Rupes LHR15E vs Perf Blue Focus ST - Zaino Z2/Swissvax BOS combo!

[RussZS]

Today's project was a very well kept Ford Focus ST in Performance Blue. The car was incredibly tidy and a real credit to my client but it had picked up a few paint defects over the years, mostly swirling with some deeper scratches. The mission was to restore the paint to its original glory within the space of a working day, so it seemed a great opportunity to give the Rupes LHR 15E another go…


A quick before pic:

DSC08208 by RussZS, on Flickr


As always wheels, tyres and arches were up first:


A quick pressure rinse to remove any loose dirt/debris:

DSC08211 by RussZS, on Flickr


Next Smart Wheels was liberally applied to the wheels, calipers and tyres:

DSC08212 by RussZS, on Flickr


Then worked with various brushes:

DSC08213 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08214 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08215 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08216 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08217 by RussZS, on Flickr


Then IronX was used to safely remove any bonded brake dust:

DSC08219 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08223 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08221 by RussZS, on Flickr


After the wheels, G101 was used on the more intricate parts of the car with a Valet Pro Detailing brush:

DSC08225 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08226 by RussZS, on Flickr


The car was then foamed with Bilt Hamber Auto Foam, which was left to dwell for 5 minutes, then rinsed off:

DSC08232 by RussZS, on Flickr


Next the car was hand washed with Auto Finesse's Lather Shampoo and CarPro Mitt:

DSC08233 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08234 by RussZS, on Flickr


After rinsing, the paint was decontaminated with IronX and Auto Finesse Oblitarate:

DSC08235 by RussZS, on Flickr


Then clayed with Auto Finesse Clay and Valet Pro Citrus Bling:

DSC08238 by RussZS, on Flickr


After drying with CG's Wooly Mammoth and Aelous 901 Blower, the car's paint thickness was assessed then I began to trial various combinations on the paintwork via the new Rupes LHR 15E Polisher.


The owner had used Megs SwirlX recently so most of the defects remaining were deeper swirls and scratches, most of the 'normal' swirling you may expect had been removed by SwirlX.


Some correction shots…

DSC08246 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08249 by RussZS, on Flickr


Before:

DSC08257 by RussZS, on Flickr


After:

DSC08264 by RussZS, on Flickr


Before:

DSC08271 by RussZS, on Flickr


After:

DSC08283 by RussZS, on Flickr


(A deeper one remained)


Bonnet before:

DSC08275 by RussZS, on Flickr


After:

DSC08277 by RussZS, on Flickr


and in the Sun…

DSC08286 by RussZS, on Flickr


After the polishing stage, there was a lost of polishing dust present on the car so I decided to rinse it off outside.

DSC08290 by RussZS, on Flickr


Then brought back inside and dried with a blower to ensure the paint remained defect free:

DSC08296 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08298 by RussZS, on Flickr


I finished up with:


- CarPro PERL on the tyres
- Auto Finesse Mercury on the exhausts
- Auto Finesse Mint Rims on the alloys
- Auto Finesse Crystal on the glass


LSP for today was Zaino's Z2, topped with Swissvax Best of Show:

DSC08303 by RussZS, on Flickr


Finally, some afters:

DSC08302 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08304 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08305 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08307 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08308 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08309 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08310 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08312 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08313 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08315 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08317 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC08316 by RussZS, on Flickr


Thanks for reading!


Next week we have an Audi TTS, Mini Cooper-S, Evo5 and a Tuition Detail on a Leon FR.

DSC08314 by RussZS, on Flickr


Russ.

 

[GeorgeH]

Lovely as always. Really nice car and good write up. Just a question, how do you rate the mint rims for durability? Ive been after a wheel sealant for awhile and its between this and poorboys wheel sealant.

 

[RussZS]

Lovely as always. Really nice car and good write up. Just a question, how do you rate the mint rims for durability? Ive been after a wheel sealant for awhile and its between this and poorboys wheel sealant.

Thank you

It's actually one of the best wax based wheel sealants - good for about 5k miles or 3 to 4 months I'd say.

Only the coatings such as GTechniq C5 will be more durable, or something like Finish Kare 1000P, but Mint Rims leaves a lovely wet look gloss to the finish.

 

[lemonnobby]

Russ i love your work.
i just got a rotary and im scared.
ive got mint rims now not used it yet though.