Take care polishing the Gen 2 MPS

[LittleredMPS]

I have found out the hard way that the gen 2 MPS clear coat is about as tough as glad wrap.

If you are using an RO on a gen 2 then take extreme care.

After doing some stone chip touch ups on my bonnet, I used my RO to bring up some shine on the touch up paint with a medium cut polish.

In the 10 odd seconds I was cutting back the touch up paint area the RO also cut off the clear coat and top layer of paint in a 4cm strip on my bonnet.

Naturally the paint is a 3 layer process type so it cant be repaired without discolouring the rest of the surrounding paint.

I am now in the position of getting my bonnet resprayed completely for the effort of fixing some stone chips. At least this time it will have 2 coats of 2 pac clear baked on it.

Sending out this warning to save anyone else the pain of my unfortunate situation

[MISSMPS]

Those things are evil even in the hands of a pro


That really sucks to hear

[LittleredMPS]

imagine what would happen if you used a rotary missy?

They cut much harder than an RO

[MISSMPS]

imagine what would happen if you used a rotary missy?

They cut much harder than an RO

makes me sick thinking about it.....ive used a rotary on an old car bonnet...

[Dan]

Mazda paint is thin BUT its really really hard. Im VERY surprised that an RO of all things cut through it. I did a test where i put a cutting pad and Menzerna Powergloss (a very aggressive polish) on an RO and held it in one spot for about 4 mins. It didn't even put a dent in it.

For the record the rotary took 10 seconds to burn through and the forced rotation (Rotex/flex) took around 30 seconds.

[LittleredMPS]

My RO has forced rotation.

From what I know Mazda is using a different type of clear coat on the new gen's.

Its definitely not as hard as the 1st gen, I can guarantee that since Ive used my RO the same way on my old sp23 without any issues.

I just hope to hell noone else does this..sigh.

[LYNCHY]

Really that seems odd. Were you on the edge or crease!

Sucks to hear BTW!

[bd581]

Blame the enviroMENTALists for this.
They have been trying to ban thinners based paints for years now. Something about fumes not being good for your health and the environment

Waterbased paints don't dry as hard, but soon all cars will be painted the same way. In England thinners based paint will be phased out by next year, and Australia isn't far behind.

The painters shouldn't be painting the whole bonnet for a repair that size, otherwise they would have to blend into the guards to get the colour to match, they should be able to keep it local and keep the blend away from the edge (depending where the mark is)
This however will be the same no matter what type of paint it is, thinners or water. - The joys of metallic/mica/pearl paints

[240MPS]

Man not even my car Jason and I feel sick in the guts reading this......

[SP23HO]

I've had Dan detail my Black MPS, don't appear to have encountered the same issue.

Sux to hear about what has happened.

[ZAS]

Maybe this occurred due to the stone chip?

Not burn through. Sounds like the paint flaked away from the chip.

[bd581]

If that is the case, it should be a warrenty claim

[Team Green]

Bugger me Jas not good at all buddy....

[Dan]

Can you throw up a pic for us. Im very interested to see it.

Do es it look kind of like this. I'm referring to the darkened circle near the middle of the picture. Thats clear coat burn

[ZAS]

If that is the case, it should be a warrenty claim

Bingo.

I'm keen to see a pic too.

[PostmanDan]

Sorry to hear!

Hopefully it'll be fixed good as new!

[LittleredMPS]

As requested.

Here is a piccie of my heartache.

My camera is not the best for macro shots so I have highlighted the area.

That is not a reflection colour either...Thats basically what it looks like to the naked eye.

[Dan]

is that on a ridge? Also what polish, pad, machine and speed were you using at the time?

I'm so intrigued at this!

[SP23HO]

I think i'm blind.....i see nothing :P

[LittleredMPS]

is that on a ridge? Also what polish, pad, machine and speed were you using at the time?

I'm so intrigued at this!

Was on the side bonnet ridge, using menzerna 203s with a medium cut non CCS foam pad (Final Inspection type they used to sell). I use a makita RO with forced rotation.

Rotation speed was only 2.5 (Thats the speed I would usually use for fine polishing) because I was uncertain of cut effect on the new water based clear coat and paint surface, hence the use of a medium cut pad as well.

That speed is barely enough to break down 203s on my RO. About the most gentle setting I could use and still get cut.