WX51 TXR vs Nighthawk Civic Type R

[WX51 TXR]

A guy from the UK Civic Type R forum contacted me months ago to ask advice about sorting out his swirly and marred Civic, but it’s taken this long to find a mutually convenient slot in the diary (not helped by me having to cancel one appointment at short notice due to falling ill). However, it was well worth the wait, as I really enjoyed this one, and he was delighted with the results! When I first saw the car it didn’t look too bad, but after setting up the halogen lighting the full extent of the defects become apparent. Heavy swirls, heavy marring and numerous scratches were afflicting every panel. The paint also felt very rough, despite having been clayed only a few months ago. The owner had kindly washed and dried the car the night before, so we started straight away with the clay, and then proceeded with a long spell of machine polishing. After correcting virtually all of the defects (very happy with this one!), I then went on to finish with Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection. This product is really something - I’ve not come across another sealant that looks so wet, whilst still allowing the flake to pop so much in the sun. Here’s the process in full…



Clay



Meguiars Mild Detailing Clay (very gentle, didn’t want to add more marring)

Poorboy’s Spray & Wipe

Excess lubricant mopped up with waffle weave towels



Polish



Whole car taped with 3434, then machine polished with PC, using Menzerna Final Polish II and Lake Country white polishing pads. The first go with the Final Polish II removed all of the clay marring and most of the swirls, but still left some of the scratches visible. Another pass took care of these, leaving a finish that I would say was 99% corrected. What surprised me was just how soft Honda paint is. I had read that it was soft, but full correction with just two goes with Final Polish II?! Damn, no wonder it marrs so easily! All residues were buffed with Poorboy’s Super Thick n Plush towels, and the quality of the finish left by the Final Polish II didn’t require any further glazing step – it was awesome.



Protect



All bodywork protected with Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection, applied using a microfibre pad and buffed using Poorboy`s Mega Plush towels. All exterior trims left alone, as they were in perfect order and did not need dressing. Exhaust tips polished with Autosol and protected with Meguiars NXT All Metal Polysh, both applied using Poorboy’s Work Towels. Wheels were in perfect condition (a credit to the owner), tyres dressed with Blackfire Long Lasting Tyre Gel.



And here’s the pics…



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer1.jpg



Clay marring and swirls…



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer2.jpg



Heavy swirls and cobwebbing…



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer3.jpg



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer4.jpg



Two goes with Menzerna Final Polish II, and 99% correction is achieved (left side done, right side untouched)…



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer5.jpg

[WX51 TXR]

After 8 hours work, time to take it outside and inspect. As the first flash of sunlight hits the car as the garage door opens…



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer6.jpg



…the flake literally explodes!



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer7.jpg



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer8.jpg



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer9.jpg



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer10.jpg

[WX51 TXR]

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer11.jpg



The owner, looking rather pleased!



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer12.jpg



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer13.jpg



Apologies for including my ugly mug, but I couldn’t resist!



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/ctr0406/typer14.jpg



:)

[InTheAir]

Richard, is the owner Phil Collins? :D ;)



Nice detailing. :)

[Scottwax]

You do some incredible work! :up



Are you a full time pro now or just doing this part time?

[WX51 TXR]

Working up to it - I`m currently still doing my day job (environmental scientist), running my own online car care store in the UK (see profile for details) and doing an ever increasing amount of detailing work at weekends and on days off. The store is growing quickly, and I`m hoping to give up the day job at the end of the year, then spend half my time running the store and half my time detailing. Although I did seven years of university my heart just isn`t in science anymore - I just want to work for myself and do what I view as a form of art! :)

[imported_reeeko99]

ME LIKEY !!!



Owner 2004 Honda Civic SI Nighthawk Black. Stock 19,800mls.



I just did my car 2 weeks ago.

NXT Wash

#80/PC with a meguars polish pad @ 4.5

Followed up with #16 by hand

Followed up with S&G.



I love those wheels....



Mine is a total swirl magnet.

[imported_animes2k]

VERY nice, very nice indeed. That looks magnificent!



Allow me to insert the required complaining about Honda and other manufacturers not bringing the "Good" models to the states (like the Type R). :)



Quick question - do you own and use that paint thickness meter you sell?

[Scottwax]

Richard-if you can make a living doing what you truly love, you will be a lot happier in the end. :)

[Tacidblue]

Richard



Very nice work indeed. :goodjob





Cheers

[ritchic]

wow incredible work!!!

[WX51 TXR]

VERY nice, very nice indeed. That looks magnificent!



Allow me to insert the required complaining about Honda and other manufacturers not bringing the "Good" models to the states (like the Type R). :)



Quick question - do you own and use that paint thickness meter you sell?



Yes I do - more good practice rather than necessity, as paint removal rates with the PC are virtually negligable (2-3 microns is the most I`ve seen with Power Gloss, a cutting pad and a lot of pressure - that equates to only ~2% of average paint thickness on Euro cars). That said, it has enabled me to identify thin spots and repaired panels. The front edge of the bonnet on the above Civic was only recording 70 microns, whereas the average for the car was 110. Hence it makes you more cautious when polishing. It`s a simple, easy gauge to use, and seems to be very robust. Also, the accuracy seems to be good, as it can be checked against a series of calibration shims that come in the box. A good piece of kit! :)

[D3mon]

Excellent work (on my favourite car too!)



Does it bug you (like it does me) that the brake discs always spoil the look of a freshly detailed car?



What could you *safely* use to shine them up?

[WX51 TXR]

Use nothing - just take the car for a quick spin round the block, that will see them back to their best. :)

[serge03]

brilliant job. both of your recent threads have impressed me. my best to you with your business.