1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

[woblynne]

Hi guys, this is my first attempt at a detail with a DA so please go easy on me!! . My previous weopons of choice were the DC 1,2,3 products. I do have a couple of questions but I'll leave them to the end.

This is my 1968 MG Midget with its 1275 engine, go on have a laugh its only 80 ci .

I've owned her approx 4 years and have covered approx 5000 miles so far.

So here goes!!

I only had time to run 83 over the car before I lost light, I'm also waiting on some NXT Tech wax to be delivered as I'm running on empty with my DC3 so all pics are without wax. (you'll have to wait for part 2 for interior/engine bay and final paint shots)

Paint is single stage Tartan Red, resprayed approx 8 years age (before I aquired the car)



Car Wash

Used Soft Wash with a lambswool mit

I dont have any before pics as car was only dusty after being left in the garage waiting for some decent weather and the show season to start.

Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner took off the minor amount of brake dust


After Washing/Drying



There are quite a few swrils in the paint (more than I remember!)









Car was clayed using the Smooth surface clay kit. It really didnt need this as it picked up next to nothing off the paint, but it has been a year and I wanted to give the DA the best chance at a great shine!

Used DA with 80 but it didnt really make a difference so tried 83. This needed 2-3 passes.

This is my best 50/50



Chrome work was coated with NXT All Metal Polish








Heres some reflections!

























If you've made it this far then I didnt post too many pics and I thank you for your patience

And now the questions

Would I benefit from doing a pass with 80 before waxing or just a coat of DC2 or 7 (there are still some swirls in the paint but 83 took care of most of them)?

Will I cause any harm by using QD before I wax to get rid of any contaminants on the paint (if the car is driven between now and then i will do a full wash)

I was hoping to get my car swirl free, is this a possibility with the DA, I'm a bit of a perfectionist (aren't we all!!) so there is room for improvement but I'm still well happy with the results over using the DC products by hand.

Any feedback will be appreciated

Mark

[Michael Stoops]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

This is my 1968 MG Midget with its 1275 engine, go on have a laugh its only 80 ci .

First off, Mark, anyone who laughs at this car simply doesn't understand how wonderful that little car is! And by the way, yours is one of the finer examples I've seen.

And what you've done with it on your first D/A attempt is just fantastic. The paint looks very wet and glossy, the chrome just gleams. You've eradicated almost 100% of the swirls on your first attempt - that's just awesome. Practice makes perfect, so don't worry about being perfect on your first try.

Great work on a terrific little car!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

This is my 1968 MG Midget with its 1275 engine, go on have a laugh its only 80 ci .

I've owned her approx 4 years and have covered approx 5000 miles so far.

Your Midget looks great and you're probably having a blast with it every time you driver it. I had a 64 parts car, (no roll-up windows), and a 1965 driver, (first year for roll-up windows), and it's kind of scary being one of the smallest cars on the road!

And now the questions

Would I benefit from doing a pass with 80 before waxing or just a coat of DC2 or 7 (there are still some swirls in the paint but 83 took care of most of them)?

Paint is single stage Tartan Red, resprayed approx 8 years age (before I aquired the car)

If it's a single stage paint then definitely give her a pass with either M80 or M09 or even one of our pure polishes as single stage paints really react well to Meguiar's polishing oils.

Will I cause any harm by using QD before I wax to get rid of any contaminants on the paint (if the car is driven between now and then i will do a full wash)

No. Just be sure to use a clean, soft microfiber for use with anything that touches the paint.

I was hoping to get my car swirl free, is this a possibility with the DA, I'm a bit of a perfectionist (aren't we all!!) so there is room for improvement but I'm still well happy with the results over using the DC products by hand.

Any feedback will be appreciated

Mark

First, you did a great job, the paint looks fantastic, any remaining light swirls in the paint will likely be masked with a coat of NXT Tech wax and this will help you to reach the 100% swirl free results you're looking for.

Note that if you were able to use the DA and M83 to remove some swirls and scratches then it's just a matter of spending more time and refining your technique to work out most of anything that's left.

In the future, if you can get you hands on some of our new SMAT products then maybe try to pick up either the M105/M205 Tag Team or the Ultimate Compound/SwirlX Tag Team.

Other than that, thanks for sharing, it's great to see an old vintage MG Midget showcased on our forum.

[Maserati Mario]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

Great job!
and for me, the more pics the better!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

Great job on the midget. Since you mentioned it was ss paint, I would definitely use #80 on her before you apply the wax. Great results. Great car. Looks great.

[yalerd]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

That looks great!!
Just awesome thinking on driving a car like that on a Sunday afternoon

[G Force]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

Great car,love the analog feeling we don't get on modern cars

[Tuck91]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

nice job, that red is glowing!

[christian6984]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

nice work, a superb DA attempt

[TimG]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

Good job on the Midget.Car looks great and I'll concur with Mike; on single stage paint, you'll definitely see a difference in applying the #80 or #7.

[Rick McDonough]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

Sweet MG! Nice work on it as well, that red really pops! Thanks for the great pictures!

[woblynne]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

Many thanks for the kind words, it means a lot having seen the standards that are regularly displayed on this site.

it's kind of scary being one of the smallest cars on the road!

It sure is, you dont realise how small until you pull up next to a small car and you are looking at its hubcaps!!!!!!



Found this for when 1275cc isnt enough!


Get the brave pills out!!!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

It sure is, you dont realize how small until you pull up next to a small car and you are looking at its hubcaps!!!!!!

When I used to drive my 65 around ever thing in the rear view mirror towered over me and looked like it was going to drive right over me. Kind of an unsettling feeling you have to get used to...

Found this for when 1275cc isn't enough!


Get the brave pills out!!!

Best looking engine stand I've ever seen plus it's self-propelled!

[sleepy]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

Great looking car!! Color looks great, did you have to do any restoration to the car?

Sleepy

[jmakado]

Re: 1968 MG Midget Detail pt1

Follow with some #80 and a coat of #7 before your LSP. SS paints, especially reds and blacks look AMAZING finished in that way. What you have now looks great though. You did a nice job of capturing the warm glow that polished red exudes.