Pictures & Videos: 2003 Honda Civic Extreme Makeover - Duragloss

[Mike Phillips]

Pictures & Videos: 2003 Honda Civic Extreme Makeover - Duragloss (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/54803-pictures-videos-2003-honda-civic-extreme-makover-duragloss.html)


This is my fiancé's daughter's Honda in dire need of an extreme makeover. This car was painted approximately 1 year ago at a local body shop using single stage paint. Not sure why they're shooting single stage paint as the norm is basecoat/clearcoat technology but here's the good news...

She'll never have to worry about clearcoat failure... just oxidation...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS6zs2ESWCM



Duragloss Extreme Makeover
Since a polished surface will hold up and last longer in the elements than a textured surface I'm going to machine polish this paint to restore a clear, glossy smooth surface and then coat it with something.

For products we're going to use products from Duragloss, specifically we used the Duragloss Marine/RV Polisher & Cleaner which is technically a cleaner/sealant, kind of like a traditional cleaner/wax except instead of the protection ingredients being a waxy substance like Carnauba Wax the protection ingredients are synthetic or man-made.


Duragloss Products
For this project we're using the 501 to remove the oxidation and polish and seal the paint and then topping with the Wet Look 111 Clear Coat Polish.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/DuraglossExtremeMakover001.jpg



I'll let the pictures do the talking....

Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda006.jpg


Dull Hazy Headlight Lens
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda007.jpg


Replaced Headlight at the time of the paint job
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda008.jpg


Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda009.jpg

Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda010.jpg

Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda011.jpg

Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda012.jpg

Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda013.jpg


Side-by-Side Test
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda014.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda015.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda016.jpg


The 10 @ 10 Technique for picking up a bead of product...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda017.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda018.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda019.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda020.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda021.jpg


Always remove tape by pulling back at a low angle, don't remove tape by pulling it "up" and away from the paint...
(Don't ask me how I know)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda022.jpg


Not perfect but a dramatic improvement...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda023.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda024.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda025.jpg


Jeff working the trunk lid...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda026.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda027.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda028.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda029.jpg




More to come...


:)

[Mike Phillips]

Continued...


While Jeff and I tackled the hood and trunk lid, Robert, Adam, Jeff and Louie used Porter Cables, Griot's Garage and Meguiar's DA Polishers with Hydro-Tech Tangerine Pads to tackle the rest of the car. After the rotary buffer steps done to the hood and trunk lid, we re-polished using the same Tangerine Hydro-Tech pads on DA Polishers to ensure there were no swirls left by the rotary buffers.


Jeff and Robert on the passenger side, not the gloss starting to show up...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda031.jpg


Robert using the Griot's...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda032.jpg


Louie on a B-Pillar...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda033.jpg


Jeff with a Griot's...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda034.jpg


Adam knock out the front bumper facia...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda035.jpg


Louie on the driver's door...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda036.jpg


Here I'm using my finger to both point to the dull plastic mirror and also to help the camera to focus as I get the before shot. Note the dull paint on the A-Piller, Robert will fix this too...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda037.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda038.jpg


Robert hammering on the black plastic housing. The pad looks like it's stopped but hes on the 6 setting...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda039.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda040.jpg


Now look at both the A-Pillar and the mirror housing... Robert is a top notch detailer in Palm City and if you can get him to squeeze you into his schedule you're lucky.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda041.jpg


Here's Louie cleaning his pad on the fly using a terry cloth towel...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda042.jpg


Rub rub rub...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda043.jpg


And back to work, it's a fast cleaning process to get you back to what's important and that's keeping that pad buffing on the paint...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda044.jpg


Jeff working the paint on the trunk lid. Jeff owns St. Lucie Auto Spa and is an incredibly talented detailer like Robert and offers mobile detailing for the St. Lucie, Stuart and Palm Beach areas...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda045.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda046.jpg

Not Pictured
Somehow we didn't get any pictures of machine applying the Duragloss 111 but we did this with DA Polishers and the Crimson Hydro-Tech Pads and then let the D111 dry for about 15-20 minutes and then used the very soft and plush, rolled edge green microfiber towels to remove it. It wipes off really easy...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda047.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda048.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda049.jpg

More to come...

:)

[Mike Phillips]

Continued...


Here's the Beauty Shots....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda050.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda051.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda052.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda053.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda054.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda055.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda056.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda057.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda058.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda059.jpg



From left to right...

Adam, Louie, Jeff, Robert and Jeff...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda060.jpg


Ready to go!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda061.jpg


For some reason all of the glass polishing pictures were a little out of focus but as you can see we did machine polish all the exterior glass and this shows up in the video too.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/CoralsHonda062.jpg




:)

[Mike Phillips]

On Autogeek.net


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1529/Duragloss_Logo.jpg (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss.html)


All Duragloss Products (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss.html)



:xyxthumbs:

[rdf]

Nice turnaround! I hope she's very happy with the new look.

Cool 50-50 cutting the fluorescent light in half. And nice shot of someone cleaning a pad on the fly.

What had caused the scratches in the side mirror mount? Did he use the 501 on that, too?

[Mike Phillips]

Nice turnaround! I hope she's very happy with the new look.

Cool 50-50 cutting the fluorescent light in half. And nice shot of someone cleaning a pad on the fly.

What had caused the scratches in the side mirror mount? Did he use the 501 on that, too?


Yes and I used it on the passenger side headlight, remember it was hazy and yellowed. WE also applied the Duragloss 111 over the headlamps and mirror housings.


