My Wife's DD... '02 Honda Accord

Dellinger

Dellinger

New member
Well, greetings ladies and gents.  


 


<u>The Preface</u>:


 


I'll wade ever so softly into this sub-forum... with a spirit of humbleness and respect for enthusiasts and professionals, alike, who display their work here.


 


One request I do have for participants of this post, and that is-  there will be a section at the bottom, below the parting shots... I'm going to display an image of an area/ surface, that I need 'help' on.  If you would like to reply with some constructive criticism or how you would handle the situation, I would be greatful.  If you do not opine... that's fine too!  And by all means, criticism of anything you see, is certainly welcome.  There are many, many great eyes and minds here with amazing talents.  (I lack a lot of that and am using click/brag posts mainly to learn and find ways to be better at detailing.)


Thank you for reading and contributing.  


 


warning: this is gonna be long and wordy...sorry.


 


Best regards,


-Dellinger


 


 


<u>The Story:</u>


 


This 2002 Honda Accord (Nighthawk Black Pearl) was purchased by my wife and I about four years ago.  As the title states, it is our family's primary mode of travel and my wife's daily driver.  It has 169K on the odometer and the clear coat is failing on all horizontal panels.  


 


It is the car that 'pushed me' to where I am today... an understudy, entrepreneur, looking to open my own detailing business (hopefully with a little success sprinkled in.)


 


 


<span style="font-family:georgia, serif;">It looks decent under fluorescent lamps... (sorry, no sun for outside inspection)


 


 


 
<span style="font-family:georgia, serif;">Obviously, as you get closer in, things get worse... (Type II & III water spots... some 'spots' can appear
<span style="font-family:georgia, serif;">to be water spots but are actually crow's feet joined in a circular pattern.)

 

 
 


 



 


As you can see, the car was in horrible shape.  Probably the worst I've seen and definitely owned.  The appearance of the car haunted me and I wanted to remedy this.  I began my search here at autopia.org to find some assistance and help (see link here...http://www.autopia.org/forum/topic/129793-02-honda-accord-advice-needed/.)  Fast forward to today... I have four vehicles under my belt and still working on the website, organization, picture taking, technique(s), training, blah, blah, blah.  I don't feel I'm yet ready to open the doors.  I have been lucky that all the jobs I have performed thus far, have paid.  Not true retail prices but enough to cover my products costs and some left over.  


 


 


<u>The Condition (post wash/ decon):</u>


 


Nothing fancy with the wash/ decon prep...   (There was noted marring from the fine mitt BUT... A.) it didn't really matter because of the existing condition B.) I was going to correct it anyways 3.) this paint is soooo stupid soft, more to this later.)


 


Products used:


+Dawn


+Megs Shampoo Plus


+Nanoskin Fine grade mitt


+CG Luber


+Megs MF wash mitt


 


The below are typical defects covering the vehicle.  The trunklid shows more clear coat failure beginning (small circular spots...crow's feet similar to the hood and roof) and large Type II water spots. 
 


 


 


 


 


 
 
 
<u>The Process:</u>






 


A three-step, exterior correction applied.  First step- HD wool pad/ M100.  Second step- B&S Orange pad/ M100.  Third step- B&S Black pad/ HD Polish.


(A <u>BIG</u> hat tip to Mr. Thomas Dekany... more on that below.)


 


Products used:


+Megs M100


+HD Polish


+HD Poxy


+5.1" HD Black Lambswool pad(s)


+B&S 5.5" Orange pad(s)


+B&S 5.5" Black pad(s)


+B&S 5.5" Red pad(s)


+Megs Final Inspection


 


<span style="font-family:georgia, serif;">All photos below are 1 section pass with HD wool pad and M100... VERY SLOW arm speed

 


 

<span style="font-family:georgia, serif;">from another angle...

 


 


 


 



 



Sorry about the redundant photos but I was just so impressed with the performance of HD wool pad and M100 combo!


I ended up working 2 section passes on each polishing step for each section to complete the correction process.   


