OCDinPDX
Paint Ph.D
This 2008 Fit Sport is dressed in a color called Blackberry Pearl (of no relation to the phone) and is very heavy on the metallic flake. The color tends to shift depending on the light and can go from looking very purple to navy blue in a matter of seconds. As you’ll see in the photos, it looks blue under the camera flash but the purple tint was revealed by the sun. Regardless, it’s a very interesting color and one I enjoyed making it look its best. Also it was nice to work on a small car for a change.
The owner of this Fit has tried her very best to keep the car looking good and has only hand washed it. I’m not sure what she’s used but this paint is very soft and seems to be even more so than the usual Honda paint so it was pretty swirled and there was some isolated marring, as well. Thankfully the car has never seen an automatic car wash so the swirls were shallow and gave up without a fight. There were very few deep scratches although the car is parked outside 24/7 so there was some pollen etching on the roof. I was able to minimize this but not completely remove it.
I used the Makita for a majority of the heavy polishing and then switched to the random orbital to guarantee a hologram-free finishing down. I started to do an IPA wipe down but had issues with it inducing more swirls so I stopped. Despite some of the difficulties, I was very satisfied with the end result and only a little touching up was required.
Process:
Wash with Dawn to strip any remaining sealant
Dried with MF WW Towel
Clay with Griot’s Clay and Speed Shine
Makita 9227C
Menzerna SIP
Lake Country Green
-
Griot’s Random Orbital
Menzerna PO85RD
Lake Country Black
Re-wash after polishing
One coat of Blackfire Wet Diamond applied by hand and cured for one hour
Wheel arches cleaned with CG Grime Reaper and Pressure Washer; dressed with Griot’s Undercarriage Spray
Wheels removed and deep-cleaned; Tires dressed with Griot’s Tire Dressing
Engine compartment cleaned and dressed with Stoner’s Trim Shine
Total Time: 16 hours
The car upon arrival; clean but the paint just didn't have that va-voom that we all look for.
The roof was COVERED in hard water spots.
But the engine was clean.
Under the lights, the true state of the paint was revealed.
More hard water spots!!!
The test 50/50 shot.
The purple hue really shows up in these photos.
With the sun overhead the following day...
And the same spot after the test section.
The clay was FILTHY despite the car having been clayed last fall. Being outside all the time is hard on a car.
I used the random orbital on the edges of the hood as the angle was too sharp for the rotary. It would have burned right through and that's no good.
Right front fender before; with hard water spots and scratches...
And after....
AFTER PHOTOS!!!!
As always, thanks for looking and I appreciate any and all comments.
The owner of this Fit has tried her very best to keep the car looking good and has only hand washed it. I’m not sure what she’s used but this paint is very soft and seems to be even more so than the usual Honda paint so it was pretty swirled and there was some isolated marring, as well. Thankfully the car has never seen an automatic car wash so the swirls were shallow and gave up without a fight. There were very few deep scratches although the car is parked outside 24/7 so there was some pollen etching on the roof. I was able to minimize this but not completely remove it.
I used the Makita for a majority of the heavy polishing and then switched to the random orbital to guarantee a hologram-free finishing down. I started to do an IPA wipe down but had issues with it inducing more swirls so I stopped. Despite some of the difficulties, I was very satisfied with the end result and only a little touching up was required.
Process:
Wash with Dawn to strip any remaining sealant
Dried with MF WW Towel
Clay with Griot’s Clay and Speed Shine
Makita 9227C
Menzerna SIP
Lake Country Green
-
Griot’s Random Orbital
Menzerna PO85RD
Lake Country Black
Re-wash after polishing
One coat of Blackfire Wet Diamond applied by hand and cured for one hour
Wheel arches cleaned with CG Grime Reaper and Pressure Washer; dressed with Griot’s Undercarriage Spray
Wheels removed and deep-cleaned; Tires dressed with Griot’s Tire Dressing
Engine compartment cleaned and dressed with Stoner’s Trim Shine
Total Time: 16 hours
The car upon arrival; clean but the paint just didn't have that va-voom that we all look for.
The roof was COVERED in hard water spots.
But the engine was clean.
Under the lights, the true state of the paint was revealed.
More hard water spots!!!
The test 50/50 shot.
The purple hue really shows up in these photos.
With the sun overhead the following day...
And the same spot after the test section.
The clay was FILTHY despite the car having been clayed last fall. Being outside all the time is hard on a car.
I used the random orbital on the edges of the hood as the angle was too sharp for the rotary. It would have burned right through and that's no good.
Right front fender before; with hard water spots and scratches...
And after....
AFTER PHOTOS!!!!
As always, thanks for looking and I appreciate any and all comments.
