My first "detail" w/lots-o-pics... :MS6 Content:

[2K7MS6]

Hello AutoGeek! I lurk a lot and read a lot, but I don't post much. I finally mustered up the cash and got myself a proper detailing kit. It still has some stuff to be added, but it's a good start.

PC 7424XP, LC orange, white, gray and red pads, PBW SSR 2.5 & 1, Menzerna Power Lock, XMT pad cleaner and conditioner, Natty's Blue, Cobra Indigo MF's (which were cut wrong and replaced free of charge with two Cobra Miracle Towels) and some grit guards. HUGE thanks goes out to AG for the hook up with the free pads and the bundle set-ups along with the replacement of the MF towels!!

I'm not really new to car detailing when it comes to wash, clay, wax, etc... but this polishing stuff was new to me. I learned quick and read a lot here, so a lot of thanks goes out to everyone who posted great how-to's and reviews of products!

The car wasn't in terrible condition before. Some minor swirls, scratches, RIDS, etc.

More before pictures in my intro thread, if anyone cares

I tried to get 50/50 shots, but apparently I suck at photographing these things, as none of them turned out. So all I'm left with is the afters. Overall I am happy, however I think I underestimated the ability of SSR 2.5, as I still have some minor scratches and very light swirls. It could also be because it's my first experience with the polisher and I have some learning and technique to perfect.

On with the pics: all taped up with failed 50/50 tape on the hood...

Day of completion. It was cloudy, so the reflections didn't come out very well... and of course, it rained not 2 hours after...

This all happened last week, and I didn't get a chance to finish (wheels, tires, trim, etc). So here's the finished product with some progress on the wheels and such.

Wheels before (I know, I'm a dirty dirty person...)

Wheels after

And finally, the car.
Obligatory thumbs up shot:

Probably one of my best reflection shots...

Nevermind the dirty exhaust surrounds... I've yet to get to them as they're a huge pain in the ass...

And one of the wheels mounted...

Processes used:
Two bucket washed with dawn and Meguiar's gold class wash
Clayed with Meguiar's clay and quick detailer
Polished with PBW SSR 2.5 and Orange LC CCS pad
Polished with PBW SSR 1 and White LC CCS pad
Two bucket washed with dawn and Meguiar's gold class wash
Sealed with Menzerna Power Lock Sealant and a Red CCS Euro pad by hand
Waxed with PBW Natty's Paste Wax Blue and a Red LC flat pad by hand
Wheels:
Washed with Mother's wheel and tire cleaner and a MF mitt
Trouble spots clayed with Griot's clay and Meg's QD
Sealed with Menzerna Power Lock
Tires dressed with Black Magic gel dressing

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results, considering it's my first real detail/correction. I would've liked some more of the swirls and scratches gone, but I can't be too upset as this is my daily and I don't expect it to be perfect. Again, I've got to give a huge thanks to the AutoGeek community here for the great write-ups and reviews. You all helped me muster the courage to tackle this project!

 

[DetailedByPrecision]

great job on it. I remember my first correction on my own car too haha. PC7424XP MEG UC W/Orange, and M205 W/White on my 2000 honda accord.

 

[john b]

nice job -looks like you pick this stuff up fast,love the wheels:xyxthumbs:

 

[Bodezafa]

Awesome. Good work. I think I need to check out the Megs wheel cleaner!

 

[2K7MS6]

great job on it. I remember my first correction on my own car too haha. PC7424XP MEG UC W/Orange, and M205 W/White on my 2000 honda accord.

Thanks! I'm still learning, so hopefully my technique will improve along with my results.

nice job -looks like you pick this stuff up fast,love the wheels:xyxthumbs:

Thanks! I love the wheels too. Only problem is they're very hard to keep clean... I really need a proper wheel brush like the Daytona one... and brakes that don't dust so much!

Awesome. Good work. I think I need to check out the Megs wheel cleaner!

Thanks!
Here's the stuff I used: Mother's All Wheel & Tire Cleaner

 

[LegacyGT]

Nice job, looks great. How did you like the SSR 2.5?

