2006 New Formula Red S2000

[Matt S.]

Hey guys, I’ve been taking my time detailing this red 2006 S2000 over the past couple days and finally got a chance to do a little write-up since my CF card reader broke and I had to wait on a new one. The car started out in great shape, as it is a garage queen with 10k miles and I couldn’t find a single rock chip anywhere. Unfortunately, I don’t have any full car “before” shots as it was dark when I got it.

The entire front end and mirrors had a 3M clear bra applied when the car was brand new. And as some of you may already know, the paint is single stage.
When I picked the car up, I noticed that there were no major defects, but there were some deeper swirls here and there. I decided to aim for ~95% correction as the paint on these cars is very soft and thin, and I didn’t want to go crazy using compounds just to get out every single last RID.
I did not expect clay to do much on this car as it was in such good shape, but I was wrong. The WG clay I used actually had to go in the trash – the back bumper was especially terrible.
For correction, I started by playing with Meguiar’s 205 and Optimum Polish II with a polishing pad on the Flex 3401, but neither provided satisfactory results. I decided to step up to Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover, also with a polishing pad, which did the trick. As you may know, the formula for this polish is based off Menzerna SIP, but with longer working time and less dusting. Due to the longer working time and the fact that a cutting pad was not used, I was actually left with a very nice finish with no noticeable hazing or microscratches. I decided to finish with 3M Ultrafina and a gray pad and the finish really began to pop. Also, I had to use my PC with 4” pads to get into the crevices of the front and rear bumpers as they are pretty curvy. The same process was used on the areas with clear bra applied to them.
I was going to bring Souveran out of retirement as I haven’t used it in awhile, but I love Fuzion so much that I just used that instead. I’m happy with my choice as it really made the red pop but look absolutely dripping wet at the same time. :D

The next day I got started on the interior, which looked brand new. To keep it that way, I applied some 303 to the dash, and when the sun got stronger, I let the car out in the sun and got some Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil on the seats, steering wheel, center console, and door panels – anything with leather. The top was beading water slightly when I washed the car, but I also opted to add a fresh coat of 303 to the top as well (vinyl top). Sprayway Glass Cleaner was used on all windows. Tires were dressed with Poorboy’s Bold ‘N Bright (I was using Optimum Opti-Bond for awhile; now I go back and forth between the two).

Process used:
-Wash with Meguiar’s Gold Class Shampoo, dried with Cobra Guzzlers
-Clay with Wolfgang Elastic Poly Clay (this actually pulled more out of the paint than I had expected for such a clean car)
-Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover 3.0 w/white polishing pad, Flex 3401 speed 6
-3M Ultrafina w/gray finishing pad, Flex 3401 speed 5
-Wolfgang Fuzion w/red finishing pad, Flex 3401 speed 3-4
-Optimum Opti-Seal on all door/hood/trunk jambs and wheels
-303 Aerospace Protectant on dash and convertible top
-Leatherique on all leather
-Sprayway Glass Cleaner on all glass surfaces
-Poorboy’s Bold ‘N Bright on tires

I think that covers pretty much everything…on with the pics.
Here is the car under the halogens in my messy garage after washing/claying:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7059.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7060.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7061.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7063.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7064.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7064.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7067.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7068.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7075.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7078.jpg


Couple after shots:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7079.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7080.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7082.jpg


The following morning @ sunrise:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7083.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7089.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7090.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7091.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7092.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7093.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7096.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7097.jpg

[Matt S.]

Leatherique application. I used a foam applicator to get more thin, even applications since the seats are perforated.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7186.jpg

Applied to Driver’s side:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7188.jpg

Passenger without / driver with:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7190.jpg


Also applied to center console, door panels, steering wheel

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7185.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7192.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7196.jpg


Sitting in the sun:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7198.jpg


While the leatherique was drying, I got bored and decided to get more shots of the paint while the sun was out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7199.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7201.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7202.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7203.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7210.jpg


And the top after a fresh application of 303 Aerospace Protectant:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7212.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7213.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7214.jpg


More paint shots, and a pic of the wheels after using Duragloss 501:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7215.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7222.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7226.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7243.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7246.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7248.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7250.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7256.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7273.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7287.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7290.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7298.jpg


Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. :)

[Matt S.]

Oh, and by the way...the Vette is gone and this is my new ride :D

[cobraa]

fantastic :)

[SuperSport]

Great Job. The red really pops!!

[Rsurfer]

Boy you weren't kidding about it being dripping wet. Good job. One thing Matt, you said you used Ultrafina with a Flex. 3M recommends that you use Ultrafina with a blue pad on a rotary. They recommend 1500 to 1800 rpms and the Flex can not even come close to those speeds. From the look of the paint I guess you can jewel with the Flex.

[Rsurfer]

Btw you better change you avatar and congrats on the S2000.

[kronos]

Nice job. Nice car. Why did you switch cars? Got bored of the vette.

[Nappers]

Those were some bad swirls!

That car looks awesome, dripping wet paint now!

Good show!

I like the fishing poles! I love to fish
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7068.jpg

[SRHTX]

Oh, and by the way...the Vette is gone and this is my new ride :D


:wow: :applause: :cruisin: :goodjob2:


Okay. Some people are going to think I'm crazy. lol That was a very big change going from a Vette to an S2000. Just think. The S2000 will be worth some money down the road since they will no longer be made.

[mchess1]

The S2000 looks great, quite a turnaround.

[Matt S.]

fantastic :)

Thank you :)


Great Job. The red really pops!!

Thanks!


Boy you weren't kidding about it being dripping wet. Good job. One thing Matt, you said you used Ultrafina with a Flex. 3M recommends that you use Ultrafina with a blue pad on a rotary. They recommend 1500 to 1800 rpms and the Flex can not even come close to those speeds. From the look of the paint I guess you can jewel with the Flex.

I've never had a problem breaking down Ultrafina with a Flex. I've experimented with it quite a bit....Menzerna also only recommends using their polishes with a rotary, as did Meguiar's with the original #105 formulation if that tells you anything.


Btw you better change you avatar and congrats on the S2000.

I'll get a new avatar and sig shortly :xyxthumbs:


Nice job. Nice car. Why did you switch cars? Got bored of the vette.

Vette was getting old and with 500hp it was a pain in the ass to drive on the street. I've wanted an S2000 for around 5 years now and I have no regrets now that I finally have one...it is an absolute pleasure to drive!


Those were some bad swirls!

That car looks awesome, dripping wet paint now!

Good show!

I like the fishing poles! I love to fish
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v455/MattZ28/S2000/IMG_7068.jpg

LOL, thanks. My father is pretty serious about his fishing equipment!


:wow: :applause: :cruisin: :goodjob2:


Okay. Some people are going to think I'm crazy. lol That was a very big change going from a Vette to an S2000. Just think. The S2000 will be worth some money down the road since they will no longer be made.

I guess it's possible, but only if it's kept in a bubble with no miles on it or something.

[gary748s]

Congrats on the new ride! It looks amazing after a little AG magic... Any plans on modding it? :dblthumb2:

[loudog2]

Great job Matt!! I haven't seen you much on here lately. Where have you been?

[Bobby B.]

WOW! That is a beautiful S2000 Matt. Great job correcting the paint surface.The Formula Red Paint is dripping wet. Looks amazing. Good luck with your new toy. I can't wait to see what this S2000 will look like in a few months. My guess - Wheels, Lowered, Exhaust, Cold Air Intake, Short Shifter, Turbo, Removable Hardtop.