First up, apologies for the quality of these pictures, my camera seems to struggle somewhat with taking pics indoors, which has really annoyed me for this detail, as the car looked stunning at the end (modest I know, lol!). If anyone could recommend a better camera for indoors, I'm all ears. I have a Panasonic TZ6 which is spot on in natural light/outdoors, but awful indoors...
Anyway, on to the detail....
I was contacted earlier this week with regards to restoring a bit of life back into the paint of this stunningly stealthy Evo X FQ360. Like most Jap cars, Evo's have notoriously soft paint, and often very, very thin, making them very challenging to detail as you often don't have a lot of clearcoat to play with. This particular example had been subject to repeated 'immigrant car washes' over its 3 year life, so I was expecting the paint to be pretty bad...
So anyway, I arrived to begin this car at 10am. Here are a few befores:
![P1030815.jpg P1030815.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33865-653109a8928ea93a378a4caab040cc0c.jpg)
![P1030812.jpg P1030812.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33866-739f491f72e35583f9a0cab6298c7aff.jpg)
As ever, I started with the wheels, arches and tyres, using AS G101 and various brushes:
Rinsed off:
![P1030821.jpg P1030821.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33867-880c2daceb29fb9c064963ebfe4fbcd4.jpg)
G101 via foaming spray head applied liberally and worked:
![P1030822.jpg P1030822.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33868-57c2137da64a6c86aaa3778494a857bc.jpg)
![P1030824.jpg P1030824.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33869-1dee0aed180df5f6c713ce27176245ca.jpg)
Then rinsed off (blurry pic - grr!)
The car was then washed with Zaino Z7 Car Shampoo, using two bucket method and Dodo SN Sponge.
It had been de-tar'd and clayed for me last week, so this stage was skipped (I checked to see if it needed doing again), so the car was rinsed off and dried:
![P1030826.jpg P1030826.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33870-87d0650eb64e38bdfbb8d30cc882d9b7.jpg)
Next up, I began to assess the paint. I expected the paint to be relatively thin, but...
![P1030827.jpg P1030827.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33871-b2f434c36739878dc5b577d8fd3f3089.jpg)
That was one of the higher reading on the bonnet and roof! The lowest ws 69.1!!!
The sides of the car had a bit more to play with:
![P1030831.jpg P1030831.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33872-76c1cbbaf4cd6234e27046ccd922d342.jpg)
I really need to invest in a better PDG, allowing me to measure the different layers, as I was slightly apprehensive about polishing the roof and bonnet on this car. Gently does it...
The paint itself, as expected, was in a rather sorry state... (illuminated with a Brinkmann)
![P1030833.jpg P1030833.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33873-b6e230aa3cc032a5b38a77ba4eec86dd.jpg)
![P1030836.jpg P1030836.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33874-61274bd6af6363d8647ba0e5da799484.jpg)
![P1030838.jpg P1030838.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33875-77c5042abed08ce2461456ecd30371a5.jpg)
Swirl city then!
After playing with a few combinations, I was getting very good results from Megs 205 via 3M Polishing Pad (Yellow) on my 3M Rotary with 3M backing plate.
This 50/50 shows the level of correction:
![P1030840.jpg P1030840.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33876-9b030e25119e2a5e1cd782391a0b4ae7.jpg)
As you can see, some deeper RDS remain, but I agreed with the owner that chasing down each and every scratch isn't the wisest move given how thin the paint is on this car.
Another 'after'
![P1030842.jpg P1030842.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33877-c736b6fa01f9dd8b6b1886f65feeb464.jpg)
Before:
![P1030843.jpg P1030843.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33878-3effff2e9a8f4b378479a8ab59514e42.jpg)
After:
![P1030844.jpg P1030844.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33879-81cc3a9f60df8aee1e512d560af4d7d0.jpg)
An after showing remaining RDS, which I didn't attempt to correct further:
![P1030845.jpg P1030845.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33880-f77845f60952130ba1b7d495610cb03a.jpg)
Bonnet before:
![P1030851.jpg P1030851.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33881-51d8b589236d805f8274ae4de7d0c793.jpg)
Bonnet after:
![P1030855.jpg P1030855.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33882-e622ad3e94796da8b03acfed5badc35e.jpg)
Lime Prime was used on the carbon fibre skirts and various parts around the car, via 3M 3" Polishing Pad (Yellow)
A random arty after:
![P1030872.jpg P1030872.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33883-f43a47a8780db3a34dd754ba54608c83.jpg)
After the polishing stage was completed, I did a thorough IPA wipedown to remove any polishing oils, and followed up with one of my favourite sealants...
