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Hi all. New guy here. This is a long post - so if I may respectfully suggest: if you're the patient type, go get a drink, sit back and enjoy the read. If you're not the patient type, hit the browser back button and move on.
I've just acquired a 1993 Mazda Miata LE. This is the brilliant black over red leather edition of which 1500 were made, and roughly 400 still exist (so I'm told). This particular car spent most of its life used sparingly, stored winters in central Illinois, then a year in Birmingham, Alabama, and after a 700 mile one stop trip (holy **** was that nuts), she's now with me back up in northern Illinois. Total current original mileage is 35K.
Here's the nice part.....she's brilliant black. But now for the problem.....she's brilliant black. I had her detailed (buffed and waxed) at a good local place here a couple days after purchase, but I'm already starting to see surface scratches where I've beein rubbing my fingers across the paint (c'mon - it's so smooth, I just can't resist). The PO said he had the car clayed prior to my seeing it, but I had it waxed for good measure. Now after only two weeks (I brought her home on April 16th), I'm already fed up and determined to make her look new and keep it that way - but that means DIY care, and that's where I need help.
Mazda was still using single stage paint for the first generation Miata, and I'm told that makes taking care of the car a bit easier. My problem is that it's been years since I've waxed my own car, and am completely un-educated when it comes to polishes, glazes, waxes, etc. What to use, how and when - this is what I need help with. Just to note: I'm not the lazy type. I love doing things myself, but I need some help to start. From what I've so far considered - the car is small enough to where I think I'd be more comfortable with hand work v.s. an orbital (IMO, working by hand would allow one to really "get to know" the car's finish), and would be less deadly to the paint versus putting a machine in my hands.
Just before making this post I found the Meguiars five step process, skimmed it over, and will now go back and read it more thoroughly. But I didn't see that it gave explicit, specifics as to how a beginner can get started. I stepping into the car care/detailing world completely blind, but with a good specimen to take care of. That being said, I'm not in denial, and I'm willing to learn. Can anyone guide me towards a good place to start?
Lou
I've just acquired a 1993 Mazda Miata LE. This is the brilliant black over red leather edition of which 1500 were made, and roughly 400 still exist (so I'm told). This particular car spent most of its life used sparingly, stored winters in central Illinois, then a year in Birmingham, Alabama, and after a 700 mile one stop trip (holy **** was that nuts), she's now with me back up in northern Illinois. Total current original mileage is 35K.
Here's the nice part.....she's brilliant black. But now for the problem.....she's brilliant black. I had her detailed (buffed and waxed) at a good local place here a couple days after purchase, but I'm already starting to see surface scratches where I've beein rubbing my fingers across the paint (c'mon - it's so smooth, I just can't resist). The PO said he had the car clayed prior to my seeing it, but I had it waxed for good measure. Now after only two weeks (I brought her home on April 16th), I'm already fed up and determined to make her look new and keep it that way - but that means DIY care, and that's where I need help.
Mazda was still using single stage paint for the first generation Miata, and I'm told that makes taking care of the car a bit easier. My problem is that it's been years since I've waxed my own car, and am completely un-educated when it comes to polishes, glazes, waxes, etc. What to use, how and when - this is what I need help with. Just to note: I'm not the lazy type. I love doing things myself, but I need some help to start. From what I've so far considered - the car is small enough to where I think I'd be more comfortable with hand work v.s. an orbital (IMO, working by hand would allow one to really "get to know" the car's finish), and would be less deadly to the paint versus putting a machine in my hands.
Just before making this post I found the Meguiars five step process, skimmed it over, and will now go back and read it more thoroughly. But I didn't see that it gave explicit, specifics as to how a beginner can get started. I stepping into the car care/detailing world completely blind, but with a good specimen to take care of. That being said, I'm not in denial, and I'm willing to learn. Can anyone guide me towards a good place to start?
Lou
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