Lots of Poorboy's, some wet-sanding, and a 2010 Forte

[BPebzly]

Finally got around to detailing my gf's Kia Forte this weekend. Paint was in pretty bad shape, with lots of swirls and random scratches. The driver side door and side mirror were coated with overspray from a fender-bender, courtesy of the previous owner.

Process was a dawn wash, clayed with Meg's yellow clay, 2 of the deeper scratches were touched up, and wet-sanded with 1500, 2000, and 2500. Then buffed with a PC DA with SSR 2.5 on an orange LC pad, and SSR 1 (yellow), on a white LC pad. From there I applied black hole, a coat of EX-P, and a coat of Natty's red. Trim was done with Mother's back to black, and diluted purple power was used on the engine bay.

I was able to get most of the swirls out, but a lot of the random scratches still remain. Not sure if my 2.5 was too old, the paint was too bad for a DA, I didn't work the polish for long enough, or Kias just have really hard paint. Either way, I'd say it was about a 75% or so transformation.

Before:

After Wet-Sanding

After

Thanks for lookin!

 

[mrclean81]

Nicely done. Don't be too hard on yourself because that car was hammered. I would say the 2.5 just wasn't enough to cut those deeper scratches out. I would suggest PB Master Cut for the deep stuff.

 

[BPebzly]

Thanks, and thanks for the tip! I knew it was pretty bad, but didn't realize how bad until I saw the limited effect the 2.5 had. Do you think the Master Cut would still do the job with the DA and orange pad? Also, I know the DA's are pretty much idiot-proof (at least for me, so far), but I'm weary of goin too far into the paint, since I'm not sure which panels were repainted, and how the job was done. I'm pretty sure the front bumper was re-sprayed, and I wet sanded that scratch up by the fog light, so maybe I'd be okay.

I should probably start looking into learning how to use a high-speed, this is like the 10th car I've done with the DA, and most people I talked to said you pretty much grow out of it after 2 or 3. It'd be nice to not have the process take all day, too! :crazy:

 

[groebuck]

check the cutting pad thread from todd - you might do better with a megs microfiber pad to correct

but that is a hell of a job from dead to awesome.

 

[Evan.J]

Nice job.

If your ever looking at the flex 3401 or the Rupes let me know I have both you can try out before you buy!

 

[Ronkh]

great turn around !!!

 

[mrclean81]

Thanks, and thanks for the tip! I knew it was pretty bad, but didn't realize how bad until I saw the limited effect the 2.5 had. Do you think the Master Cut would still do the job with the DA and orange pad? Also, I know the DA's are pretty much idiot-proof (at least for me, so far), but I'm weary of goin too far into the paint, since I'm not sure which panels were repainted, and how the job was done. I'm pretty sure the front bumper was re-sprayed, and I wet sanded that scratch up by the fog light, so maybe I'd be okay.

I should probably start looking into learning how to use a high-speed, this is like the 10th car I've done with the DA, and most people I talked to said you pretty much grow out of it after 2 or 3. It'd be nice to not have the process take all day, too! :crazy:

Master Cut works well with a DA. I wouldnt worry too much about going too far with a PC. A rotary is a different story, but you would have to be trying to burn a panel intentionally to do damage with a PC unless maybe on a really sharp body line or something where the paint is super thin. Heres a truck I done a while back with a GG6 and Master Cut. Should give you a good idea what it will do on a DA. (not trying to jack your thread or anything).
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/detailers-showcase/42573-hammered-honda-ridgeline.html

 

[classofshine]

Nice work!

 

[BPebzly]

Thanks everyone! It's always good to get some positive feedback from people who appreciate the craft! :yourrock

Mr. Clean- amazing turn around on that honda!

Evan- I might have to take you up on that...where are you located in the Burgh? Might be interested in picking your brain a bit about how possible a detailing business can be up here...always seems like there isn't much market for it. I've got a long way to go with learning the ropes, but never a bad idea to have a back up plan.

Thanks again!

 

[dc52nv]

Can't believe it's the same car. Great turn around.

 

[Evan.J]

Thanks everyone! It's always good to get some positive feedback from people who appreciate the craft! :yourrock

Mr. Clean- amazing turn around on that honda!

Evan- I might have to take you up on that...where are you located in the Burgh? Might be interested in picking your brain a bit about how possible a detailing business can be up here...always seems like there isn't much market for it. I've got a long way to go with learning the ropes, but never a bad idea to have a back up plan.

Thanks again!

I'm just up past the mills mall but would be happy to meet up with you and let you give the machines a go and talk about things