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So I've been reading a lot over the last few months trying to figure out exactly what process I need for my car. It is a 2008 Honda Accord coupe in what they call Belize Blue Pearl. It is kept in the driveway at home and parked outside while I am at work. There are a few things that have me thinking this won't be as straightforward as I would hope.
First, I work at a manufacturing plant and if the wind blows the wrong way I get debris from the feedmill dropping on my car. Also, in 2011 my wife crushed the front end of the car leading to $10,000 worth of repairs. To top that off, the original repair did not seem to get the paint on the hood correct and after it started peeling another body shop repainted the hood. So I'm likely looking at three different paint applications.
Since my daughter's car seat is in our other car this vehicle is mainly driven to and from work for me, a grueling 7 mile trip each way. It obviously does not see much driving because my schedule allows me to have either 3 or 4 days off each week. I know the car is coming up on 8 years of age and 143,000 miles, but there is no reason it can't look decent right?
This morning I tried to take a few pictures of some of the areas that I notice most. Clearly the large scratches I can't do much about, but there are definitely smaller scratches and swirl marks I would like to correct. My wife managed to buy a bit of a beginner car care setup that will hopefully at least improve things a bit. I currently have UC, ScratchX, UP, ULW, UWWA, UB, UQD, UQW, & Deep crystal and gold class wash, as well as others for the interior and wheels and tires. For the moment I will be working by hand, wifey agreed to a Griots DA for our anniversary in a couple months.
From what I've read Honda tends to have soft paint so I figure I may be able to at least get some correction by hand for the smaller imperfections until I can get a DA. With that in mind, my current plan is a full wash and dry, followed by claying the entire vehicle. After that I was planning to start with ScratchX on a test spot of the roof where a lot of light scratches are. If that works, great, I can continue working on the parts that need it and have UC as a more aggressive option if need be. Once that is as good as I can get, move onto UP and finish with ULW.
A few of my questions:
1. I generally don't have a ton of time in one given day so this may be a multi day project. If I park the car in our garage between days it should be OK to pick up where I left off?
2. I cannot tell you the last time any sort of correction was done on my car so would there be any reason to consider either UC or ScratchX over the entire car rather than the spots that show more damage?
3. Is it even worth attempting this before getting a DA or am I just wasting time?
4. Are there any other products I should have on hand in case I need or anything else to keep in mind as I work?
I'm not exactly expecting perfection given the physical limitations of "by hand" vs machine and I know some of those scratches are too deep without filling or repainting but I would like to see improvement.
If this works here are a few pictures of what I'm working with to start.
And yes, I know the front bumper cover and grill is messed up. Gotta love people that can't park and have no sense of human decency.
Rather than flood this message with more pictures, I think a link to the album would be better. http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...IMfq1ygSWdv.97
First, I work at a manufacturing plant and if the wind blows the wrong way I get debris from the feedmill dropping on my car. Also, in 2011 my wife crushed the front end of the car leading to $10,000 worth of repairs. To top that off, the original repair did not seem to get the paint on the hood correct and after it started peeling another body shop repainted the hood. So I'm likely looking at three different paint applications.
Since my daughter's car seat is in our other car this vehicle is mainly driven to and from work for me, a grueling 7 mile trip each way. It obviously does not see much driving because my schedule allows me to have either 3 or 4 days off each week. I know the car is coming up on 8 years of age and 143,000 miles, but there is no reason it can't look decent right?
This morning I tried to take a few pictures of some of the areas that I notice most. Clearly the large scratches I can't do much about, but there are definitely smaller scratches and swirl marks I would like to correct. My wife managed to buy a bit of a beginner car care setup that will hopefully at least improve things a bit. I currently have UC, ScratchX, UP, ULW, UWWA, UB, UQD, UQW, & Deep crystal and gold class wash, as well as others for the interior and wheels and tires. For the moment I will be working by hand, wifey agreed to a Griots DA for our anniversary in a couple months.
From what I've read Honda tends to have soft paint so I figure I may be able to at least get some correction by hand for the smaller imperfections until I can get a DA. With that in mind, my current plan is a full wash and dry, followed by claying the entire vehicle. After that I was planning to start with ScratchX on a test spot of the roof where a lot of light scratches are. If that works, great, I can continue working on the parts that need it and have UC as a more aggressive option if need be. Once that is as good as I can get, move onto UP and finish with ULW.
A few of my questions:
1. I generally don't have a ton of time in one given day so this may be a multi day project. If I park the car in our garage between days it should be OK to pick up where I left off?
2. I cannot tell you the last time any sort of correction was done on my car so would there be any reason to consider either UC or ScratchX over the entire car rather than the spots that show more damage?
3. Is it even worth attempting this before getting a DA or am I just wasting time?
4. Are there any other products I should have on hand in case I need or anything else to keep in mind as I work?
I'm not exactly expecting perfection given the physical limitations of "by hand" vs machine and I know some of those scratches are too deep without filling or repainting but I would like to see improvement.
If this works here are a few pictures of what I'm working with to start.
And yes, I know the front bumper cover and grill is messed up. Gotta love people that can't park and have no sense of human decency.
Rather than flood this message with more pictures, I think a link to the album would be better. http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...IMfq1ygSWdv.97
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