A Belated Christmas Present - Paint Correction & 22ple Application on my Dad's Acura TSX

[zmcgovern45]

I promised my dad a full correction detail and coating application as a Christmas gift last year, and have been waiting for Spring to show up so that I could deliver on that promise. Luckily, it looks like Spring has finally arrived. I brought home all of my detailing supplies to complete the job over this Easter weekend (since my fiance was busy with wedding planning, the timing worked out very nicely).

The car was in overall decent shape, as he takes very good care of it. It is washed regularly, waxed at least a couple times each year, and clay barred every now and again. Until now, it has only been washed with the dreaded 1 bucket method (for wheels and paint! :nomore:) and dried with old bath towels, however with the promise of a paint correction - I asked for a promise to adopt the 2 bucket method and to either 1) blow the car dry or 2) gently dry it with waffle weave microfiber. He agreed, so I purchased some grit guards, waffle weave towels, and a sheepskin mitt for him to have for future maintenance.

The paint had light to moderate swirls, and the occasional RIDS, but compared to the horror stories I have seen lately - this paint was a pleasant sight. I had heard that this Milano Red - was in fact a tinted clear coat system and was also very soft. I had seen this same car in some of Rasky's videos, so I reached out to him for any pointers before I started on this car. He confirmed that his paint is in fact very soft, and he noticed that his was quite thin as well, so I should proceed with caution (of course). I did my test spot using M205 + Black 5.5" finishing pad with the Rupes LHR21ES. This took out all of the swirls and reduced the light to moderate RIDS - I was blown away at the amount of correction I was getting from what can almost always be considered a final finishing type of combo. In fact, I was even noticing some haze if I did not finish with a few passes with very very light pressure and a slower speed on the machine. Pretty finicky paint to say the least.

Process
Wash & Dry - Car was washed and dried before I arrived... it's last 1 bucket wash ever (hopefully)
Clay - DI fine grade clay was used to spot clay, as the majority of the car was in fantastic shape (in terms of bonded contaminates)
Polish: M205 + Black 5.5" Finishing Pad (with Rupes LHR21ES)
Protection: 22ple VX1 Pro Coating
Tires: Meg's Endurance Gel
Exhaust: CG Metal Polish + Protection



Before

Swirls were easily noticeable in the bright sun.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/524044_234094320062028_1830300740_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/562314_234094316728695_1651604023_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/5785_234094313395362_719193281_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/579573_234094360062024_375374752_n.jpg



During

I began polishing on the trunk... here is the trunk beforehand.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/163574_234094380062022_2056396812_n.jpg

... and now after polishing
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/5430_234094443395349_1479059131_n.jpg

I then made my way to the roof (no pics) and the hood... here is the hood after polishing.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/525211_234094446728682_1767040039_n.jpg

Taking advantage of some sunshine, I pulled the car out to check my work, as I find that examining in as many different types of light as you can is always useful... the hood looks much better.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/3639_234094536728673_1437470515_n.jpg

Next, I began working on the passenger side of the vehicle. Here is the front passenger door before correction.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/8544_234094393395354_799465558_n.jpg

... and after correction.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538796_234094416728685_2144582696_n.jpg


I then looked up and was distracted by my car in the driveway... what a pretty sight.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/72953_234094490062011_2103091057_n.jpg


Here is the driver's door before correction...
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/299126_234094540062006_1830948729_n.jpg

and after...
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/532956_234094560062004_336656140_n.jpg

Driver's side rear quarter/c-pillar area before correction (notice some of the heavier scratches)...
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/35036_234094613395332_1378917900_n.jpg

After correction: even the straight line scratches were removed with this very mild M205+black pad combo.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/523642_234094630061997_1901069458_n.jpg

Like I said, this car has a tinted CC... here is some red residue on my "cleaning on the fly" towel.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/734388_234094643395329_706989213_n.jpg

I then moved on to address some of the other details such as the exhaust tips. Here they are before... don't look bad, just a bit dull.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/3654_234094590062001_557781430_n.jpg

They shined up quickly and easily.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/72812_234094596728667_436964694_n.jpg

Polishing was complete... getting ready to apply 22ple (it had started drizzling, but was still in the 60's!)
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/46642_234094693395324_1384734822_n.jpg

Clarity resored and the hood is looking deep and wet.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/528181_234094713395322_28087554_n.jpg

