Polished and Ready for Spring - 2012 Jaguar XKR - Rupes MKII - Paint Correction

[zmcgovern45]

This vehicle was in for a thorough cleaning and gloss enhancement to prepare for Spring. I was able to remove the majority of defects from the paint to really make this silver shine.


Process
Tires: Tuf Shine Tire Cleaner and Brush
Wheels: P21S Gel Wheel Cleaner and Various Brushes
Foam Pre-Soak: Honeydew Snow Foam
Wash: Honeydew Snow Foam and Blue Grout Sponge
Dry: Master Blaster 8HP
Chemical Decontamination: CarPro Iron X and CarPro TarX
Mechanical Decontamination: Nanoskin Fine Grade Mitt and Glide
Paint Thickness Readings Taken: Defelsko DFT Combo
Paint Correction: Meguiar's D300 on MF Cutting Pad via Rupes LHR21ES MKII and Griot's G21
Paint Polishing: Meguiar's M205 on White LC Pad via Rupes LHR21ES MKII and Griot's G21
Paint Protection: CarPro Reload
Tire Dressing: Waxaddict Slicks Tyre Spray Dressing
Glass: Meguair's D120
Exhaust Tips: CG Metal Polish
Quick interior and Engine cleaning completed as well






I began with a thorough exterior cleaning and decontamination process.

Once the vehicle was clean, I began the correction process. While the defects were difficult to capture in camera, there were a considerable amount of swirls and scratches in the paint which needed to be removed.

After correction, the majority of defects were removed to produce a flatter, glossier surface.

Before correction

After correction

Defect free

Before correction

After correction

I find it is easiest to examine paint while working in the dark. It also makes for some cool pictures

The paint was then protected with a silica sealant. The silver paint was very glossy. This car is ready to hit the road come warm weather!

A quick look at my new space.

 

[7.3powerstroke]

Looks great...

So that is your new shop?

 

[BTLew81]

Did you use eraser before Reload? Car looks fantastic!

 

[zmcgovern45]

Looks great...

So that is your new shop?

Thanks... yep, I just moved in end of last year.

Did you use eraser before Reload? Car looks fantastic!

Thanks!

Nope, no need to erase before using reload.

 

[AZ Mike]

Beautiful job. Thanks for the write up. I like your shop.

 

[zmcgovern45]

Thank you!

 

[BTLew81]

Interesting on no eraser...very good to know!

 

[rlmccarty2000]

What did you use to protect the fabric top? My favorite is #03 Fabric Protectant, but there are some newer products out there promising longer protection.

 

[Rsurfer]

Interesting on no eraser...very good to know!

I'm curious as well, because Meg's have oils.

 

[Huot25]

Excellent job on a beautiful car :dblthumb2:! Have any shots working on that red "gem" in the background?

 

[zmcgovern45]

Interesting on no eraser...very good to know!

I don't find eraser to be completely necessary unless you're using a very oily polish... Can you use it before reload? Certainly! You can use it before any type of LSP if you really want to.

What did you use to protect the fabric top? My favorite is #03 Fabric Protectant, but there are some newer products out there promising longer protection.

Oops, forgot to mention that... ragtopp was used to clean the top, and 303 fabric protectant was used afterwards.

I'm curious as well, because Meg's have oils.

Yep, but I've not had any issues with applying any sort of non-coating immediately after polishing. Heck, I've even tested a variety of coatings on my car without a solvent wipe down, and they still shed water 12+ months later.

I use an small amount of M205 on an unprimed pad when polishing. The residue left is minimal. Not a concern in this case for me.

Excellent job on a beautiful car :dblthumb2:! Have any shots working on that red "gem" in the background?

Thanks... I'll do a write up on that bad boy when we are finished with it :dblthumb2:

 

[Lustrous Detail]

Thanks... yep, I just moved in end of last year.


Thanks!

Nope, no need to erase before using reload.

what other protections doesn't need and ipa or eraser wipe prior to application?

 

[Priyaka]

Congrats on the new space. I always enjoy reading about your work. Those b&w shots look beautiful, as does the finished car.

 

[haris300]

Great work Zach. Those photos in the dark look awesome. Hoping to get my hands on the 15 very soon.

 

[zmcgovern45]

what other protections doesn't need and ipa or eraser wipe prior to application?

Traditioanl waxes and sealants don't require a solvent wipe prior to applying. Solvent wiping prior to applying a LSP is a relatively new step in the process that was brought along with the growing coating industry.

IPA or other solvents were typically used more for inspecting your correction results to validate your testing, but not necessarily for stripping the entire car prior to waxing.

 

[SL500]

Great job! I'm planning to use a similar regimen on my SL550 this morning. Curious about the Megs D300 though, can't seem to find that product -- is it like the M105?

 

[zmcgovern45]

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-compound.html

 

[SL500]

Thanks, very helpful.

 

[SuperGlide]

Looks great!

 

[zmcgovern45]

Thanks