92 Acura Integra - Tackling Stained White Paint

[RayCCO]

Two years ago, I needed a cheap daily driver in short order and ended up with a 92 Integra with just over 200K miles on it. It appeared to have what I'm guessing as a cheap single stage paint over the factory paint. I didn't get it to make it a show car, but I wanted to at least have it looking decent. Even after multiple washings and my first ever attempt at using a clay bar, it looked like there were stains embedded in the paint. For a while, I gave up until I found this article on a search for cleaning stained paint: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/25304-secret-removing-oxidation-restoring-show-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html

Here are my before/after pictures after applying the first coat of Meguiar's #7 this weekend. It will sit until later this week when I can wipe it off and try a second coat.

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_20222.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71283)

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_5266.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71291)

Using the clay bar on the bumper started out like I was going over low grit sandpaper. I removed the Integra logo because it was about to fall off. I plan to re-apply it before I get to waxing. The pin striping was removed the first time I used the clay bar when I had bought the car. I don't miss it. :)

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_40042.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71284)

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_5187.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71289)

The door had the worst staining.

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_4775.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71287)

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_5251.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71290)

The embedded greasy palm print is now gone!

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_4772.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71286)

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_5269.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71292)

It may be hard to see, but in the center of the trunk lid, there was a circular mark that looked like someone had stuck a magnetic mount CB antenna in that location.

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_4770.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71285)

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_5127.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71282)

Before, there were stains running down from the gas tank door, and now they are gone!

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_4780.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71288)

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_5271.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71293)

It was a lot of hard work, but it was motivating to see the stains disappear as I worked in the #7. Even without having wiped off this first coat, it's already looking way better.

[jankerson]

Looking better. :)

What are you going to use to buff it out?

[Kaban]

Good work.

You owe yourself to buy at least a PC buffer and make that paint glossy again. It looks matte white in all the pics.

[TheCougarGuy]

Looks like you are making good progress.

I bet that paint would benefit greatly from an IronX treatment.

[DaVinciAutoSpa]

It looks better,..but like Kaban said, it looks matte. Do you have a buffer? Maybe some M105 and orange pad.

[WillWashesCars]

Absolutely making progress but if you had access to even a older gen PC7424, you would get 100x further. Like DaVinciAutoSpa said, M105 on an Orange pad will net fantastic results.

[RayCCO]

Thanks guys! It looks matte because I had not wiped off the #7 yet.

I found some time tonight to wipe it off, and there wasn't that much black oxidation residue on the towel. It looked only a bit more soiled than what Mike Phillips had on his towel after wiping off his 4th application of #7 on the 1973 Lincoln Continental.

I went ahead and did a second application which will sit for at least another day. After this second application, I plan to wax it and move on to restoring up the trim.

I'm happy with the results I'm getting by hand, especially getting the unsightly stains to disappear, so I don't feel like I need to find a buffer and put in more work.

[kantonburg]

Thanks guys! It looks matte because I had not wiped off the #7 yet.

I found some time tonight to wipe it off, and there wasn't that much black oxidation residue on the towel. It looked only a bit more soiled than what Mike Phillips had on his towel after wiping off his 4th application of #7 on the 1973 Lincoln Continental.

I went ahead and did a second application which will sit for at least another day. After this second application, I plan to wax it and move on to restoring up the trim.

I'm happy with the results I'm getting by hand, especially getting the unsightly stains to disappear, so I don't feel like I need to find a buffer and put in more work.

Looks good man. If you're happy with it that's all it matters.

Keep us updated with pics once you wipe everything off.

[BobbyG]

This shows what some time, effort, and using the right products can do for a finish that would otherwise continue to deteriorate.....Awesome results! :props:

If you want to make that plastic pop again and have the look last for 6+ months give CarPro DLux a try....

Review: CarPro DLux (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/52351-carpro-cquartz-dlux-review.html)

[Radarryan]

This shows what some time, effort, and using the right products can do for a finish that would otherwise continue to deteriorate.....Awesome results! :props:

If you want to make that plastic pop again and have the look last for 6+ months give CarPro DLux a try....

Review: CarPro DLux (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/52351-carpro-cquartz-dlux-review.html)

I second the recommendation of CarPro CQuartz DLux. I liked it so much I ended up buying an extra bottle just so I never am without :hungry:

Awesome results and thanks for sharing. On a side note, it is such an honor to be able to quote BobbyG again :). I said it on a previous thread and I'll say it again, it's good to hear from you again :dblthumb2:

[DaVinciAutoSpa]

Meg's #7? I thought you were suppose to wipe that off right away. Was it hard to get it off the paint?

[jankerson]

Meg's #7? I thought you were suppose to wipe that off right away. Was it hard to get it off the paint?

Nope, it doesn't really dry, it's loaded with oils that get into the paint to enhance it, bring it back etc.. :)

[RayCCO]

Okay, finally done! I did a third application of #7, but not as heavy and not left to sit. I applied it panel by panel, wiping it off then waxing.

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_20222.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71283)

After First Application of #7 (not wiped off yet):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_5266.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71291)

Final After Third Application & Wax:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/AfterAfterRear1.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71581)

The door:
Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_40042.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71284)

After First Application of #7 (not wiped off yet):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_5187.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71289)

Final After Third Application & Wax:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/AfterAfterDoor.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71576)

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_4775.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71287)

After First Application of #7 (not wiped off yet):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_5251.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71290)

Final After Third Application & Wax:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/AfterAfterRoof.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71578)

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_4772.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71286)

After First Application of #7 (not wiped off yet):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_5269.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71292)

Final After Third Application & Wax:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/AfterAfterTrunk.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71579)

The reason why I did a third application of #7 is because the second application sat for three days and was more difficult to wipe off than the application that sat for only a full day. I didn't go as heavy, wiping off as I went, and when a panel was completely done, I waxed it.

I think the whole process since last weekend took about 8-9 hours spread throughout the week, but it looks a whole lot better.

I'm hoping the maintenance won't be as time intensive. Going forward, I'm considering rinseless washes if they are gentle enough not to re-wax the car as often and don't take up as much time as a traditional water wash.

Thank you Mike Phillips for sharing the secret!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/AfterAfter_Glaze.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71580)

[HateSwirls]

Once you get a buffer buy yourself some 3000 Unigrit.
It worked wonders for me on an 01' Honda Accord, clay didn't touch it, compounding along did very little, I wet sanded one panel then buffed it out with my rotary using Meguiar's 105 with a wool pad.
The 3000 Unigrit sure makes the job go much faster and I got better results.
It may sound extreme but really is easy if you focus on one panel at a time.

[Znig22]

This a fantastic turn around!