Detailed 'detail' report for your reading - Mazda RX8

[Jimmeh]

I thought I would give something to the forum, seeing as though I am always taking.. "help with this.." "my such and such is palying up, anyone..?", "blue smoke, any ideas..?" etc..

Firstly.. you probably already know I've had a fair few problems with my S3. I'm pleased to say that the trip to APS was more than worth it. Going on similar symptoms of that that Fran-S3 had with his, I booked the car in and took the 2 hr 20min drive last Thursday morning.. Initial tests were carried out, nothing obvious, but cutting a long story short, my Temp. Sensor had failed along with a couple of split hoses. I didn't notice a difference straight away.. BUT, I averaged 35mpg on the way home with a fair few foot to the floor plays.. Prior to the fix, I had a fixed average of ~21/23mpg (this was with sunday driving, too.) Something HAD to be wrong.

So, yes. I'm pleased. Ed and the chaps were real friendly, very helpful and I would certainly reccomend them if you're in doubt.

ONWARDS...

You probably remember reading my REPORT I did for my Audi S3 when I put it through it's paces, machine polished, wet-sanding etc..

It felt as though I gave something to the forum, SO, here I am again; giving.

--------------------------

This job was actually carried out mid June 2008.. A few months ago, but I still feel this job has had the most impact with those that have read it.

Now. You have two options:

1. You can follow the link through to DetailingWorld --> http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=75376

or

2. Sit back and read through the following (can't post anymore than 8(?) images to this forum).

Thank you for everyones help over these last few months. If you've got any questions regards the detail, just ask. C&C mroe than welcome.


Jimmeh Vs Mazda RX8.

22/06/08

I first saw this car three weeks ago whilst carrying out a job on a Merc SLK 55 AMG:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/Merc SLK 55 AMG/DSC09233Custom-1.jpg

(Full Merc job write up to be found HERE.)

The owner wanted me back for the wife’s Mazda; on the basis he was amazed with what I did with the Mercedes yaddy yaddy ya…. He did say back then, that it’s been “some three months since it was last washed” – ah lord…

Having arrived in good time, (and getting slightly lost on the way there due to the awesomonous roads!) I unloaded the S3, set up, sipped the coffee and ran around with the camera for some inspection shots.

Process
- Alloys worked. Swissvax wheel brush. EZ Detail Brush. Halfords ‘scrubber’. Sponge. Meg’s Wheel Brightener.
- Wheels rinsed and body given a once over with pressure washer
- No engine detail today, so on with the snow foam. SSF. AB Lance.
- Two bucket method. Ulti-mit & Megs GoldClass
- Rinsed with open-ended hose.
- Clayed with Sonus green. Megs LastTouch used for lubrication
- Re-washed. (See above)
- Dried using LastTouch and AG Chamois.
- Door sills worked
- Vehicle moved to shade
- Worked on scuffs/scratches
- DoDo LimePrime applied – German applicator pad
- Buffed with plush MF
- Collinite 476 wax applied. I went with this as out my collection, it’s by far the most durable (and durable being what this car needed seeing as though it could be another 3 months till it’s next…)
- Alloys sealed with CG JetSEAL 109
- Tyres - Meg’s Endurance Gel
- Windows – AG Glass Polish
- Exhausts worked with wire wool, MF pads, AG SRP, AG Metal Polish and ‘Jim grunt’
- Interior hovered, wiped down, mats replaced
- Leather cleaned - Zaino #9 & conditioned - Zaino #10 (door cards, seats, steering wheel etc..)
- Freebreeze’d

Pictures and Proress

Upon inspection..
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00376Custom.jpg

Now, before I get in too deep, I thought the exhausts had a ‘matte’ finish to them.. They felt ROUGH, looked burnt and I thought it must be, standard? Anyway, more about this later..

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00377Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00378Custom.jpg

‘Missed bits’ from a previous wash attempt:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00379Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00380Custom.jpg

Interior inspection:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00381Custom.jpg

(yes, that’s a whip )

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00383Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00384Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00386Custom.jpg

Touch up area to be looked at later: (drivers side front)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00389Custom.jpg

I turned my attention to the wheels:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00391Custom.jpg

Firstly, the tyres were doused in APC:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00392Custom.jpg

then scrubbed with the Halfords ‘scrubber’ (that’s what I like to call it anyway…)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00393Custom.jpg

The tyres are scrubbed so that when I come to dress the tyres, there’s a clean surface to work on (plus, this way the tyre dressing lasts longer (AMIRIGHT?))

