LawrenceSA
03-07-2014, 04:53 AM
I have developed a bit of a love/hate relationship with these cars.
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I absolutely love everything about them, but hate how finicky the paint on this cars is to finish off. I have done 2 of them prior to this - one exactly the same color - and whilst I encountered the soft and sticky problem on the first one (and it nearly broke me) by the time I was done with the second, I had found a what I thought was a process that would work on all to come. How wrong I was.
`
Firstly, the paint is very soft. So soft that I have managed to correct them all with nothing more than a DA with Menzerna SF4000 on their Black finishing pads. To compare using this combination on say typical VW paint, would yield almost no correction, but will enhance the gloss a little. Like it did here on this polo.`
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Here is what the paint looks like after defect removal (It was still a relatively mild Ultimate compound that was used). It is the very fine scratches (that you cannot actually see) that make the polished side appear dull.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Sean%20polo/IMG_2211_zpscd3d8df1.jpg
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Now after the refining polish to remove this minute scratches with Menzerna SF4000`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Sean%20polo/IMG_2227_zps27c2cc2c.jpg
`
The point I am making is normally a finishing polish on a finishing pad is nowhere near enough to use for defect removal, but on these cars it is usually ample.
`
The stickiness problem is that when polishing, the polish residue sticks to the paint, making it extremely difficult to remove without re-introducing marring into the very soft paint. This makes finishing off the paint very difficult but like I said, I thought I had it under control. But for some reason, this particular Subaru was on a whole new level of sticky.... perhaps it was the weather (30 degrees / 82% humidity). Admittedly I really struggled with it. I tried adding a spritz of ONR mid-cycle, adding DI water mid cycle, and a whole host of other things, but there was no simple miracle cure. I eventually settled on a combo of using a handheld sprayer to `wash` the polish residue off without having to touch it, using ONR and using MF towels soaked in an ONR mix to wipe off, but then had to re-polish with Chemical Guys Blacklight, which can be left to dry to a haze after polishing and then wiped off very easily. This ensured that I was able to finish off the car without leaving towelling marks all over it.
`
Oh and did I mention that wiping off the polish residue is difficult :lol:
`
So as if that wasn`t enough, besides this soft/sticky OEM paint, there was also some re-sprayed sections, which obviously had completely different paint. First, let me say whoever did the re-spray got the color matching spot on - probably the best I have seen of all the cars I have detailed, especially taking into consideration the flake distribution etc. The clear coat itself was a much harder version of the OEM paint - definitely a good thing IMO. This obviously complicated the job as it was effectively like polishing 2 completely different cars. The re-painted panels included the bonnet, front bumper, wing and rear bumper.
`
Just for the record, this is one of Nxgen`s bulletproof builds, making 413kw and 760nm on the wheels. `:eek: `:driving: `:drool: `:hurray: Obviously a lot done under the bonnet, but also big brake upgrade, suspension, wheels etc. There was much drooling and daydreaming over owning this, in my garage over the week I spent with it (Thursday night to Wednesday night) :: Good laaaaaawd but I want to own it....badly.
`
So enough about the paint for now, let`s look at what I was up against.
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Pretty much everything. Swirls, Deep RIDS, Buffer Trails, Water spots....
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5461_zps6e1d534f.jpg
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Some more pics....
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/20140228_120301_zps3ed5492e.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/20140228_120323_zpsefa2fe42.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5272_zpsa2c1a032.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5276_zpsd8b8698f.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5280_zpsae18daf6.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5283_zpsedf4f003.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5288_zpsae2d6753.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5291_zpsdb7b795d.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5295_zpsa2698a19.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5302_zps429c7bcb.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5306_zpscbc6f34d.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5313_zps893e3fb4.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5322_zpsb7cb1ca3.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5328_zpsb9ad0585.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5330_zps7861a95a.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5338_zpscfc1ab28.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5342_zps0b198404.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5356_zpsee985240.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5345_zps62f03e3b.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5362_zps2d8b5a62.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5364_zps644a66df.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5369_zpsba51f504.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5377_zps8bc01e8f.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5382_zps77dc3e0e.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5392_zps41bbb7b1.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5422_zps3810d7bd.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5438_zps0bfd8a91.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5441_zps9dbfc8ed.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5445_zps471bd369.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5453_zps7e31dd38.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5468_zps2b30adb8.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5476_zps40e7ac52.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5484_zpsb7093c71.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5493_zpscdf08dad.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5492_zps05cc138e.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5495_zps9676b6c0.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5513_zps137d342c.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/20140301_162425_zpsebf2621a.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5537_zpsb3086f40.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/20140302_105020_zps0bde4ee0.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5544_zpscffc123a.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5549_zps88b9ae15.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5573_zpsc0824391.jpg
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The buffer trails were immediately a cause for concern. It meant that the previous human behind the polisher had used a rotary machine (a Dual Action machine cannot instill buffer trails, but instead will product DA Haze [which looks like tiny little tick marks in the paint]). The rotary is obviously a more powerful machine, thus capable of removing paint a lot quicker than a dual action, and unfortunately in the majority of `production detailing/body shop` type environments, is paired with an aggressive wool pad and a compound, enable super-fast paint removal.
