If nothing else, for sure you being a Detailer, you should try to have your vehicle as "detailed" as possible. The Client was right - you should be trying to look the part as well as being the part..

Besides, this Ridgeline is your "lab"; you try different things, techniques on it, and help improve your overall skills with it.
And on the way, its going to look way, way better! You know Honda paint - its usually soft, and corrects great, so get after it !
Later, when you have worked out a good design and can afford a vinyl wrap, do that or at least get a big vinyl on the sides like I did on my Grand Cherokee.
I know, it sucks about that Honda engine; its only good for so many miles a gallon and just does that and not much more. But you get great reliability.
Perhaps find a good Ridgeline forum and see what everyone else is doing?
I also looked at Ridgelines awhile back and they have them priced so high around here, and the jerks that knew way less than me about their product, just turned me off.
Good luck; you are going to make it and obviously, already have gone way faster up the "detailing nicer cars ladder"..


Dan F