My brother and dad decided to join me in the garage all day to enjoy the nice weather. I talked my brother into claying and sealing his car... here he is working away. He really enjoyed the difference the clay was making.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/521972_234094500062010_2046077605_n.jpg

My dad took advantage of my stock pile of supplies that I brought home and decided to begin de-winterizing his pride and joy (2009 Victory Jackpot) by polishing the metal... here he is sealing the wheels with my PBW wheel sealant.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538914_234094513395342_1057227574_n.jpg



After

22ple was applied to the painted surfaces and left to cure over night. I pulled the car out Easter morning to snap some pics and inspect my work. I was happy with the new look. The red is noticeably deeper and richer looking. The paint is glossy and wet looking. Not a bad way to spend an Easter weekend.

*Note: the front end has an old, faded clear film on it that was unable to be restored with polishing, so that is why the front bumper and 1/3 of the hood may appear dull or discolored

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/521884_234094716728655_80976765_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/483370_234094733395320_678806004_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/164274_234094756728651_153075552_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/734391_234094770061983_1197284345_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/408089_234094786728648_875548623_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/181082_234094806728646_249594340_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/625646_234094830061977_189503292_n.jpg


Comments, questions, concerns, etc are always greatly appreciated!

Thanks for looking!

[90sedan]

Very nice! The red looks very wet now.

[BobbyG]

WOW, I'll bet ole Dad's smiling from ear to ear! What a gorgeous difference in the before and after and that wet glossy shine is magnificent! :props:

When you began I noticed you taped off a section on the hood, was that to protect the clear bra?

[lokerola]

Wow, that TSX looks awesome! Great work, I'm sure sure your Dad appreciated it.

[JSou]

You went in buddy. That's an awesome way to spend the weekend. I'll be taking care of my dad's vehicle in a few weeks here. Can't wait to see his reaction.

[vet]

Looks great!

[WRXINXS]

Wow nice work you did! And nice car to begin with! The red looks fantastic.

BTW did you use your CM paint gauge on it?

[Pinpoint_Precision]

Great job! Proud dad I am sure!

[Mike Phillips]

Looks amazing! Like it was just painted!

Nice work.


:dblthumb2:

[mrGolfRider]

That looks great! 205 does some amazing work depending on the paint type.

[zmcgovern45]

Very nice! The red looks very wet now.
Thank you!


WOW, I'll bet ole Dad's smiling from ear to ear! What a gorgeous difference in the before and after and that wet glossy shine is magnificent! :props:

When you began I noticed you taped off a section on the hood, was that to protect the clear bra?
^He was quite happy... he had been upset with the slightly faded look that his bright red paint had to it and was happy to see it restored to it's original depth and color.

The tape line on the hood was to protect the edge of the clear bra. The clear bra was applied when the car was brand new (in 2007) and is very dull and faded at this point in time. There are also a couple of corners where the film is lifting, so I wanted to be sure I did not accelerate the aging process by catching an edge with the pad.


Wow, that TSX looks awesome! Great work, I'm sure sure your Dad appreciated it.
^Thanks! He did!


You went in buddy. That's an awesome way to spend the weekend. I'll be taking care of my dad's vehicle in a few weeks here. Can't wait to see his reaction.
^Good luck! Be sure to take pics!:buffing:


Looks great!
:xyxthumbs:


Wow nice work you did! And nice car to begin with! The red looks fantastic.

BTW did you use your CM paint gauge on it?
^Of course - readings were pretty consistent at about 90 microns across the entire car.


Great job! Proud dad I am sure!
:dblthumb2:


Looks amazing! Like it was just painted!

Nice work.


:dblthumb2:
Thanks Mike! :props:


That looks great! 205 does some amazing work depending on the paint type.
^Thanks! M205 is a very handy polish to have, that's for sure.

[cartman57]

Bet it looks better than when it was new, great work!
Good for another 5 years with proper care.

[Sicoupe]

Awesome work! Looks great:) that red really pops now.

[zmcgovern45]

Bet it looks better than when it was new, great work!
Good for another 5 years with proper care.
^Fingers crossed! He tends to hold on to his cars for 10 years or so. Hopefully the next time I have to touch it is to "prep for sale".


Awesome work! Looks great:) that red really pops now.
Thank you! :buffing:

[killrflake]

What a great job, the red paint looks so deep and wet. Fabulous outcome, it makes me want to go out and buy a red car for myself. Thanks for sharing with us.