Ford Kuga - Splat City

Okay, this isn't a sporty or exotic car, but it shows the difference what can be achieved :)

I was asked about the best method of removing paint spots that had landed all over this Kuga. It was parked up next to where someone had painted a fence :sad2:
After describing in detail how to remove it, the job was soon left in my hands :laugh:

The owner is a genuine car enthusiast and looks after his cars so it was pretty clean to begin with.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psa064a281.jpg

Some old polish residue dotted around the car, along with a glimpse of the paint spots.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps12121ac1.jpg

Nice Focus RS wheels :cool:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps8f1b4775.jpg

Onto the cleaning Process.
Wheels, tyres & arches with Imperial, APC and a variety of brushes.
Pre-washed with Valet Pro Citrus
Washed with CG's Citrus Wash & Gloss
Tar removed with Tardis
Fallout removed with Auto Finesse Iron Out

I first tried using a G3 clay mitt for the paint splatter, but it didn't touch it!
This was after using the mitt.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps62982e3b.jpg

I wanted it all out of the way before I began polishing so out came the Bilt Hamber Regular and some shampoo/water lube. I forgot to take a photo, but it done the trick :D It even picked up bonded contaminants that the mitt had left.

The car wash fully washed down again, dried up and backed into the garage to tape up ready for polishing.
This has to be the coolest garage I've worked in so far :) Some nice car memorabilia hung on the walls, plenty of natural light. And cups of coffee on tap :thumb:

Vulnerable areas taped up.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psf7ffb110.jpg

Ambient lighting can be very deceiving...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps0b6b8801.jpg

See what I mean!

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps40f8ff4c.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psa7c6a138.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psa82a14c7.jpg


I began testing out machine, polish and pad combos. I only had one day so a good cut that finished well was the order of the day.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psf933a007.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psdb163ca6.jpg

Finished panel.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psa37b4844.jpg

Onto the rear door. Top half polished.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psa46ded41.jpg

Rear Quarter.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psd1d962a1.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps0d082bbc.jpg

So that was the passenger side done :)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps44680dd3.jpg

Bacon sandwich down and it was onto the other side.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps1efdbd80.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psb5c9915c.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psb2a5942c.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps29005261.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps8c089a90.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...pse2a6ac4d.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps46b07e8b.jpg

Wiped down with Eraser.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psbbeb9ea0.jpg

Tried out a funky 50/50.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psccaaba81.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps83a1a469.jpg

That's the end of the polishing shots :)

The whole car was wiped down with Eraser to remove any oils that might be masking defects (deeper marks were left as I wasn't going for full correction) and any residue that may have been missed.

LSP's of choice, Auto Finesse Desire - Topped with Swissvax Onyx. Amazing combo in my eyes.

All plastics were dressed with Revive.
Wheels sealed with Chemical Guy's Wheel Guard.
Tyres with Meguiar's Endurance.
Glass polished and sealed with G|techniq products - including the massive glass roof.

The finished pictures.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps976b71e5.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps9b4f2b3c.jpg

Quite a wet reflection shot.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps735ec2c3.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps346c6087.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psd3de90db.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psb265200b.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps0f129962.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psb4309791.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps85e494bd.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps93f97a56.jpg

And outside.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps7cbfccf5.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps5d9e4bef.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps0b760799.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps37026309.jpg

Lots of pictures for this write up :)

Any comments, fire at will!
Thank you for reading :)
detailR