`
The downside is if too aggressive a pad/polish combo is used, buffer trails are the result - these are scratches in the paint caused by being overly aggressive, and are follow the pattern the machine was moved across the paint. So, I knew that is was almost certain that more paint than was necessary had been removed - remember, for the most part, a finishing pad and finishing polish is all that is needed, in my experience - and there is nothing that irks me more` :angry: `In fact, if you look on the drivers door under the Sti sticker and on the front fender, the paint was polished completely off. I suspect the previous hack dialled in a combo on the hard repainted bonnet (hood for you American folks) and simply continued with this over the whole car, including the super-soft OEM paint, ripping it off and leaving behind very deep buffer trails on the little paint he left. Such a pity!
`
As always, the arches, tires and wheels were cleaned first in order to get rid of the dirtiest stuff first – no point in working backwards.
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Before (yes the do look pretty clean don’t they)
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5404_zps6c525105.jpg
`
During
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5410_zps3241447e.jpg
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After (now they are properly clean)
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5412_zpsc12fca13.jpg
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Right.... time to get the car clean and decontaminated so that I can get stuck into correction this beast.
`
Arches: Cyclo APC / Mothers Fender Well Brush / HP Rinse / Shield Sheen
Tires: Meguiars All Wheel and Tire Cleaner / Mothers Tire Brush / Optimum Optibond Tire Gel
Wheels: Glossworx Wheel Cleaner / Daytona Jnr / Various brushes/ Autofinesse Oblitarate / Hot water rinse / AF Iron Out / Daytona Jnr / HP Rinse / Menzerna Powerlock
Door shuts, window rubbers, fuel flap, badges: Cyclo APC / Various Brushes / HP Rinse
Wash: Chemical Guys Maxisuds II, Cyclo APC, white vinegar mix via foam cannon / Cyclo Polymer Car Wash and ONR mix / 2BM with Lambswool wash mitt
Dry: ONR at QD strength / WW Drying towel / Compressed Air
Tar removal : Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover / Hot water rinse
Iron removal : Autofinesse Iron Out
Remaining Contaminants : Autoglym Fine Grade Clay / Carways Mist and Wipe
Glass : Autoglym Fine Grade Clay / Carways Mist and Wipe`
`
With everything now clean, I was able to start performing some test spots.
`
On the OEM paint the first combo I naturally reached for was a black pad and Menzerna SF4000. And.... voila - swirls gone.... but wait, what is that.....? Buffer trails are still there....hmmmm..... so I slowly (the paint is soft remember) dialled up the aggressiveness going through:
`
SF4000/Black pad
SF4000/Crimson
SF4000/White pads
SF4000/Tangerine
SF4000/Orange Pad
PF2500/Black pad
PF2500/White pads
PF2500/Orange Pad
FG400/White pads
FG400/Orange Pad
`
Yip, the buffer trails were so deep in some places that I had to use FG400 and an orange pad to remove them. This left the paint full of micro-marring, and I had to then perform a refining polish with SF4000 on a Crimson pad to get the paint as close to perfect as I could. Then follow that up with Chemical Guys Blacklight on a Black Pad.
`
It took a while to dial in, but then it was just a matter of replicating the rest of the paint.`
`
This is the result
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5527_zps91378e1a.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5519_zpsf8d80e73.jpg (`http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5519_zpsf8d80e73.jpg`)
`
`
Paint correction : Combination of Menzerna FG400 and PF 2500 / LC Orange pads, followed by Menzerna SF4000 / LC Crimson Pad followed by Chemical Guys Black Light / LC Black Finishing Pad
Tail light correction: Menzerna PF2500 / LC White Pad / Menzerna SF4000 / LC Black Pad
Paint protection : 2 coats Chemical Guys EZ Creme Acrylic / 2 coats Chemical Guys Pete`s 53
Door rubbers, plastic trim : Shield Heavy Duty Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner / Smartwax Smart Dressing
Exhaust tips : Autofinesse Mercury Metal Polish /Mothers Power Ball mini / MF Towels
Carbon Fiber : Chemical Guys EZ Creme
`
I absolutely love everything about them, but hate how finicky the paint on this cars is to finish off. I have done 2 of them prior to this - one exactly the same color - and whilst I encountered the soft and sticky problem on the first one (and it nearly broke me) by the time I was done with the second, I had found a what I thought was a process that would work on all to come. How wrong I was.
