I decide that I don't use the 8 that much now and I put the RX-8 as a test mule for cut and polish - major time. If I stuff it up - at least I won't cry over it :evil_laug :smoker: I don't want to use Zaino either, coz it is on the expansive side and I want something that everyone can do.

I kept using the same products. I have Meguire detail spray with clay bars. Autoglym hard deep gloss wax, the lovely resin polish which I like very very much, the new meguire scratch X 2.0 *(twice as expensive as the original but 2x good - $20), and the bumper care gel which I like becoz I can't be stuffed masking tape all the plastics. It removes extra wax very well.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02125.jpg

I have the good old orbitor going at low rev - which is good for applying wax at the end but I need something to cut the scratches so....
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02126.jpg

I brought this long thing below - an orbitor from Supercheap auto (I can only find it at Preston shop). It is called Rockwell shopseries (made in China) ... it's a 5" orbitor going from 500rpm to 3000rpm (1-6 setting) and has a velcor backing you can attach the wool pad on. However, I replaced it a foam pad instead (I brought a very nice foam pad from autobarn for $26 made by K&H - local and australian made). The orbitor from Rockwell is about $72 - on sale at the time.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02103.jpg

It looked like a swirl city before I started. I started by using the clay bar to get rid of the big residual first. It should feel like smooth after clay bar.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02101.jpg

This is after 1-2 applications of scratch 2.0X with the faster orbitor setting at 2000rpm-2500rpm.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02102.jpg

I need 3-4 applications to bring back most swirls. Now it just leave the thousands of stone clips I collected on the track days.

Final results: There is still some ripple strip effect under strong sun. I don't know how to get rid of it (EDIT: On retrospect I may have used too much wax for it. I will cut down on them for next time)

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02120.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02119.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02121.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02122.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02123.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/taka_rx8/polishmy8/DSC02124.jpg

The car is still very easy to collect swirls afterwards. There is a product out there to firm the wax up and resist minor swirls. May be I will use it next time.

When can you come over and do mine?

wow nice job! thats fcking great

When can you come over and do mine?

Haha someone just told me to keep my day job and stop pretending I am Damien from final inspection :lol2:

Another person told me not to waste time and spend times with my family :uhh:... was that the whole point of the excercise (to lock myself in the garage :eyetwitch)?

Another person told me not to waste time and spend times with my family :uhh:... was that the whole point of the excercise (to lock myself in the garage :eyetwitch)?

Family are just distractions that get in the way of spending quality time with your 8!

Nice job though. Reminds me that l need to do mine again soon...

I'm taking mine to a panel shop in the morning to get a quote for various minor panel damage - mainly paintless dent stuff but there is one ding that'll need paint (and a rim repaired)...then the Revolvermobile will be looking a bit younger and maybe worth a polish! ;)

I'm taking mine to a panel shop in the morning to get a quote for various minor panel damage - mainly paintless dent stuff but there is one ding that'll need paint (and a rim repaired)...then the Revolvermobile will be looking a bit younger and maybe worth a polish! ;)

Panel shop can do polishing for you at the same time? They do polishing after their paint job anyway... I am sure they are professional at it.

They usually only polish the bits they fix.

Got a quote this morning, so should get it fixed next week.

I don't mind polishing it myself - it just gets depressing when you've got some damage to look at while you're doing it...

Just be careful with the paint shops. I have seen cars come back with bad swirl marks after being professionally detailed.

skc

I agree with the paint shop comments - more often than not you will end up with swirls. Better off taking it to a detailer post-panel shop. In Sydney I have heard great things about DMS Detailing - http://www.dmsdetailing.com.au/

Haha someone just told me to keep my day job and stop pretending I am Damien from final inspection :lol2:


haha I was just thinking "this looks like a Damian post"

Thanks for the tip Gonz. I might check them out.

I didn't intend to get the panel shop to do a full polish anyways...