My new car and the ultimate detail

TrKent

TrKent

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Hello everyone,
I have pre-ordered a 2013 Focus ST in a color called Tangerine Scream:
7732328972_f8e73cc46f_c.jpg


I have already asked the dealership to not touch the car when it comes in, so no DISO. This is not going to be a daily driver, it will only be a weekend/show car stored in a temperature controlled garage.
This is what I would like to do to my car, your input is greatly appreciated. :xyxthumbs:

First off, the background of the paint: this is one of Ford's tri-coat metallic colors and also uses Ford's extremely hard Ceramic clear coat. I know this car will come with a LOT of orange peel. Every Ford I have seen with the ceramic clear has quite a bit of orange peel. I have also read that Ford does not want you removing more than 3 microns from the paint for fear of clearcoat failure. (or at least failure of the ceramic benefits)

I would like to wetsand the car to remove at least some of the orange peel. Perhaps only with 5000 grit and no more than 3000. Is there any reason why this wouldn't be a good idea?

After wet sanding I will bring the paint back with either my Flex 3401 or, if it arrives in time, a Rupes LHR 21e. If i'm using the Flex I will progress through the polishes this way: 1500, 2500, 3000, 4000, 4500. I will also polish the headlights/taillights to bring up the clarity some

Then, when the paint enhancement is finished, I will use Gtechniq products to coat everything. I plan on 3 layers of C1 on the paint, 3 layers of G1 on all the glass, 3 layers of C5 on the wheels, 1 layer of C4 on all trim, and then EXO overtop of all of that. For the interior: C6 (matte dash) for all interior plastics and trim, i1 for the floor mats and all the carpet, and L1 for the leather. Engine bay and exhaust will be coated with EXO.

Here is a picture of what I am trying to achieve:

7977379591_078ca92c2c_z.jpg


Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I have never wet sanded before, so if i do decide to go that route I will have to get some panels and practice until i feel confident with it. the car won't be here until mid to late october.

:dblthumb2:
 
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Removing more than .2 microns (5 MIL) is where you run risks of removing the ceramic layer thus leaving the clear very soft. This would be done very quickly with 1500. You should probably start quite a bit higher (2500 at least) before diving deeper, and constantly monitor your work. Removing more than .3 microns (7.5 MIL) will void your finish warranty with Ford.

I'd give your little project a great deal of thought before attacking your brand new car with 1500 grit sandpaper, and possibly voiding your warranty and opening up pandora's box - which could lead you down a road full of headaches trying to maintain your finish.
 
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He said 5000 and at most 3000. I think the 1500 was referring to the polish. ;)

Edit: never mind... I think you're talking about the polish. Thought you were referring to the paper. Sorry...
 
TrKent said:
Ford's extremely hard Ceramic clear coat.

Also...It's very thin!

I know this car will come with a LOT of orange peel. Every Ford I have seen with the ceramic clear has quite a bit of orange peel.

I have also read that Ford does not want you removing more than 3 microns from the paint for fear of clearcoat failure. (or at least failure of the ceramic benefits)

I've heard that this should be .3 mils (~7-8microns)...Maybe I heard wrong.

I would like to wetsand the car to remove at least some of the orange peel. Perhaps only with 5000 grit and no more than 3000. Is there any reason why this wouldn't be a good idea?

Factory baked-on CC is very thin! Not saying sanding can't be done...That's the easy part.
Getting the sanding scratches out may be a tough row to hoe, though.

After wet sanding I will bring the paint back with either my Flex 3401 or, if it arrives in time, a Rupes LHR 21e. If i'm using the Flex I will progress through the polishes this way: 1500, 2500, 3000, 4000, 4500. I will also polish the headlights/taillights to bring up the clarity some

Then, when the paint enhancement is finished, I will use Gtechniq products to coat everything. I plan on 3 layers of C1 on the paint, 3 layers of G1 on all the glass, 3 layers of C5 on the wheels, 1 layer of C4 on all trim, and then EXO overtop of all of that. For the interior: C6 (matte dash) for all interior plastics and trim, i1 for the floor mats and all the carpet, and L1 for the leather. Engine bay and exhaust will be coated with EXO.

Here is a picture of what I am trying to achieve:

7977379591_078ca92c2c_z.jpg


Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I have never wet sanded before, so if i do decide to go that route I will have to get some panels and practice until i feel confident with it. the car won't be here until mid to late october.

:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Number one must-have on your list of "tools if you plan on sanding: EPTG!!!

-I personally no longer wet/damp sand on factory baked-on CC.
Most vehicles have orange peel from the factory. I've learned to live with it, because:
Within that orange peel lies the true essence and functions that are the characteristics of CC itself...
The warnings issued by FoMoCo in regards to amount of CC removal should be, IMO, heeded.

That's just me, though.

