wheels!

[TXSTYLE]

Setup = PERFECTION! Perfect wheel size!

The 488 is so much nicer than the 458 even though the changes are subtle.

[HRE_Wheels]

Today we go behind the scenes of a photoshoot we recently had with a Mercedes CLK-GTR, one of the most rare and beloved cars ever produced by any manufacturer. A road-going race car, the Mercedes CLK-GTR still looks, sounds and feels like a modern hypercar, with incredible attention to detail that commands respect.

Here's a few shots and videos from our blessed day checking out this incredibly rare beast!

Thanks for taking a look! Soon we'll have our professional photos ready for you to see!

[E92LNGCGY]

What an awesome car. Still looks stunning.

[E92LNGCGY]

Beauty. The wheels go really well with the car.

[Gabe@TAG]

[KingOfJericho]

This is a design that I never thought would look dated but, as much as it pains me to say, it's starting to look a bit "90s". Can't believe I'm typing those words as I lusted after this car for years...

If you had told me this car and the Porsche 959 came out the same year, I would absolutely believe you.

[W///]

This is porn! Thanks so much for sharing.

I have to admit, those Classic 300s with the thicker spokes look very good indeed!