Time to Polish Again

[kilobravo]

Took delivery of "MYSARAH" (her license plate) in February of 2020, a Shelby GT500 with the Carbon Fiber Track Pack and painted stripes options..

​

The following summer, I decided to put a ceramic coating on her. Despite being almost new, she did have some light marring in the clear coat here and there plus the gloss of the factory paint job wasn't anything to write home about. Decided to polish the vehicle first and then apply the coating. Took about a week, (I was an old fart then and an even older one now,) <smile> and I was glad I opted for the polishing option as the clear coat gloss and smoothness improved markedly.

​

BTW, the original coating was CarPro's CQuartz and subsequently gave the coating some love by using CarPro Reload after every wash. I did not do a decon wash over the five years so it was difficult to tell whether the original coating was causing the slickness and hydrophobic properties but the car was very easy to wash during that time period. However, she had accumulated some marring here and there and that coupled with the age of the coating convinced me to repeat the process.

I started this project about a week ago with a full decon treatment but got waylayed by an unexpected problem with my QuickJack which was a leaking reservoir tank. During the original polishing, I found that it was a whole lot easier to polish the vertical panels if the vehicle was raised eighteen inches or so not to mention being easier on the old bod and hence the reason for using the QJ. Lost a day figuring out what was wrong with that and wound up having to order a new tank.

While waiting for the new tank, I began taping and papering again which took another couple days. Polishing began yesterday and I was able to finish the horizontal panels. The new QJ tank arrived a couple days ago so today I'll be installing that and hopefully get my girl up in the air a bit so I can start on the vertical panels to include the front and rear sections. A couple photos of the progress..

​

When the polishing is completed, I will give her another ceramic coat but this time, I will be using Armour Detail Supply's Pro coating.

​

Coffee cup is nearly empty so I'll be heading out to the garage to pick up where I left off yesterday shortly. Fortunately, the south Texas weather has been accomodating with fairly cool temps and reasonably low humidity, at least for here that is. More to follow..

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[skinnyb]

Took delivery of "MYSARAH" (her license plate) in February of 2020, a Shelby GT500 with the Carbon Fiber Track Pack and painted stripes options..

​

The following summer, I decided to put a ceramic coating on her. Despite being almost new, she did have some light marring in the clear coat here and there plus the gloss of the factory paint job wasn't anything to write home about. Decided to polish the vehicle first and then apply the coating. Took about a week, (I was an old fart then and an even older one now,) <smile> and I was glad I opted for the polishing option as the clear coat gloss and smoothness improved markedly.

​

BTW, the original coating was CarPro's CQuartz and subsequently gave the coating some love by using CarPro Reload after every wash. I did not do a decon wash over the five years so it was difficult to tell whether the original coating was causing the slickness and hydrophobic properties but the car was very easy to wash during that time period. However, she had accumulated some marring here and there and that coupled with the age of the coating convinced me to repeat the process.

I started this project about a week ago with a full decon treatment but got waylayed by an unexpected problem with my QuickJack which was a leaking reservoir tank. During the original polishing, I found that it was a whole lot easier to polish the vertical panels if the vehicle was raised eighteen inches or so not to mention being easier on the old bod and hence the reason for using the QJ. Lost a day figuring out what was wrong with that and wound up having to order a new tank.

While waiting for the new tank, I began taping and papering again which took another couple days. Polishing began yesterday and I was able to finish the horizontal panels. The new QJ tank arrived a couple days ago so today I'll be installing that and hopefully get my girl up in the air a bit so I can start on the vertical panels to include the front and rear sections. A couple photos of the progress..

​

When the polishing is completed, I will give her another ceramic coat but this time, I will be using Armour Detail Supply's Pro coating.

​

Coffee cup is nearly empty so I'll be heading out to the garage to pick up where I left off yesterday shortly. Fortunately, the south Texas weather has been accomodating with fairly cool temps and reasonably low humidity, at least for here that is. More to follow..

Looks fantastic KB, I am so jealous of your nice size garage space. And your QJ. I want a set of those so bad, but my garage is too narrow for them to be of any use to me :( And my driveway is sloped just enough to keep them from being a safe option outside. I really think you will LOVE the Pro Quartz coating. I have done the standard Quartz twice now and it is phenomenal. Did you opt for the ADS prep spray as well? That stuff is amazing too.

 

[Stage_3]

Gorgeous car KB. Beautiful color.

@skinnyb
I am envious of his garage as well.

 

[skinnyb]

Gorgeous car KB. Beautiful color.

@skinnyb
I am envious of his garage as well.

Yes, I have a great garage, just a one car and too narrow to work in :(

 

[Swtbabybilly]

Beautiful color and car best of luck on the project

 

[fiveoboy01]

Looks a lot like mine when I took delivery. The wash rack monkeys really did a number on the finish, and it took me well over a week to correct it prior to coating. Sucks I had to do it to a brand new car, but whatever.

Gonna be 9 years of ownership in April, and it still looks pretty good, and the coating is still there and working(car gets driven 1K miles a year maybe and is garaged), but there's some light marring here and there, so I might redo mine too.

 

[kilobravo]

Did you opt for the ADS prep spray as well? That stuff is amazing too.

No, I sure didn't, Alex..heck I didn't even know about it but let me go have a looksee..

Well heck, I didn't see anything about a prep spray, Alex. That is unless you're talking about their panel spray. If that's the case, I'm about to finish a gallon that I've had for some time but my lousy OG memory doesn't recall the brand, (and at 0715, I'm too lazy to go out into the garage and check.) <grin>

If you weren't referring to their panel spray, please point me in the right direction.

The Garage: When we purchased this property back in the mid nineties, the garage was a main factor in my decision to put in a bid for it. Our first place and first new home in Jax back in the late seventies had a one-car nearly identical to yours and I have often felt a kinship when I've seen your photos.

But by the time we were moving here to Texas, I knew that I wanted a two-car. This was the second new home and I thought I would never need more than that.

Fast forward to the mid nineties when we bought our current home (third owner,) and I saw the garage for the first time. Back then, I was amazed at all the room.

There was a lot more available space than there is now with all my junk in it but the main thing I needed to know was whether my then DD, a '96 RAM, would fit with the door closed. I paced it off and saw that it would with a few feet to spare. :=)

So I hear you loud and clear my friend and thanks for your kind words..ditto to @Stage_3 and Will (@Swtbabybilly).

Re. QuickJacks Alex, it's a love/hate relationship for multiple reasons. First, the ramps weigh a ton and the only way to store them efficiently is to use Benpak's QJ hangars.

I elected to use one of the posts as I didn't have even twelve inches of empty wall space. But getting them up there gets more and more difficult as the birthdays increase. <BSEG>

Another PITA with them is they have a tendency to maintain an hydraulic lock at the unit, even after lengthy storage and it's a bit of a chore to relieve it so the hoses can be connected. I have other negative comments but I've already taken up way too much screen real estate on this post.

Plus, I have probably only used them a half dozen times in the five years since purchasing. Initially, I did use them for oil changes as well as polishing sessions but I discovered that the Auto Hobby Shop at the Naval Base had been completely rebuilt since I was a student in the seventies and they now had like EIGHT two-post lifts! Even better, they had one of the original drive on lifts that the very low to the ground Mustang could use without hitting the front splitter. Since then, I've been doing the oil changes standing up. <chuckling>

They have everything a mech would need to include rollable oil catch rigs, tools, etc., and it's SO much nicer than using the QJ plus the price is right, a mere ten bones an hour for a lift, even less for tool sets if you need them. Truth be told, I'll probably sell the QJ here before long as I'm fairly sure this car will be the last vehicle I'll want to polish. Same goes for the five Rupes DA polishers I've accumlated. <grin> I'm just getting too old for this much hard work.

The wash rack monkeys really did a number on the finish, and it took me well over a week to correct it prior to coating.

FiveO, your photo obviously looks all too familiar and I hear ya loud and clear on the "wash rack guys." Long before I took delivery, I made sure that the dealership knew that under no uncertain terms, I didn't want anyone to touch the car when it arrived. Those kids use the same dirty ass rags on every vehicle they're told to wash and I'm sorry they got to your girl.

All: Again my apologies for the long-winded post. To update, I managed to get the front end and driver's side done yesterday and if I can find the energy, I hope to get the ass end and passenger side done today. I plan to pull the wheels when I'm finished and give them a decon wash followed by a coating with the new ADS product. Pretty sure the 30ml will be enough for the vehicle and the wheels. <fingers crossed>

 

[fiveoboy01]

Yeah. Usually I tell the dealer "no prep" on a new vehicle but this one was transferred in from a dealer some distance away. So the damage had already been done elsewhere.