 


 


<u>Mr. Thomas Dekany:</u>  I emailed Thomas before posting this to ensure that I was following proper etiquette.  Anyway, I had a spectacular chance when Thomas agreed to allow me to purchase some one-on-one training with him.  It started last August but life was getting in the way.  I was able to stop by in November for the session.  He showed me some proper technique, advised me on all sorts of products, let me play around with a Rupes 21 and a Flex rotary.  Obviously introduced me to HD black wool pads and the M100. Thomas is beyond professional in his demeanor, teaching, and knowledge.  I enjoyed every minute of it and we are going to try and do some short session (if he'll let me) going into the future.  Thanks Thomas for everything!


 


 


<u>Honda Soft paint:</u>


 


I can honestly say... I'm thinking of selling this car right now.  There's no way in the world I'm going to be able to keep swirls out of this paint.  During the correction process I don't know how many times I scratched this Honda paint when wiping off residue (even with an Adam's Double Soft!)  I even marred the paint with the red B&S pad and HD Poxy... I couldn't believe it!?!?  It's only in one spot and it's very faint but it's on the hood.  I couldn't get a picture... you had to be a just the right angle and lighting.  I couldn't prime a wax pad like a polishing step... for God's sake, I would have wax everywhere!


 


This was the only time in my life where I was VERY queasy about wiping off a coat of wax.  Holly cow... I sat for 45 minutes watching the Poxy cure and was pouring over every possible thing in my mind on how NOT to scratch the paint.  


 


 


<u>The Parting Shots:</u>


 


I would say 70% correction on the vehicle... what's left is what can't be removed safely. There are some major scratches on the rear bumper, what appear to be solvent popping throughout the panels (minor pin holes.)  The pity is... my wife won't be able to see it in the sun because she leaves at 6am (dark) and gets home at 7pm (dark).  Oh well.


 


In the end, it was a good experience and I enjoyed the challenge.


 



 
 


 


 



 
 


 


 






 

 


 
 




 


<u>HELP!:</u>


 


So how would you go about eliminating these swirls/ scratches?  I tried Megs UC on a mf cloth and an applicator... it didn't work!


 

 
 

Thanks for reading!  
 
 
 
EDIT:
 
I went to park the car back in the garage and found good lighting to see the marring I instilled.  I know this was from applying wax because it is exactly where I started (hood.)
 


 
 
Some more photos (tacky, I know, lol)... playing with the manual setting on my camera (Canon Power Shot 260SH) and the evening lighting.
 


 


 


 


 

 
 
 
 
<span style="font-size:24px;"><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', cursive;"><sub>You'll be getting some for sure.....</sub>
 
Earl E Byrd said:
<span style="font-size:24px;"><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', cursive;"><sub>You'll be getting some for sure.....</sub>
Click to expand...


LOL!  We'll see...


 


 


David, thanks for chiming in... I don't know about perfect but it looks a lot better...(just gotta re-polish the hood.)


 


-Dellinger
 
Dellinger I agree with David, I also like to see daily drivers that have been run through the mill brought back to a respectable condition which you have done a very good job of accomplishing.  I have to compliment your very nice shop, clean, well organized and sufficient lighting.  You asked for some constructive criticism, there are a couple of areas that you could improve on. The door handle finger nail scratches still need a little work and start taping things off. It will do a couple of things for you, protect the edges especially on paint this compromised, last thing you want to do is burn through an edge, it will also keep the compound and polish out of all the jambs and edges saving you a lot of time before moving on to the finishing step. As far as your problem spot goes, sometimes there is only so much you can do, maybe a bit more aggressive compound, but looking at the end results compared to with what you started with you did a lot.
 
rzatch-


 


This is great feedback and you are dead correct in mentioning my faults above. I sincerely thank you for your post!    I have taped and have not taped.  I saw the difference this time and you absolutely nailed it.  It's amazing what a camera can do as far as 'reflecting' on mistakes.  Going forward, I'll have to tape door handles and all trim... especially when using wool. It seems to 'fling' dust and debris everywhere... or more so than foam has 'seemed' to.