`
Firstly, the paint is very soft. So soft that I have managed to correct them all with nothing more than a DA with Menzerna SF4000 on their Black finishing pads. To compare using this combination on say typical VW paint, would yield almost no correction, but will enhance the gloss a little. Like it did here on this polo.`
`
Here is what the paint looks like after defect removal (It was still a relatively mild Ultimate compound that was used). It is the very fine scratches (that you cannot actually see) that make the polished side appear dull.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Sean%20polo/IMG_2211_zpscd3d8df1.jpg
`
Now after the refining polish to remove this minute scratches with Menzerna SF4000`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Sean%20polo/IMG_2227_zps27c2cc2c.jpg
`
The point I am making is normally a finishing polish on a finishing pad is nowhere near enough to use for defect removal, but on these cars it is usually ample.
`
The stickiness problem is that when polishing, the polish residue sticks to the paint, making it extremely difficult to remove without re-introducing marring into the very soft paint. This makes finishing off the paint very difficult but like I said, I thought I had it under control. But for some reason, this particular Subaru was on a whole new level of sticky.... perhaps it was the weather (30 degrees / 82% humidity). Admittedly I really struggled with it. I tried adding a spritz of ONR mid-cycle, adding DI water mid cycle, and a whole host of other things, but there was no simple miracle cure. I eventually settled on a combo of using a handheld sprayer to `wash` the polish residue off without having to touch it, using ONR and using MF towels soaked in an ONR mix to wipe off, but then had to re-polish with Chemical Guys Blacklight, which can be left to dry to a haze after polishing and then wiped off very easily. This ensured that I was able to finish off the car without leaving towelling marks all over it.
`
Oh and did I mention that wiping off the polish residue is difficult :lol:
`
So as if that wasn`t enough, besides this soft/sticky OEM paint, there was also some re-sprayed sections, which obviously had completely different paint. First, let me say whoever did the re-spray got the color matching spot on - probably the best I have seen of all the cars I have detailed, especially taking into consideration the flake distribution etc. The clear coat itself was a much harder version of the OEM paint - definitely a good thing IMO. This obviously complicated the job as it was effectively like polishing 2 completely different cars. The re-painted panels included the bonnet, front bumper, wing and rear bumper.
`
Just for the record, this is one of Nxgen`s bulletproof builds, making 413kw and 760nm on the wheels. `:eek: `:driving: `:drool: `:hurray: Obviously a lot done under the bonnet, but also big brake upgrade, suspension, wheels etc. There was much drooling and daydreaming over owning this, in my garage over the week I spent with it (Thursday night to Wednesday night) :: Good laaaaaawd but I want to own it....badly.
`
So enough about the paint for now, let`s look at what I was up against.
`
Pretty much everything. Swirls, Deep RIDS, Buffer Trails, Water spots....
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5461_zps6e1d534f.jpg
`
Some more pics....
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/20140228_120301_zps3ed5492e.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/20140228_120323_zpsefa2fe42.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5272_zpsa2c1a032.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5276_zpsd8b8698f.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5280_zpsae18daf6.jpg
`
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5283_zpsedf4f003.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5288_zpsae2d6753.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5291_zpsdb7b795d.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5295_zpsa2698a19.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5302_zps429c7bcb.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5306_zpscbc6f34d.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5313_zps893e3fb4.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5322_zpsb7cb1ca3.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5328_zpsb9ad0585.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5330_zps7861a95a.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5338_zpscfc1ab28.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5342_zps0b198404.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5356_zpsee985240.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5345_zps62f03e3b.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5362_zps2d8b5a62.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5364_zps644a66df.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5369_zpsba51f504.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5377_zps8bc01e8f.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5382_zps77dc3e0e.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5392_zps41bbb7b1.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5422_zps3810d7bd.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5438_zps0bfd8a91.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5441_zps9dbfc8ed.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5445_zps471bd369.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5453_zps7e31dd38.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5468_zps2b30adb8.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5476_zps40e7ac52.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5484_zpsb7093c71.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5493_zpscdf08dad.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5492_zps05cc138e.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5495_zps9676b6c0.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5513_zps137d342c.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/20140301_162425_zpsebf2621a.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5537_zpsb3086f40.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/20140302_105020_zps0bde4ee0.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5544_zpscffc123a.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5549_zps88b9ae15.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5573_zpsc0824391.jpg
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The buffer trails were immediately a cause for concern. It meant that the previous human behind the polisher had used a rotary machine (a Dual Action machine cannot instill buffer trails, but instead will product DA Haze [which looks like tiny little tick marks in the paint]). The rotary is obviously a more powerful machine, thus capable of removing paint a lot quicker than a dual action, and unfortunately in the majority of `production detailing/body shop` type environments, is paired with an aggressive wool pad and a compound, enable super-fast paint removal.
