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?
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?
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
It works using a drill which acts like a rotary.
Before: I tried buffing them out but they were still fairly visible.
After wetsanding: pretty worried after I saw this.
And this.
After using the two pads and applying sealant. Pretty much corrected.
The other areas.
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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.
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
Looks great! Id be afraid to try some of that
When do you want to do mine :p
2008.5 Mazda3 Black Mica GS Sedan- Injen RD6061 CAI - Koni Yellows - Eibach Prokits - SPC Rear Camber Kit - Tenzo Type M 18x8 Powdercoated Bronze - Yokohama S.Drives 225/40/18 - Rolled Fenders - Rear Flares - Gforce Strut Bar - Prolumen 6000K - 3000k HID Fogs - Speedline Wide Angle Blue/LED Side Mirrors - LED Interior - Eyelids - LED 3rd Brake Light/Sidemarkers - LED Reflectors -LED Footwell/Trunk/Cup Holder Lighting - Solar Guard 28% Tints All Round - VG Sharkfin - Borla Catback - 07+ GS Lip - Eyelids - Sideskirt Extensions - Aluminium Pedals - Sickspeed Horns - Kenwood - Alpine - SPL -
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!
Thanks for looking!
Last edited by Jackal; 05-23-2013 at 12:13 AM.
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
2007 Mazda 3 GS sedan - Arctic White / Tan cloth - SOLD
2018 Tesla Model S 75D - Multi Coat Red
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thanks. I think I did a good job improving the paint. No I don't. Lol.
You made it look so easy!!! hahahha... Looks great, nice job!
jeeebus, the roof and trunk look awesome. nice work man.