2006 Honda Civic Si coupe, 41k Black. I was contacted by the owner of this vehicle last week via e-mail. His main concern was swirls, this was an exterior only, the interior was in decent shape. I first saw this car at the appointment, first time for me, usually I view all of the vehicles ahead of time to foumulate a game plan and discuss th owners expectations. Luckily the owner knew what he wanted for the vehicle. I wish I had a better camera to capture the level of swirling. I also wich I remembered to take the time to take pictures while I am working.. I started a 8:15am with a foam gun wash using Poorboys Super Slick & Suds to see what I was in store for. Total time: 8 hours. I used the Makita and Menzerna Intensive Polish 2x with a Yellow Edge 2000. I need some more wool pads. Late to the game shot, but I hit the hood with 2000 grit paper. It had many chips and pits. I tried to level it bit and lighten up egg damage. After Intensive Polish and an isopropyl alochol wipe down, I tried Z-PC, but found Menzerna Final Polish II to work best. The paint started to come back to life. The blue metallic flakes started to pop out. Next, I washed the car again, this time with Zaino Z-7 to remove the oils and splattered polish. Then a wipe with Zaino Z-6 before 2 applications of Zaino Z-5pro / ZFX / Z-8 mix. I used a little Z-8 to assist in the removal of the sealant. Final Results: The color has a tremendous amount of blue metallic flake which didn't show until polishing. In the sun this was very similar to the BMW Carbon Black, dark in the shade, dark blue in the sun.
Holy Cow! That was great! I don't think I could get those results with my PC :giggle: Very impressive!!
Thanks. The focus was swirls and some RIDS. I have a feeling the only remaining factory painted panels were the roof, doors, and quarters. The nose was pitted beyond belief as were the rocker panels. Rear bumper had a clear blend in it that I softened.
I will be using that quater panel shot to show customers what regular trips to the "car wash" does to the paint.
Thanks. I think I shaved 6 pounds of clear off. My legs are still hurting today. Funny you notice the flake, the owner said he hasnt seen it since the day he picked it up!!!
Man talk about having your work cut out for you, wool pads work great to level the paint off but sometimes even wool pads don't cut it when this happens time to get start the wetsanding :thumb: I personaly enjoy wetsanding, it's lots of work but well worth it if you ask me. Just curious, you didn't happen to gauge the paint did you? Just wondering that's all. Vehicle turned around nicely, oh one more question how long did this one take you?
Thanks Nica, No guage, I sold it to another forum member. I may re-purchase, I'm sure it will come in handy. business is getting crazy, I have booked through June already. If I could only make a living doing this.... This was the "loss leader" in terms of money earned per hour. I started at 8:15am and worked NON-STOP to 4:30pm. The owner was a young guy, I didnt mind taking the time to help him out. Today my legs are seriously sore. Those shots of the hood were taken during a demo of the wet sanding. I wanted to show the owner the level of correction that was possible. Please dont think I sand like that....
wow great job, car looks awesome with all this wetsanding I am deff going to try it but not till i get a paint gauge I dont trust myself YET
Wow booked to June that's wicked :wicked:, yea I thought it was you that sold the gauge..just couldn't remember that's all. Oh and I know what you mean about your legs being sore, I'm seriously considering purhcasing those mats or floor that has the anti umm..not sure what they are called but I call it anti sore...I think they are called anti fatique or somethin like that you see them on work benches and they are just like floor mats...but any who they sure work great. Provide an extra cution between the concrete and your feet. Any who the picture of the wetsanding looks great...I love pictures :woo: did you wet sanding the entire vehicle? :thud: I doubt it but just had to ask :whistle:
I sanded the entire hood, entire rear bumper and two dirt spots on the driver fender. Took an additional 9 minutes, I'm used to wet sanding. This year is the year of the high-end detail. I have more people that have been burned by the $150 "car wash detail special" than I can believe. Everyone wants "No more swirls" or "I dont want the swilrs to come back in a month". I have been giving some washing lessons when they come to pick the car up.
Great job on the swirl removal. And kudos to you for giving the customer some washing tips to help keep the finish nicer for longer!!
Ah yes, the public is started to get edumacated and are starting to see that you get what you pay for. It's simple but sometimes you need a few leasons to get the point accross...any who that is brilliant giving some washing leassons to customers...I thought I was the only one that tries to teach others on how to properly care for there vehicle but I should have known better since we are all in the same boat :thumb:
Customers need to see value in our service. If they go home and induce a hood full of swirls 5 days after paying $500+ for a detail, I look like a bad investment.