![P1030881.jpg P1030881.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33884-f9484bb4f47cbd68d2e12c127be0a1c6.jpg)
Z2P was applied via MF pad with a spritz of Zaino Z6, then left to cure for 30 mins and removed via Poorboys Mega Deluxe MF and Z6 spritz.
I followed this up with a couple of layers of Z8, approx 30 mins apart, and a final Z6 wipedown.
Also:
- Glass with AS 50/50
- Wheels with Zaino Z2P
- Tyres with Pinnacle Black Onyx
- Plastics with 303
- Exhaust with Optimum Metal Polish
The afters...
![P1030884.jpg P1030884.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33885-58a0f1c0cb3f59653dda48c513abb813.jpg)
![P1030885.jpg P1030885.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33886-e18aa43acca0054a7b7d6e7334842e3e.jpg)
![P1030887.jpg P1030887.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33887-6ffd64c8b37a01fb7a10561a9e65d112.jpg)
![P1030892.jpg P1030892.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33888-f691c571c492d8218071fa6a82c72b54.jpg)
![P1030893.jpg P1030893.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33889-d7cf4514dadc78a048e60c343a339a71.jpg)
![P1030896.jpg P1030896.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33890-1bdeca075fcc3ce8d5faad387895b19e.jpg)
![P1030897.jpg P1030897.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33891-af68488e3cf92687b91087d057ffcb59.jpg)
![P1030899.jpg P1030899.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33892-2b361222859c9513d1fe027d27f4ce4c.jpg)
![P1030905.jpg P1030905.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33893-4a9ef6056132002cfbb27f6fb7d7f268.jpg)
![P1030910.jpg P1030910.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33894-5ba2b4dc31325f225371e256a8d1d2d0.jpg)
![P1030913.jpg P1030913.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33895-fe91b32cd4a72fd83507d37addda76ec.jpg)
![P1030914.jpg P1030914.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33896-91259dd4edd3f766d5406ed747097e79.jpg)
![P1030918.jpg P1030918.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33897-4a2542f17bfd9ee068ad8806f97db696.jpg)
![P1030920.jpg P1030920.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33898-3e21c261eb4aa69013353cfa23c3582f.jpg)
![P1030927.jpg P1030927.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33899-e23457eb5e02256ba1dd5ce95fba5e21.jpg)
Anyway, on to the detail....
I was contacted earlier this week with regards to restoring a bit of life back into the paint of this stunningly stealthy Evo X FQ360. Like most Jap cars, Evo's have notoriously soft paint, and often very, very thin, making them very challenging to detail as you often don't have a lot of clearcoat to play with. This particular example had been subject to repeated 'immigrant car washes' over its 3 year life, so I was expecting the paint to be pretty bad...
So anyway, I arrived to begin this car at 10am. Here are a few befores:
![P1030815.jpg P1030815.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33865-653109a8928ea93a378a4caab040cc0c.jpg)
![P1030812.jpg P1030812.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33866-739f491f72e35583f9a0cab6298c7aff.jpg)
As ever, I started with the wheels, arches and tyres, using AS G101 and various brushes:
Rinsed off:
![P1030821.jpg P1030821.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33867-880c2daceb29fb9c064963ebfe4fbcd4.jpg)
G101 via foaming spray head applied liberally and worked:
![P1030822.jpg P1030822.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33868-57c2137da64a6c86aaa3778494a857bc.jpg)
![P1030824.jpg P1030824.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33869-1dee0aed180df5f6c713ce27176245ca.jpg)
Then rinsed off (blurry pic - grr!)
The car was then washed with Zaino Z7 Car Shampoo, using two bucket method and Dodo SN Sponge.
It had been de-tar'd and clayed for me last week, so this stage was skipped (I checked to see if it needed doing again), so the car was rinsed off and dried:
![P1030826.jpg P1030826.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33870-87d0650eb64e38bdfbb8d30cc882d9b7.jpg)
Next up, I began to assess the paint. I expected the paint to be relatively thin, but...
![P1030827.jpg P1030827.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33871-b2f434c36739878dc5b577d8fd3f3089.jpg)
That was one of the higher reading on the bonnet and roof! The lowest ws 69.1!!!
The sides of the car had a bit more to play with:
![P1030831.jpg P1030831.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33872-76c1cbbaf4cd6234e27046ccd922d342.jpg)
I really need to invest in a better PDG, allowing me to measure the different layers, as I was slightly apprehensive about polishing the roof and bonnet on this car. Gently does it...
