Bella Firma (bèlla fēr-ma)- ITAL. Beautiful Signature
1) A signature of intense beauty
2)To work with such resolve that the end result is an
object of pride
3)The pinnacle of signature look of Bella Macchina; thee
pinnacle of perfection.
1) A signature of intense beauty
2)To work with such resolve that the end result is an
object of pride
3)The pinnacle of signature look of Bella Macchina; thee
pinnacle of perfection.
La Bella Firma is loosely translated from Italian to mean 'The Beautiful Signature'. It is the detail service that Todd Helme proudly hangs his name to and
stakes his reputation by. It is the most exclusive and complete detail in the world, generally requiring 5 to 7 days and between 50 to 100 hours of intensely
dedicated labor. Vehicles prepared by Bella Macchina to this standard have won awards on the lawns of Amelia Island, at the Cavallino Classic in West
Palm Beach, and The Pebble Beach Contours' de Elegance in Monterrey, California amongst numerous other famous car shows and events.
La Bella Firma is for the most discriminating owner who views their automobile and its appearance as art and who are fanatical about its preservation.
stakes his reputation by. It is the most exclusive and complete detail in the world, generally requiring 5 to 7 days and between 50 to 100 hours of intensely
dedicated labor. Vehicles prepared by Bella Macchina to this standard have won awards on the lawns of Amelia Island, at the Cavallino Classic in West
Palm Beach, and The Pebble Beach Contours' de Elegance in Monterrey, California amongst numerous other famous car shows and events.
La Bella Firma is for the most discriminating owner who views their automobile and its appearance as art and who are fanatical about its preservation.
| La Bella Firma Overview |
Day One- Cleaning, Inspection, Detoxification, and Disassembly: The world's most exclusive detail starts with the simplest step carried out to perfect
standards. First the automobile is washed using the purest water and a gentle, pH neutral soap. The paint is then deep cleaned and all harmful
environmental impurities are removed from the pores with a three stage decontamination wash. The paint is then carefully polished smooth with a resin
polybutene clay. Over sixty gallons of ultra clean de-ionized water is used in the first day as great care is utilized to keep the bare paint from becoming
recontaminated.
After being carefully dried with filtered air and the softest natural Egyptian towels, the paint and exterior surfaces are carefully inspected using three types
of unique light and a 100x's magnifying lens. The thickness of the paint is carefully measured and all damage is noted and marked for later perfecting. The
wheels, including the spare tire (if applicable) are removed and cleaned with a pH neutral gel and natural citrus rinse. The under carriage, suspension
components, and chassis is depurated with a natural citrus de-greasing wash. Each surface of the chassis is conditioned and detailed with appropriate
solutions and protectants. The wheels, barrels, and spokes are hand polished with the correct compounds and rouges then sealed inside and out until the
depth of the finish is equal to perfectly polished paint.
The interior is cleaned using neutral solutions and de-ionized mist. Carpeting and seats are removed when possible. Vinyl and plastic are gently cleaned.
The leather is hand rubbed with a Leatherique collegian oil which floats toxins and harmful body oils from the thickness of the hide and restores the original
tanned smell. The hide is fed this oil for several days until original suppleness has returned and all creases and folds have relaxed. All grease and filth is
removed from the engine and engine bay with great care to preserve original markings and decals.
Any trim or bright work that needs to be refinished separate from the automobile is cataloged and removed from the exterior, engine bay, and/or interior.
The outside of the vehicle is carefully masked and taped for full paint correction.
Day Two- Paint Correction: The second day is devoted solely to the removal of defects from the paint. Deeper scratches and penetrations in to the
paint's surface are wet sanded, with care taken to preserve the texture of the paint's surface. Runs and blend marks are carefully sanded to restore the
factory texture. After precisely removing all blemishes and deeper damage to the paint, all macroscopic marring is removed with particularly selected
compounds and rouges until the finish is damage free. This builds the foundation for the perfect shine to be artfully jeweled into the delicate paint. This
process can take several days to complete. Only after passing the most fastidious inspection will the next phase begin.
