My 2012 Kona, in all its GLORY
My 2012 Kona, in all its GLORY
Well folks, some of you folks know that I've been waiting patiently (ok maybe not as patiently
) for my new ride to arrive. I'd like you all to know that she arrived safe and sound yesterday (thanks Deysha!), 11/15/11, at 2pm CT, at my local dealership. The minute she got off loaded from the truck, I was THERE. All factory stickers and tape and plastic wrap and all. I instructed the dealer and my trusted sales manager to have NO ONE TOUCH IT until I get there. This was my first brand new ordered car (usually I get off the lot)... so I had plans to make this go PERFECT 
She had 6.8 miles on the ODO off the truck, then had 9.6 miles when delivered to me (after dealer inspection). All was in great working order. I'm a detailer by heart and trade, so I know a thing or two about detailing (used to run my own detailing business)... so all the previous times I bought a new car, it was off the lot, so swirls/scratches from dealer techs/wash people, etc were all evident and I had to buff it out EVERY single time.
This time, despite the dirt from being on the delivery truck, etc... I told them NOT TO TOUCH THE PAINT AT ALL!!! I could see from the sun yesterday, despite the dirt, the paint was PERFECT. No swirls, no scratches no NOTHING. Virgin paint, so to speak. Dealer goes, "So you want us to detail it right?". I responded with a loud, "NO... not at all". "So you want us to deliver it to you dirty?". "YES PLEASE". You should have seen the look on their faces... haha...
So anyways, I drove it home, and enjoyed every single bit of it. I put my new car seat in the rear, and surprised my son at day care picking him up. I could have NEVER have done that in 370Z. This was the biggest selling feature for me
So thank you again to everyone on this forum, for tips and tricks, and advice, etc... .you helped make my waiting bearable. I am ready for modding... as I have my GT500 mufflers and MGW shifter ready to install. Hopefully next week. Tint and 3M clear bra coming too.
Lastly, here are the PICS!!!!!!
Sitting at Dealer, yesterday, wrapped up, dirty, but SWIRL FREE!






9.6 Miles on the odometer upon delivery to me!!! I take pics like this on every new car I get

Finally got her home! Dirty, but unscathed

So last night, since I had a prior engagement, I only had time to work on the car starting at 9 pm. So there I was, 40 degree weather and all, gave her a wash with grit guards and double buckets around 10 pm... dried her with some detail spray, inspected her under my halogen tower lights, found NO swirls, as expected... so I proceeded to wax her with Souveran... no sealant yet, until I do a quick clay, Menzerna PO85RD, then sealed with either Blackfire or Chem guys 50/50. This will help the paint breathe too, at least for a few weeks.
And here are the pics from last night inside the garage, at 1 a.m. in the morning.
Kona blue in ALL its glory. Best paint color, IMO. Bar none.





Then this morning, as sun was up, got some Glamour shots in my driveway. Too cold for a time elapse photo or HDR, will do those at a later point... maybe spring. But anyways, here's the last of the pics. Enjoy!!!






) for my new ride to arrive. I'd like you all to know that she arrived safe and sound yesterday (thanks Deysha!), 11/15/11, at 2pm CT, at my local dealership. The minute she got off loaded from the truck, I was THERE. All factory stickers and tape and plastic wrap and all. I instructed the dealer and my trusted sales manager to have NO ONE TOUCH IT until I get there. This was my first brand new ordered car (usually I get off the lot)... so I had plans to make this go PERFECT 
She had 6.8 miles on the ODO off the truck, then had 9.6 miles when delivered to me (after dealer inspection). All was in great working order. I'm a detailer by heart and trade, so I know a thing or two about detailing (used to run my own detailing business)... so all the previous times I bought a new car, it was off the lot, so swirls/scratches from dealer techs/wash people, etc were all evident and I had to buff it out EVERY single time.
This time, despite the dirt from being on the delivery truck, etc... I told them NOT TO TOUCH THE PAINT AT ALL!!! I could see from the sun yesterday, despite the dirt, the paint was PERFECT. No swirls, no scratches no NOTHING. Virgin paint, so to speak. Dealer goes, "So you want us to detail it right?". I responded with a loud, "NO... not at all". "So you want us to deliver it to you dirty?". "YES PLEASE". You should have seen the look on their faces... haha...
So anyways, I drove it home, and enjoyed every single bit of it. I put my new car seat in the rear, and surprised my son at day care picking him up. I could have NEVER have done that in 370Z. This was the biggest selling feature for me

So thank you again to everyone on this forum, for tips and tricks, and advice, etc... .you helped make my waiting bearable. I am ready for modding... as I have my GT500 mufflers and MGW shifter ready to install. Hopefully next week. Tint and 3M clear bra coming too.
Lastly, here are the PICS!!!!!!
Sitting at Dealer, yesterday, wrapped up, dirty, but SWIRL FREE!