I love those thing 5'' LC red pads for wax / sealant application.

 

[bova80]

nice speed6, you definitely need to lower that thing, one of the best things I ever did to mine.

 

[2K7MS6]

Nice job, looks great. How did you like the SSR 2.5?

I love those thing 5'' LC red pads for wax / sealant application.

Thanks! The SSR 2.5 was nice, but I think either I overestimated its capabilities, or my technique isn't quite there yet, because it didn't remove as much of the swirls as I had hoped. And it dusted a LOT. Both the SSR 2.5 and 1 dusted a bunch. My car looked like it had snow on it when I was done with both stages. Definitely needed a wash after the 2nd polish.

nice speed6, you definitely need to lower that thing, one of the best things I ever did to mine.

Ha thanks man! It does need lowered... I just need to come up with the $$$ for a proper set of coilovers. I only want to do it once and I want to do it right. So for now, it's a monster truck!

BTW, are you the same bova80 on 6club.com?

 

[Ech0]

Wow, car looks great and as others have said the wheels are excellent. Pulling them off the car is going the extra yard in my book.

 

[bova80]

Thanks! The SSR 2.5 was nice, but I think either I overestimated its capabilities, or my technique isn't quite there yet, because it didn't remove as much of the swirls as I had hoped. And it dusted a LOT. Both the SSR 2.5 and 1 dusted a bunch. My car looked like it had snow on it when I was done with both stages. Definitely needed a wash after the 2nd polish.



Ha thanks man! It does need lowered... I just need to come up with the $$$ for a proper set of coilovers. I only want to do it once and I want to do it right. So for now, it's a monster truck!

BTW, are you the same bova80 on 6club.com?

yes i am.

 

[VIP Reflections]

like the rims man! you did good for the first detail. good idea on the coilovers, i made the mistake of going with springs on my G.

 

[2K7MS6]

Wow, car looks great and as others have said the wheels are excellent. Pulling them off the car is going the extra yard in my book.

Thanks! I've always been a fan of that extra length to get stuff clean. I think the next "length" I need to go to in my detailing arsenal is detailing the wheel wells... I never knew people did that until I came here. I also never realized what a difference it makes!!! Really completes a car that's been detailed.

yes i am.

Glad to see another MS6-er here!

like the rims man! you did good for the first detail. good idea on the coilovers, i made the mistake of going with springs on my G.

Thanks! I've thought about springs... but if I do that, I'll need shocks in like 10,000 miles... and by the time I've bought springs and shocks, I could've bought proper coils and had the full adjustability! I want to do it right and I only want to do it once.

 

[bova80]

Thanks! I've thought about springs... but if I do that, I'll need shocks in like 10,000 miles... and by the time I've bought springs and shocks, I could've bought proper coils and had the full adjustability! I want to do it right and I only want to do it once.

FYI....I've had my springs on my ms6 for about 30k miles with the stock shocks and they are fine. As long as you get good springs your shocks will be alright.

 

[Pagani Zonda R]

My "friend", if this is your first detail, you will be a master of detailing soon! :dblthumb2:

Wow, your Mazda Speed 6 is one impressive car, the last images are f****** insane! This car seems to be made of glass, not paint! Near a pool, I would jump in the car thinking it is water!

:dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2:

Just wow!

 

[detailer25]

Nice work, . . . . nice wheels too!!

 

[zilla]

SSR 2.5 will dust a little, especially if the pad is not primed properly. That's been my experience with it (using it since '05 with a PC). It will remove quite a lot of swirls (especially with a rotary), but the key with a PC is multiple passes and using the proper pressure (Mike Phillips has some awesome write-ups and videos on here on that subject) to get the most out of the tool and the polish used.

SSR1 has never dusted for me unless I used it after it was broken down too much. For me though, it finishes awesome. Here's an example from my old car....

That's probably 2 passes of SSR2.5 and then on to SSR1 followed by EX-P and a coat or 2 of Natty's Blue. rops:

 

[2K7MS6]

My "friend", if this is your first detail, you will be a master of detailing soon! :dblthumb2:

Wow, your Mazda Speed 6 is one impressive car, the last images are f****** insane! This car seems to be made of glass, not paint! Near a pool, I would jump in the car thinking it is water!

:dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2:

Just wow!

Thank you for the kind words!!

Nice work, . . . . nice wheels too!!

Thanks! I appreciate it.

SSR 2.5 will dust a little, especially if the pad is not primed properly. That's been my experience with it (using it since '05 with a PC). It will remove quite a lot of swirls (especially with a rotary), but the key with a PC is multiple passes and using the proper pressure (Mike Phillips has some awesome write-ups and videos on here on that subject) to get the most out of the tool and the polish used.

SSR1 has never dusted for me unless I used it after it was broken down too much. For me though, it finishes awesome. Here's an example from my old car....

That's probably 2 passes of SSR2.5 and then on to SSR1 followed by EX-P and a coat or 2 of Natty's Blue. rops:

Your ///M looks GREAT!
So how do you properly prime the pad with the PB SSR pair? For 2.5, I started with a brand new pad. I used XMT pad conditioner and put about 2 or 3 good sprays directly on the pad. Then a big X of 2.5 across the pad and worked it around with my fingers a bit. Once I felt the pad was set up, I used about 1/3 to 1/4 that amount for each ~2' x 2' section. The dust was more like small pieces of dried polish, rather than a fine powder... the SSR 1 did the exact same thing, just not as much. Probably after about every panel or so, I would take a soft brush and lightly brush the pad off and spritz it with XMT conditioner and use my regular amount of polish. The dust was by no means terrible... just a lot more than I expected.

And by "passes," what do you mean? Are you working the polish over a section until broken down, reloading the pad and going back over the same section again? I wonder if I would've done that if I'd gotten better results...

 

[dougaross]

Personally I didn't find PB 2.5 very effective. You might want to try Megs 105 or Meg UC (which is available locally).

 

[jkk7479]

Nice job! Always loved the Mazdaspeed 6!

 

[zilla]

Your ///M looks GREAT!
So how do you properly prime the pad with the PB SSR pair? For 2.5, I started with a brand new pad. I used XMT pad conditioner and put about 2 or 3 good sprays directly on the pad. Then a big X of 2.5 across the pad and worked it around with my fingers a bit. Once I felt the pad was set up, I used about 1/3 to 1/4 that amount for each ~2' x 2' section. The dust was more like small pieces of dried polish, rather than a fine powder... the SSR 1 did the exact same thing, just not as much. Probably after about every panel or so, I would take a soft brush and lightly brush the pad off and spritz it with XMT conditioner and use my regular amount of polish. The dust was by no means terrible... just a lot more than I expected.

And by "passes," what do you mean? Are you working the polish over a section until broken down, reloading the pad and going back over the same section again? I wonder if I would've done that if I'd gotten better results...

SSR2.5 with a PC will need two passes to remove most defects. It's not as strong as M105 (which is ultra popular on this forum and many others) but it does a great job especially after multiple passes.

The amount you used sounds about like what I would do. SSR2.5 will dust some times, never had SSR1 dust too much though. If it was really hot when you were doing the work that will contribute to more dusting (less of a work time for the polish is how to think of it).

And you're exactly right about passes. I'll go over a section and then examine my work after buffing the section clean. If I'm happy with the results, then I move on. If I feel there are still more defects I'd like to remove then I'll go at it again. With SSR2.5, you're not likely to remove every single defect out there but you don't need to do that to get one hell of a shine. And thanks for the compliment on the M, it was a peach for sure. It's gone though, had to sell it.

Personally I didn't find PB 2.5 very effective. You might want to try Megs 105 or Meg UC (which is available locally).

Compared to those two, it doesn't cut as much. But you'd know that just from the compound chart that Meghan posted a while back. SSR3 is more similar to M105 from a cutting power standpoint. I don't have any experience with SSR3 though. M105 is nice, dusts like hell though and the work time is short but it cuts like a s.o.b. for sure. Seems to finish nice too though I've only used it on a white car so far.