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Black Ridgeline and questions

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  • #1

    Black Ridgeline and questions

    After months of collecting supplies, and a couple of practice cars... I've gotten a real shot at this.

    I just purchased a new to me Ridgeline (after years of pining for it).
    2009, 92000KM (60k miles). Here's what I bought: [IMG][/IMG]
    [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]



    This was on Thursday. By Saturday, I had my Meguiar's kit out and at work!
    A 2 bucket wash process using Gold Class, then detailing spray and mild clay.
    I tested a spot and decided to use the MF set - compound and polish with their respective pads.
    I finished with a black finishing pad and UW.

    [IMG][/IMG]
    [IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]



    In the end, I'm pretty happy. Especially when I can see my del Sol in the reflection

    Speaking of reflections, here's the ceiling in my garage as viewed from the hood of the truck:[IMG][/IMG]
    [IMG][/IMG]


    Seems pretty good, eh?

    Questions:
    I've used my MF pads a couple of times now and the foam portion is looking a little ratty already. Normal?

    Also, even though the pics look pretty good, there are still single line scratches I can see. I don't think I'm correcting as much as I should be.
    And the last thing. I don't think the black is as black as it could be? My light (Brinkmann dual) wasn't fully charged, but I feel the paint has more of a brown to it. It's supposed to be formal black!
    No one that has looked at the truck sees past the glossy look and tells me how great it is. But I'm critical about it and want to do a pro job and I don't think I'm quite there yet.

    BTW, got the bissel extractor that was recommended here (black auto version) and am very happy with it. It didn't get much dirt out of my Ridgeline, but it pulls 10 years of mud out of my old Dakota QC!!! Impressed!

    Any advice, suggestion or even comments are appreciated!

    Thanks everyone for helping get to this level!
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Black Ridgeline and questions

    Great work!

    Regarding the "single line scratches" you can still see: can you feel them with your fingernail? If so, you won't be able to remove them unfortunately.

    If you think there's more potential in that black paint, try UP followed (again) by UW. UP really has the ability to darken and refine dark colours.
    Originally posted by Blueline
    I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

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    • #3
      Re: Black Ridgeline and questions

      Thanks g force!
      I worked really hard at this one. The scratches cannot be felt at all.
      I went over all the videos and Mike's book again. I think I should have done the compound step 2x, or maybe used more pressure.
      Only I can tell (and most of the people on this forum), so it's not too big a deal.

      I'm tempted to try the UP again, but would the forum recommend a foam pad or MF? The d301 or the UP?
      Now I have to go back and verify if UP can be used with the MF system.. or if it has been tried!??

      I don't know how to explain the 'brown'.
      It's not brown, but it looks it.
      If you look directly at the finish, it's as though you are looking into water and can see the muddy bottom. The black is there, but it's cloudy when you stare at it. I might just be the low battery level on my Brinkmann light.
      I'll charge it up tonight and then set the camera up to take some better photos.

      This weekend, I may try my hand on our Pilot. I'm excited about that one, because of all the flake in the paint! This job is going to look sweet! (and make my wife happy, that in turns make me happy!)

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Black Ridgeline and questions

        Originally posted by XRDAD View Post
        I'm tempted to try the UP again, but would the forum recommend a foam pad or MF? The d301 or the UP?
        Now I have to go back and verify if UP can be used with the MF system.. or if it has been tried!??
        From what you're describing, I'd try the UP on a foam pad.

        I'm not sure if anyone has tried it on a MF pad - if not, you can be the first if you like! There's been a lot of experimentation going on with the MF pads, all with generally good results.
        Originally posted by Blueline
        I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Black Ridgeline and questions

          Try using UP on a black foam finishing pad. As i was reading your post i about fell off my chair when you said you were going to use the MF kit on a honda, which usually, not always, have soft paint. Looks like you knocked it out of the park though, good job!

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