9.6 Miles on the odometer upon delivery to me!!! I take pics like this on every new car I get


Finally got her home! Dirty, but unscathed


So last night, since I had a prior engagement, I only had time to work on the car starting at 9 pm. So there I was, 40 degree weather and all, gave her a wash with grit guards and double buckets around 10 pm... dried her with some detail spray, inspected her under my halogen tower lights, found NO swirls, as expected... so I proceeded to wax her with Souveran... no sealant yet, until I do a quick clay, Menzerna PO85RD, then sealed with either Blackfire or Chem guys 50/50. This will help the paint breathe too, at least for a few weeks.
And here are the pics from last night inside the garage, at 1 a.m. in the morning.
Kona blue in ALL its glory. Best paint color, IMO. Bar none.




Then this morning, as sun was up, got some Glamour shots in my driveway. Too cold for a time elapse photo or HDR, will do those at a later point... maybe spring. But anyways, here's the last of the pics. Enjoy!!!






Originally Posted by MyStang2010GB
Looking good!!
Originally Posted by dmhines
Congrats!! I saw you got it delivered yesterday. What date did you get your VIN?
Originally Posted by paesce
congrats on that gorgeous car man! looks a lot like mine from the outside, love it! 
p will enjoy very single minute behind the wheel, I can assure you.

p will enjoy very single minute behind the wheel, I can assure you.
Absolutely beautiful!!!! Someday, I too will be the proud owner of a Kona 5.0! Wife talked me into a utility Jeep Unlimited, and although it has its merits, I should have stuck to my guns. She has now said that she will sell her Volvo, take the Jeep, and allow me my Stang! So, soon I hope!
On another note, the products that you used to clean your vehicle, I presume you should have some familarity with as a detailer would, and not some novice correct? And, if I choose the same method you did, relative to not having them clean the exterior of the car, would ALL detailers know of the products you mention, and their proper use? Again, congrats on your new family member, treat her with respect, and lot's of love!
peACE
altstadtkid (robbi from Wiesbaden, Germany)
On another note, the products that you used to clean your vehicle, I presume you should have some familarity with as a detailer would, and not some novice correct? And, if I choose the same method you did, relative to not having them clean the exterior of the car, would ALL detailers know of the products you mention, and their proper use? Again, congrats on your new family member, treat her with respect, and lot's of love!
peACE

altstadtkid (robbi from Wiesbaden, Germany)
Originally Posted by Hytek
It's about dang time lol! Nice car man and congrats on picking the best color! Enjoy that ride!
Couldn't agree more about the color! My 2011 V6's Kona Blue adds a beautiful contrast to my wife's Ultra Yellow 2005 350Z, side by side in our garage. When the lighting is just right, the color almost looks black-on-blue. Good choice and good luck!
Originally Posted by Cameron G.
That's beautiful!
Originally Posted by crescent_wrench
Great color for sure. Congrats. Love those Brembos.
Originally Posted by trustknowjuan
Couldn't agree more about the color! My 2011 V6's Kona Blue adds a beautiful contrast to my wife's Ultra Yellow 2005 350Z, side by side in our garage. When the lighting is just right, the color almost looks black-on-blue. Good choice and good luck!
Originally Posted by 5 DOT 0
It looks fantastic, congratulations. What mods do you have planned? Some Steeda sport springs perhaps?
Updated with some new shots... absolutely LOVE this paint color.










And this is one of my faves.... Shows Kona Blue paint at its best.
[/QUOTE]










And this is one of my faves.... Shows Kona Blue paint at its best.
[/QUOTE]
Last edited by FromZto5; Dec 18, 2011 at 09:42 PM.
Kona Blue is my absolute favorite color!! They didnt have any at the dealership when i went shopping and i didnt want to wait so i settled for white
Love your car man, cant wait to see what mods you slap on 'er
Love your car man, cant wait to see what mods you slap on 'er
Thank you! I never thought of them as ferrari wheels... lol
I have "some" mods on her, i.e. gt500 ab's and mgw shifter. I am planning on FRPP springs/tuner next.
I have "some" mods on her, i.e. gt500 ab's and mgw shifter. I am planning on FRPP springs/tuner next.
I installed GT500 mufflers this weekend and they are a nice improvement without being too loud. I have 7/8" discs in my side pipes.
The SVT wheels also look really nice on KB:

Ferrari F430 Scuderia wheels:
The SVT wheels also look really nice on KB:

Ferrari F430 Scuderia wheels:
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