 

[skinnyb]

No, I sure didn't, Alex..heck I didn't even know about it but let me go have a looksee..

Well heck, I didn't see anything about a prep spray, Alex. That is unless you're talking about their panel spray. If that's the case, I'm about to finish a gallon that I've had for some time but my lousy OG memory doesn't recall the brand, (and at 0715, I'm too lazy to go out into the garage and check.) <grin>

If you weren't referring to their panel spray, please point me in the right direction.

The Garage: When we purchased this property back in the mid nineties, the garage was a main factor in my decision to put in a bid for it. Our first place and first new home in Jax back in the late seventies had a one-car nearly identical to yours and I have often felt a kinship when I've seen your photos.

But by the time we were moving here to Texas, I knew that I wanted a two-car. This was the second new home and I thought I would never need more than that.

Fast forward to the mid nineties when we bought our current home (third owner,) and I saw the garage for the first time. Back then, I was amazed at all the room.

There was a lot more available space than there is now with all my junk in it but the main thing I needed to know was whether my then DD, a '96 RAM, would fit with the door closed. I paced it off and saw that it would with a few feet to spare. :=)

So I hear you loud and clear my friend and thanks for your kind words..ditto to @Stage_3 and Will (@Swtbabybilly).

Re. QuickJacks Alex, it's a love/hate relationship for multiple reasons. First, the ramps weigh a ton and the only way to store them efficiently is to use Benpak's QJ hangars.

I elected to use one of the posts as I didn't have even twelve inches of empty wall space. But getting them up there gets more and more difficult as the birthdays increase. <BSEG>

Another PITA with them is they have a tendency to maintain an hydraulic lock at the unit, even after lengthy storage and it's a bit of a chore to relieve it so the hoses can be connected. I have other negative comments but I've already taken up way too much screen real estate on this post.

Plus, I have probably only used them a half dozen times in the five years since purchasing. Initially, I did use them for oil changes as well as polishing sessions but I discovered that the Auto Hobby Shop at the Naval Base had been completely rebuilt since I was a student in the seventies and they now had like EIGHT two-post lifts! Even better, they had one of the original drive on lifts that the very low to the ground Mustang could use without hitting the front splitter. Since then, I've been doing the oil changes standing up. <chuckling>

They have everything a mech would need to include rollable oil catch rigs, tools, etc., and it's SO much nicer than using the QJ plus the price is right, a mere ten bones an hour for a lift, even less for tool sets if you need them. Truth be told, I'll probably sell the QJ here before long as I'm fairly sure this car will be the last vehicle I'll want to polish. Same goes for the five Rupes DA polishers I've accumlated. <grin> I'm just getting too old for this much hard work.



FiveO, your photo obviously looks all too familiar and I hear ya loud and clear on the "wash rack guys." Long before I took delivery, I made sure that the dealership knew that under no uncertain terms, I didn't want anyone to touch the car when it arrived. Those kids use the same dirty ass rags on every vehicle they're told to wash and I'm sorry they got to your girl.

All: Again my apologies for the long-winded post. To update, I managed to get the front end and driver's side done yesterday and if I can find the energy, I hope to get the ass end and passenger side done today. I plan to pull the wheels when I'm finished and give them a decon wash followed by a coating with the new ADS product. Pretty sure the 30ml will be enough for the vehicle and the wheels. <fingers crossed>

Yes, ADS panel prep spray. I use it with their coatings. I am stickler for keeping the brands the same. I have Gyeon Prep, KCx Prep, NV prep, CARPRO Eraser, and the ADS prep . Well I am out of KCx and NV now, but I never intend to use their coating products again. The ADS panel prep is really nice, has a nice peppermint scent and is lubricated nicely so its a joy to work with.

