Each one teach one - 2006 Mazda Miata

[Shane731]

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." -Chinese proverb



I have a friend named Lee who just recently purchased a 2006 Mazda Miata with about 15,000 miles on it. He is the third owner and he bought it from an older gentleman who always kept it garaged, but was apparently uninformed on its proper care. This is Lee's sixth car, and while he has always clayed and waxed his cars in the past, he wanted to know more about "real detailing". He knew I was into detailing and had been asking me a lot of questions, so following Mike's motto of "each one teach one", I invited him to bring his car over for some one-on-one instruction. This was really my first time showing somebody else how to detail, so I was nervous as well. Unfortunately, we had to split up this session over two Sundays, as my G110v2 died about halfway through polishing, so I ordered a Griot's Garage DA over the week and we completed the car the following Sunday. I found this paint to be rather on the finicky side, but after some testing we found that D300 on a microfiber cutting pad was providing the best correction, leaving only the RIDS and deeper defects. He understood what the swirl marks were, but I did have to explain what RIDS were and let him know that they were probably best left alone in order to remove as little paint as possible. This also made the most sense considering this car is white and a daily driver. I borrowed him Mike Phillip's Principles of Machine Polishing DVD beforehand so he could see what machine polishing entailed, but he admitted that actually getting the machine in your hands and physically doing it is a whole different ballgame. I also explained the two bucket method and using two mitts (one for the top of the car and one for the bottom), as well as properly measuring out your soap instead of just pouring it in. I tried to answer his questions to the best of my ability - I can only hope my answers stuck. Anyway, here was the general process:

Wash and decon
2BM with two mitts, CGCW
P21S TAW on lower panels
Iron X
claying was not needed as he had recently done it

Wheels and tires
Griot's Garage Heavy Duty Wheel cleaner
Meguiar's Super Degreaser
various brushes
wheels waxed with Collinite 476S
tires dressed with Optimum Opti-Bond
wheel wells got Sonus Motor and Trim Kote

Convertible top
RaggTopp Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner
RaggTopp Vinyl Protectant (2 coats)

Glass
Meguiar's Detailer glass cleaner on the inside
Diamondite Poli-Shield on the outside

Paint
Meguiar's D300 on 5" and 3" microfiber cutting pad
DP Waterless wash to remove light compounding dust
IPA wipedown
Wolfgang Fuzion

Headlights and taillights
Meguiar's D300 on 5" and 3" microfiber cutting pad
Wolfgang Plastik Surface Sealant

Trim and exhaust tips
Klasse AIO on emblems
Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus on plastic trim
Chemical Guys Black on Black on honeycomb grille
P21S metal polishing soap and Optimum Metal Polish (old formula) with #0000 steel wool on exhaust tips

Interior
vacuum
DP Interior Cleaner on plastics
DP Interior Protectant
Meguiar's M39 and M40 on rubber seals

On to the pics!

GG Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner working
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102191.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36791/size/big/cat/)

eeewwwwwww!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P1010220.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36792/size/big/cat/)

wheels all clean!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P1010222.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36794/size/big/cat/)

swirls before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P1010210.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36786/size/big/cat/)

Lee attempting a test spot with WG TSR on LC 5.5 inch CCS orange pad
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P1010211.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36787/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102121.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36788/size/big/cat/)

trunk lid after test spot
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102141.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36790/size/big/cat/)

using the microfiber system on the passenger door with G110v2
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102131.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36789/size/big/cat/)

using the microfiber system on the hood with Griot's Garage DA
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102211.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36793/size/big/cat/)

after 1 coat of RaggTopp vinyl protectant
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102241.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36795/size/big/cat/)

after 2 coats of RaggTopp vinyl protectant
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P1010227.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36796/size/big/cat/)

