First Detail! - '96 Civic & '09 A3

[TobyDanger]

Hello!

After a few years of neglect on my poor Honda Civic (garaged underground for the first 13yrs/70k miles of her life, now outside 24/7 w/only about 2k miles/yr) I decided to go all out and try my hand at more than just a "wash". I picked up a PC7424XP and after researching this forum and getting some wonderful advice I started out on my first detail experience.

Since it is my own car (and was in pretty sorry shape in some places) I wasn't too afraid of making mistakes, and I'd be greatful for any advice going forward. (Try this next time, or NEVER DO THAT AGAIN! ) I also didn't give myself enough time the first two times I worked on my Honda, which was OK with me, as I felt like I was learning and not just trying to hurry through a detail.

The Honda:
Sadly my Honda does not get driven very much during certain months of the year. In early spring, the trees overhead do this to my car.

Front

Hood

Hood

Door

Some pig!


First I soaked it down a few times, then power washed the car using a Karcher electric (that really helped get the bulk the moss/algae/tree gunk off). Then I scrubbed some with a long handled soft brush that attaches to the hose at the handle. Not sure if it’s the best thing for the finish, but it still needed help and I figure the constant running water should float off any grit that might want to get stuck in the bristles.

I used the two bucket method and washed with some Meguiars car wash and some nice soft wool mitts, twice.

The little specs are still some stuck on crud. The cuts or cracks? clearcoat failure?

I claybared the whole car with Pinnacle poly clay and OMG! I'd never clayed a car before and at that point I felt like I could be done it looked so good and the paint was soooo smooth!

Unfortunately I ran out of time that day, but I was back the next weekend.

 

[TobyDanger]

Weekend #2

After a quick wash to remove the pollen and bug poop, here's how it looked after claying:

Hard water/acid rain(?) ring that's been there for several years and stood up to several car washes.

Now the worst bit, my deck lid had been replaced many years ago and painted to match the car. In the last few years, it has gotten very dull and cloudy in appearance. Dunno if it's hard water stains from being outside, or clearcoat failure, or ?

Last one, also notice the scratch on the spoiler, no idea where that came from...

Next I busted out the PC7424XP, a white pad, and some Duragloss 501. I picked the DG 501 because it's a one step with light cutting ability, good protection, and claims algae and mildew protection. And it has great reviews here.

Being new, I'm sure, I found it hard to know that I had enough product on the pad, I started out priming it with a big X and by the time I got the bottle closed and put somewhere safe, it had mostly soaked in and didn't spread around much. I added a spiral and kept adding 3-4 dime sized drops or more each section, and probably had a bit too much product for most of the run.

Hood: Hard water ring gone! A bit of clear coat etching where it had sat for so long, tried to use the shadow of my fingers to provide contrast.

Small, quarter sized, spiderweb like clearcoat failure...

Hood detail after clay and Duragloss 501. All of the little bits of crud were gone after the clay. Now just what look like nicks and cuts, but what I suspect is early stage clear coat failure? The Duragloss got into these and the white made them stand out a bit more. It looked like there was a lot of lint on the hood. Hrmm.

Now the money shot! The deck lid came out almost like new! After my first pass it was about 98% better, just a few places you could faintly see some cloudiness, and the scratch was totally gone! Was surprised when I saw it start to disappear, and gave it a few extra passes and it's like it never was!

And again I ran out of time, just doing the hood and the deck lid...

Looking great though!

 

[TobyDanger]

Weekend #3

Another quick rinse to get the pollen off, and then did the full car with Duragloss 501 this time. This time I had a much better feel for how much product to use, and it came out great.

I also started on the A3. It's in really great shape paint wise so it only got a wash, clay, and wax.

Got a Karcher foam gun in the mail for this weekend. Not quite "foam cannon" material, a little runny with just some Meguiars car wash, not sure about ratio's yet, but it worked great and saved me a bunch of time, soap, and water. Plus it was fun!

I kinda forgot about the pictures here at the end, but I washed, dried, and clayed the A3, while my lovely, blurry assistant did the interiors. Then we hand applied Collinite 845 on both cars using some yellow and red pads. Let it set up for about 30-40 minutes and buffed off with some microfiber towels. All in all the cleanest and nicest looking our cars have ever been, since coming off of the lot (and maybe even then, minus some rock chips and door dings here and there!)

Imgur album: Auto Detail - Imgur

 

[Chris@AutoCleanse]

Looks good. That's the only way to learn is to jump right sometimes. Like you said at least with the civic you have a car to practice on. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing the pictures and write up as it takes time to do so.

 

[hernandez.art13]

Yep, if your happy then that's all that matters.

Looks good...
Great Job!