Amazing what a Detailer can do!

"Nerd-Vol" (Nerd-Vol)
11/24/2013 at 12:01 • Filed to: Mazda, BLACK

Hello, haven't been around here in a while. Been busy getting little things on my car fixed. Had the trans fluid flushed, a/c clutch bearing replaced, fresh tires, new battery, and the final touch a full exterior detail:

To compare, here is what it looked like when I bought it:

DISCUSSION (13)

Nerd-Vol > Nerd-Vol
11/24/2013 at 12:06

How the hell do I edit my post to try and fix the pictures?

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Nerd-Vol
11/24/2013 at 12:10

No worries the pictures are fine on my end, clean 3!

SaabStutz > Nerd-Vol
11/24/2013 at 12:12

That, my good sir, is a fantastic looking car!

Nerd-Vol > SaabStutz
11/24/2013 at 12:15

Thanks! I can't stop staring at it. The car didn't look this good when I bought it back in 2011.

Svend > Nerd-Vol
11/24/2013 at 13:04

Looks great, she's got a nice deep shine to her. What was used and whats it wearing? Did you go wax or sealant or coating on her?

Nerd-Vol > Svend
11/24/2013 at 13:19

Thank you. I love the look of a deep shine, makes it look like someone put some glass on top of the paint. The blue flake in the Black Mica really shows through now.

Not sure what polish was used. I requested a sealant since it lives outside. The detailer used Meguiars #21, followed by a carnuba, which I cannot remember what it was.

I went to the detailer because I screwed up last weekend claying, polishing and sealing the car. The polish I used was too harsh and I didn't follow up with a gentler one. I also did so by hand. It looked good in the garage, so I went over it with a sealant and the next day in the sun it had a terrible haze. I went to the detailer to see what could be done, so he went back and clayed, polished, sealed and waxed.

I wish I had him do it from the start.

RaymondStantz > Nerd-Vol
11/24/2013 at 14:09

Always fantastic what a little polish and a good sealant/wax can do for a car. I see folks taking drab paint to Maaco when in reality, a decent polish would've done the car quite well. Nice results!

Long Live the Longdoor > Nerd-Vol
11/24/2013 at 14:13

What's the deal with the yellow foglights?

Nerd-Vol > Long Live the Longdoor
11/24/2013 at 14:23

No real deal with them. I had one of my fog lights get broken by a rock, so when I replaced the assembly I decided to get a yellow film as well. I just wanted to make a subtle change to the look of the car. I like them, makes the car stand out a little bit.

I don't buy the whole yellow providing visibility in rain/fog argument that folks try and bring up. I just wanted to make the change.

Nerd-Vol > RaymondStantz
11/24/2013 at 14:24

Thanks. I can't take credit for the results though. I took it to a pro detailer, and I am glad I did.

Svend > Nerd-Vol
11/24/2013 at 14:36

Ah. Yes. Black and dark cars are more prone to visible holograms and need a finishing polish. I do mine and friends cars (it's therapheutic) by hand with Gtechniq P1. Fantastic water based non diminishing polish, sometimes P2 is needed as a finishing polish but not always I've found. I hope he advised you on the best care package to maintain her at her best. Though a good shampoo and a quick detailer spray should do the trick.

A clean car is always rewarding, but a dark or black car more so.

Svend > Nerd-Vol
11/24/2013 at 14:37

RaymondStantz > Nerd-Vol
11/24/2013 at 14:41

Even as a hobby detailer with a Griot's DA I do fairly well. It's time consuming, but fun to get fantastic results, especially on slightly neglected cars.