2007 Chevy Cobalt - First Attempt

[rwright]

Ok everyone, this was my very first attempt with machine polishing. This is not on the level a lot of you are at so keep that in mind. I am open to suggestions, constructive criticism, and comments. I only worked on the hood this evening for testing.

Items used:

PC XP 7424
Pinnacle XMT #3 - LC Orange CCS 5.5" Pad
Pinnacle XMT #1 - LC White CCS 6.5" Pad
Pinnacle XMT Carnauba Glaze - LC Gray CCS 6.5" Pad
Blackfire Wet Diamond - Applied by hand/Gold BF CCS Applicator Pad

After bonding 12 hours, I will apply a coat of Fuzion. There's a lot of what looks like pitting in the paint, not sure if I need to compound this. I have XMT #4 Compound but didn't try it. Again, this is my first attempt. I do plan do purchase M105/M205 as recommended by many. All pics are of the hood.

Before:

50/50 XMT #3

Better 50/50:

After XMT #1 and XMT Carnauba Glaze:

Additional after:

Blackfire Wet Diamond drying:

After Blackfire Wet Diamond:

Additional after BFWD:

 

[pushtiulk]

great job

 

[Little OCD]

big difference. Looks great!

 

[jjkacz]

That turned out good. Looks like your ready to tackle the rest of the car.

 

[rwright]

Thanks everyone! I am ready to tackle the rest of the car, but I have to wait until next weekend. Have to go do the family thing today, sister-in-law is celebrating her birthday. Most people wait to work on black after they have gained skills, I just figured what a better way to learn than on black! I will update this thread after I complete the whole car, it's a mess!

 

[CEE DOG]

Excellent work!

 

[DARK HORSE]

Looks great Richard, Keep it up! I would definitely recommend that you get some m105/m205 (a truly GREAT combo and very easy to use, and gets the job down quickly), lose the glaze (no benefit on a well polished paint) and stick with 5.5' pads. Remember to do your IPA wipedowns between steps. Keep up the good work:dblthumb2:

 

[rwright]

I just wanted to use what I had on hand, mostly because it was all Christmas presents! I plan to move on to M105/M205 very soon. The XMT polishes are not bad but didn't quite have the finish I was after. But then again I didn't use the #4 compound which I think may have cut the pitting down. What I'm referring to as pitting is what looks like lint in the pictures. It's most likely from daily driving and having salt thrown on your car! We are taking the Cobalt to Detail Fest so I'm hoping for some one on one time with the Meg's Unigrit system. As for the glaze...I just wanted to try it out.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Excellent job!! rops:

Did you do an IPA wipe down after each polishing step so you could see your true correction?

 

[rwright]

Excellent job!! rops:

Did you do an IPA wipe down after each polishing step so you could see your true correction?

Uh...well... I did an IPA wipe down between XMT #3 and XMT #1 but not between #1 and the carnauba glaze . Hopefully before Detail Fest I can finish the car. I plan to this weekend but it all depends on the weather and the honey-do list! I'm not sure if I need to use a compound to take care of the pitting or what? Maybe Meg's Unigrit system? The last couple pictures show what I'm talking about, looks like lint.

 

[SuperSport]

Nice Work!!

 

[rwright]

Hello again! I just wanted to share a peek at my progress this weekend. This is the left door after M105 followed by M205. After I finish the car I will follow with PO85RD, Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant and finally Wolfgang Fuzion. Thanks to Asphalt Rocket, Dark Horse, Josh, AGPatel, Detail Dave, and Brad @ TKC Detailing.

 

[Nuke33]

The car looks great!

 

[rwright]

The car looks great!

Thanks! rops: I will re-write this thread when I'm finished. Speaking of, I need to quit my little break and get back out to the garage!

 

[StephenK]

great work

 

[2kredbb6]

Nice job!!

 

[DARK HORSE]

Looks GREAT Richard!!!! I can't wait to see the whole thing when you are finished!! Im the MAN
Keep up the EXCELLENT work buddy!!

 

[rwright]

Update:

Items used:

PC 7424XP
Wolfgang Auto Bathe, 2 buckets
Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant (x2 for even coverage)
Wolfgang Fuzion
Meguiar's NXT Gen Insane Shine tire dressing (aerosol)
Meguiar's APC+ - 4:1
303 Aerospace Protectant
Mother's Clay, Meguiar's Clay - Both OTC
91% IPA, not diluted
Meguiar's M105/M205
Menzerna PO85RD
LC Hydro-tech tangerine & cyan 5.5" pads
LC CCS gray 5.5" pad
Mixture of towels - Cobra, Meguiar's, and Sam's


Updated with new products:

Just a couple before picture's to show what I had to work with:

Engine before:

During:

After:

Cleaning the gas hole area:

Door before:

After:

Close up (thanks for the idea Tad)

Door after M205:

Outside shots:

Before:

After:

Hood

Final shot

 

[Misterpaul]

It's extremely important to clean the gas hole area!!! :laughing:

My wife says I can be a real gas h.... oh yeah, family site keep it clean..

But seriously that 105/205 combo is fantastic on black! On the one picture update above I was ready to cal BS because it looks like you took a picture in a mirror. Great job! :dblthumb2:

BTW: I love what that combo did for my metallic red.

 

[DARK HORSE]

Great work Richard, Ecellent job!!!