After pics

Fuzion hazing
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102281.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36797/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102291.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36798/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102301.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36799/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102311.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36800/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102321.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36801/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102331.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36802/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102341.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36803/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P1010236.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36805/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102371.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36820/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102382.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36821/size/big/cat/)

no more swirls!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102392.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36822/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102401.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36823/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102411.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36824/size/big/cat/)

[Shane731]

interior
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102431.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36825/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102441.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36826/size/big/cat/)

wheels waxed and tires and wheel wells dressed
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102452.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36827/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102462.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36828/size/big/cat/)

wiper cowl with UTTG on it
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102482.jpg?120 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36830/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102492.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36831/size/big/cat/)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102502.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36832/size/big/cat/)

One happy owner!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/../gallery/data/1282/medium/P10102471.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36829/size/big/cat/)

Sorry I didn't get more pictures - photography is definitely not one of my strong points.

Working with Fuzion was a real treat for Lee, especially with its ease of application and removal, as well as the fact that it doesn't stain trim, all attributes that he wasn't used to. He loved the smell as well (but then, who doesn't? :drool:). He also informed me that he felt the Griot's machine handled better than the Meguiar's DA, and I think I would have to agree. Very nice machine for the money. He was very happy with how it turned out, and even told me that he has had 3 brand new cars before that didn't look this good. I don't know about that, but it did make me feel good. I keep trying to get him to join the forum, so hopefully we will soon have another Autogeek on our hands. Thanks for looking! Also, be sure to give a shout out to Lee because I'm going to send him the link to this. :props:

[mchess1]

Shane - great job converting a new 'geek to madness. Glad to see you putting Mike's words into action.

I have tried but no one has caught the bug like I have.

[Marc08EX]

Great job Shane! Yeah the Fuzion is indeed a great wax.

[Scarelane]

Very nice write up!

:props:

[dad07]

Great thing you did Shane, helping someone learn what we live for!

OK Lee time to join the forum!!!!!!

Car looks great fellas and Shane are you bucking for Mike's job? LOL...JK

[Shane731]

bump

[VISITOR]

Working with Fuzion was a real treat for Lee, especially with its ease of application and removal, as well as the fact that it doesn't stain trim, all attributes that he wasn't used to. He loved the smell as well (but then, who doesn't? :drool:). He also informed me that he felt the Griot's machine handled better than the Meguiar's DA, and I think I would have to agree. Very nice machine for the money. He was very happy with how it turned out, and even told me that he has had 3 brand new cars before that didn't look this good. I don't know about that, but it did make me feel good. I keep trying to get him to join the forum, so hopefully we will soon have another Autogeek on our hands. Thanks for looking! Also, be sure to give a shout out to Lee because I'm going to send him the link to this. :props:

shane, now don't you wish you would of gotten the GG6 sooner? ;)

[Gurge]

just want to clarify - you only did 1 step of polishing and it was d300 / mf pads?

reading more about the d300 as a 1 step with no follow up polishing step. seems like you got pretty impressive results.

[Flash Gordon]

Nice work Shane :)

[mg6045]

I also see a lot of people using D300 as a 1 step. I'm sure the light colored paint had something to do with this.

For me, I always think the D300 looks perfect, until I tape off a section and use 106FA next to it and see the noticeable improvement.

But I am pretty sure that my technique could be cleaned up some when using the D300. I know there are better ways to make it finish out almost perfect. Its just not happening for myself.

[cutter]

Great work Shane and Lee!!! I was thinking the same thing Lee was about the car looking better than new!!

Join our Forum Lee, you've obviously been bitten by the "Detail Bug" and this is the best place to learn!!!:dblthumb2:

[mdb917]

Great work Shane :props:

I hadn't seen you on AG for awhile (or maybe I missed your posts) so it's nice to see you again.

Way to go on helping a detailing NOOB. That kind of generousity seems to be the norm around here...and that's a very good thing.

[Vegas Transplant]

:bump:

[DetailKitty]

Awesome job! The car came out great :xyxthumbs: