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From Honda Civic Dreams to Custom Paint Empire: The NSX Hunt and Color Secrets
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
Matt wanted a Honda Civic. He ended up building Top Coat Garage, where paint jobs "swim in depth" and customers bring cars you'd see at SEMA.
The journey from dreaming about an affordable Honda to running a custom paint shop specializing in show-quality finishes wasn't linear. It involved learning hard lessons about spray gun selection, paint booth operations, and why some paint jobs look flat while others have that mirror-like depth that makes people stop and stare.
But the real story? It's about the NSX he's been hunting for years—and why the chase matters as much as the catch.
In this episode, Matt reveals:
- Why he never got that Honda Civic (and how that changed everything)
- What makes a paint job "swim in depth" vs. look flat—technical details you can actually use
- The spray gun mistake most DIYers make in their first custom paint attempt
- Behind-the-scenes of running a paint booth operation (costs, challenges, reality check)
- His ongoing NSX hunt and why he hasn't pulled the trigger yet
- Paint technique secrets you won't find in any manual
- How Japanese car culture influenced his entire business philosophy
Plus: Matt extends an open invitation for a shop tour where he'll show you techniques he rarely shares publicly. But there's one paint disaster story he swore he'd never tell—until now.
Related episodes:
https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17498085-from-rust-proof-roots-to-global-vehicle-protection-tom-wolfe-s-ziebart-story
https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17376238-how-to-import-supra-skyline-gt-r-integra-mohammad-azeem-s-jdm-business-secrets-from-japan-to-usa
https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17645586-oldsmobile-cutlass-supreme-to-jdm-kei-van-dreams-deputy-dave-s-law-enforcement-car-collection-journey
🔗 Connect: https://carsloved.com
*** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! ***
Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive.
Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.
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By Doug & Christian - Your Guides to Classic Cars & First Car StoriesClick here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
Matt wanted a Honda Civic. He ended up building Top Coat Garage, where paint jobs "swim in depth" and customers bring cars you'd see at SEMA.
The journey from dreaming about an affordable Honda to running a custom paint shop specializing in show-quality finishes wasn't linear. It involved learning hard lessons about spray gun selection, paint booth operations, and why some paint jobs look flat while others have that mirror-like depth that makes people stop and stare.
But the real story? It's about the NSX he's been hunting for years—and why the chase matters as much as the catch.
In this episode, Matt reveals:
- Why he never got that Honda Civic (and how that changed everything)
- What makes a paint job "swim in depth" vs. look flat—technical details you can actually use
- The spray gun mistake most DIYers make in their first custom paint attempt
- Behind-the-scenes of running a paint booth operation (costs, challenges, reality check)
- His ongoing NSX hunt and why he hasn't pulled the trigger yet
- Paint technique secrets you won't find in any manual
- How Japanese car culture influenced his entire business philosophy
Plus: Matt extends an open invitation for a shop tour where he'll show you techniques he rarely shares publicly. But there's one paint disaster story he swore he'd never tell—until now.
Related episodes:
https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17498085-from-rust-proof-roots-to-global-vehicle-protection-tom-wolfe-s-ziebart-story
https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17376238-how-to-import-supra-skyline-gt-r-integra-mohammad-azeem-s-jdm-business-secrets-from-japan-to-usa
https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17645586-oldsmobile-cutlass-supreme-to-jdm-kei-van-dreams-deputy-dave-s-law-enforcement-car-collection-journey
🔗 Connect: https://carsloved.com
*** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! ***
Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive.
Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.