Spit and polish

[Dynamic Dek]

Coming up to the cars 3rd birthday and our first anniversary I decided that paintwork needed some attention having been the victim to Jaguar Stealers scratchy wash sponge.

Total beginner here, so with some trepidation I approached the car with clay mit and DA polisher.... not sure who was scared more, me or the car.
Using Koch-Chemi 6.01 Fine cut and then 3.01 micro cut and finish, with their respective pads, taking it tentatively, polishing progressed to a point where it was looking massively better than even when I picked up the car a year ago. Some deeper scratches remained that the pros would notice, but for me it exceeded skill to go at the scratches any further.
The next job was easier, windscreen, roof and rear window treated with Gtechniq G4 and G5.

Right deep breath, a death or glory moment, it was time for Gtechniq Crystal Serum light and follow up with a coat of EXO, another first for me!
5hrs later allowing for a 2 hr gap between the CSL and EXO the coatings were finished, that was yesterday.

Today, after keeping the car inside for 12-24 hrs for the coatings to cure, it was brought out into wonderful Sunday afternoon sunshine.
That'll do Grommet, that'll do

ATB
DD

 

[MikeM]

Nice job

 

[MArtyn Veg]

Looks fantastic!

 

[Rikochet]

Wow, just wow.

 

[Lux37]

Great job and I am sure very satisfying when you stand back and admire your work over the Summer!

 

[Taggy's Lad]

Looks fab!

 

[WShudds]

Job well done mate. After much negotiation with the rest of the family, I was awarded a full day to polish mine on Friday. The biggest challenge was the rear bumper as it had lots of swirls which were there when I bought the car on Christmas. As you say, only those who know, know these defects are there. 99% see just a glossy finish

I posted some photos here
https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8198&start=60#p82674

It's not perfect but it's better than 99% of the cars on the road and like yours, seems to have just rolled out of the assembly line.

 

[pirateprentice]

Magnificent - worth all the work I'd say.

 

[ianp]

Nice wheels!

 

[davidd]

My car's paint is in a terrible state (black, dealer washed a couple of times). I really need to bit the bullet and get this done.

 

[Dynamic Dek]

My car's paint is in a terrible state (black, dealer washed a couple of times). I really need to bit the bullet and get this done.

No time like the present

 

[Sulliana]

Treating the windows was smart, and going for those Gtechniq coatings was a bold move.

 

[davidd]

My car's paint is in a terrible state (black, dealer washed a couple of times). I really need to bit the bullet and get this done.

No time like the present

No time before Le Mans

 

[scm]

My car's paint is in a terrible state (black, dealer washed a couple of times). I really need to bit the bullet and get this done.

No time like the present

Never do today what you can put off to tomorrow! :lol:

 

[Dynamic Dek]

Treating the windows was smart, and going for those Gtechniq coatings was a bold move.

Looking at it now it's a massive improvement on what it was like a year ago, but time will tell if it was bold or a dumb move
My initial aim was not to make it worse, so I' think this at least has been achieved.
The Crystal Serum Light is a 'consumer level' coating designed for have a go amateurs, the EXO went on a lot easier as it has a wider time window of when to wipe and level the product.

I think the more difficult part is the paint decontamination and polishing.

How long the coating will last is to be determined and if my brain cell can remember, I'll give an update in 6 and 12 months time on that.
Just waiting a few more days before getting it wet to see what the water beading / sheeting is like. this should also show if there are any obvious areas that I've ballsed up and see if it's and easier to remove the fly splats ;-)

ATB
DD

 

[WShudds]

Treating the windows was smart, and going for those Gtechniq coatings was a bold move.

Looking at it now it's a massive improvement on what it was like a year ago, but time will tell if it was bold or a dumb move
My initial aim was not to make it worse, so I' think this at least has been achieved.
The Crystal Serum Light is a 'consumer level' coating designed for have a go amateurs, the EXO went on a lot easier as it has a wider time window of when to wipe and level the product.

I think the more difficult part is the paint decontamination and polishing.

How long the coating will last is to be determined and if my brain cell can remember, I'll give an update in 6 and 12 months time on that.
Just waiting a few more days before getting it wet to see what the water beading / sheeting is like. this should also show if there are any obvious areas that I've ballsed up and see if it's and easier to remove the fly splats ;-)

ATB
DD

Even if the paint has been properly prepped, it's important to realise that no LSP (last step protection i.e coating, sealants) product will last as long as it could without proper maintenance which includes the right, regular cleaning regimen, decontamination (twice a year using a PH neutral iron remover), followed by a topper a.k.a sacrificial layer.

There are plenty of ceramic/SiO2 quick detailers that you should could use as a drying aid or after drying the vehicle to refresh the coating extending its lifespan.