Neglected Honda Civic

RickRack · 07-10-06, 06:26

This car was a referral from my brother. He does security at an apartment complex and got me a few detail jobs to do. The car is owned by an older woman who told me that the car has never been waxed except for the "paint sealant" at the touchless carwash. I'm not sure what year it is, but it was in dire need of a good polishing. The paint was starting to oxidize and there were all kinds of scratches, scuffs, sap, fallout, tar, etc. on the paint. It lacked any gloss or shine whatsoever. I made the mistake of giving her a price quote over the phone and definitely cut myself short which really stinks

, but oh well. The car came out fairly well considering what I had to work with and I'm sure I'll get a few jobs out of it.

Here is my process:

Washed exterior, cleaned engine compartment

Clayed complete exterior

Buffed complete exterior with SSR2.5 using a wool pad @ 1800rpm

Buffed complete exterior with SSR1 using a foam polishing pad @ 1400rpm

Z5 pro by hand

Dressed tires & wheel wells with Super Blue dressing

Before Pictures:

RickRack · 07-10-06, 06:32

After pictures:

RickRack · 07-10-06, 06:33

RickRack · 07-10-06, 06:34

merci · 07-10-06, 06:54

Nice turn-around!

Lightman · 07-10-06, 07:17

Hard to tell how the swirls etc came out because all the after pics are in the dark. The paint looks far glossier though! Let's see a pic of the trunk lid after...that was hideous!

evenflow · 07-10-06, 12:06

Awesome work man. Paint looks a lot more alive and is now glossy.

Z K · 07-10-06, 12:14

Is that left over adhesive on the rear trunk from an torn off emblem? How did you get that stuff off?

themightytimmah · 07-10-06, 03:29

Looks great Rick, what brand of wool pad did you use? I'm looking to pick up some more and I'm unhappy with my current brand (Makita).

SilverLexus · 07-10-06, 03:57

Nice improvement Rick.

Someone was obviously using the trunk lid as a shelf.

roadmaster_Tx · 07-10-06, 04:06

great job on that civic, the color looks real deep..

Did you use zfx with z5pro, or was it just z5 by it self?

Scottwax · 07-10-06, 05:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverLexus

Someone was obviously using the trunk lid as a shelf.

My guess would be that is where she sets her purse to dig out her keys.

Really massive improvement, Rick. Looks like there are still a few light swirls on the fender but considering the starting point and being somewhat limited on the number of steps due to the price she was paying, it looks way better.