Well, I'm putting my black RX7 paint restoration on the back burner for the moment so I can take proper care of the other cars before they get into the same sad state of affairs.

First off, big props to Richard/OctaneGuy for his detailing DVD. Holy smokes, I really was not doing things correctly or not at all in my prior detailing attempts. I'm a complete car washing idiot who's never had any training. Richard's DVD really covers the proper use of my PC random orbital sander unlike the Griotts DVD. I still used exclusively Griots products that I already had and they worked much better than my last attempt because the DVD showed me the proper technique.

Something interesting I found when I was claying her. I took some of the clay that I had dropped onto the ground and used it on the black fenderwells and side skirts. (Griots clay and speedshine) I found that it restored the black back to the plastic and it's stayed there so far. I'm not holding my breath that it will stay like that, but it really did seem to do a good job cleaning it.

After the claying, I put the car under the sun to examine the paint and no swirl marks could be found while my eyes got blinded. Had some light scratches due to removal of bug jerky and bird doo-doo. I taped masking tape around these spots and polished with semi-fine polish (#2), then finished with fine polish (#3). It's quite a feeling knowing that I could successfully polish out these bad parts and make them look new again after feeling so defeated with the fubared black RX7. I finished up with "best in show" wax and it looked great. A couple of hours later, I sprayed onto the hood and front some Griots "bug off" spray as per instructions which promptly proceeded to ruin my wax job. Live and learn; hoping at least the bug jerky is removed easier. I'll try wiping it on next time too rather than "simply spray on to protect...".

So did I go overboard masking?


Wish I had a more dramatic sunset to photograph in the reflections...

 

Looks very nice SpeedNut!! Time well spent I'd say.

 

Speednut:
Is that painters tape you used on your mini??
LynneB

 

Thanks MiniMaybee.

LynneB, yes, I used Scotch blue painters tape found at the local Home Despair. No issue with wax on any of the trim.

 

very deep shine. nice!

i found on my wife's car (which does more highway miles than my other cars) that
SprayOnWax does pretty well for removing bug jerky...meaning, just make sure
you spray that on each time after a wash and it keeps the car slick.

 

Oh good.....I was fearing this thread would feature private archival photographs from the 60s!!!

The MINI is lookin' good!!