Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

[Jazzmeson]

I recently attempted to detail my RX-8 the other day to remove swirl marks/cobwebs. Unfortunately, I didn't seem to do a very good job and want to start over. I'm currently on a tight budget and can't afford a good DA polisher at the moment. The only tool I have access to is the cheapo Drill Master buffer from Harbor Freight because it was on sale for $29.99 at the store (http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-...r-92623.html); and I know for sure that it's not really the best choice to use this either. I ended up finding out that the buffer I have is a rotary, and I definitely know for sure that rotary buffers aren't for novice detailers as well! So, more reasons to bang my head on the wall. Anyways, here is a list of the products I'm currently using...

• Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
• Meguiar's Ultimate Polish
• Meguiar's Gold Class Liquid Wax
• 8" Blue Polishing Pad
• 8" Black Finishing Pad
• Mother's California Gold Clay Kit

Anyways, here are some photos of the car right now under sunlight and certain angles. I still have swirl marks and cobwebs leftover and as well as some pretty bad holograms as far as I know.















Any help would be appreciated! I just want to get rid of most of the swirls and finish it with no holograms whatsoever! I'm not trying to achieve showroom perfect here, just enough to at least make it look good as almost new. I tried my best as well to buff with even pressure with no more than 2x2 work areas with masking tape; and remove the products when worked to a clean thin transparent wet strip with a good microfiber towel.

P.S. I also should have done a test spot beforehand, but it was too late because I didn't know about it.

[Evan.J]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

Well from what I can see you have some hazing and holograms in the paint from the rotary buffer. Good thing you didn't do any damage or burn the paint from using that with out the proper technique. Now on to correcting what you have done. I know this may sound daunting but you can correct those things but hand application with the things you have. I am assuming you have already clued you vehicle? Next you will want to get a foam applicator or a microfiber applicator and use the UC to remove that holograms and hazing. You will want to work in an area no more than a 2'x2' area at a time. I would suggest a test stop and see your results to see if you are correcting your imperfection. If all goes well with the test spot the proceed to the entire car. Next, you will want to apply your UP same thing as the UC. Finally you will want to apply the wax you have. A thin coat will be needed then another thin coat.

Here is a how to for hand application: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...Swirls-By-Hand

[Jazzmeson]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

Okay, I ditched the usage of the rotary and attempted to do it by hand yesterday. UC did remove some of the swirls and followed it with the UP, but under sunlight I can now see numerous thumbprint like marks... Weird thing is that I tried to avoid buffing with my fingertips and applied pressure more towards the palm area. I'm not sure whether it's the pad or product I'm using that's causing all these marring. Maybe UC is too abrasive, should I move down to ScratchX 2.0 and finish up with UP again? The pad I'm using by the way is a Pep-Boys yellow applicator pad, I couldn't find any Meguiar pads in store so I figured they would do almost the same thing. I just want to remove all these defects and get it over with... It will be a good learning experience for me as well for future detail jobs. I don't want to end up spending hundreds of dollars just to have a professional do it, so I'm willing to take the time to practice and perfect it!

[Evan.J]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

are you able to get a picture of what your talking about? Maybe you used too much pressure when applying the UC and it caused some marring or the pad might be and issue. Try using the UC on a spot where you see the marks and use less pressure than what you did before and see if that helps.

[Jazzmeson]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

I did attempt to take a photo, but it's pretty hard to see as the marks are quite faint, it's definitely visible though in person. I don't mean to steal another thread's photo, but it does look like this, but not as bad. It still puzzles me that I inflicted these marks without buffing with the tips of my fingers, but perhaps I really was putting too much pressure.



If it's the pad, do you have any suggestions on where I can buy certain brands locally?

[Evan.J]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

Were you able to read the thread that the picture came from and see what solution was found for correcting this problem. Pads I have used Autozone MF pads with out any issues before

[Jazzmeson]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

I looked for the source thread of the photo and found it. Turns out that maybe the fingermarks were caused by my start and stop pressure points without me realizing it. I'll go over the car again soon with less pressure and more careful movements and see if that works out, I'll also consider those microfiber pads as well when I have more time. Hopefully this fixes everything and finish with polish as well, I'll post some updates later.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

Ouch.

