Now I understand . . .

[norahcrv]

. . . Natty Bumppo`s signature!!

I finally got a chance to detail something other than my own pampered CR-V. My step-daughter is visiting us, & driving her Mom`s `96 Honda Odyssey. The paint was in pretty good shape overall, considering that it only gets washed when she takes it to the dealer for service. There were some swirls & the “normal accumulation� of parking lot scrapes & scratches & rock chips.


:eek SWIRLS!!


BEFORE

I started Saturday morning with a Megs GC wash, & clayed with PB clay while washing. I was surprised at how little the clay removed, except from the oxidized black trim. It only left the surface feeling a little better, so I knew I had a long way to go. Next was AIO with a Megs Polishing Pad on the PC @ 4. That made a big difference, so I guess there was a lot of oxidation/build up on the paint.


AFTER Washing, Clay & AIO

I followed with PB SSR 2.5 & 1, also with Megs Polishing Pads, but I cranked the PC up to 6 to really work them. I was going to use PwC, but the SSR 1 left the paint in such great condition, I skipped that step. Then CK Vanilla Moose Hand Glaze applied by hand with a terry applicator pad left the paint looking very "fluid", and filled a few scratches that I couldn`t get out with the SSR`s. Topped it with a layer of EX-P applied with the PC & a Megs Finishing Pad @ 4 & called it a day.

This morning I was back out there to apply the second coat of EX-P (again with PC & Megs Finishing Pad @ 4) & topped it with Natty`s hand applied with a terry pad.



AFTER - No More Swirls





Then on to the interior. Considering the condition of the outside, the inside was a piece of cake. It just needed a once over with my Metro Vac `n Blo & a wipe down with PB`s Natural Look/water mix.

I had done the wheels on Saturday when washing. They have plastic wheel covers, which were coated with brake dust & grime. The car wash wasn`t touching it, so I added some PB Spray & Rinse Wheel Cleaner to my wash solution & that made short work of the mess. The tires were dressed with PB Bold `n Bright, as were the wheel wells.


Wheel - Before


Wheel - After

PB Trim Restorer on the black trim - it took a couple of applications, because it seemed to just "drink it in".

I also addressed a "yellowed" headlight with Megs PlastX - made quite an improvement but it really needs to be wet-sanded



All told, I spent @ 14 hours on this & I now understand Natty Bumppo’s signature!!

[GregCavi]

hell of a job norah! Great eye for the details!

"Sorry Miss, I just decided I don`t do mini-vans" LOL

Greg

[The Chee]

Good job Norah , I bet she`s happy as a pumpkin after that special treatment to the car

[Big Leegr]

Nice job!

[rabbi]

Great job and excellent review. That van looks really nice. You should be proud of yourself. The rear quarter panel shot is a beaut.

[jaybs02]

Great job Norah

[JaredPointer]

Way to go Norah. You are my Heroin.

[dalmore]

Looking good!!

you tackling the interior next weekend?

[mgm2003]

Holy smokes.... 14 hours sounds brutal. You should post your work more often. (and... the van looks awesome!)

[05SilverTRD]

Van looks great. Your hard work paid off.

[norahcrv]

Thank you all for your kind words!! They really mean a lot coming from all of you that I have been learning from over the last year!

I forgot to mention that I used PB`s M/F "seconds" for a lot of the product removal steps. I just folded them so that the hems were all tucked inside, and there was no marring whatsoever!!

And no, Dalmore, I am not going to do anymore to the interior - 14 hours of "freebie" is my limit - even if I don`t have to use the ladder for it

I`m definitely going to consider a "platform" instead of a ladder for future work - it took me 8 ladder moves / per step - that adds up to a lot of climbing up & down!! Sure do wish I was more than 5`2"!!!

Thanks again!

[kimwallace]

It looks great Norah ...
My last step polish is pretty much always Poorboys SSR 1 ... Everything else seems to take away from the awesome, pure shine of the SSR 1.
Again ... Excelent job and a great write-up

[GregCavi]

Norah you need one of these! haha



Greg

[norahcrv]

Thanks Greg, that`s a great idea!!

[NYV6Coupe]

very nice work & attention to detail .... did it like it was your own.