Grand Prix White NSX Detailed by Tru_Shine

[shinnster]

I tried to help my friend take out his swirls on his black eclipse with 3m smr. I washed then worked on the hood only. I spent close to 2 hours and couldn't get good results. I used a foam pad and worked very slowly. I worked the same areas two to three times then finished it off with ppcl.



The thing is it looked slightly better but, i couldn't get the swirls out. they just seemed to be less prominent.



This was also my first time using smr and first time trying to do this kind of thing.



Would it be better for me to use the porter cable buffer to work this stuff in? Would i get better results.



Please help me out guys, I'm so dissapointed in myself and i really need to learn how to do this properly.

 

[Glozz]

Shinnster,



Don't get bummed out. What you're seeing is that doing something by hand (even if the product states you can) is a big pain! I would suggest that you invest in a PC and the kit that CMA sells as well. This way you'll be covered. 3M SMR is a great product and has worked great for me. I would not suggest using it by hand, except on the smallest of swirls. Some on this forum will differ on my opinion, but my guess is that they have used it on very small, and very shallow swirl marks or marring in the wax coat or sealant coat.



Furthermore, please remember that the PC is not the "save all" machine. It has it's limits as well.



Good luck and you'll do just fine

 

[vettefan67]

1) I assume you read my response to your other thread. I'll edit that post and repost it as a new thread for people to look at in regards to SMR by hand. Here's a link for anyone interested:

http://www.autopia-carport.com/forum/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=5714

If you really want to make SMR work, try this (carefully...). Put some on your hand application pad and spread it around the pad to make sure there are no metal flakes in it. Then spread it around the small area you are going to work and RUB THE HECK out of it.

Sound like a bad idea? I don't like it either! Get a harsher abrasive or a machine!

puterbum

BTW the above was a semi-joke. I did use this method and it worked for me -- after I removed all of the hazing. I wouldn't recommend it to most people.

 

[shinnster]

Thanks for the advice,

I didn't read your repost in the other thread.



Yea, i tried rubbing the hell out of it, but still didn't leave me with a desirable finish.



I guess i'll just have to use the portle cable next time.

 

[Tru_Shine]

So I was really excited about doing this NSX, this is a 1992 Grand Prix White NSX, a very rare color. they only made 300 in 1992 in this color. This car was #209 out of 300.

I started off with my normal routine on removing all dirt and any wax's or sealants on the paint surface. Honda clear coat is a VERY soft clear coat so I knew that I was in for some bad defects. Unless these cars are properly maintained, then it is real easy to marr up the surface.

Lets take a look at what I arrived to.

I began by spraying some Stoners Tarminator to remove the bugs and tar off the paint.

After that, I began to pre-spray the car off to dislodge any grit and prepare the surface for a good wash job.

My weapons of choice for the Prepping the car


5 gal bucket
Grit Guard
100% Sheep skin wash mitt
Dawn ultra concentrate
EZ detail brush small and large
Chemical Guys Diablo wheel Gel 3:1 ratio
misc wheel brush
spoke wheel brush
lug nut brush
P21s polishing soap
Clay magic blue fine Claybar
other misc bushes

The engine and front and rear trunk were really nasty. I used some APC, and red degreaser and scrubbed them using various brushes.

 

[Tru_Shine]

All areas were dressed with 303 aerospace protectant.

Next were the wheels. 17" for the front and 18" for the back Volk GT-N's

These wheels were absolutely horrid, these have been neglected for such along time, that getting them back to new wasn't going to happen. So I used some P21s Polishing soap along with some fine steel wool.

 

[Tru_Shine]

So I pulled the car inside and started the second stage of the prepping

I clayed the car using both the Blue Fine clay and Red Medium clay, Some areas were just to ruff for the blue fine.

Some areas had Really bad Rail Dust.

which needed some Red Clay

After the Clay step I began to tape up the car and all of the jams

I took measurements of the paint thickness and the scale was all over the place with low 5's to mid 8's

Now for the paint correction.

This paint was very soft and not to hard to level out.

Weapons of choice:

Flex 3401
Griot's 3" polisher
Rotary with various backing plates
Lake country Hydrotech pads (Cyan/Tangerine/Crimson)
Meguiars M105/M205
Black Fire Wet Diamond (Last step product)

 

[Tru_Shine]

This roof had some REALLY bad scratches and some pretty deep swirls

I decided to wet sand the deeper scratches on the roof using 1500 Eagle Bufflex disc dry sanding, and followed it up with 3000 grit wet sanding.

Then I Buffed it out with my Rotary buffer using a Lake country purple foamed wool pad on a meguiars W66 backing plate.