I don't know how the scratches were put into the black plastic mirror housing, looks like someone drove the car through sticker bushes as they are mostly in straight lines and pretty deep, they don't look like car wash scratches at all.

The pictures of Louie cleaning his pad on the fly were to show people that cleaning your pad on the fly is supposed to be quick, you clean off "most" of the gunk and then get back to work, that's the on the fly part.


How to clean your foam pad on the fly (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/20135-how-clean-your-foam-pad-fly.html)



And "yes" Coral was ecstatic!



:)

[BillyJack]

Nice work, Mike!
Richy, our own tireless promoter of DG501 should be proud. You have certainly demonstrated that in capable hands 501 is some awesome stuff. 501's ability to achieve the results you've shown without compromising the finish thickness should earn it a spot on the shelf of any detailer who deals in the realities of DD work. It certainly has become one of my go-to products!

Bill

[bobble]

Mike any reason why you did not use 105 but 111 instead? Wanted a sealant only as 105 still has some cleaners/abrasives?

Glad to see DG products get some showtime, really underated product line IMO.

Before pics paint almost looks like a matte finish. Not too impressed with whoever painted it, collision repair I assume.

[Mike Phillips]

Mike any reason why you did not use 105 but 111 instead? Wanted a sealant only as 105 still has some cleaners/abrasives?



To be honest, I wanted to keep this project simple because of the project. Had this been a special interest vehicle I might have been inclined to do a more complicated process but I'm a big fan of the KISS philosophy when it comes to detailing cars.

KISS = Keep it Simple Simon

I know some guys do 53 steps to the paint but I like doing only what's necessary to achieve the goal. The goal for this wasn't a show car finish but to get some shine back to the paint and make the paint smooth so it will hold up better to the elements. I think we accomplished that with the 501 and then simply sealer her up using the 111

Good question though...






Before pics paint almost looks like a matte finish. Not too impressed with whoever painted it, collision repair I assume.




Just a local basic shop, I don't know who, I could find out but I really don't care that much. Coral is an incredibly nice young lady with one more year of college to go and I think her car will hold up a little longer now...

We might see Coral's car back for,


Engine Detail Project
Glass Polishing Project
Interior Detailing Project


I'm in the dog house now as I've spent more time polishing Coral's Honda and only polished the hood and half the windshield of Stacy's Honda.
(Was testing products)


Stacy's silver Honda with scratches windshield from airborne sand from the beach, kind of the norm around coastal communities over time...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/ScratchesINGlass001.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/ScratchesINGlass003.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/ScratchesINGlass004.jpg


Yep, half the windshield looks pretty good now... :D
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/ScratchesINGlass007.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/ScratchesINGlass008.jpg




:xyxthumbs:

[DeadlySheds]

I notice that the buffer was run right over the pin striping. Is this usually safe to do?

[Mike Phillips]

I notice that the buffer was run right over the pin striping. Is this usually safe to do?


Please consider the car.... :dunno:


The vinyl stripe on this thing were stout but just as ugly as the paint. using FOAM pads on DA Polishers is pretty non-evasive on stripes for a car like this.


If you have a fancy new car then you can make your own judgment call.

Also consider the options? What? Try to buff only on the sides and never actually touch the vinyl stripes? Even if you did this they would still be dull and ugly.

This was production detail and that's how you buff out a car quick, down and dirty.


Good question and everyone can find a way that works best for them. When I have cars like this, older daily drivers that are extremely neglected and will likely be neglected into the future, (Love you Coral but your not a "car girl", don't need to be you have other hobbies), then this is how I knock them out.

Again, what are you're alternatives?

Here's some free advice to anyone thinking about putting any type of graphics or stripes or lettering on your car's paint.

Don't.

At least don't do it and then later complain because it's hard to not buff the graphics on or to not get wax on the edges of the graphics.


If you want to do it right, get a custom paint job and have the graphic designs painted on and then cleared over like Steve did with the orange stripes on his way-cool 1969 Camaro.


1969 Camaro Pace Car - Show Car Makeover - Modeled by Michelle (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/43165-1969-camaro-pace-car-show-car-makeover-modeled-michelle.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC089.jpg



Of course he did use vinyl graphics on the door for the Indy Pace Car restoration but that was for his own reasons and it was a pain to buff around these...

Adam doing Surgical Buffing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/47254-surgical-buffing.html)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC051.jpg



Good question though...


:)

[bobble]

Thanks for the response, mildly curious if you had chosen the products for a different reason or just to keep it simple. I agree with the KISS acronym, too many times people complicate life's tasks.

No worries on the paint job, was more of a comment than a question.

I hear you on the dog house, I'm in it currently. Sold a car to friends son a year ago. Nice kid needed a break getting his life on track sold it very cheap. Anyhow he called and asked a question about it, had him come over and showed him how to clean the paint up and the wifey drives up in the dirty a$$ truck and sees me cleaning this kids car. If looks could kill. She just dropped the keys on the shop cart I got the message loud and clear.

[DeadlySheds]

Mike...thanks so much. I just wonder how anyone would ever be able to buff around that kind of stuff...especially when you
get small gaps between thin pinstripping. I don't think I'd ever do that to a rig, but curious in case I ever encounter this.

Thanks again!

[Lawalker]

Mike, did you use the same tangerine hydro tech pad to apply the 111 polish/sealant that used when you applied the 501?

Overall, considering the quality of the paint job, the end results were very impressive!

[604_Snooze]

When using DG501, what speed did they use the DA with?