Newbie Coming Through!

[thenewvessel]

Fellow Autopians!



I`ll try and keep this short.. My name is Juan and I just recently moved from the Treasure Coast in Florida over to Sebring. I`ve always been interested in getting to another level as far as the detailing world is concerned, seems like the OCD can only do so much without the professional-level knowledge . After recently purchasing a 1999 Mazda Miata that I`m quickly starting to obsess about, I`m hoping to refine my skills as much as possible. The Mazda had 1 owner currently with 85,000 miles, literally not 1 speck of rust, and a full MazdaCare maintenance records from a dealer in Ocala, FL. I found an old service log from 2006 and the Miata was marked at 72,000 miles ....

There are a few imperfections which I will be posting momentarily.. Basic small chips in the paint (previous owner tried fixing with the paint pen), tiny indentations, and SWIRL MARKS LIKE CRAZY!


My goal is to ultimately turn the Miata from clean to pristine. Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated and paid back in any way possible.




Thank you all for your time!!
Happy detailing!

[Ronkh]

hi

[Civicclutch]

welcome. what level of experience do you have with detailing. Ron is quite the master although he loves to waste wax. lol ron

[thenewvessel]

welcome. what level of experience do you have with detailing. Ron is quite the master although he loves to waste wax. lol ron

Not much honestly. Basic skills really.. Wash, wax, etc. Have some experiences with rubbing/polishing compounds, honestly never even used a polisher/buffer!! (blasphemy, I know..)
Most of my experience is mechanical. I honestly hope to learn it all.

[RaysWay]

Welcome aboard! There`s nothing better than seeing an older car kept in great shape, and those Miatas just keep getting more and more desirable.

[Civicclutch]

Not much honestly. Basic skills really.. Wash, wax, etc. Have some experiences with rubbing/polishing compounds, honestly never even used a polisher/buffer!! (blasphemy, I know..)
Most of my experience is mechanical. I honestly hope to learn it all.

For a polisher I would start with the groits garage 6" and get a 5" backing plate for it, it`s fairly hard to mess things up with that. Also check out videos on Autopia if they are any or on the dark side of autogeek of how to use it. It`s 95-99% impossible to burn paint with a da like gg`s 6"


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[thenewvessel]

For a polisher I would start with the groits garage 6" and get a 5" backing plate for it, it`s fairly hard to mess things up with that. Also check out videos on Autopia if they are any or on the dark side of autogeek of how to use it. It`s 95-99% impossible to burn paint with a da like gg`s 6"


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Appreciate it. What would you recommend for scratches/swirls?

[Civicclutch]

Appreciate it. What would you recommend for scratches/swirls?

Do you have some pics. I know Autopia has the blackfire gg6" starter kit for I think round $200 but there are a few others I`ll get back to this once baby boy is settled down


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[thenewvessel]

Do you have some pics. I know Autopia has the blackfire gg6" starter kit for I think round $200 but there are a few others I`ll get back to this once baby boy is settled down


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Yeah, honestly trying to set the project car as the priority.. Are there any other alternatives that you know of that work well by hand in the meantime?
I definitely plan on getting a polisher soon hopefully but for the time being, some elbow grease will have to work

[Civicclutch]

Yeah, honestly trying to set the project car as the priority.. Are there any other alternatives that you know of that work well by hand in the meantime?
I definitely plan on getting a polisher soon hopefully but for the time being, some elbow grease will have to work

I don`t as I`ve always used a rotary or a da for the last 15+ years I now one 2 da polishers 2 rotaries and 2 long throw da polishers although one is on loan till I pay for it when it becomes mine. I would say though you could try the meguiars ultimate compound and polish as you can get that at almost any part store or here but i`ld say to also get some good applicators type in "hand polishing" on Autopia`s search and there will be different hand held applicators to choose from


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[thenewvessel]

Fellow Autopians!



I`ll try and keep this short.. My name is Juan and I just recently moved from the Treasure Coast in Florida over to Sebring. I`ve always been interested in getting to another level as far as the detailing world is concerned, seems like the OCD can only do so much without the professional-level knowledge . After recently purchasing a 1999 Mazda Miata that I`m quickly starting to obsess about, I`m hoping to refine my skills as much as possible. The Mazda had 1 owner currently with 85,000 miles, literally not 1 speck of rust, and a full MazdaCare maintenance records from a dealer in Ocala, FL. I found an old service log from 2006 and the Miata was marked at 72,000 miles ....

There are a few imperfections which I will be posting momentarily.. Basic small chips in the paint (previous owner tried fixing with the paint pen), tiny indentations, and SWIRL MARKS LIKE CRAZY!


My goal is to ultimately turn the Miata from clean to pristine. Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated and paid back in any way possible.




Thank you all for your time!!
Happy detailing!

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[Civicclutch]

Didn`t that green have gold flake in the paint or was it just straight green


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[thenewvessel]

Didn`t that green have gold flake in the paint or was it just straight green


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It definitely has some flake to it but looks more silver.

[Civicclutch]

I would say get some poor boys white diamond show glaze it`ll make the flake on that dark green really pop, something I learned on this forum


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[Civicclutch]

I would say get some poor boys white diamond show glaze it`ll make the flake on that dark green really pop, something I learned on this forum


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I believe it was 512detail that mentioned to me to use that on dark cars with flake


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