The Final Polish
This is something I have had on the list for a while now, one could say for about two years. As time with the Mustang runs out, now is the time to give it a final polish before it leaves the garage. Does it need to be polished? Probably not. Do I
need to polish it? Absolutely. Why? Because it just feels right, my way of saying goodbye to a car that changed my life…………more on that at a later date.
In this case, we are not at all talking about a multi-step paint correction here, more so a gloss enhancement in preparation for the application of Can Coat EVO. I also won't be doing a multi-step decontamination process, it just doesn’t need it.
Prep –
The Mustang was washed last week before being put back under its cover. So, with the car already clean, I simply wiped the car down with a liberal amount of P&S panel prep, not the best of its kind, but I wanted to use this up. Applied heavy, I allowed each section a minute or two to dwell before wiping with a Platinum Pluffle towel. I then followed up with the stronger Gtechniq Panel Wipe, which was applied into the towel and not directly to the paint.
From here, I then taped up the rubber and plastic trims with the red Carpro masking tape. Same for 5.0 badges.
Polishing -
Polish of choice today was Carpro Essence. This is the perfect choice for a general enhancement polish, while also laying down a layer of Si02 for the Can Coat to bond to. Pad choice the new Rupes D-A Intermediate foam, the Rupes D-A Fine (iBrid Nano) and ShineMate Blue (Rupes 3-inch LHR75). For the S550, with the exception of the roof, each body panel needs to be split into different sections. This is due to the heavy contouring Ford went with, meaning you often need to use 3 and 5-inch machines, and occasionally the Nano too.
Today was my first go at using the new Rupes HLR15 battery powered polisher.
Rupes HLR15 15mm Kit | Dual Action Cordless Polisher – Waxit Car Care
First impressions are of smoothness and refinement. Other than the air powered LHR75, this is the smoothest polisher I have used, possessing none of that grinding wind-down of my ShineMates. There were early complaints about the odd battery placement Rupes chose, but to me it seems totally natural as I've always supported a polisher from the battery with my left hand and guided the head with my right hand.
A couple of things to note so far -
- Early reports of this machine seemed mixed, in particular being quite sensitive to pad choice and a tendency to "walk" aggressively. The consensus seems to be that they work best with the new thicker Rupes pads. This is likely due to the wafer-thin backing plate needing that extra cushion of the thicker pad.
- Used with the Rupes pad, I found the machine butter smooth and easy to control.
- To me, the speed control is backwards in direction, but the actual response is brilliant, offering more modulation than the ShineMate.
- The trigger lock is a mixed bag. Sometimes it snicks into place with a satisfying click. Other times it baulks and requires multiple stabs to get right. A typical Italian quirk.
A quick demo of the machine, my first using the GoPro. Initial movements are speedy to spread the polish, then slower to work the section.
Essence is a joy to work with, producing no dust and possessing a butter smooth wipe off. No, it doesn't have much corrective ability, but as I said earlier, I wasn't chasing defect removal. I did spot treat a couple of sections with firmer pressure on some very light scratches, which it removed easily. That's why I chose a firmer intermediate pad.
No editing with this picture, Race Red showing off its natural candy-like gloss.................
With the tape removed and the trim wiped with Gyeon Prep, I left it at that for today. Technically, you can apply a coating within an hour of using Essence, but I prefer to leave it overnight. I will then give the car a very light wipe over with Prep and apply the coating in the morning.
