Chi asked me to have a go on his new Mazda 3 MPS for the day. The paintwork was generally decent considering how soft it is, but some swirls and tar spots were noticable upon arrival (easy to spot on flat red).
Products used:
Bilt Hamber Autowheel
AF Avalanche & Megs APC
Dodo Born To Be Mild
CarPro Merino wash mitt
Austosmart Tardis
AF Iron Out
Sonus Ultra Fine Clay
3M low-tack masking tape
£m Rotary with3M Yelow and CG White Hexlogic pads
Dodo Juice Lime Prime
DAS6 with 3M Blue pad
Prima Amigo
Zymol Glasur
CarPro Hydr02
303 Aerospace
Various brushes, towells etc
Apologies about the quality of the pics, I was really against the clock on the this one!
First up, wheels.
Sprayed with Bilt Hamber Autowheel and left to dwell
Agitated
And rinsed
Snowfoamed with AF Avalanxhe laced with Megs APC for some extra bite
Trim etc agitated with brushes
Washed using 2 bucket method (and grit guard) with CarPro Merino Wool wash mitt and Dodo BTBTM.
Looking brighter
Next, decontaminate. I abandoned my trusty IX to have a go with AF Iron Out.
Not bad, but I'm not entirely convinced its as good as IX
Followed up by a double hit of Tardis
I wasn't sure if the first hit of Iron out was enough so I gave it anoher go.
Good decision.
Focus failure.
I used Sonus Ultra Fine Detailing Clay on this one knowing the paint would be delicate. It performs well despite its texture. Not a greal deal was picked up on the clay after its chemical bombardment apart from in a couple of the usual problem areas where I had to work just a couple of square inches at a time.
Washed again, and dried with my new I4D Uber Yellow Drying Towel.
And wheeled inside amidst the junk for polishing.
Inspection
Wow! I knew Mazda paint was thin but..
I'd already decided I was going to use Lime Prime on this one, partly because of the nature of the paint and also for speed. I seem to be able to cover larger areas faster with LP than conventional polish.
Moderate swirling. Now, obligatory 50/50s
First test with 3M Yellow via rotary. As the day went on I mostly switched to White Hex via rotary.
The heavier swirlmarks still remained but the light swirling was removed.
Exhaust cleaned up with 00 wool and AF Mercury
The whole car was then glazed with Prima Amigo via DA and 3M Blue pad, and given a coats of Zymol Glasur.
Tyres dressed with MEgs endurance and glass with 3M foam. Bumper plastics dressed with 303 Aerospace.
Only a few afters I'm afraid as it was getting late and didn't have time to go for a photoshoot
Chi wanted to try out his new bottle of Hydr02 so I made up a dilution and demonstrated.
About >10 hours working time. Fubar.
Products used:
Bilt Hamber Autowheel
AF Avalanche & Megs APC
Dodo Born To Be Mild
CarPro Merino wash mitt
Austosmart Tardis
AF Iron Out
Sonus Ultra Fine Clay
3M low-tack masking tape
£m Rotary with3M Yelow and CG White Hexlogic pads
Dodo Juice Lime Prime
DAS6 with 3M Blue pad
Prima Amigo
Zymol Glasur
CarPro Hydr02
303 Aerospace
Various brushes, towells etc
Apologies about the quality of the pics, I was really against the clock on the this one!
First up, wheels.
Sprayed with Bilt Hamber Autowheel and left to dwell
Agitated
And rinsed
Snowfoamed with AF Avalanxhe laced with Megs APC for some extra bite
Trim etc agitated with brushes
Washed using 2 bucket method (and grit guard) with CarPro Merino Wool wash mitt and Dodo BTBTM.
Looking brighter
Next, decontaminate. I abandoned my trusty IX to have a go with AF Iron Out.
Not bad, but I'm not entirely convinced its as good as IX
Followed up by a double hit of Tardis
I wasn't sure if the first hit of Iron out was enough so I gave it anoher go.
Good decision.
Focus failure.
I used Sonus Ultra Fine Detailing Clay on this one knowing the paint would be delicate. It performs well despite its texture. Not a greal deal was picked up on the clay after its chemical bombardment apart from in a couple of the usual problem areas where I had to work just a couple of square inches at a time.
Washed again, and dried with my new I4D Uber Yellow Drying Towel.
And wheeled inside amidst the junk for polishing.
Inspection
Wow! I knew Mazda paint was thin but..
I'd already decided I was going to use Lime Prime on this one, partly because of the nature of the paint and also for speed. I seem to be able to cover larger areas faster with LP than conventional polish.
Moderate swirling. Now, obligatory 50/50s
First test with 3M Yellow via rotary. As the day went on I mostly switched to White Hex via rotary.
The heavier swirlmarks still remained but the light swirling was removed.
Exhaust cleaned up with 00 wool and AF Mercury
The whole car was then glazed with Prima Amigo via DA and 3M Blue pad, and given a coats of Zymol Glasur.
Tyres dressed with MEgs endurance and glass with 3M foam. Bumper plastics dressed with 303 Aerospace.
Only a few afters I'm afraid as it was getting late and didn't have time to go for a photoshoot
Chi wanted to try out his new bottle of Hydr02 so I made up a dilution and demonstrated.
About >10 hours working time. Fubar.
