This is my brother in law's 07 Honda Civic. He had been taking it to the car wash since he bought it. He came to visit last weekend and after I saw it, I would not let him drive off in that piece of garbage, so I got to work. The paint was in the worst shape I have ever seen on a relatively new car, it was completely scratched, marred, contaminated, stained, etc. The paint was so bad that you could not even see the rock chips, which became very apparent after polishing. The car is a metallic black with a blue tint, which was no longer visible due to the poor condition of the paint, but it too came back after polishing. I spent about 6 hours working on it, but then he had to go, so I was unable to do the finishing polish to remove the haze left behind by Menzerna IP and was unable to add a coat of wax. Regardless, there was still a huge improvement. I will finish the job next time he comes around (I told him not to even think about washing it until then or to ever take it to the car wash again or I would kick his a**.) Oh, yes, the free washes at the Honda dealer also contributed to the state of the paint. He was so used to seeing his car in this condition that he did not even know how bad it was. He could not believe the difference after, especially after showing him these pics.
Here is my process:
Washed with Ultima Paint Guard Wash and Lowes GS
Clayed with Clay Magic
Polished x 2 with UDM, DAS Orange Pad, and Menzerna IP
After that, I was going to polish with Menzerna Micropolish with the DAS Blue Finishing Pad, then apply Danase Wet Glaze and Clearkote Carnauba Moose Wax via UDM and DAS Finishing Pad. Those steps will have to wait as well as the interior detailing, rubber trim, and tires. BTW, IP dusts like hell :soscared: . This stuff should come with a warning sign to wear goggles and a protective mask, I think I polished the heck out of my eyes and lungs. Nevertheless, it is good stuff.
Before:
After:
Here is my process:
Washed with Ultima Paint Guard Wash and Lowes GS
Clayed with Clay Magic
Polished x 2 with UDM, DAS Orange Pad, and Menzerna IP
After that, I was going to polish with Menzerna Micropolish with the DAS Blue Finishing Pad, then apply Danase Wet Glaze and Clearkote Carnauba Moose Wax via UDM and DAS Finishing Pad. Those steps will have to wait as well as the interior detailing, rubber trim, and tires. BTW, IP dusts like hell :soscared: . This stuff should come with a warning sign to wear goggles and a protective mask, I think I polished the heck out of my eyes and lungs. Nevertheless, it is good stuff.
Before:
After:
I also directed him to autopia and had him buy Ultima Paint Guard Wash, the waffle weave MF towels and other MF towels and a grit guard insert and to Lowes for the Grout Sponge and a couple of 5 gallong buckets. He already got his shipment. I also taught him the correct techniques for washing and drying his car. I am on a mission to convert him into an Autopian.