Meg’s WB applied:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00394Custom.jpg

‘Detail’ areas worked with the Swissvax Wheel brush:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00395Custom.jpg

Using a sponge, I then cleaned the front/sides/inners/behind spokes:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00396Custom.jpg

finally I used the EZ Detail Brush to ensure all inners were clean:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00397Custom.jpg

and rinsed:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00398Custom.jpg

Wheely clean.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00399Custom.jpg

The front end received a healthy covering of APC to shift the bug splats:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00400Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00401Custom.jpg


Foam gun loaded and I shot my load over the car.. (ORLY?)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00402Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00403Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00405Custom.jpg

Small detail areas were worked with a detail brush: (Mazda badge, grilles etc)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00406Custom.jpg

and then rinsed at high pressure:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00407Custom.jpg

I love this colour. When it caught the sun it had a lovely flake hidden within the paint..
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00408Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00409Custom.jpg

hehe..
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00410Custom.jpg

Best.Bacon.(and sausage).Sandwich.Ever

Clay before tailgate:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00411Custom.jpg

Megs LT sprayed:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00412Custom.jpg

Clay after half:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00413Custom.jpg

Clay after drivers door:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00414Custom.jpg

Clay after front passenger wing: (you get the idea..)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00417Custom.jpg

Re-washed.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00418Custom.jpg

Moved inside and had LimePrime & 476 applied.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00420Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00423Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00425Custom.jpg

You see what I mean about the flake popping?

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00429Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00432Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00433Custom.jpg

So I now turn my attention to the scuff on the front end.

Two gashses on the headlight, a dent and collection of scratches on the upper wing, two big scuffs on the bumper.

Bumper:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00435Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00438Custom.jpg

Headlight:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00436Custom.jpg

Upper wing:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00437Custom.jpg

Starting high, I worked the scratches with the PC7424, Megs #83 and a spot pad. I had pretty good results from this, although (yet difficult to photograph) it hadn’t corrected completely.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00442Custom.jpg

Out with the wet & dry.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00443Custom.jpg

No after picture I’m afraid. But it was 92% better.

The lower scuffs on the bumper also had a few hits with Meg’s #83 but again, I had to bring in the sandpaper.

After polish: (much better, but a lot way to go)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00445Custom.jpg

Sanded down:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00450Custom.jpg

and buffed to a gloss:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00446Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00451Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00453Custom.jpg

Again, not perfect, but much better. (98% improvement )

Headlight before:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00455Custom.jpg

After a few hits with the polish:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00457Custom.jpg

Flatted back:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00459Custom.jpg

et voila:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00460Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00461Custom.jpg

Good stuff.

Onto the interior.

Gear gaitor/surround before:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00463Custom.jpg

after a wizz around with a detail brush and Megs APC:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00464Custom.jpg

Passenger foot well:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00467Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00468Custom.jpg

Drivers foot well:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00470Custom.jpg

Heel mat and pedals doused in APC. Scrubbed & wiped.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00476Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00478Custom.jpg

Rear before:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00471Custom.jpg

Rear after:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00469Custom.jpg

Leather cleaned with Zaino #9 and followed with the conditioner, #10. Worked with small nail brush/MF pad:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00472Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00473Custom.jpg

After:
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00475Custom.jpg

So, back to the ‘matte finished’ exhaust system.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00484Custom.jpg

Ah, rubbish. So they are shiny/pretty after all! A bit of a 50/50^^

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00486Custom.jpg

(before)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00482Custom.jpg

Left done – right, not.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00480Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00479Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00487Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00489Custom.jpg

Just so happened I had some replacement mats kicking about..
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00492Custom.jpg

The car was given a second layer of wax. (after a wipe down with LastTouch as it had collected a fair amount of dust/leaves due to the high winds today)

After images.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00496Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00499Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00500Custom_edited-1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00503Custom_edited-1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00504Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00505Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00506Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00508Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00510Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00511Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00512Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00513Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00514Custom.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00516Custom.jpg

and I’ll leave you tonight with these two shots..

an interior misc. pic after having all ‘the doings’
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00518Custom2.jpg

and a Black and White shot that shows the true ‘gloss’.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/Jimm3hh/RX8/DSC00499CustomBnW2.jpg

Thanks for reading. Comments and critique welcome.

Jim

 

[Jimmeh]

S3-Chris, did you ever clean up your exhausts??

 

[paul_a3_tdi130]

How much would something like this cost to an A4 and i'm bases in middlesbrough?

 

[Nilz]

Dude, those pics are wicked, you have done a great job there, and the colour of the car is realy brought out by the work you have done....keep up the good work fella!!

 

[Jimmeh]

How much would something like this cost to an A4 and i'm bases in middlesbrough?

Hi Paul, you have PM. Thanks

Dude, those pics are wicked, you have done a great job there, and the colour of the car is realy brought out by the work you have done....keep up the good work fella!!

Thanks chap. The repair job on the front bumper/headlight was most satisfying. Owner was very chuffed. You see the Merc SLK 55 AMG job too? Such a nice car....

 

[Jimmeh]

*repost