2008 Honda Fit - Milano Pink

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avenali312

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Hey all,

I'm looking for some guidance. I've done some research about Honda's milano red color and it seems this has been an issue since the early 90's. While reading the below, please consider my status as n00b/hobbyist.

My wife has a 2008 Honda Fit in milano red. She's pretty upset about the shift to pink because the interior is in mint condition and the car runs great, it's just really ugly from the outside. So, I want to try and help however I can.

What I'm trying to figure out is if it's just really bad oxidation or the red has actually faded out. I've clayed a small section and the surface still appears smooth and shiny, not chalky like some threads I've read about oxidation.

Here are the tools I have access to:
- Harbor Freight DA polisher
- Lake Country CCS Yellow pad
- Lake Country CCS Orange pad
- Lake Country CCS White pad
- Simoniz S57 Perfect Finish Detailing Clay Bar
- Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
- Mothers California Gold Brazilian Carnauba Cleaner Wax
- Meguiar's Quik Detailer

Here is a photo of some areas. Please note that there is some morning dew on the car and it's not actually matte in finish, but the colors are accurate. The bottom photo in particular is comparing a section on the car where the left side is plastic and the right side is metal. It seems only the metal has been affected.

hoda_fit_01.jpg


Any help on what to do going forward is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Adam
 
If I recall there was some problems with Hondas with the base fading under the clear, in which case, there is nothing you can do.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
If I recall there was some problems with Hondas with the base fading under the clear, in which case, there is nothing you can do.
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So I guess my best option is to just keep it clean and protected to prevent further damage? It does look a bit better when it's clean and nice and reflective...
 
a few red cars dont have a uv stablised clear on red and they tend to do that other examples are red mitsubishi tritons 4x4 they do the same. You can polish it with an off the shelf product and its should bring back some of its shine. But it will require full correction and sealent to remain that way.
 
Megs Ultimate Compound is a god send for this type of oxidation. Used it many times for this. Be prepared to use or frequently clean your pads as they will turn red. Hit it with Megs UC then I would pick up a small bottle of something like a fine jeweling polish such as Menzerna 85rd or an AIO like Auto Finesse Triple then top it with a nice layer of wax or a sealant of your choice.
 
W.O.T Srvices said:
a few red cars dont have a uv stablised clear on red and they tend to do that other examples are red mitsubishi tritons 4x4 they do the same. You can polish it with an off the shelf product and its should bring back some of its shine. But it will require full correction and sealent to remain that way.
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Awesome. Thanks for the reply.

vtec92civic said:
Megs Ultimate Compound is a god send for this type of oxidation. Used it many times for this. Be prepared to use or frequently clean your pads as they will turn red. Hit it with Megs UC then I would pick up a small bottle of something like a fine jeweling polish such as Menzerna 85rd or an AIO like Auto Finesse Triple then top it with a nice layer of wax or a sealant of your choice.
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Thanks! I plan on doing a test panel this weekend to see what I can get. Which of the pads that I have listed above would you use with UC?
 
I've used UC on my daughter's 2007 Fit with success, also.
Normally, the white pad works for me and finishes LSP-ready, but since your oxidation seems more severe, I'd start with orange for my test spot. With the orange or yellow pad, you likely will need to follow with a finer polish or AIO. If you're limited to OTC products, try Meg's Ultimate Polish or Meg's White Wax.

Bill
 
BillyJack said:
I've used UC on my daughter's 2007 Fit with success, also.
Normally, the white pad works for me and finishes LSP-ready, but since your oxidation seems more severe, I'd start with orange for my test spot. With the orange or yellow pad, you likely will need to follow with a finer polish or AIO. If you're limited to OTC products, try Meg's Ultimate Polish or Meg's White Wax.

Bill
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Thanks, Bill. That's good news that you've dealt with this before. Perfect timing too as Autozone has a coupon for $2 off of Meg's Ultimate products. I'll give it a try!
 
Attempted a small area on the hood this past weekend with no luck. First thing was wash and clay then tried the orange pad first with UC on a speed of 5 to hopefully avoid the yellow pad. No change. Tried the yellow pad with UC, orange pad with UC, orange pad with UP, and then finally white pad with Mothers California Gold Carnuba wax. The surface is super smooth and clean, but unfortunately there was no change to the color.
 
Have you contacted Honda c/s to see if there is a recall or warranty on the paint? I remember GM had a "silent recall" on some of their paint in the late 80s because it would flake off. Maybe Honda has something similar.
 
Don M said:
Have you contacted Honda c/s to see if there is a recall or warranty on the paint? I remember GM had a "silent recall" on some of their paint in the late 80s because it would flake off. Maybe Honda has something similar.
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I have not, but that's my next step. Milano red seems to go back almost a couple decades and has always had the same problem. I'm somewhat pessimistic about them helping out, but it's worth a shot.
 
Ex wife of mine had a 2009 Fit in red, though I don't know if that was the Milano Red. I broke out the Flex and decided to give it a very light polish. To my surprise, red was all over the pad and I was thinking this car had clear coat, which would not transfer color.

So, does it even have clear coat?
 
clintb said:
Ex wife of mine had a 2009 Fit in red, though I don't know if that was the Milano Red. I broke out the Flex and decided to give it a very light polish. To my surprise, red was all over the pad and I was thinking this car had clear coat, which would not transfer color.

So, does it even have clear coat?
Click to expand...

I've read others report similar that theirs was either a single stage paint or, more than likely, a tinted clear coat. I had absolutely no color transfer on any of my pads while working.
 
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