Want to re shine my Honda

[The 525]

I have a '96 Honda Accord. We had it repainte in 'o8 with a single stage polyurethane paint. We didn't take care of it properly and now it's sitting next to a '11 Nissan Altima 3.5. I want to re shine my Honda, should I just wash it with car soap, then polish it, then Use carnuba wax to shine it up. Any help would be great, I'm a newbe. Thank you
Steve

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Hi Steve, and welcome to MOL.

We've moved your post out of the thread you started in as this is a separate discussion and, especially since you're new here, we don't want it getting lost in the shuffle.

How far gone the finish is on your '96 Honda, and how much time you're willing to put into it, will determine how close you can get it to looking like the new Altima. We'd recommend you read through the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle to see what you're up against - but it's amazing how good you make some older paint look again with a bit of effort.

[The 525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Hi Michael;
Thanks for your response. I've read the 5 steps, I've tried Meguiars cleaner-wax and M's carnauba plus on the trunk and it still won't shine, just beads water. I don't like to do things 1/2 way. I take pride in what I do. I hope that ansers the time question. I'm thinking car wash, polish, then carnauba since paint is still good, no cracks, scratches, etc. Or would I also need the mud stuff and an orbital buffer?
Thanks again
Steve

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

A 15 year old car in Florida is likely going to need more, maybe much more, than just cleaner wax and Gold Class. Have you clayed it? We're willing to bet it's in need of that process, and if you've never done it then it may be in dire need of same.

What's the condition of the paint really like? Any chance of seeing some pictures? Again, 15 years in the Florida sun, if not taken care of properly, could easily lead to a condition known as clear coat failure. The only fix for that is a repaint, but we'd like to see some pix before making that call.

[The 525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Hi Michael;
In original post , in '08 had it repainter with singal stage P-urethane, no clear coat as far as I know. Will post pics if I can figure it out.
Thanks
Paint smooth, just dull. Steve

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Hi Michael;
In original post , in '08 had it repainter with singal stage P-urethane, no clear coat as far as I know. Will post pics if I can figure it out.
Thanks
Paint smooth, just dull. Steve

Yeah, I read that. Just didn't register in my head for some dopey reason, sorry!

OK, so it's smooth but dull. That tells us you don't have a lot of bonded surface contaminants but plenty of below surface issues. Those include oxidation, swirls, scratches, embedded dirt, stains, etchings, etc. All will conspire to make the paint look dull and lifeless. All are treated the same way - with a liquid paint cleaner, which is essentially an abrasive in a bottle. While a cleaner wax does, technically, have a bit of an abrasive to it, it's a very light weight abrasive that can only do so much. Single stage paint will transfer color to your applicator, clear coat won't - that will tell you for sure if you've got single stage paint or not. But it sounds like, either way, you're going to want something along the lines of Ultimate Compound to get through the defects and start to bring the gloss back up.

[The 525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Ok, I know it's single stage because that's what the bill says. Just Ultimate Compound is needed? Or is a polish and wax on top of that needed also?
Steve

[Murr1525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

I would tend to want to have Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, and Ult Wax on hand.

That way you have a strong cleaner, mild cleaner, and wax.

You may need to use all 3 this time, and then just the mild cleaner and wax in the future.

[The 525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Hi Murr1525;
Well. in for a penny, in for a pound! I got car wash, U. Compound, U. Polish, and I also have a new bottle of Carnauba +. Now just to wait for a cloudy day here in Fla. is like waiting with a hammer out side a rat hole waiting for him/her to come out! So, thanks for the info, now the wait! Now I got to put up my beam antenna. That'll take up some time too. I'd like my Honda to be spotted from Space. Well maybe not that bright, never know when the Gubment assigns a UAV to all of us!
Thanks Murr
Steve The 525

[The 525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Well, followed everyone ideas and car came out much nicer! Now I need a Polisher machine. I'm looking at the Porter Cable 7424XP it's a 6" Variable, Random, Orbital Polisher. As for pads I think I might go with a Green, White, and Blue to start and finish the rest of car. I'd like to have your input if you don't mind helping again. Thanks again for you previous help!
Steve

[Murr1525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Whose pads are those?

[The 525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Hi Murr;
Lake County. G= very light cutting, W= polishing pad, Blue= fine finishing pad. I thought they all were pretty much the same but I'd check manufacturers list 1st. If I chose another Manufacturer.
Steve

[Murr1525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

I dont know the LC pads, but the colors didnt sound like the ones I usually see mentioned here. Have to have someone chime in.

[The 525]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

Murr;
I pulled the explaination of ea. pad from detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/Polishing/ O= Lt. Cutting, G= V Lt. Cutting, W= Pol., BLK= Finish, Blue= Fine Finish these are Lake Country colors for for their pad designations. What do you use? Manufacturer and colors and machine??
Steve

[wifpd4]

Re: Want to re shine my Honda

http://www.auto-geek.net/charts/buff...d-chart-lc.htm

http://www.auto-geek.net/charts/buff...hart-cobra.htm

http://truthindetailing.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=1626