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**BeachBill** · 02-05-2011, 01:38 PM

Hi, my name is Bill. I have a Mazda MX-6 GT I purchased new in 1988. It has about 180K miles and the body is in good shape considering it's age. Car has been kept clean using a car wash and on a few occasions letting kids in the neighborhood wash and wax it. Normal amount of road rash, oxidation, scratches, etc.

I am retired. My last project for which I had no experience was acid staining my drive way and patio. It took several months and turned out nice (even she who must be obeyed agreed).

My new project is to detail my Mazda: Front to back, top to bottom: Paint, glass, wheels, tires. I have no experience detailing. I have spent about 30 hours learning about detailing. Probably just enough to be dangerous to myself. I found a lot of help at the Refinish Network and special thanks to 93foxcoupe. He also pointed me to this forum.

So far I have purchased a 7" variable speed polisher/sander. It came with 7" hoop and loop backing pad, foam pad, 60 & 240 grit sanding discs, terry towel, polishing bonnet. It has a 5/8" - 11 TPI spindle.

From the recommendations I have received so far, I'm looking at purchasing the following for detailing the paint:
* Doctor ColorChip touch up paint.
* Meguiars Mirror Glaze 105 Ultra-Cut Compound
* Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish swirl remover.
* Menzerna's PO85RD Polish.
* Collinite insulator wax 845.
* 3" mini buffer kit for use in close places.

I'll be looking at the videos and tutorials. Also, thanks in advance for any advice, opinions or recommendations. With a lot of luck, maybe this project will turn out nice.

Mike Phillips · 02-05-2011, 02:31 PM

Hi Bill

Welcome to Autogeek Online!

Sounds like you're off to a good start as far as a rotary buffer and some products...

Here's a related thread about using a only a rotary buffer to buff out your car...

Holograms!

Be sure to post any questions you have to one of the various forum groups that match your topic here...

Autogeek Online Forum Groups

**Flash Gordon** · 02-05-2011, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by BeachBill

Hi, my name is Bill. I have a Mazda MX-6 GT

60 & 240 grit sanding discs,
.

Welcome Bill

What do you plan on doing with the 60 & 240 grit disks

**BobbyG** · 02-05-2011, 03:06 PM

To Autogeek Online Bill!

Start off by giving it a complete washing, rinsing, and drying.

Get some clay and with a nice lubricant clay each panel.

Start on a small section and an orange pad. Don't start with to a too rough combination. Polish a small sections and start slowly.

Read some of Mike Phillips articles then practice what you've learned.

**tuscarora dave** · 02-05-2011, 03:25 PM

Welcome Bill. Go slow with that new rotary until you get the hang of it and be sure to tape up your edges and trim pieces that you don't want to get damaged by the spinning pad. Speaking of pads, what pads do you intend on using?

**BeachBill** · 02-05-2011, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

Here's a related thread about using a only a rotary buffer to buff out your car...

Thanks for the thread about using a rotary buffer. Good read.

**BeachBill** · 02-05-2011, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Flash Gordon

Welcome Bill

What do you plan on doing with the 60 & 240 grit disks

Hi Flash, I have no plans for the grit disks. They came with my polisher. Maybe one day I'll have something to sand. If you can think of a good use, please let me know.

**BeachBill** · 02-05-2011, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by BobbyG

To Autogeek Online Bill!

Start off by giving it a complete washing, rinsing, and drying.

Get some clay and with a nice lubricant clay each panel.

Start on a small section and an orange pad. Don't start with to a too rough combination. Polish a small sections and start slowly.

Read some of Mike Phillips articles then practice what you've learned.

Hi BobbyG, Thanks for your advice. I'm hoping that by using Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound, I will not have to clay the car. Also, in addition to being lazy, I also have the usual problems that accompany a body that is 68 years old. I was thinking that if the liquid compound didn't work, I could purchase some clay and just bite the bullet and hope my body forgives me.

Thanks for your advice...Bill

**tuscarora dave** · 02-05-2011, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by BeachBill

Hi BobbyG, I'm hoping that by using Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound, I will not have to clay the car.

That would be a bad idea especially using a rotary polisher on a car that is in the condition that you described. Reason is that there will surely be bonded contaminates that will become dislodged and get stuck in between the pad and the paint. These contaminates are often times harder than the paint itself and will leave circular scratches behind.

a body that is 68 years old.

I applaud you for even attempting to do this to your car. At 40 years old my body disagrees with this type of work. I'd suggest just claying and buffing out maybe one or two panels and call it a day then the next time you get after it, clay and buff the panels that you intend on working on that particular day. Being retired I would assume that there will be no real rush to get done.

**tuscarora dave** · 02-05-2011, 05:18 PM

Hey Bill I'm curious, is the rotary polisher that you purchased the Harbor Freight Tools model with the soft yellow pad? If so, that pad might be OK for the M-205 polishing Step but I would suggest getting a white or orange pad for the M-105 cutting step and a red finishing pad for the PO85RD final finishing step.