The lights are looking great! The dashcam might have a micro sd card which you can pull out and stick into your computer to retrieve the footage.
Project Midnight….
- Thread starter True-Blue
- Start date
Didn’t have a lot of time, so a did quick ‘test patch’ on the front wing as suspension goodies not arrived yet.
Before; Par for the course on a 2006 E85 really;
After;
I think this might just be my favourite E85 colour ever,….. still prefer stratus on the E86 though, just about :wink:
Before; Par for the course on a 2006 E85 really;
After;
I think this might just be my favourite E85 colour ever,….. still prefer stratus on the E86 though, just about :wink:
A big box arrived today from AUTODOC, but spanner’s are still away for now… got the FLEX back out for a couple of hours instead 
Bonnet, before;
I’ve got a video of this as well which gives a much better idea of how bad it was, but don’t know how to post it?
Anyway, some ‘post’ results below;
Bonnet, before;
I’ve got a video of this as well which gives a much better idea of how bad it was, but don’t know how to post it?
Anyway, some ‘post’ results below;
SqerrNipz said:
Cheers,
FLEX XCE 10-8 125 with a 6’’ backing plate, Rupes 7’’ forced rotation yellow and white pads, Rupes 6’’ wool cutting pads. Sonax Cutmax 6/4 and Sonax EX 04-06
I am tempted to go back to Megs 101 & 205 though - they do dust more, but that can be controlled with a light spray of water on the pad. Much easier to clean the pads after using the Megs, as the Sonax goes a bit oily/gummy in water.
Starting to look like. a cracking car - the work you put in Martin is incredible, wish I had your patience to detail a car to that degree
Thank you for all the positive comments 
Other than the tired shocks, the car is great mechanically, but the photo’s are a little flattering at this point in terms of cosmetics. The bonnet still needs more work, it’s probably 70% there, and the rest of the paintwork is still swirl-tastic.
There are a couple of nasty car park dint’s for the dent man to sort, a couple of little bits need paint. The front bumper needs tweaking, but it’ll have to come off anyway for the Drl’s to be removed and the grill to be replaced. I’ll get there
Anyway, had a quick wash earlier ready for a trip out to AV8 for breakfast in the morning 8)
Other than the tired shocks, the car is great mechanically, but the photo’s are a little flattering at this point in terms of cosmetics. The bonnet still needs more work, it’s probably 70% there, and the rest of the paintwork is still swirl-tastic.
There are a couple of nasty car park dint’s for the dent man to sort, a couple of little bits need paint. The front bumper needs tweaking, but it’ll have to come off anyway for the Drl’s to be removed and the grill to be replaced. I’ll get there
Anyway, had a quick wash earlier ready for a trip out to AV8 for breakfast in the morning 8)
Paint correction day;
Several hours behind the Flex today, great machine but even my aches have aches :lol:
The whole car looked like this ;
The best part of the process for me, all the hard cutting done and onto the refining…. First the rear;
Then the rest;
Several hours behind the Flex today, great machine but even my aches have aches :lol:
The whole car looked like this ;
The best part of the process for me, all the hard cutting done and onto the refining…. First the rear;
Then the rest;
That's some amazing work and the car's looking great! Are you going to ceramic coat it?
True-Blue said:Silverstar said:
Thank you
I haven’t decided yet, I might go with a ‘ceramic-lite’ type coating although I do have a decent amount of carpro Uk3.0 left.
I have been impressed with Gyeon MOHs+, had my car done 4 years ago and it’s still working really well. I believe their latest coatings are even better too.
That looks really nice - wish I had the time and skill to do that.
I have Gyeon on the M4 and it does work well
I have Gyeon on the M4 and it does work well
Silverstar said:True-Blue said:Silverstar said:
Thank you
I haven’t decided yet, I might go with a ‘ceramic-lite’ type coating although I do have a decent amount of carpro Uk3.0 left.
I have been impressed with Gyeon MOHs+, had my car done 4 years ago and it’s still working really well. I believe their latest coatings are even better too.
I’m going to do a bit of research over the weekend I think, so I’ll look this up
Ole gits rule said:
Time, yes, definitely a factor.
Skill; there is a certain amount of skill required but it’s not ‘technically’ difficult… if that makes sense? It’s more about experience and practice really.
I’m aching a bit this morning, but I probably wouldn’t have done the whole car in a day with my old polisher. I’ve had to re-learn/learn a different technique with this Forced-drive machine. It cuts faster, especially on curves & tight areas… but it’s does need a firm hand as it can pull you around. Hard to explain, you need to ‘feel’ what it’s doing.
The Dual action free spinning polishers (the majority of DA’s) are easier to handle and less tiring, but the pads stall on the paint… it still looks like they’re working to the untrained eye, but they’re not. This machine spins the pads no matter how much pressure is applied, but you feel it :heat:
The Flex forced excenter is a lovely bit of kit I know exactly what you mean by it trying to pull you around. Playing with the angle of your hand farthest from the pad (the “backhand” so to say) can help control the pulling sensation, reducing a bit of the stress on your arms.
Note that the FE cán lead to slight hazing when you miss something during the finishing step, but from the looks of it you’ve got that down to a T; stunning results 8)
I know exactly what you mean by it trying to pull you around. Playing with the angle of your hand farthest from the pad (the “backhand” so to say) can help control the pulling sensation, reducing a bit of the stress on your arms.Note that the FE cán lead to slight hazing when you miss something during the finishing step, but from the looks of it you’ve got that down to a T; stunning results 8)
True-Blue said:
I would end up ruining the car if I attempted it - the guy next door is pretty good with a DA polisher so he normally does my cars once in a while, give him a crate of beer and he is happy.
Its basically his biggest hobby and will spend all day out there, I am shocked he has any pant left on his cars the amount they get washed
Barty said:The Flex forced excenter is a lovely bit of kit
Note that the FE cán lead to slight hazing when you miss something during the finishing step, but from the looks of it you’ve got that down to a T; stunning results 8)
Thanks Barty, that’s high praise coming from a pro
In an ideal world I’d have a free-spinning DA for finishing, but I only do a couple of cars a year so it’s seems a bit excessive. There certainly was some haze after the cutting stage.
Slow and steady with the finishing, I just let the weight of the machine do the work and add in an extra pass here and there if required
Caerdydd
Boyo said:Fantastic results on the paint correction. The ceramic coating on mine is Gyeon Pro and it's excellent. I haven't a clue with detailing so I use a well respected detailer.
Keep posting pics of your transformation, I find it fascinating
Been busy again today, rear end refresh
Whilst in there I discovered why the boot is biblically bright…
And also discovered that Alan (No 5) relocated the roof motor for the previous owner in 2020 as it was written on the little panel in the boot… he’s done so many that he didn’t even recognise the car at AV8 last week
All back together and roof working flawlessly
Despite fitting Eibach springs the car is barely any lower, the rear springs were nearly as tired as the shocks.
Fronts still to do