OK, here's what we're pretty darn sure is going on: Mazdas are known for having fairly delicate paint, and trying to finish out hologram free on a rotary is pretty tricky stuff that requires a high skill level. You're a complete novice, so we don't expect you to have that skill level yet. That's perfectly fine - we all had to start someplace. But moving to hand application resulted in classic pressure point marring of the paint. This is incredibly easy to do on very delicate paint and this article, The Challenge of Delicate Paint , should help to explain a bit of what's going on with your car and your application process.

You're in LA, we're just down the 405 in Irvine, across the freeway from John Wayne Airport. We have an Open Garage Session scheduled for tomorrow night - if you can make it down after 5:00PM tomorrow I'd be happy to help you out with this. You haven't done any permanent damage, even though visually you're going backwards with the finish. We can work on technique, either by hand or with your buffer. In fact, if you can make it down tomorrow evening I'd urge you to bring that buffer so we can use it and help to get you comfortable with it.

[Jazzmeson]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

I really appreciate the help guys, right now I'm refraining from working on the RX-8 until I get a better idea on removing these defects by researching and reading some of the threads on these forums including the one you linked. I really appreciate the invite and I definitely do consider going to one of your open garage classes, but I'm not absolutely sure whether I can make it down there tomorrow at the moment since me and my dad will be busy selling one of our cars; I really do want to attend a class though as soon as the time comes. As for now, I won't be using the rotary until I gain more experience with it. If not tomorrow, but another day, I'll definitely bring my buffer like you suggested so I can learn more about its proper usage. Although, is there anything you can suggest when it comes to buffing by hand? Such as maybe moving down to ScratchX 2.0 or possibly an even milder product? I do know for sure that I should lessen the pressure and avoid harsh start and stop points. I might buy some better applicator pads as well since the current one I'm using could possibly be a bad product. Sorry for all these questions, but I really do appreciate all the help! If I can't make it tomorrow, I'll just continue to read and listen to your suggestions and hopefully be able to readjust to a proper technique by Friday!

[Jazzmeson]

Okay guys, I did a light pass of UC and the hazing/holograms lessened a bit, but the holograms are still there. I figured that UC is far too abrasive to leave a hologram free finish, so I figured I would step down a bit to SwirlX by hand with a yellow appliactor pad with some passion, and that did it! Holograms are gone after multiple passes breaking down the abrasives. I've never seen the hood of my car look so good, UC removed all the existing swirls while SwirlX got rid of all the holograms! My mind is at peace now and I am praying that those holograms weren't just filled, but permanently removed for good. I will apply UP afterwards and a good wax for a near perfect finish. Keeping in mind that Mazda paints tend to be soft (Especially Black Cherry -_-), I knew it would be unnecessary to get ScratchX 2.0.

[Jazzmeson]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

[ethereal45]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

Looks like you cleaned it up nicely!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

Results! We love when that happens!!

[ffboy]

Re: Need some help on a Black Cherry Mica Mazda RX-8.

Nice! The difference is night and day, brought out the color, beauty and a lot more plus the clarity of the paint is brilliant. .. It's amazing what a little perseverance and determination can do, now the challenge is how to keep it looking that way. It's not easy, but it can be done. Now what wax did or will you apply on your car now that it looks brilliant and swirl free?

[Jazzmeson]

Thanks everyone, I'll post more photos later. As for preservation, I plan to switch over from Gold Class to Ultimate Wax and clay the car twice a year. I'll also polish the car with a non abrasive polish maybe every one or two months. For every wash, I'll continue to use Gold Class soap using the two bucket method with a grit guard. The only thing I'm not sure about is on what sponge to use and what kind of towel to dry that won't swirl the paint. The car will be garaged everyday with a car cover as well.