Just purchased used car - please help

[68ChevelleSS]

Hey Everyone-


I've been detailing my own cars for a long time but now looking to improve my skills and learn how to match products better with the needs of the paint. I just purchased a used red Acura TSX. The car has less than 12k on the odometer. The car was originally sold in the Fall of 2011. The paint doesn't have any obvious damage to me but touching the paint you can tell that there is very little protection on it. So, I want to start fresh with the car and get a strong foundation on the paint. I have a PC 7424 that I've used for several years and still works great. I was planning on starting with a claybar, and end with Dodo juice Orange Crush for the red paint. But I need help on the the steps in between.


Here's some of the other waxes/polishes I have in the garage
Zaino Z-2
Zaino Z-All in One
Menzerna Super Intensive Polish
Menzerna Super Finish

4 inch pads
Lake Country Waffle - Green (light polishing)
Lake Country Waffle - Orange (light cutting)

Can someone give me some tips? Can I use the Zaino or Menzerna with the PC followed by the Dodo juice?


Thanks!

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Welcome to AGO.

You may want to pick up some 5.5 pads for the PC as doing a correction polishing session with 4 inch pads will take to long.

Use the Menzerna products for the defect removal and then you can wax with Orange Crush.

[swanicyouth]

Zaino stuff won't be much use, unless you have their abrasive polish or want to lay down a sealant before the Dodo (which I recommend).

What I would do:

1. Inspect car for any signs of repaint (overspray, different shades or orange peel pattern, etc...)

2. Wash with stripping soap. CG's Citrus Red is the standard, but you can use Dawn. If it was me I would pull the wheels, clean them well, and OptiCoat them.

3. IronX Car

4. Baggie test - cat likely needs to be clayed. Clay car.

5. Match polish to defects and polish car.

6. 2nd polish step: use a fine finishing polish instead of just a one step polish. I've found this makes all the difference and makes the car pop. The two I use are Optimium Finish Polish and Menzerna SF4500. You can get a small bottle of the Optimum for ten bucks. It will do several cars. Very good polish.

7. Clean car down with Eraser or Griots Pre-Wax Cleaner.

8. Apply Zaino sealant. Let it cure.

9. Apply Dodo wax

10. Dress all trim and tires.

[zmcgovern45]

I am not too familiar with the current gen TSX's, but my dad had a previous gen in the Milano Red. Assuming 2011 is still using the Milano Red, you should know that it is a tinted clear coat (so you will see some red on your pads when buffing, don't freak out). Also, the paint was SUPER soft.

From your list of polishes available to you, I would recommend the Super Finish, but without seeing the car it is hard to say for sure. Do your due diligence and do a proper series of test spots before settling on a polishing procedure. I would also recommend picking up some softer pads, like a LC black finishing pad.

For reference, here is my thread when I recently polished my Dad's TSX.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/62595-belated-christmas-present-paint-correction-22ple-application-my-dad-s-acura-tsx.html

Hope that helps.
-Zach

[Mike Phillips]

Can someone give me some tips? Can I use the Zaino or Menzerna with the PC followed by the Dodo juice.

Thanks!





Here's some of the other waxes/polishes I have in the garage

Menzerna Super Intensive Polish

Menzerna Super Finish



Use the above after washing and claying the paint, (if needed), and then apply the Orange Crush.

If you want to use the Zaino Z2 you will have to chemically strip the paint after using the last Menzerna product.


Click the link below and read the text and look at the pictures. You want to get a 5" backing plate and some 5.5" foam pads to use with the Menzerna polishers.


5 inch Backing Plates on Meguiar's, Griot's and Porter Cable DA Polishers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-tools-accessories/48668-5-inch-backing-plates-meguiar-s-griot-s-porter-cable-da-polishers.html)



Also read through this, it walks you your everything you want and need to do...


How To Detail Your Brand New Car by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/54451-how-detail-your-brand-new-car-mike-phillips.html)


Lots and LOTS of info in the above thread with videos too...


And welcome to the AGO forum...


:)

[Mike Phillips]

And to bring you up to speed...

Menzerna - New Names and Product Numbers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/products-guides/47067-menzerna-new-names-product-numbers.html)


:)

[Mike Phillips]

and end with Dodo juice Orange Crush for the red paint.




So you want your paint to look like this... (lots of before and after pictures plus "how-to info" in the actual thread...