Day Three- Paint Perfection and Jeweling: Once the paint's foundation is perfect it is highly polished using Todd Helme's jewelling process. Select
micro fine polishes and finishing rouges are expertly applied to the surface extracting maximum gloss and reflectivity from the paint. Todd's reputation to
elicit maximum shine from paint is legendary and no where is he more allowed to show his full artistic ability and passion. As the paint is microscopically
milled truer and truer it will begin to take on a look rarely seen outside of the most coveted collector's garages and concours events. It is a gloss, depth,
and shine that Todd puts his companies signature to: La Bella Firma.
Metal and bright work is refinished and hand polished to a perfect luster. The glass is finely polished with a dedicated 'jeweler's' rouge to smooth out minor
scratching and scuffing from wear. Exterior lenses and plastic are polished and restored to a brilliant gloss. Once the paint is to the highest standard,
Todd's, the automobile is carefully washed with de-ionized water to remove any errant dust from the correction and enhancement process.
Day Four- Beauty is in the Perfect Details: Day four or the fourth phase of La Bella Macchina begins the end of the long journey to perfection. The now
perfect paint work is layered in multiple coats of polymer sealants to increase the protective coating and increase the thickness of gloss. Refinished trim
and bright work is reinstalled.
The trunk and storage space are meticulously detailed. Factory luggage and tool kits are removed. The leather is cleansed of conditioning oils and the
tools (if applicable) are hand polished and waxed. All trim is cleaned, conditioned, and dressed.
The engine is detailed to concours level by carefully hand polishing all nuts, bolts, screws, and bright work. Spark plug and electronic wires are de-greased
and dressed. Aluminum, steel, and chrome as machine finished and highly polished. Plastic, rubber, and trim is carefully cleansed, conditioned, and
dressed with silicone free preservatives to restore the natural color and sheen. All paint work in the engine bay, trunk, and door jambs is resurfaced,
polished, sealed and waxed.
After several days of being fed with rejuvenating oils, the leather hide is cleaned with a pH neutral cleanser. All interior metal trim including ashtrays, shift
gates, door strikers, bezels, etc is carefully hand polishes and waxed. Composite and carbon fiber is polished with specific cleaners and sealed the same
as the exterior paint. Rubber and vinyl is carefully cleaned and conditioned. The interior and exterior glass is cleaned streak free and sealed to prevent sun
exposure to the interior.
Day Five- La Bella Finale: The last day is dedicated to the final details. The entire automobile is white gloved and q-tipped to appeal to most critical
judges eyes. The paint, sealed with trade-secret synthetic polymers the previous day, receives several coats of carefully selected Carnauba wax to create
a three dimensional shine and increase the wetness or 'jetting effect' of the paint. The final day is often the most enjoyable as the newly polished and
perfected automobile is completed and lovingly finished to the highest standard in the world. The journey that began several days prior reaches its final
destination: La Bella Firma, Bella Macchina's signature standard of concours excellence, and excellence is art.
standards. First the automobile is washed using the purest water and a gentle, pH neutral soap. The paint is then deep cleaned and all harmful
environmental impurities are removed from the pores with a three stage decontamination wash. The paint is then carefully polished smooth with a resin
polybutene clay. Over sixty gallons of ultra clean de-ionized water is used in the first day as great care is utilized to keep the bare paint from becoming
recontaminated.
After being carefully dried with filtered air and the softest natural Egyptian towels, the paint and exterior surfaces are carefully inspected using three types
of unique light and a 100x's magnifying lens. The thickness of the paint is carefully measured and all damage is noted and marked for later perfecting. The
wheels, including the spare tire (if applicable) are removed and cleaned with a pH neutral gel and natural citrus rinse. The under carriage, suspension
components, and chassis is depurated with a natural citrus de-greasing wash. Each surface of the chassis is conditioned and detailed with appropriate
solutions and protectants. The wheels, barrels, and spokes are hand polished with the correct compounds and rouges then sealed inside and out until the
depth of the finish is equal to perfectly polished paint.
The interior is cleaned using neutral solutions and de-ionized mist. Carpeting and seats are removed when possible. Vinyl and plastic are gently cleaned.
The leather is hand rubbed with a Leatherique collegian oil which floats toxins and harmful body oils from the thickness of the hide and restores the original
tanned smell. The hide is fed this oil for several days until original suppleness has returned and all creases and folds have relaxed. All grease and filth is
removed from the engine and engine bay with great care to preserve original markings and decals.
Any trim or bright work that needs to be refinished separate from the automobile is cataloged and removed from the exterior, engine bay, and/or interior.
