Nissan GT-R: Kamikaze Collection Miyabi & Zipang

Succeeding the iconic Nissan Skyline GT-R with a car impressive enough to satisfy the Gran Turismo generation who adored it so much would be no easy task for Nissan. So in 2005 when they unveiled their second prototype at the Tokyo Motor Show, there was enormous anticipation for something rather special.

The legacy of the early generation GT-R had been continued with certain styling features on the new Nissan, including those unmistakable double circular rear lights planted on the rear. Such was the desire for Nissan to satisfy the aforementioned client base, they even drafted in the makers of the PlayStation Gran Turismo series Polyphony Digital to design the multi-function dash display.

When it came to the performance of the GT-R, and let’s face it, this is what the majority of people were most interested in here, Nissan had moved the goalposts. The 3.5 litre V6 engine boasted a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph. The GT-R was a super car beating brute and all of this would cost perspective buyers just under £60,000 for the pleasure – serious value for money when compared with cars of the same era offering performance in the same ballpark. After all the excitement following the release details in Tokyo, it wasn’t until the late 2000s that the new GT-R would be available to buy in the UK.

The subject of this detailing article was a 2008 R35 example and the new owner was understandably excited about his latest purchase. More observant readers may have already noticed that the Nissan was not wearing its original colours, as prior to arriving to us the GT-R had been freshly wrapped in a chrome-blue finish.

Taking the presence of the wrap into consideration this meant the detailing processes involved would be a little different to that of the standard. To a certain extent, the wrap is somewhat more delicate than paintwork, so we would not be using a clay bar in the wash process and likewise, there would be no machine polishing undertaken this time around either – emphasis would strictly be on thorough cleaning and refinement by hand.

Degreasing and iron fallout treatment

The ‘fire-spitting’ GT-R is positioned outside the UF Studio in the pre-clean and wash area – there is heavy contamination evident, not just because the roads have been hammered by recent storms in the UK, but also because the GT-R had covered a fair few miles post having its wrap.

We begin the pre-wash with the initial application of Bilt Hamber’s non-toxic water-based cleaner, Surfex HD Degreaser. Once the lower region of the car is covered appropriately, it can be washed away with the pressure washer.

This initial loosening of contaminants using the degreaser is followed with iron-contamination removal using Nanolex Wheel Cleaner and Iron Remover.

The high performance solution is a powerful fast acting product, but not so aggressive that any damage can be inflicted on the 20 inch alloys. We allow the product to dwell for 2-3 minutes, assuring it doesn’t dry, and then thoroughly rinse off. This gives the product enough time to attack the iron particles that have swollen and adhered to the lacquer.

The Advantages Of Using Snow Foam

With the GT-R rinsed off it was now ready for snow foam. If you’re not familiar with snow foam, it would be easy to confuse it for being part of the main wash process because of its thick shampoo like appearance, but where it actually makes an appearance it is as part of the pre-wash process.

With the earlier products used having eaten away at contaminants as best as they could, there will always still be bigger particles of dirt that remain which a snow foam can better target and shift. There is also the added advantage of a snow foam having the ability to seep into all kinds of tighter sections of bodywork to work its magic.

With snow foam now commonplace in most car care enthusiast or professional detailer’s locker, various renditions have become available on the market to choose from. On this occasion, our pro-detailer uses Ultimate Snow Foam and like all snow foams, the solution needs to be added to a foam gun or foam lance for application via a pressure washer.

The thickness of the foam dispensed can be determined based on the ratio of product to water and water pressure. The GT-R is treated to a 50/50 ratio, resulting in a glistening blanket over the top of the blue chrome wrap.

It is very common for paintwork damage to occur during the wash process, so thoroughly pre-washing with non-contact methods beforehand minimises the chance of inflicting any lasting damage and given that the Nissan is wrapped, a more delicate approach is the order of the day. After allowing the foam to dwell for a few minutes, it can then be rinsed away (including all of the now dislodged contaminants) safely helping prevent the infliction of swirls and scratches.

Ultimate Finish will always put huge emphasis on how important it is to maintain a pre-wash routine like we have on this GT-R. The risk of diving straight into a wash stage with alternative methods and products such as a brush or sponge is that you may well move particles of debris without completely dissolving them. When this happens you will then become exposed to the potential risk of dragging those larger particles of dirt around on the surface later down the line and in turn, cause lasting damage to paintwork.

Using the trusted Two Bucket Method, a Gtechniq Microfibre Wash Mitt and UF Pure Shampoo, the GT-R is meticulously washed, then dried off using a BigBoi BlowR Pro Touchless Dryer.

Kamikaze Water Spot Remover

With the GT-R now fully washed and dried, an inspection of the bodywork was undertaken to ensure there were no remaining contaminants or marring. The chrome blue wrap was already beginning to look incredibly shiny and reflective, but there were some cases of water spotting present, so these would need to be treated prior to sealants being applied.

Paramount in the removal process, of what can often be rather stubborn water spots, is to do so safely. Our pro-detailer would be using Kamikaze Collection’s Water Spot Remover – an Anti-Ageing Water Spot Remover which has been specially formulated without the use of heavy cleaners or surfactants. Importantly, the product can be applied safe in the knowledge that there would be no compromise to the wrap on the Nissan.

The solution is applied to a soft dry UF Microfibre Buffing Fleece, then applied to areas where spotting is in place, before folding the microfibre and buffing away using the fresh side. Water spot deposits are gently broken down with the avoidance of rubbing at the marks and increasing the likelihood of causing any harm. The elements are dissolved enabling them to be wiped harmlessly away.

Protecting With Miyabi & Zipang

The GT-R was now cleaned to a level where our pro-detailer was happy and the protection phase could now begin. The desire to protect a vehicle from the elements, swirls marks and light scratches is now right at the forefront for enthusiasts and using a glass-like protective layer of coating such as the offering from Kamikaze has become one of the most popular options.

We would be using a Pro+ Dual layer coating of Kamikaze Collection’s Miyabi and Zipang. The hydrophobic properties of both layers being laid down significantly increase, whilst they’ll also offer additional protection and enhance the shine even further. Once both layers are in place, the fresh appearance of paintwork will have much extended longevity.

Key to gaining the best performance from Kamikaze products is the very specific application techniques. A few drops of Miyabi are applied to a cotton applicator pad, then using a horizontal motion, each panel is covered. The same action is then repeated again, this time using vertical motion – an even, uniformed coverage is now completed and left to cure for 15 minutes before being buffed away.

There are a few layering options to choose from when using Zipang, on this occasion one additional coat would be added over the top of the now base coat, Miyabi. Zipang Coat is a service only product and can only be obtained by professionally trained and accredited dealers. Similar to Miyabi, Zipang is applied slowly using a straight line process. This results in a thick, even coat which is key in ensuring the curing also remains as even as possible. The Zipang Coat cures for 3-5 minutes before being buffed away in circular motions to leave a smear-free finish.

And Finally, It’s A Wrap!

The 20 inch Michelin Pilot Sport rims are coated in Gtechniq T2 Tyre Dressing – application is simple as it is a 1-step process using an applicator pad, spreading a single coat evenly on the tyre wall. As always with T2, depending on the level of gloss you want to be left on the tyre, you can always apply a second coat for that little bit extra. With the tyres coated, the GT-R’s detailing service was complete.

Given the reflective qualities of the chrome blue finish were exceptionally high even before it was cleaned and coated, the results after the completion of service were truly eye catching. We handed back the keys to a very happy owner and quite fittingly the Japanese legend was now wearing a legendary Japanese coating on top of that striking blue wrap.