Cheers guys

Still working on the other two wheels, stripped them back ready for painting tomorrow, hopefully
Very pleased with how they are turning out, learning more about painting and laquering etc

While she is still sat up, my mechanic has recomended getting some waxoyl into the sill through the flute fixing holes.

Have got all new flute fixings from Mazda, (including some of the plastic protector strips arriving next week )
My original flutes are a bit knackered, especially the passenger side, so am buying a set from Sandman to respray.

I don't think that this will "polish out":





There has always been a lump under the edge, but not really visible until I took them off

looking awsome dude!!

Finished the second pair of wheels about a week ago, and got the car all put back together.
Sprayed some waxoyl into the sills through the flute fixing holes.

Have got a better finish on the wheels this time:







So, after refitting the wheels etc, I took her out for a run and found that one of the front callipers was sticking and had seized.
The clue was the heat from the brakes, the smell and bits of pad stuck on my new painted front alloy.

Now have had a new set of pads and front callipers fitted, shiny silver!

So pleased to be able to drive her again, after a month off the road.

Looks nice fella . Your calipers wont be shiney silver for long

i found that all the calipers go at roughly the same time.

First one of my rears, then just under a year later the other side, then a front - so I replaced the remaining front caliper at the same time to save knackering up another set of discs and pads again...

That was what I was thinking too, Adam, so I had both front callipers replaced together as well

I think I will laquer them again soon, while there is a good surface to work to.

very very impressive work mate looks the nuts!

need some adivce, how do you get rid of swirl marks, yours doesnt seem to have any at all, did you machine cut them out?

Cheers,
So far all the work has been by hand
I started with Megs smooth surface clay kit, then used the Megs Deep crystal 3 stage system- paint cleaner, polish and wax.
Worked well at removing swirls and light scratches. Cleaned up the machine marks left after my front end respray.

There are still some marks and areas for me to work on, but fortunately not too obvious now.
My Christmas present is a dual action polisher.

My F had some more visitors at our farm today.

Mazdasteve and Nick came over for the day, mainly to work on Steve's engine bay.

My F came out for a photo call after all the work was done:



This led to a quick run and wipe round for the other 2 guys











Good to see you guys again.

awesome group of cars

Good day out cheers fellas.

Just looking at the phots I can realy see the difference with your wheels now Howie. They do look great against the noble green paint work.

by the way,
I recon mine is lower then Steves at the front even though he has a splitter fitted!

My wonderful wife Liz bought me a Megs Dual action polisher for Christmas,

I have been itching to try it out, and gave it a quick test this evening on my rear spoiler.
Used the polisher for applying the Megs stage 1 paint cleaner, then did stages 2 and 3 by hand.
Did remove some scratches and marks, may need to try some Megs ultimate compound when I get more confident.

Here are a couple of reflection pics:





Looking forward to getting some more advice and tips at the Megs detailing seminar in Jan.

you can use step 2 and 3 with it if you wish

Also, personally ( looking at the pictures) I wouldn't use the compound on your car - as if you use the polish ( step 2 ) you will find it will help more with the scratches. The compound 'might' make things worse..... BUT I haven't seen your car so unsure how bad the marks you say are. If there's only a few then scratchX after the paint cleaner should be better

Thanks for the advice Neil

I wasn't going to rush using the polisher, just wanted to try out my new toy on a small section
as my car was already clean and polished.

I managed to clean my F before the snow and ice, then haven't used her since, so she is still clean and tucked away (In her garage)

This is as close as my F got to the snow:







Looking forward to trying out my other car gift after my next wash - its a 0 ppm water filter, for the final rinse

is this a car or an ornament

Bit of both, do love driving her, as well as keeping her in shining condition.

I'm also lucky that we work from home on our farm, and don't need to use her as a daily commuter.

I find that keeping her looking good is relaxing and enjoyable, does help us with selling Meguiar's in our farm shop too

Many customers have been interested in the finish on my F, so she acts as a promotional tool as well (on the rare occasions when she goes out )

I'm sure there is a picture of Howie with his pea shooter up the exhaust of his car on the net somewhere

always nice to come here and visit this car

Thought I'd add these pics from the end of December, taken on the hills above our farm:





and a couple this evening with the snow, again:

I thought you were being sarcastic with your comment about the snow via email the other night. Didn't realise you had it so bad - we have none!!


Mark

Howie, question, What kind of Megs products you use to get this very shiney result.

For example, I use STEP 1, 2 and Megs Tech wax products..Also the clay bar. My car is almost as shiney as yours ( for an red car ), but still has some minor swirls on it. How did you get your swirls out of your paintwork?

I don't want to ruin my red paintwork, it's allready an soft paint. Any suggestions?

Chris

Just got back in from the Meguiar's detailing seminar, 6 hrs through driving rain and standing water. Great day

Took a couple of pics when I got her back in her garage tonight, combining reflections and water beading:





Looks like its time to give her a good clean again

wish mine was that clean after 6hrs of driving lol
stunning effects from your hard work fella

Hay Chris,

Having just been at the same semina that Howie was at (the meguars one) I would say the thing your missing is their Ultemate Compond" use this after stage one. it is for removing the swerl marks before the polishing and waxing.

Cheers Nick,
I should have put up on here that I replied to Chris' question straight away, with a long and wafflely PM.

That's correct sir Howie

We had an club meeting in Holland today, also had an Meguiars demonstration day. So now I've also bought the Ultimate compound.

Sometime on the trip to Meguiar's my F picked up a fresh stone-chip on her bonnet

I have been working on the stone chip for the last couple of days now.

Carefully layered paint, then applied lacquer to produce a small raised bubble.



Then the scary bit this evening, gentle wet sanding to bring it level



Applied Ultimate compound, polish and wax layers.

Brought it from this chip :



To this clean reflection :



Still not perfect, but much better and not so obvious.

Took this last one directly over the repair:

Increadible work Howie!! You should be chuffed to bits!!

You have my greatest respect for having so much patience!