Followed up with 3000 grit.

then buffed it all smooth with Meguiars M105 compound and PFW pad via Rotary, then polished it with my FLEX 3401 and M205 Tangerine pad so there wouldn't be any swirls

The whole roof was wet sanded with 1500 then 3000 to remove 95% of the defects.

Next were the were pillers, These always show a lot of swirls and are at the most visible level on a car for a person to see.

I taped off a 50/50 to show the dramatic difference between the before and after

There were still a few little pits on the surface from acid rain over the past 18 years but overall came out great.

I used a Rotary buffer with a 3" Gloss it backing plate and a 3" Lake country Cyan pad. The Flex just didn't cut it hard enough being such a small tight area. after I leveled it out with the Rotary I polished with the Flex and M205/Tang pad.

now on to the back, the horizontal panels get the most sun and the most environmental damage from acid rain and the sun, bird poop and all of that, so my cyan/M105 combo didn't get the level of correction that I was looking for, so I upped my cutting ability a little by using the Purple foam wool pad to really give a good cut, but finish down amazingly.

 

[Tru_Shine]

I worked my way around the car from the pass. fender to the driver side. I was almost done going on Midnight.

After All of the compounding stage I polished with M205 and the lake country Crimson Ultra finishing pad

Then I applied the Black Fire Wet Diamond Sealant with a blue finishing pad via Flex 3401

The car was mostly finished up arround 12:30am, I had a few small things left to walk around and check, like the windows and jams all those small things. from 8:30am to 12:30am so 16 hours night 1 and then 2 more hours the next morning.

So the Next morning I woke up and took care of a few small things before the final pics were taken.

The insides of the door handles were severely scratches by fingernails over the years

I used some M105 on a Microfiber towel and rubbed the area until they were mostly gone.

NOW FOR THE FINAL SUN SHOTS from the next morning!!!!!! Drum roll please............

 

[Tru_Shine]

Just in case you forgot what It looked like before. here is a second glance

So while I was there I did a quick ONR wash on the Pontiac Solstice in the back ground. after the wash I applied a coat of Black Fire Wet Diamond

Thanks For Viewing!!! Have a Blessed Day!!!!

 

[bmw5541]

Great job on restoring the NSX. You did a great job with all the details taken care of. Great write up as well.:notworthy:

Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[imported_juliom2]

Thats some awesome white paint restoration!!!!
I respect a well done white car!!!
:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[imported_Luster]

I have one of those coming to me on Friday! But I can guarantee, I won't be doing that comprehensive write-up that you did! Excellent work, pictures and narrative. :thumbup:

This is coming at a perfect time for me... I'll post mine this weekend if time permits.

 

[Tru_Shine]

I have one of those coming to me on Friday! But I can guarantee, I won't be doing that comprehensive write-up that you did! Excellent work, pictures and narrative. :thumbup:

This is coming at a perfect time for me... I'll post mine this weekend if time permits.

Your gonna love it! By far Honda paint is my Favorite. it works so easy. I have another write up on a NSX that was a one step, but I didn't want to post up to many at a time. what color is the one your going to be doing?


Thanks everybody

 

[imported_ccking85]

Looks great. I love the NSX. Maybe one day I will have one

 

[imported_Woodie]

Wow - I'd call that a Lazarus detail. You resurrected some seriously dead white paint and gave it a fantastic glossy new life.

 

[imported_Flash Gordon]

Very nice job Tru Shine. Thanks for posting @ TruthInDetailing Da Rules!

I have another write up on a NSX that was a one step, but I didn't want to post up to many at a time.

You are aware you get 10 tickets to win The Big Kuhuna contest for every pictorial, Right? Da Rules!

I see you have been a member for 9 months with only 12 post. I can do that many on my lunch break Da Rules!

Maybe one day I will have one

Get ready to replace your tires every 5k miles. Those cars are notorious tire eaters Da Rules!

 

[imported_Luster]

Your gonna love it! By far Honda paint is my Favorite. it works so easy. I have another write up on a NSX that was a one step, but I didn't want to post up to many at a time. what color is the one your going to be doing?


Thanks everybody

It's Black. I'm sure it will be a fun project!:thumbup:

 

[imported_Flash Gordon]

Damn it, I used the multi quote feature earlier. That is no way to build up tickets for The Big Kuhuna contest :Innocent:

TS...Is that your helper I see lounging around in the background? Very hard to find good help these days. No one wants to work. Everyone just wants to play on the computer all day :Innocent:

 

[imported_RaskyR1]

Greta work as always Eric! Nice documentation and product display too!

Was that the owner sitting there while you worked?