AMMO NYC! Book a class at the BMW Performance Center from now through August 31, 2021, and get a 20% discount on any school excluding M4GT4, Race licensing and Private Coaching with code 21BMWMWS20. Call 888-345-4269 to book your class with my special code. You will have the time of your life.
Larry Kosilla’s AMMO NYC brand is well-known on these pages by now. He will sometimes invite me to shoot rare cars, but this time, I asked for his help with the Performance Center M3. Let’s answer some questions!
How did you meet Larry?
Along with being a photographer, hopefully you can tell that I’m a graphic designer. I watched some videos and loved his genuine enthusiasm. Then, I tried a few products and found them to be superior. So I reached out and sent him a mockup of some design work. He liked the look, and now here we are, many years later.
Where is the AMMO NYC shop?
I’ll never tell. Sorry.
What’s it like to film with him?
Larry puts real time and effort into each episode he films, and like any good production, it’s a long day. But fun! He’ll often direct me or anyone featured in the videos, along with detailing the car. It’s not easy – I imagine what it would be like to film an episode of me shooting cars. Pausing, moving, talking to the camera, then getting back to work. Not easy.
How long does a filming day take?
At least a day for the M3, but longer if it’s a car that’s in really bad shape.
Did Larry like the M3 after driving it?
He might be a Porsche fan, but he couldn’t hide his smile.
What are the steps Larry follows to detail a car like this?
He’s well-versed in it, and he has a checklist that goes something like this:
- Spray the entire car down with water
- Lift it up and take off the wheels
- Clean the wheel wells and undercarriage with soap and scrubbing
- Wash the wheels
- Clean the brakes, and polish the calipers if needed
- Soak the car is soap, then wash
- Towel / air compressor to dry
- Inspect the body for swirl marks and imperfections to repair, then polish
- Coat with REFLEX PRO
- Install wheels and lower
- Clean glass
- Clean and vacuum interior
- Give the body a final wipe with SPIT or REBOOT
- MUD the tires
- Drive it!
Is he really that good?
Yes, he is.
How many cars do I shoot a year? I’m not sure – it’s a lot as this blog shows. Larry’s cars are the cleanest, best-prepared vehicles that I work with. The extra attention to the detail, along with his specific product formulas, really make the car shine.
Was the M3 in bad shape?
Remember that the cars at the Performance Center are no Sunday drivers. They live the life of a dedicated track car, and usually have rubber marks from tires, dirt and swirls in the paint, and water spots from storage outside.
The car was fine with a light polish on its Alpine White paint, but the real challenge was working with the delicate decals on the car. Most of the BMWs at the school are not liveried up like this one was.
What’s next with AMMO NYC?
Beats me, but whatever it is, it’ll be fun! Check out the final video below.
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I use Nikon camera bodies and lenses, a Westcott Ice Light 2, Manfrotto tripod, B + W filters and an iMac Pro to make the art you see here.
Email me at mike@machineswithsouls.com with any questions.
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