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air - Remove Swirls - Modeled by Kristin (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/42954-1957-chevrolet-bel-air-remove-swirls-modeled-kristin.html)


Super Star!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1308/1957BelairExtremeMakeover081.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1308/1957BelairExtremeMakeover092.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1308/1957BelairExtremeMakeover093.jpg



Here's some after shots of the paint after polishing with Pinnacle and then waxing with Dodo Juice Orange Crush...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1308/1957BelairExtremeMakeover094.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1308/1957BelairExtremeMakeover095.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1308/1957BelairExtremeMakeover096.jpg



:D

[68ChevelleSS]

Awesome! Thanks everyone for the input. Mike, looks like I need to get a few more materials before I start.

I haven't had a chance to take any pictures of the car yet but here are the ones from the dealership where I bought it. And yes the red is Milano Red on the TSX.

http://i.imgur.com/zImk2HA.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/VBmFCvI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/rNKYq0A.jpg

[Mike Phillips]

How to instructions for using Iron X on paint in on page 2 of this thread...


1994 Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 - Modeled by Janna and Amy (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/sign-up-open-garage-classes/40652-1994-porsche-964-turbo-3-6-modeled-janna-amy.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW46.jpg






:)

[68ChevelleSS]

So I gave the car a good wash last night and started to see some paint issues - primarily light scuffs and swirls/spiderwebs in paint. I also spotted a black smudge near the exhaust that doesn't appear to be body damage and is smooth to the touch. Pictures aren't great I know but hopefully it shows what I'm saying. Given everyone's help I've ordered some new supplies including Iron-X and a new backing plate with pads. I also ordered some polish eraser. My current plan will be using the Menzerna polishes after I claybar then wax with the Dodo juice. So I have 2 last questions. I'm still confused as to what color pads I should use for:

Menzerna Super Intensive polish -
Menzerna - Super finish

Also, any suggestions on removing the black smudge mark?

http://i.imgur.com/asi4bc1.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/DoNJyxa.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/SmOTiM8.jpg

[68ChevelleSS]

After several hours of work I have a final product that I'm very proud of. Special thanks to Mike and others that replied to this thread. I ordered a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads but I just was too excited and labored through it with 4" pads. This is what I did:

1) Clay bar - The paint felt pretty good but I thought I would clay it anyway. My bar never got dirty

2) Menzerna Super Finish (4000) - as Zach warned me I definitely had red residue on the pad - thanks for the heads up Zach!

3) Menzerna Final Polish (4500) - no issues

4) Dodo juice Orange Crush by bare hand


5) I only have one thing left which is the plastic honeycomb grill which still has residue from my work (see last pic). What should I use to clean/protect it? I tend to like a glossy finish.


http://i.imgur.com/aoZW8SS.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/nAVYDwO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Sh22nKh.jpg

[RaskyR1]

Some APC and a bush should clean up the grill.


Congrats on the new ride! I owned an '08 in the same color and currently have a '12 TSX SE in white. Great cars! :dblthumb2:


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/tsx/IMG_0053.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/12TSX/20120504-_MG_6995.jpg

[68ChevelleSS]

Some APC and a bush should clean up the grill.


Congrats on the new ride! I owned an '08 in the same color and currently have a '12 TSX SE in white. Great cars! :dblthumb2:


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/tsx/IMG_0053.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/12TSX/20120504-_MG_6995.jpg

Sweet! Red was my least favorite SE color (Black followed by White top 2) but I was looking for a low mileage used 6 speed. In the past few weeks there were only 3 used 6 speeds on the West Coast so red it was! By the way, did the SE's come with tinted windows? Mine has tint but it looks very light possibly 50%. Would like 35% tint.

[RaskyR1]

Sweet! Red was my least favorite SE color (Black followed by White top 2) but I was looking for a low mileage used 6 speed. In the past few weeks there were only 3 used 6 speeds on the West Coast so red it was! By the way, did the SE's come with tinted windows? Mine has tint but it looks very light possibly 50%. Would like 35% tint.

Not a lot of 6-speeds out there. I waited a few months and had to fly out of state to get mine.

I don't have tint on the SE yet, though it does have a VERY light tint from the facotry...I think it's just the lighting in the pic that makes it look that way. The '08 had 30% on all 5. I'd love to do it on the SE as well but one of the local cops gave me a "fix-it-ticket" and I had to take it off the '08. :(