-Since you've stated you've never wetsanded before,
I'll suggest that you read and study each and every word;
and, look real hard at the photos in the following Mike Phillips article:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...sanding-marks-griot-s-rop-wolfgang-twins.html

Just a few heartfelt suggestions...Nothing personal.

:)

Bob
 
Ok, if I skip the wetsanding, how much gloss would be added by using Menzerna 1500, 2500 and 4000?

Transmitted from my WiFi-enabled telegraph.
 
If you are trying to acheive the smoothest finish possible maybe have the car re-cleared over the factory clear and then wet sand and buff?
 
TrKent said:
Ok, if I skip the wetsanding, how much gloss would be added by using Menzerna 1500, 2500 and 4000?

Transmitted from my WiFi-enabled telegraph.
Click to expand...

Just another suggestion:
(I know you're all atwitter, awaiting the arrival of your new "glitter")

-Upon receipt of your new vehicle; check the painted panels with your:
"detailing-lights" for imperfections, if any;
then, perform the obligatory: Test Spot.


-Good Luck!! (Hopefully your new vehicle will be sprayed on a Tuesday or Wednesday)

:)

Bob
 
RoadRageDetail said:
Removing more than .2 microns (5 MIL) is where you run risks of removing the ceramic layer thus leaving the clear very soft. This would be done very quickly with 1500. You should probably start quite a bit higher (2500 at least) before diving deeper, and constantly monitor your work. Removing more than .3 microns (7.5 MIL) will void your finish warranty with Ford.

I'd give your little project a great deal of thought before attacking your brand new car with 1500 grit sandpaper, and possibly voiding your warranty and opening up pandora's box - which could lead you down a road full of headaches trying to maintain your finish.
Click to expand...

You mixed up mil and microns: the fumed silica is in the top 5 or 6 microns (around 0.2 mil). Removing it will make the underlying clearcoat very soft indeed.

To the OP: if you have never done it, you should practice before, alone or supervised (preferably). Read the two following threads:

KDS Wet Sand Training - Detailing World

KDS "Wet Sand Training" (finishing what I've started) - Detailing World

That VW turned out just great!
 
When are you going to get the car? I was talking about it with a friend at lunch yesterday and we were both excited about it coming out. I hear it's going to be a hot hatch game changer. If it is anything like Europe has had the past few years, you are in for a treat.
 
If it's called tangerine scream, shouldn't you leave the orange peel on there?
 
TornadoRed said:
When are you going to get the car? I was talking about it with a friend at lunch yesterday and we were both excited about it coming out. I hear it's going to be a hot hatch game changer. If it is anything like Europe has had the past few years, you are in for a treat.
Click to expand...

Because I ordered it with the HID headlights there is a production delay. I won't receive the car until mid-November so it really won't be driven until next Spring. It'll sit in the garage because I have a DD.

ForceField said:
If it's called tangerine scream, shouldn't you leave the orange peel on there?
Click to expand...

haha, good idea... i guess you mean tangerine peel.

I'm beginning to think about just polishing the paint and then going with the 3 layers of C1 and EXO. That should provide a whole lot of gloss and protection.
 
I saw a guy with one at the drag strip friday night. It ran high 12s with an intake, exhaust, and tune. Pretty impressive if you ask me.
 
KillaCam said:
I saw a guy with one at the drag strip friday night. It ran high 12s with an intake, exhaust, and tune. Pretty impressive if you ask me.
Click to expand...

These cars are just now hitting dealerships. Aftermarket mods are still in prototype form and there aren't any tunes out for them yet.
 
When you said "this is what I am trying to achieve" I thought you were trying to turn your orange Ford into a green Porsche. No that would be a detailing masterpiece. But, besides that, I probably wouldn't go wet sanding a brand new car. Polish alone will get you excellent results, and save your paint from possible disaster. What would be worse, having a new car with some normal orange peel polished to perfection, or having a new car with clear coat strike through that needs a repaint?
 
I am not certain that using all of the Gtechniqu products will be of any extra benefit. The EXO product may be used on every inch of the car. It is expensive, but would save time. You would just need to ensure to do a great job of prepping and polishing the paint. I would not expect the Tangerine Scream to be as brilliant and reflective as the green car you posted.

Congrats on the ST!! I have a 2012 Kona Ti. I love it!
 
DEREKC said:
I am not certain that using all of the Gtechniqu products will be of any extra benefit. The EXO product may be used on every inch of the car. It is expensive, but would save time. You would just need to ensure to do a great job of prepping and polishing the paint. I would not expect the Tangerine Scream to be as brilliant and reflective as the green car you posted.

Congrats on the ST!! I have a 2012 Kona Ti. I love it!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I would have considered Kona blue if they offered it on the ST.

The reason I would be using the other Gtechniq products would be for the scratch resistance. EXO offers no scratch resistance while C1 (in layers) from what I have read, can add about a micron to the paint thickness.
 
Perhaps you were seeing this car, an imported mk2 Focus RS. Much different car.

1086236099_TXDcv-L.jpg
 
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