I've been putting off polishing out my paint but seeing your results makes me want to get it done now. The panel by panel idea is a good one, are you cleaning and claying panel by panel too?
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I've been putting off polishing out my paint but seeing your results makes me want to get it done now. The panel by panel idea is a good one, are you cleaning and claying panel by panel too?
Mazda has one layer of paint and one layer of clear coatQuote:
Originally Posted by Jackal
There is essentially fours layers after the metal. Elpo, primer, colour and clear. Elpo is a rust inhibitor and not really a layer of paint. Primers are usually thicker on white and white in colours to prevent a grey look to white.Quote:
Originally Posted by aris
Yes I am cleaning and claying each panel before I polish/compound.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zuluwun
I think some of us are wondering if Mazda is putting enough Elpo on our cars. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansbestwax
Ya. I was wondering who would say something. The elpo stuff gm used was adhered using at electric charge. Positive car body, blnegative solution stuff. Pretty cool. I enjoyed my tours of the paint shop on overtime.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jackal
Rust inhibitor? mine rusted hahahaQuote:
Originally Posted by bryansbestwax
(I was only refereeing to what the body shop told me when they were repairing my rust lol)
I have several areas that had deeper scratches which were still visible after I compounded the clearcoat of the driver side rear door panel.
I bought this 3M remover kit last year but never had the guts to use it until today.
It consists of 3000 grit sandpaper, 2 pads and a scratch remover
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/8...e0feb38311.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8550/8...7244f9797a.jpg
It works using a drill which acts like a rotary.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/8...49d82fd214.jpg
Before: I tried buffing them out but they were still fairly visible.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/8...98a161a351.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/8...a592647471.jpg
After wetsanding: pretty worried after I saw this.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/8...62bd55bc37.jpg
And this.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8134/8...4788bdd682.jpg
After using the two pads and applying sealant. Pretty much corrected.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/8...941214cf77.jpg
The other areas.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8...26c63a1d6d.jpg
So I think I am getting better at this so I just went ahead and polished the 4 panels on the passenger side. I didn't take a break so it was pretty fast. First washed, clayed, ONR wash and dry, Ultimate Compound (yes I went back to UC and just made fewer passes. It's faster.) then Wolfgang sealant.
No before pics. But here's an after pic.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8...b3816d6021.jpg
All I have to do is the rear trunk and the roof. It's quite a process.
Looks like it's definitely worth it! Probably looks better than when you first picked her up at the dealership lol
Most areas are probably better than when I picked it up. Yes, it's worth doing or getting done when you have swirls or little scratches. I'm happy with the results.Quote:
Originally Posted by r4mi5awi
Looks great! Id be afraid to try some of that
When do you want to do mine :p
Finished the polishing of the trunk and the roof then added a sealant.
Done!
Here are some after pics of the roof and trunk. Shiny!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3776/8...57908981f2.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/8...d4ea51ccc3.jpg
Thanks for looking!
Lookin good. Gonna give this a try next time I have a weekend to waste. Most likely by hand. Hopefully results will be satisfactory enough without a DA polisher.
I really wish I have a garage to work on the car whenever I see this kind of work...
Nice work jackal.... You should slap on some opti-coat now
the results look awesome! wanna do my car now? lol
That 3M repair kit works really well but scary to use. The results are great though. I'd show you how but it's pretty easy. Try it yourself. Haha.Quote:
Originally Posted by omalak
I think the results won't be that great by hand unless you do a small section for scratch repair. It will take too long by hand imho.Quote:
Originally Posted by r4mi5awi
My garage is small but I can do all the polishing etc there. My detailing supplies, 2 sets of winter tires, tools and a bicycle among others things are kept there. I think the most you could do in an underground parking lot would be to give it a waterless wash.Quote:
Originally Posted by DDUKI
I need to buy some first. Maybe another time. I know it's great but I still have a lot of sealant and wax left.Quote:
Originally Posted by aris
Thanks. I think I did a good job improving the paint. No I don't. Lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by rajin929
You made it look so easy!!! hahahha... Looks great, nice job!
jeeebus, the roof and trunk look awesome. nice work man.