The paint itself, as expected, was in a rather sorry state... (illuminated with a Brinkmann)
![P1030833.jpg P1030833.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33873-b6e230aa3cc032a5b38a77ba4eec86dd.jpg)
![P1030836.jpg P1030836.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33874-61274bd6af6363d8647ba0e5da799484.jpg)
![P1030838.jpg P1030838.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33875-77c5042abed08ce2461456ecd30371a5.jpg)
Swirl city then!
After playing with a few combinations, I was getting very good results from Megs 205 via 3M Polishing Pad (Yellow) on my 3M Rotary with 3M backing plate.
This 50/50 shows the level of correction:
![P1030840.jpg P1030840.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33876-9b030e25119e2a5e1cd782391a0b4ae7.jpg)
As you can see, some deeper RDS remain, but I agreed with the owner that chasing down each and every scratch isn't the wisest move given how thin the paint is on this car.
Another 'after'
![P1030842.jpg P1030842.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33877-c736b6fa01f9dd8b6b1886f65feeb464.jpg)
Before:
![P1030843.jpg P1030843.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33878-3effff2e9a8f4b378479a8ab59514e42.jpg)
After:
![P1030844.jpg P1030844.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33879-81cc3a9f60df8aee1e512d560af4d7d0.jpg)
An after showing remaining RDS, which I didn't attempt to correct further:
![P1030845.jpg P1030845.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33880-f77845f60952130ba1b7d495610cb03a.jpg)
Bonnet before:
![P1030851.jpg P1030851.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33881-51d8b589236d805f8274ae4de7d0c793.jpg)
Bonnet after:
![P1030855.jpg P1030855.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33882-e622ad3e94796da8b03acfed5badc35e.jpg)
Lime Prime was used on the carbon fibre skirts and various parts around the car, via 3M 3" Polishing Pad (Yellow)
A random arty after:
![P1030872.jpg P1030872.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33883-f43a47a8780db3a34dd754ba54608c83.jpg)
After the polishing stage was completed, I did a thorough IPA wipedown to remove any polishing oils, and followed up with one of my favourite sealants...
![P1030881.jpg P1030881.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33884-f9484bb4f47cbd68d2e12c127be0a1c6.jpg)
Z2P was applied via MF pad with a spritz of Zaino Z6, then left to cure for 30 mins and removed via Poorboys Mega Deluxe MF and Z6 spritz.
I followed this up with a couple of layers of Z8, approx 30 mins apart, and a final Z6 wipedown.
Also:
- Glass with AS 50/50
- Wheels with Zaino Z2P
- Tyres with Pinnacle Black Onyx
- Plastics with 303
- Exhaust with Optimum Metal Polish
The afters...
![P1030884.jpg P1030884.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33885-58a0f1c0cb3f59653dda48c513abb813.jpg)
![P1030885.jpg P1030885.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33886-e18aa43acca0054a7b7d6e7334842e3e.jpg)
![P1030887.jpg P1030887.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33887-6ffd64c8b37a01fb7a10561a9e65d112.jpg)
![P1030892.jpg P1030892.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33888-f691c571c492d8218071fa6a82c72b54.jpg)
![P1030893.jpg P1030893.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33889-d7cf4514dadc78a048e60c343a339a71.jpg)
![P1030896.jpg P1030896.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33890-1bdeca075fcc3ce8d5faad387895b19e.jpg)
![P1030897.jpg P1030897.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33891-af68488e3cf92687b91087d057ffcb59.jpg)
![P1030899.jpg P1030899.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33892-2b361222859c9513d1fe027d27f4ce4c.jpg)
![P1030905.jpg P1030905.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33893-4a9ef6056132002cfbb27f6fb7d7f268.jpg)
![P1030910.jpg P1030910.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33894-5ba2b4dc31325f225371e256a8d1d2d0.jpg)
![P1030913.jpg P1030913.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33895-fe91b32cd4a72fd83507d37addda76ec.jpg)
![P1030914.jpg P1030914.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33896-91259dd4edd3f766d5406ed747097e79.jpg)
![P1030918.jpg P1030918.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33897-4a2542f17bfd9ee068ad8806f97db696.jpg)
![P1030920.jpg P1030920.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33898-3e21c261eb4aa69013353cfa23c3582f.jpg)
![P1030927.jpg P1030927.jpg](https://clio197.net/data/attachments/33/33899-e23457eb5e02256ba1dd5ce95fba5e21.jpg)