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The downside is if too aggressive a pad/polish combo is used, buffer trails are the result - these are scratches in the paint caused by being overly aggressive, and are follow the pattern the machine was moved across the paint. So, I knew that is was almost certain that more paint than was necessary had been removed - remember, for the most part, a finishing pad and finishing polish is all that is needed, in my experience - and there is nothing that irks me more` :angry: `In fact, if you look on the drivers door under the Sti sticker and on the front fender, the paint was polished completely off. I suspect the previous hack dialled in a combo on the hard repainted bonnet (hood for you American folks) and simply continued with this over the whole car, including the super-soft OEM paint, ripping it off and leaving behind very deep buffer trails on the little paint he left. Such a pity!
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As always, the arches, tires and wheels were cleaned first in order to get rid of the dirtiest stuff first – no point in working backwards.
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Before (yes the do look pretty clean don’t they)
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5404_zps6c525105.jpg
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During
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5410_zps3241447e.jpg
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After (now they are properly clean)
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5412_zpsc12fca13.jpg
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Right.... time to get the car clean and decontaminated so that I can get stuck into correction this beast.
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Arches: Cyclo APC / Mothers Fender Well Brush / HP Rinse / Shield Sheen
Tires: Meguiars All Wheel and Tire Cleaner / Mothers Tire Brush / Optimum Optibond Tire Gel
Wheels: Glossworx Wheel Cleaner / Daytona Jnr / Various brushes/ Autofinesse Oblitarate / Hot water rinse / AF Iron Out / Daytona Jnr / HP Rinse / Menzerna Powerlock
Door shuts, window rubbers, fuel flap, badges: Cyclo APC / Various Brushes / HP Rinse
Wash: Chemical Guys Maxisuds II, Cyclo APC, white vinegar mix via foam cannon / Cyclo Polymer Car Wash and ONR mix / 2BM with Lambswool wash mitt
Dry: ONR at QD strength / WW Drying towel / Compressed Air
Tar removal : Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover / Hot water rinse
Iron removal : Autofinesse Iron Out
Remaining Contaminants : Autoglym Fine Grade Clay / Carways Mist and Wipe
Glass : Autoglym Fine Grade Clay / Carways Mist and Wipe`
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With everything now clean, I was able to start performing some test spots.
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On the OEM paint the first combo I naturally reached for was a black pad and Menzerna SF4000. And.... voila - swirls gone.... but wait, what is that.....? Buffer trails are still there....hmmmm..... so I slowly (the paint is soft remember) dialled up the aggressiveness going through:
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SF4000/Black pad
SF4000/Crimson
SF4000/White pads
SF4000/Tangerine
SF4000/Orange Pad
PF2500/Black pad
PF2500/White pads
PF2500/Orange Pad
FG400/White pads
FG400/Orange Pad
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Yip, the buffer trails were so deep in some places that I had to use FG400 and an orange pad to remove them. This left the paint full of micro-marring, and I had to then perform a refining polish with SF4000 on a Crimson pad to get the paint as close to perfect as I could. Then follow that up with Chemical Guys Blacklight on a Black Pad.
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It took a while to dial in, but then it was just a matter of replicating the rest of the paint.`
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This is the result
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5527_zps91378e1a.jpg
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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5519_zpsf8d80e73.jpg (`http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Nash%20Subaru%20Sti/IMG_5519_zpsf8d80e73.jpg`)
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Paint correction : Combination of Menzerna FG400 and PF 2500 / LC Orange pads, followed by Menzerna SF4000 / LC Crimson Pad followed by Chemical Guys Black Light / LC Black Finishing Pad
Tail light correction: Menzerna PF2500 / LC White Pad / Menzerna SF4000 / LC Black Pad
Paint protection : 2 coats Chemical Guys EZ Creme Acrylic / 2 coats Chemical Guys Pete`s 53
Door rubbers, plastic trim : Shield Heavy Duty Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner / Smartwax Smart Dressing
Exhaust tips : Autofinesse Mercury Metal Polish /Mothers Power Ball mini / MF Towels
Carbon Fiber : Chemical Guys EZ Creme