 


Honestly, I'm at a loss for the finger nail scratches.  Yes, they are severe, but that is no excuse.  I tried what I thought was my best... under artificial lighting, it can give you bad impressions.  In the sun, it speaks truth.  I saw it afterward, unfortunately.  I tried M100 (what I believe is my most aggressive compound) with a MF towel.  I was almost thinking of taking out a Dremel, BUT conscience got the best of me (it was my own vehicle, so what the heck..?)


 


Looking forward to more of your feedback... I enjoy the constructive criticism.  I'm not here to have my work praised because even though it may appear better than before... it can always be improved upon.


 


Sincerely,


-Dellinger
 
You would think a compound would be enough but I've found a dedicated scratch remover works better. There's a few different brands out there making them but I've had good luck with Mother Scratch remover and old fashioned elbow grease.
 
Very nice. The paint is actually reflecting sunlight on the floor below - that's awesome in my book.
 
Nicely done. My driveway has always been full of Hondas. They are soft but not too bad. Newer Hondas 06+ are a SLIGHTLY harder than older ones. I've also done a lot of black Hondas. I can say from experience you did quite a nice job on the car! I wouldn't have guessed you have 4 cars under your belt thus far.


For the finger nail scratches, D300 and a foam applicator pad is a great start. Those do look pretty deep however. So instead of M100 on a Microfiber towel, I would suggest a foam pad instead. Nonetheless, use your personal car as a canvas and experiment.


For the door mouldings, tape around them, grab a rotary and a 3" white pad and M105. If I were to have done this car, I would have done that before the final polishing, so that when you are done ALL the cutting, you can gently polish over those mouldings at the same time.


in your case since you can't really do that now, Just tape off the area and give her a go! Nice documentation, nice pictures, nice work!
 
kaval-


 


Many thanks for your response... a lot of good nuggets of info there and I appreciate it.


 


Nice to hear the later models have some "harder" paint.


 


Regarding the '4 car under belt' comment... thank you, that's very kind, however, if you knew the time I spent... well, you wouldn't be impressed, lol! 


 


And it may sound like an excuse but at this time, I'm hard pressed in my ability to really judge how long a job should take.  I spend quite a while on every step to make sure I'm learning about the products/ technique.  So, I haven't really done test spot and go after it, if you get my drift.  It's been a lot of try this, then try that, more passes, less passes, etc... And throw in there some questions on expectations (What should I expect after a 1-step, 2-step?  How does age, mileage, overall condition of said vehicle affect these hypothetical outcomes? If I had a legitimate handle on what to expect; how best do I go about describing this to a potential customer? Etc.)  and it's a hot mess in my mind when reflecting on the after photos.  


 


I need to pick up a 3" bp for the rotary... and have at it, as you stated.


 


Best regards,


-Dellinger 
 
Gabe you are rockin' it lately! Great work.

I think tape and 3" rotary action will do the trick. A brief wetsand session is another option, albeit riskier unless you have the spendy PTG that works on plastics. Let us know how it goes.
 
Huge transformation, park it next to any other NHP '02 Accord and there is a 99.9% chance yours will look significantly better. 
 
Rcrew said:
Gabe you are rockin' it lately! Great work.

I think tape and 3" rotary action will do the trick. A brief wetsand session is another option, albeit riskier unless you have the spendy PTG that works on plastics. Let us know how it goes.
Click to expand...


Shane, thanks for stopping by and the kind comments!  


 


I will probably forego the wetsanding because I don't have one of those PTGs, lol.  I'll be picking up a small bp for the rotary soon enough though.


 


I'll be in touch as soon as the holidays and my schedule frees up.  


 


 
Scottwax said:
Huge transformation, park it next to any other NHP '02 Accord and there is a 99.9% chance yours will look significantly better. 
Click to expand...


 


Scott, your words mean a lot to me... thank you for them.  Your work that you post here is always inspiring!
 
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