Honda Black (Argh !!!!)

Clean Dean

Keep it clean !!!
3 Hour Exterior...

Yesterday I detailed a 2000 Honda S2000, and had a real tough time getting the black paint where I wanted it. The car had moderate to light swirls and light scratches, and here was my plan of attack.

After wash and clay...

I started using a Edge green light cut pad with DACP and the rotary set at @ 1100 RPM. I worked the DACP until it was dusting up, then wiped.

Upon inspection the DACP had left some (more than usual) swirls in the black finish, but they did not appear to be that bad. The DACP effectively removed the light swirls and scratches.

The follow-up to DACP was Menzerna FP with a Blue Edge pad set at @ 1500 RPM's. I really worked this product hoping that it would remove the light swirls created by the DACP. That was not the case. In direct sunlight I saw that FP had effectively removed only about 60-70% of the remaining buffer swirls, and I opted to use Meguiars Swirl Free Polish #82 and the PC 7424 as my last attempt the rid this finish of the remaining buffer swirls.

I used the 7424 set between 5 and 6 and worked the #82 until it was almost dry and wiped clean with AM Bodyshine and a MF towel. Upon final inspection I was happy to see that #82 had effectively removed the remaining swirls, and I went directly to a coat of Natty Wax w/o sealing. This car is being stored in a warehouse until it is sold so protection is not a paramount concern.

In summation, I was wondering if anyone else found Honda's flat black to be as difficult to work as I did?
 
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Pic for website...

I was thinking of placing this photo on the first page of my website. What do you think ???
 
I have not had any trouble with my factory black on my Civic. You can see pics of it at www.danase.com As a matter of fact we have two black Civics in the gallery.
 
Cool site !!! What did you use on the black Honda? I really cannot explain why I seemed to have such a hard time with the paint that day. Maybe I was off !!!
 
i have a couple of questions
1). I've used dacp and i dont like it for shit but i use it at about 1400rpm should i slow it down.

2. ive also used fp and seeing it was sunny when you did this car. i noticed that it doesnt work well with a hot vehicle i usually get better results if i use it in cooler climates or at night.

3. You referred to Swirl Free Polish as 83 but its No 82, 83 is the DACP can you clarify which one you used.

4. if you did use the 82 man i had problems using that one too what rpm's did you use it at?



I started using a Edge green light cut pad with DACP and the rotary set at @ 1100 RPM. I worked the DACP until it was dusting up, then wiped.

Upon inspection the DACP had left some (more than usual) swirls in the black finish, but they did not appear to be that bad. The DACP effectively removed the light swirls and scratches.

The follow-up to DACP was Menzerna FP with a Blue Edge pad set at @ 1500 RPM's. I really worked this product hoping that it would remove the light swirls created by the DACP. That was not the case. In direct sunlight I saw that FP had effectively removed only about 60-70% of the remaining buffer swirls, and I opted to use Meguiars Swirl Free Polish #83 and the PC 7424 as my last attempt the rid this finish of the remaining buffer swirls.

I used the 7424 set between 5 and 6 and worked the #83 until it was almost dry and wiped clean with AM Bodyshine and a MF towel
 
Clean Dean said:
Cool site !!! What did you use on the black Honda? I really cannot explain why I seemed to have such a hard time with the paint that day. Maybe I was off !!!

Thanks Dean! On the black one with the silver decal we used 3M swirl remover for dark colors, then SSR2, Polish with Carnuba and P21S.

On mine, the black Civic where we just showed the hood and door, I was using Griot's at the time and did their three step system followed with the Best of Show Wax. Now I use Poorboy's and take car of it with the SSR's and EX/EX-p whatever mood i am in that day. LOL
 
jay...

You are on the money. I referred to Meguiars SFP as #83, it is #82. Please re-read the corrected thread. Good catch !!!

BTW. I used the #82 with the Porter Cable 7424 set between 5 and 6. I used an orange pad I purchased from properautocare.com a while back.
 
Yikes Dean

Sounds like Audi paint. I'm kinda shocked the FP via rotary didn't get it all out. Sounds like Megs came through. Ever use 1z? I use this to combat micromarring, It take a long time on the Audi but eventually it does work well. I have a Cyclo now, hopefully that will make it more effective.
 
Dean, been there with Honda paint, I don't think it was you.

I have done my share of flamenco black pearl and nighthwak black pearl hondas and all of them are about the same. Thay are extremely fickle, if that makes sense. I have two Hondas, one is electron blue pearl, the other is sherwood forest green pearl. Both of them mar if you look at them wrong. I have no idea what characteristic of the paint makes it so difficult to work with, but it is.

On my accord(as well as other Honda paint) when using DACP I have seen the least amount of buffer swirls with the blue edge pad. I have also found that switching to the PC afterwards with SSR2 or SSR1 (depending on the severity of the buffer swirls) clears them up better than using swirl free or #9. I have no idea why. In other words, I sometimes need to use a stronger polish as a final polish when working with most Honda paint. Did that make any sense?

I have really grown to hate Honda paint.
 
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Isn't the S2000 Single Stage? - eh either way I find my Acura (honda) paint to be soft and sh*tty!! I think a bee landing on the hood can cause chips!! - The car is a year old and I have chips down to the metal in several places....

next time I get a delorian! -

Hey CD check your PM
 
I am pretty sure the S2000 is not single stage.

I had a dealer telling me how crappy Honda paint was last week. :lol:
 
groebuck said:
Isn't the S2000 Single Stage? - eh either way I find my Acura (honda) paint to be soft and sh*tty!! I think a bee landing on the hood can cause chips!! - The car is a year old and I have chips down to the metal in several places....

next time I get a delorian! -

Hey CD check your PM

Some are some aren't. Some of the Milano Red s2000's are SS as are some of the white ones. I am not sure about the black.

I feel your pain on the chipping!!!!
 
Great work! Really really amazing to get a black hood that flawless in direct sunlight.

As far as the paint, my repaint mars more than factory paint, but I see where everyone says its a PITA.

As far as Milano Red goes, its a 3 stage. If that black you did has a little bit of blue flake in it, then it's at least 2 stage (color, clear). I've done 2 Honda's with that color.

Natty's, I love it :) . And with my DIRECT sunlight experiences (everyday for more than 8 hrs), it holds up VERY well...Or at least over the past month.


Again, nice work and definately get those pics on your site. :cool
 
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