Help with choosing products - neglected car and new to forum

[CaveRacing]

Hi Everyone,

My buddy got this car from his cousin for free. It is getting some mechanical odds and ends taken care of now, but the cleanup will happen next. I'm going to help do this and I am very much looking forward to it. This will be the most neglected car I've ever attempted to clean/correct.

Before I go buying all sorts of products, I wanted to ask for feedback. Based on the pics below, what would you recommend I use? I am armed with the HF DA polisher and I'm not afraid to use it! I also have a few hex logic pads: red, black, blue, and white. I have a feeling this one may need a green or orange.

I understand that this is something that would be better diagnosed in person, but please go ahead and take a stab at it. Is this an Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, Collinite job type of job? Or do you think this needs something else? I am open to all products, all brands, all suggestions.

Also, what pads do you suggest on the DA?

After a thorough wash, I will begin the process with the Nanoskin sponge. I have medium and fine. I also have a griots clay.

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback!

 

[JHL88]

How much are you willing to spend?

 

[MarkD51]

Car actually doesn't look that bad IMO, just dull, and lost its shine-luster. At least I'm not seeing any body damage in the pics.

Tons of shampoo on hand, APC, scrub brushes, brushes. Makes little sense to get the paint corrected, and then under hood, door jambs, interior and trunk still look like ass.

If it was me, it would be wash, Iron-X, clay or sponge, whichever works better, and I'd probably be looking toward a great one step polish-compound to restore the paint, something like Wolfgang Uber Compound, fantastic product, finishes down so beautifully and will cut and remove swirling light scratches better than a finishing polish. Use whatever wax-sealant you like and have on hand.

Or something similar in another product line?

Something like the Uber will also clean up the headlghts, and tail lights nicely.

Cheap, but easily gotten and very good products for tires and trim? Both of Turtle Waxes Endura products (in bottles not aresol)

Folex Carpet Cleaner for Carpeting-Upholstery.
Hope this helps.

 

[brondondolon]

There are a lot of people who swear by the megs ultimate line. I am not one of them. You could polish it and make it look BETTER then brand new or you could polish it and make it look brand new.

My recommendation is this. Nanoskin fine sponge. Megs AIO (D151) to polish it. Then wax it with collinite 845. Tires id clean with megs APC and dress with megs hyper dressing. For all the trim id use the hyper dressing and APC on that as well. The megs AIO with your most aggressive pad should clean up those lights too. This method will only take you roughly 4-7 hours. Your car would look much better and will not take 20 hours to detail.

Your other option if you want your car flawless is the wolfgang trio (uber compound, total swirl remover, finishing glaze) this will make the vehicle look better than brand new.

Hope that helps.

 

[conquistador]

Is it just me or does the hood look like there is some clear coats failure present? I guess it could be dust or dirt. Most Honda's have this issue especially ones that old and neglected. Better close up pics of the hood will help.

 

[CaveRacing]

This is all very helpful. Thank you all for responding!

Price isn't a big concern, but I'm not about to spend hundreds on it.

And yes, it looks to me (in the pics) that there could be some clear coat failure. I've seen this, just as you mentioned, on older Hondas such as this one. Unfortunately I don't have any other photos and I haven't seen the car in person yet.

I do have Mothers Pure Polish on hand. I may do a test spot with that before anything else. I am sure the D151 has more cut, but we shall see if this will do the trick.

 

[DaveT435]

Is it just me or does the hood look like there is some clear coats failure present? I guess it could be dust or dirt. Most Honda's have this issue especially ones that old and neglected. Better close up pics of the hood will help.

I was thinking the same thing, and the fenders where they meet the hood. It is hard to tell in these pics though.

 

[allenk4]

Based on these pictures, I would be unable to offer suggestions

Take some close-up pictures in the sun of the most damaged areas



Any suggestions you receive should only serve as a starting point for your Test Spot

 

[MarkD51]

I was thinking the same thing, and the fenders where they meet the hood. It is hard to tell in these pics though.

You folks could be right, it's hard to say, like you folks have said, judging by pics, and seeing in person could be two different things? Close up pics might help some?

Looks like the typical everyday car I see here in this neck of the woods. And it's sort of a shame, that such relatively new cars look like this due to neglect.

Makes me then wonder at times, is 2-stage clearcoat finishes actually a step forward in durability versus the paints of old?

Maybe not. Maybe only an advantage for the manufacturers, and VOC friendly?

For sure, no two cases are alike.

 

[goldenlight]

Type of pads I recommend LIght cutting, Polishing pad, finishing pad
I do recommend to use a 5inch backing plate along with 5.5 inch pads.

I recommend to start with otc products untill you get your technique down pat. Ultimate Compound/Ultimate polish, and ULtimate liquid wax.

ONce you get your technique down then you can start with Meguiars pro products, or Menzerna products.