Being super-anxious to try out my new Flex, I decided to use the A8 trunk lid as my guinea pig tonight. I originally was going to do a lower panel for less risk, but threw caution to the wind to save my back and have better visibility during the learning process.
Here's the link to Phases 1 & 2 of the detail (long read):
Phase 1: "chisel" wash to knock off the mud plus engine wash
Phase 2: second finalizing wash and crack/crevice detail
Phase 3 & 4 test: (work only done to trunk lid)
Elapsed time: 3 hours
-Waterless wash/dry
-Sandwich baggie test
-Clay bar using Detail spray
-Baggie test again and reclay a couple of areas
-Waterless wash/dry
-Tape off trunk area
*I bought some nice non-Adams polish and wax just prior to finding Adam's (literally like 1 week), but the levels are pretty comparable to the SSR, SHR, and the FMP. I did use the Adam's pads.
Polish Order and Passes
I used a 2 spritzes of Detail Spray on the first prime and then just 1 between passes with a small X of polish on the pad like Dylan demonstrated.
-1 learning pass with the Green pad polish (w/ little pressure), setting 5
-1 learning pass with the Orange pad polish (w/ little pressure), setting 5
-Waterless wash and dry for inspection. Hmmm need either more passes or better technique or a little of both
-1 better pass with Green w/ 9-14lbs, setting 5
-2 better passes with Orange w/ 9-14lbs, setting 5
-Waterless wash and dry for inspection. Still a few visible microscratches mostly around the perimeter of the trunk.
-Localized pass with Orange on a few more obvious areas
-Waterless wash
-1 pass with the White pad polish w/9-14lbs, setting 3
-Waterless wash and inspect. Close enough for now.
-Sealant applied with foam applicator and removed after haze formed
-Wax applied with foam applicator and removed
I definitely took my time just as with the other steps.
Everything didn't come out, but it's worlds better, perhaps 90-95% correction. It was all swirls before and now you can count them. There was one deeper scratch I'll try the 4" focus pad on next.
:help:I'm still not sure whether I'm working the polish enough or too much. Perhaps I don't know what a thin film of Vaseline looks like.
:help:Plus it sure is a challenge getting in the corners. Do you just hand polish those areas after you are done? It seems even a focus pad would have a tough time in some areas.
PRE-INSPECTION AFTER WATERLESS WASH: Swirls a'plenty
MASKING after Clay bar
AFTER:
AFTER Closeup
:willy:I only thought this hobby was addicting after following the forums and watching the videos. However, now that I've done my first panel, every little microscratch bugs me. It's the endless pursuit of paint perfection.
I feel the night was a success despite not achieving perfection.
Question
AudiOx
Being super-anxious to try out my new Flex, I decided to use the A8 trunk lid as my guinea pig tonight. I originally was going to do a lower panel for less risk, but threw caution to the wind to save my back and have better visibility during the learning process.
Here's the link to Phases 1 & 2 of the detail (long read):
http://www.adamsforums.com/forums/wash-dry-clay-bar/13832.htm
Phase 1: "chisel" wash to knock off the mud plus engine wash
Phase 2: second finalizing wash and crack/crevice detail
Phase 3 & 4 test: (work only done to trunk lid)
Elapsed time: 3 hours
-Waterless wash/dry
-Sandwich baggie test
-Clay bar using Detail spray
-Baggie test again and reclay a couple of areas
-Waterless wash/dry
-Tape off trunk area
*I bought some nice non-Adams polish and wax just prior to finding Adam's (literally like 1 week), but the levels are pretty comparable to the SSR, SHR, and the FMP. I did use the Adam's pads.
Polish Order and Passes
I used a 2 spritzes of Detail Spray on the first prime and then just 1 between passes with a small X of polish on the pad like Dylan demonstrated.
-1 learning pass with the Green pad polish (w/ little pressure), setting 5
-1 learning pass with the Orange pad polish (w/ little pressure), setting 5
-Waterless wash and dry for inspection. Hmmm need either more passes or better technique or a little of both
-1 better pass with Green w/ 9-14lbs, setting 5
-2 better passes with Orange w/ 9-14lbs, setting 5
-Waterless wash and dry for inspection. Still a few visible microscratches mostly around the perimeter of the trunk.
-Localized pass with Orange on a few more obvious areas
-Waterless wash
-1 pass with the White pad polish w/9-14lbs, setting 3
-Waterless wash and inspect. Close enough for now.
-Sealant applied with foam applicator and removed after haze formed
-Wax applied with foam applicator and removed
I definitely took my time just as with the other steps.
Everything didn't come out, but it's worlds better, perhaps 90-95% correction. It was all swirls before and now you can count them. There was one deeper scratch I'll try the 4" focus pad on next.
:help:I'm still not sure whether I'm working the polish enough or too much. Perhaps I don't know what a thin film of Vaseline looks like.
:help:Plus it sure is a challenge getting in the corners. Do you just hand polish those areas after you are done? It seems even a focus pad would have a tough time in some areas.
PRE-INSPECTION AFTER WATERLESS WASH: Swirls a'plenty
MASKING after Clay bar
AFTER:
AFTER Closeup
:willy:I only thought this hobby was addicting after following the forums and watching the videos. However, now that I've done my first panel, every little microscratch bugs me. It's the endless pursuit of paint perfection.
I feel the night was a success despite not achieving perfection.
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