so my neighbor asked me today if id help her do something about all her clear coat issues. ive read online about the infamously horrible thin clear coat on these cars (she drives an 00' honda accord ex) but anyway about 5 years our idiot neighbors that have been since kicked out were plaing with roman candles and one of the balls landed on her trunk or roof or something. so her insurance paid to have a shop buff it. and for some reason they did the entire car and nor just recently, it started in 08 on the window sills on the passenger side but just recently its spread all over the right side of the car and around the sun roof. i told her anything i do with a spray can will look like crap compared to the good clear but she dont care just so its better and i stop the spreading. to be honest, having only painted plastic mopeds and even that looked amateur im not entirely confident in my ability but she absolutely wont pay a shop for whatever reason. so do you guys have any recommendations for a driveway fix? keep in mind i have no air compressor and the only power tool i own is a drill.

here are some pics, thanks alot!!

scuff and apply new clear coat ...


No helping that IMO to achieve a good finish

yeah, honestly i cant see it looking anywhere near stock with anything i am capable of doing lol.

For the most part, the clear is gone. You can get a good heavy cut polish and work it over. Then move up to a mild cut, then finally a light polish. It wont look perfect but better then that. The best way to go is to wet sand it down, then a new coat of clear.

hmm. seems like the most likely to come out looking half decent. atleast in the time im willing to work on the thing. ive got nu finish, thats obviously light but if you have names of the heavy and mild that would be greatly appreciated.

its easier to walk in and say i need this then randomly buying stuff based on the label lol.

thanks alot, i would be more proactive on researching myself but since its not my car i dont really want to guess lol

I didnt suggest that due to the further damage that cold be done

well, i mean honestly im just looking for something to make it look passable. i honestly think she is planning on trading it in soon, or possibly giving it to her nephew who is about my age. she just wants something better than the huge white spots she has now, and something that can be done in her windy driveway with a can of paint. im not entirely sure new clear would come out looking very good given the circumstances.

then wet sand the white spots.. being careful to avoid the paint.

Well, she Should REALLY hire a painter, but its a typical woman'* car. i don't think she really cares if she keeps denying a painter. if you dont do a good job, just tell her "i warned u" and smile

If your going to wet sand I suggest nothing lower then 2000 grit. Go to a auto pant supply and see if you can find 2500, be prepared to drop a few bucks. It'* going to be several bucks a sheet.

If he were to use a Meguires 80 polish he should be fine. It wont cut the paint to bad. I don't suggest anything like rubbing compound.