1995 Acura NSX Restoration Detail

[KR CoolShine]

I started a detail of the XJR yesterday -- 7 hours and I didn't get finished (I loafed for part of it, though). Here's what I did:



Valuguard A

Valuguard B

Spot clay lower panels

Clean engine compartment with EF Hi-Intensity

Valuguard C

Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion applied with Porter Cable and white pad

Wash any PPCL residue with Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo

Blackfire Polish applied with Porter Cable and white pad

Blackfire Protectant applied with Porter Cable and grey pad

Blackfire Protectant applied with foam applicator

Pulled left side wheels; cleaned them and the spare with EF HI; Klassse All in One; Klasse Sealant Glaze times two; all front and back



Now, all I have to do are the right side wheels; a couple more coats of Blackfire; Klasse the painted parts of the engine bay; and 303 the plastic parts of the engine bay. Then, on to the interior.



Here's my product review of the new things. I really like the ABC products. I think the paint was very clean and well prepped after I completed the process. Some think the gallons are too big. I disagree. For a large car, you use a fair amount of the stuff. A is a pint to a gallon; you need at least a gallon and a half to get complete coverage -- that's 3/8 of the gallon. I used almost a pint of B -- that's 8 applications to the gallon. C is 1 ounce to the gallon -- so a half cup to 4 gallons in a 5 gallon bucket. That's only 32 washes. Besides, the stuff is very reasonably priced.



My Blackfire technique must be really bad. I could not get the haze off. I was sure I used too much product with the PC; that's why I did the second coat by hand. I used less than an ounce on the second coat and still had a terrible time getting it off. Weather could have had a lot to do with it. High 50s, very humid. I let the stuff dry forever, I thought. Maybe too long; maybe not long enough.



Can't say anything about the look -- it was completely dark way before I was finished.



I think that I will finsh the car; then wash the XKR and take side by side pics; Blackfire versus Klasse/Souveran.



Oh, and my back hurts today.

 

[rmccall6]

We use many of the same products, ABC, 3M machine glaze, blackfire ect. Those results are similar to mine except thgat i got most of the haze of just it was stuborn in a few places. Did you let it dry to much/not enough? Glad to see you like the ABC and couldnt agree with you more on the gallon sizes. I used a pint of A per wash and about 5 oz of B so i think the B will last fairly long.

 

[jkochis]

The humidity was more likely the cause of difficult removal.



I question why the 3 coats of Klasse on the wheels? Brake dust at several hundred degrees will eat through 50 coats of Klasse. No doubt it provides protection, I'm just wondering if all the extra work of more than one coat is worth it. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[KR CoolShine]

It must have been the humidity yesterday that caused so many removal problems.



I just applied and removed coat number 3. It came off quite easily except for just a couple of spots. Much easier than Klasse SG. Harder than Souveran -- but closer to Souveran than Klasse SG.



I am going to stick with foam by hand for the Protectant, I think. I applied it to the entire car in just over 10 minutes, used a miniscule quantity and I felt I had more control and got much thinner coats than with the Porter Cable (coat 1).



Tomorrow I get to see what it looks like in the daylight.



No one look at the right side wheels, though. They look like crap and I don't have the energy to night to pull them and clean them up!



:bounce

 

[KR CoolShine]

Ok, I got to see the car in the daylight (and rain) yesterday.



The car looks very, very, good. I have not yet formed impressions on how it compares to Klasse/Souveran or Zaino.



The surface is, however, slick, slick, slick. Much slicker than Klasse. I think slicker than Zaino.



I predict that I am going to like this stuff!

 

[imported_BretFraz]

I made the big plunge and order the BF wack pack today. Been using Finish First which is super-easy but I'm not too thrilled with the longevity.



Keep us posted. Your story along with others inspired me to order the BF.

 

[texaggie1]

Has any one else (besides me) noticed color tranfer back to the applicator pad when using BF GEP and AFFP on single stage paints?

 

[imported_killerjg]

Hey MB, how about a monthly update for Blackfire. How's it holding up?



I just Klassed my Odyssey and man that's nice stuff. I hadn't used it since Sept when I first used it on my Lexus.

 

[imported_Auto Concierge]

Here is the completed job by "Bob'n Bing Inc. The teasers were posted earlier but here is the fruit of our labor(by three former GI guys) we had 96 hours plus into the car as every surface from paint to trim and all of the suspension had fifteen years of built up crud.Special thanks to Richie and Mark Zamzow for helping me thru this last two weeks of a busy schedule.

Here is the car in the beginning.

The front bumper had been re-painted the week previous but needed finishing as it had sand scratches and holos.

Customer requested we not wash the car conventionally, so out came my "Low pressure washer" which sprays a fine mist as opposed to getting the car really wet.

Richie claying the finish.

Start of the very long process of correcting the paint. Some 50/50 pics.

On the previous pics of the wing we had sanded the finish then corrected, here is the other side sanded down.

50/50 of the re-sprayed bumper, which needed a little help........

More areas that were sanded.

"The Bing" removing the wing.

Wing removed to allow us to properly correct all paint finish areas.

Trunk area before correction.

50/50 after compounding.

Hood sanded.

After correction.

Richie taping an area for me to sand.

Lower rocker panels in dire need of sanding and correction.

Sanded.

Passenger side before correction.

3 inch wool pad rotary correction in progress pic.

Wool pad holograms.

Holograms removed.

Dirt & crust build up.

 

[imported_Auto Concierge]

Front spare tire compartment.

Mark doing his thing.

More crust & dirt.

Small area clean up.

Here I am for some tedious work, the roof was removed so I could get the original delivery plastic off the roof edge after 15 years!!!!!!!!! tedious suckness but worth it in the end.

After pics of the front spare tire compartment.

Interior was not as beat up as the rest of the car but still needed some work, here are the finished pics.

Final wipedown pics.

In this pic, you can see the re-finished wheel, which honestly had this not been done the car would not be finished off properly.

SUN PIC TIME........

Pic of the very happy owner taking a pic.......

Loading the car for the trip back home(Fresno).

 

[yalerd]

Great job!
Those 50/50 and sun pictures are amazing! You really pay close attention to details. Fantastic work

 

[bmw5541]

:clap::clap::clap:Bravo:clap::clap::clap:Bravo:clap::clap::clap:
I knew that you guys would bring that beauty back to life! Truly amazing work Bob!!!!!

 

[imported_Indy YZF]

Amazing turn around. That color really pops now. How come he didn't want it washed conventionally?

 

[Todd@RUPES]

That looks absolutely friggin AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! Bob and Bing for the win

 

[Old Pirate]

Stunning work there, just amazing on the turnaround. Hope the owner was super happy and you gain a customer for future work. Thanks for sharing Bob!

 

[TimG]

Another stunning result from you guys. 96hours - thats killer man. Came out looking perfect.

 

[fastlane]

fastlane....whoaaa!!

ancing Dot: Auto Concierge....."damn you da man" That is an awesome job!!

 

[rockymountaindetail]

SWEEEET! I love those cars and that one looks beter than new!!

I second the question about why the owner did not want a conventional wash. Judging from the before pics it looks like it was a little late to worry about it and with all the polishing about to take place any minor stuff added would have certainly been removed. But customer is always right so I guess it is what it is.

Great job!!