I am definitely envious of your garage. I heard a loud crash bang boom last night late, went to investigate and didn't see anything, fast forward to this morning, went to open the garage door and it wouldn't open. Broken spring :( Fortunately, the spring and all the attached peices that came apart didn't fly and hit my car in VERY close proximity (I have the LONG springs on each side), I was able to somehow He Man the door up manually and get it latched back to the opener and then get the cables back on track, and bend the spring end and get it re hooked. Thankful it broke on the very end. I will be calling this week and perhaps treating myself to some garage door work. I have VERY high ceilings so I really want a high lift door and a wall mounted jack shaft opener so I can reclaim some more wall space for shelving and such. I need it BAD

 

[cerbomark]

Yes, ADS panel prep spray. I use it with their coatings. I am stickler for keeping the brands the same. I have Gyeon Prep, KCx Prep, NV prep, CARPRO Eraser, and the ADS prep . Well I am out of KCx and NV now, but I never intend to use their coating products again. The ADS panel prep is really nice, has a nice peppermint scent and is lubricated nicely so its a joy to work with.

I am definitely envious of your garage. I heard a loud crash bang boom last night late, went to investigate and didn't see anything, fast forward to this morning, went to open the garage door and it wouldn't open. Broken spring :( Fortunately, the spring and all the attached peices that came apart didn't fly and hit my car in VERY close proximity (I have the LONG springs on each side), I was able to somehow He Man the door up manually and get it latched back to the opener and then get the cables back on track, and bend the spring end and get it re hooked. Thankful it broke on the very end. I will be calling this week and perhaps treating myself to some garage door work. I have VERY high ceilings so I really want a high lift door and a wall mounted jack shaft opener so I can reclaim some more wall space for shelving and such. I need it BAD

Hey, my spring just broke last week too, LOL. Thank God it didn t hit your car.

 

[skinnyb]

Hey, my spring just broke last week too, LOL. Thank God it didn t hit your car.

Yessir. I was fortunate. I was able to re attach it and get it working again for now. I've got 2 springs the long ones on each side.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

Yessir. I was fortunate. I was able to re attach it and get it working again for now. I've got 2 springs the long ones on each side.

I had the same setup as you , new for 25 years with no issues thank goodness, now I have the one center spring , replaced new with the door 3 years before we moved in 2017 . The door man was out last spring and tuned up everything, he said you get about 100,000 cycles out of a spring , a cycle in 1 open/ close , I'm +/- 3 cycles a week . I did put chicken wire around the spring, to slow the explosion down if it happens. My door opener is old and is a few years or if it dies before I'll be proactive and have the spring replaced. They pack a lot of energy.
Having the room KB does is sure nice, when we moved to Az 5 plus yrs ago,I'm down to a small double car G , but I make it work .
I'm a Griots guy ( lived 45 minutes from there Tacoma Washington home) but opted for Adams kit and clay bar use the Griots Correcting cream and evaluate the finish from there , before Ceramic coat .

 

[skinnyb]

I had the same setup as you , new for 25 years with no issues thank goodness, now I have the one center spring , replaced new with the door 3 years before we moved in 2017 . The door man was out last spring and tuned up everything, he said you get about 100,000 cycles out of a spring , a cycle in 1 open/ close , I'm +/- 3 cycles a week . I did put chicken wire around the spring, to slow the explosion down if it happens. My door opener is old and is a few years or if it dies before I'll be proactive and have the spring replaced. They pack a lot of energy.
Having the room KB does is sure nice, when we moved to Az 5 plus yrs ago,I'm down to a small double car G , but I make it work .
I'm a Griots guy ( lived 45 minutes from there Tacoma Washington home) but opted for Adams kit and clay bar use the Griots Correcting cream and evaluate the finish from there , before Ceramic coat .

The Griots polishes are amazing. I have and use them.. I definitely need to look into upgrades for my garage door, my house is 30 years old, I moved here in 2020 so I have no idea how old the garage door is. It has worked pretty well in my time here, I can't complain..

 

[fiveoboy01]

FCC was a staple when I started. Now I usually just use KC compounds, or Oberk because I know the owner and happen to think he's a really good dude.

There are so many good compound choices, there's no need for me to keep them all on the shelf.

Really stupid that M101 was discontinued in the US.

 

[skinnyb]

FCC was a staple when I started. Now I usually just use KC compounds, or Oberk because I know the owner and happen to think he's a really good dude.

There are so many good compound choices, there's no need for me to keep them all on the shelf.

Really stupid that M101 was discontinued in the US.

Yeah, I have the gamut of KCx polishes too. And Rupes to match the pads. And recently bought some P&S Rehab as well as Sonax Perfecting cream. I like to have lots of options, ironically I rarely polish much .

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