mazda 3 paint hardness

[joholste]

does anyone know how hard the cc on a Mazda 3 is?

[Brian_Brice]

Its on the soft side if memory serves, not very difficult to correct.

[smokin' mark]

i have a mazdaspeed3...paint is easy to work with.

[joholste]

smokin mark what compounds do you recommend for one?

[smokin' mark]

Is it so bad off that it needs a true compound?

[joholste]

yeah it's a daily driver that hasn't ever been detailed

[smokin' mark]

First off, I tell you from expensive and painful experience that these vehicles have lots of "edges" where the pain is thinner; plenty of opportunities to burn it with a rotary. Use extreme caution around door jams and hood corners.

If it were me, and it's not, this is what I would do:

1. Wash/dry.
2. Clay with great care...take your time.
3. Start with SSR2.5 with an orange pad and see how it goes.
4. If that doesn't work try SSR2.5 with a yellow pad.
5. If that doesn't work start the process over with SSR3.
6. SSR1 with a green pad.
7. Glaze.
8. Finish up with whatever wax or sealant you prefer.

[Harleyguy]

You shold always tape any edge on a car to avoid burning the paint .Tape is cheap paint work isn't

[dublifecrisis]

My wife has a black mazda 5. It's pretty darn soft. I swirled up the hood using a MF applicator and Duragloss 105. I got the swirls out easily with Menzerna IP and a white pad.

[grambow]

Just traded my 2005 3 hatch. SUPER SOFT and THI---IIINNNNNNN! I dreaded driving down the highway as the least little debris would chip the clear. I loved the car and never had an issue. However, I would not buy another Mazda based on the quality of the paint and cheap carpeting (this is my hobby after all). I used the Wolfgang swirl kit and it worked pretty well.