Honda Civic Renovation
2021-2022 | 150 hours | $300 | Sewing, Electronics, Mechanics, Paint
In 2021, with $1500 saved from a grocery store job, I purchased possibly the most abominable 2004 Honda Civic to ever be listed on Craigslist. It reeked of unspeakable odors often found in some unkempt Seattle streets, and had heavy water damage and rust. In an effort to mitigate these issues, I began taking apart bits and pieces of the car, but one thing led to another until it was "gutted" to its bare bones. I made many mistakes through this process and learned a lot, but this passion project transformed the car into something beautiful, and in the end I was able to sell it for more than I bought it for.
Painting
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First impressions weren't too bad. A few dents and dings here and there but with a wash and a quick polish of the headlights, it could've passed for a respectable car.
However, further inspection revealed many extras that previous inhabitants of the car had so kindly left for me, including much rust, general damage, and approximately $3.00 in coins (an unexpected ROI!).
Please enjoy these pictures of my fully gutted 2004 Honda Civic while I imagine what opinions my neighbors must have had about me during this process.
Cleaning
General deep cleaning including: headliner recoloration, carpet wash, seat and cover removal, seatbelt bleaching
Restorations
Restorations are the most tedious but the most rewarding. I primed, painted, and sewed in order to curate a cohesive silver and denim theme to the interior of the car.
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Center Console Compartment
Original center console- very dirty with gashes and stains in fabric
Peeling off fabric
Lined plastic with foam and attached new fabric from Joanns with liquid cement and a clothes iron
Final product. Much cleaner and sleeker.
Door Armrest
Only picture of original armrest. Please believe me when I say it was not in good condition
Took off original padding, glued thicker foam I found in the garage with liquid cement.
Carved and shaped foam and wrapped in metallic fabric. Liquid cement ruined the fabric so I sewed it underneath to pull it taut and secure in place.
Final product! Soft and beautiful
blooper pic. the pink foam did not work.
Gear Shift Cover
Hole in fake leather cover
Stained and stinky
Pic reference for inner stitching
I drove like this for weeks lol
Used the same fabric from the door armrest; stitched in same pattern as original shift cover. I think this was the perfect material to use for the cover and it really felt like the centerpiece of the car.
Door Locks, Window Buttons, & Door Handles
door locks
window buttons
door handles
Painting
I used Krylon Deep Denim Blue spray paint with matte finish for most of the interior panels. Although it was 2-in-1 paint and primer, I wiped down all parts with paint thinner and used separate white furniture primer for better adhesion. Since most of the pieces, especially the door handles, are high traffic areas, special preparation was necessary.
Brakes, Oil, Body
Bleeding brakes, changing brake pads, changing oil, popping out body panels to hammer out dents, etc. The brakes were squealing and putting in the new pads was quite satisfying. There was also a major dent in the front side panel so I removed that and hammered it out.
Final Pictures!
I unfortunately had to sell the car because I was moving, but these were the final pictures that I posted on Craigslist to list it back up for sale. I put many hours of a nice Seattle summer into this car, and I'm glad to say I transformed it into something I am proud of.