The outside of the vehicle is carefully masked and taped for full paint correction.
Day Two- Paint Correction: The second day is devoted solely to the removal of defects from the paint. Deeper scratches and penetrations in to the
paint's surface are wet sanded, with care taken to preserve the texture of the paint's surface. Runs and blend marks are carefully sanded to restore the
factory texture. After precisely removing all blemishes and deeper damage to the paint, all macroscopic marring is removed with particularly selected
compounds and rouges until the finish is damage free. This builds the foundation for the perfect shine to be artfully jeweled into the delicate paint. This
process can take several days to complete. Only after passing the most fastidious inspection will the next phase begin.
Day Three- Paint Perfection and Jeweling: Once the paint's foundation is perfect it is highly polished using Todd Helme's jewelling process. Select
micro fine polishes and finishing rouges are expertly applied to the surface extracting maximum gloss and reflectivity from the paint. Todd's reputation to
elicit maximum shine from paint is legendary and no where is he more allowed to show his full artistic ability and passion. As the paint is microscopically
milled truer and truer it will begin to take on a look rarely seen outside of the most coveted collector's garages and concours events. It is a gloss, depth,
and shine that Todd puts his companies signature to: La Bella Firma.
Metal and bright work is refinished and hand polished to a perfect luster. The glass is finely polished with a dedicated 'jeweler's' rouge to smooth out minor
scratching and scuffing from wear. Exterior lenses and plastic are polished and restored to a brilliant gloss. Once the paint is to the highest standard,
Todd's, the automobile is carefully washed with de-ionized water to remove any errant dust from the correction and enhancement process.
Day Four- Beauty is in the Perfect Details: Day four or the fourth phase of La Bella Macchina begins the end of the long journey to perfection. The now
perfect paint work is layered in multiple coats of polymer sealants to increase the protective coating and increase the thickness of gloss. Refinished trim
and bright work is reinstalled.
The trunk and storage space are meticulously detailed. Factory luggage and tool kits are removed. The leather is cleansed of conditioning oils and the
tools (if applicable) are hand polished and waxed. All trim is cleaned, conditioned, and dressed.
The engine is detailed to concours level by carefully hand polishing all nuts, bolts, screws, and bright work. Spark plug and electronic wires are de-greased
and dressed. Aluminum, steel, and chrome as machine finished and highly polished. Plastic, rubber, and trim is carefully cleansed, conditioned, and
dressed with silicone free preservatives to restore the natural color and sheen. All paint work in the engine bay, trunk, and door jambs is resurfaced,
polished, sealed and waxed.
After several days of being fed with rejuvenating oils, the leather hide is cleaned with a pH neutral cleanser. All interior metal trim including ashtrays, shift
gates, door strikers, bezels, etc is carefully hand polishes and waxed. Composite and carbon fiber is polished with specific cleaners and sealed the same
as the exterior paint. Rubber and vinyl is carefully cleaned and conditioned. The interior and exterior glass is cleaned streak free and sealed to prevent sun
exposure to the interior.
Day Five- La Bella Finale: The last day is dedicated to the final details. The entire automobile is white gloved and q-tipped to appeal to most critical
judges eyes. The paint, sealed with trade-secret synthetic polymers the previous day, receives several coats of carefully selected Carnauba wax to create
a three dimensional shine and increase the wetness or 'jetting effect' of the paint. The final day is often the most enjoyable as the newly polished and
perfected automobile is completed and lovingly finished to the highest standard in the world. The journey that began several days prior reaches its final
destination: La Bella Firma, Bella Macchina's signature standard of concours excellence, and excellence is art.
The La Bella Firma standard is available world wide. All treatments and applications is billed at a rate of $80.00 US per man hour. |
| Select HERE to view a 74 photograph pictorial detailing La Bella Firma by Bella Macchina's unique and exacting processes |
| HALL OF FAME Photographs of La Bella Firma recipients and concours winners |
| More Vehicles comming soon!!! Site under construction!!! |
| All photographs and pictures on this site have been taken by Todd Helme on vehicles his company has worked on and are property of Todd Helme's Bella Macchina: The Art of Detailing and copyrighted as such. These pictures represent the quality of Bella Macchina's work and the quality of the automobiles Todd has cared for. Any unauthorized or misrepresented use is prohibited. |
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