LuvMyTSX

Indeed, it is quite glossy, especially now with some proper polish on it (which it didn't have yet in the pics above).

All by hand:
- Wash with Zaino Car Wash
- One coat of Zaino ZPC (paint cleaner - wanted to make sure all the glue from shipping was off, no time for clay today or I would have done that, too)
- One coat of Zaino Show Car Polish
- Washed windows with Invisible Glass
- Zaino Tire Shine

To be done later:
- Zaino leather cleaner
- Zaino leather conditioner
- 303 Aerospace Protectant on all weather stripping

dominik331

True, but an extra coat of polish and protection never hurts.

MMike1981

not at all, the black looks nice, savor it while new!

MMike1981

O btw, get that god awful dealer label off the hatch!!!!

LuvMyTSX

LOL I know. I forgot they started using those. Used to be just the license plate frame, which is easy to remove.

LuvMyTSX

I'm debating a clear bra. The paint looks so nice right now, but I know with just a couple months of highway driving, it'll be all chipped.

LC2ner

I recently did the same. Traded my 2008 CGP/Ebony Non-tech TSX for a 2011 GM/Ebony Non-tech RDX. I make the same choice all over again if I had to. There are only two things I miss about my TSX. The great fuel mileage and the feature that rolls the windows down after holding the unlock button. The turbo gives me a bigger smile than either of those two though.

mrgold35

I waited too long to put a clear bra on my RDX and now I have several chips and bugs stains that jacked up the clear coat. I now have a spot on my from bumper where the clear coat is peeling (about the size of a 50 cent piece).

I took the RDX in for some estimates and it ranges from $300-$600 to fix; PLUS, the cost of the clear bra afterward to advoid the problem in the future.

LuvMyTSX

Yup, the mileage is definitely going to be missed. I also used the windows down feature in the summer, but I can live without it. I might do the KP Technologies module if it exists for the RDX (they had one that rolled up the windows on the TSX).

But when the turbo kicks in, because I'm still not used to it, I go "Weeeee!!!"

Yikes! I need to decide soon to avoid that mess. There is a small window of opportunity, especially on black.

steelhead

For what it's worth, I just did the clear bra on my new black RDX. Went with the 3M product. Very, very happy with the result. First time to try a clear bra - just hoping it holds up. I did the full hood in order to avoid seeing the line. Cost an extra $100 but I'm glad I did it.

dominik331

Are you enjoying your stereo yet, I had a Base 10 RDx for a loaner and was really impressed with that system, I imagine the one in the Tech model is a lot better.

Mr Marco

Mostly bug related injuries on ours.

Clear bra leaves a noticeable sticky line on the hood. However, we have several bad touch-ups in leu. Good luck and, Drive like an Italian!

LuvMyTSX

That would probably be worth it. Can you tell it's on there if you don't look real closely? I need to look into where to get this done.

Yes, it's very nice. I've been rockin' out pretty good, even on my morning commutes.

steelhead

In answer to your question, no - unless you look really closely you can't really tell the film is on the car but bear in mind I did the entire hood. The hood has a very slight orange peel texture but you can only see it if you look really closely at an angle. On the bumper and mirrors you simply cannot see it. If you do it, make sure you check out the 3M product - from everything I could find it sounds like it is best for black.

Yumcha

Congrats!

Yumcha

Vote for name change.

LuvMyTSX

Thought I'd give a little update.

I'm getting more used to the vehicle now that I've had it for a little over a month. The hatch and the extra space have already come in handy many times.

I just did a couple road trips, too. We drove from Orange County, NY to Corning, NY last weekend and then I drove from OC to Camden, NJ and back yesterday for work. I averaged 23.1 mpg according to the computer on the latter trip. I was able to maintain a speed of 75 mph for most of the trip, as I was traveling outside rush hour times and there wasn't much slower traffic. The car has about 2500 miles on it now, at just under 5 weeks old.

Additions: 3M Clear Bra and 3M Crystalline 50 Tint

I recently got the 3M clear bra on the front end, the side mirrors, and under the door handles. Cost was $695. Yes, you can see the line on the hood, but I don't care, as the protection it will provide over the years will be well worth it, especially with all the highway driving I'm doing now.

3M Crystalline 50 tint was also applied to the front windows. Ideally, I would have liked to match the rear factory tint, but in NY and also NJ where I travel frequently, any tint on the front windows is illegal, and I hate getting hassled by cops, so I went lighter. However, this is apparently really good quality tint and does not need to be dark to provide the light and UV blocking qualities you would normally need darker tint to get. It was pricey - $200 for the 2 windows, but again, it is very good quality. It's also non-metallic, so it won't interfere with electronics. Both items were installed at Sam's Window Tinting in Nanuet, NY and he did a perfect job as far as I can see. I would definitely recommend his shop.

Everything on the car is working perfectly thus far, and I'm using more of the gadgets. I still need to program my radio and XM presets, but overall I'm getting more comfortable with the car and its features. I definitely appreciate all the entertainment options on these long drives, as well as locally because the mountains around here tend to block the NY radio stations, so the iPod and XM options are valuable.

It will be interesting to see the difference AWD makes pretty soon when the snow arrives. I already notice a difference in the surefooted feeling versus my TSX. The RDX feels much more planted on the road. I'm not sure whether that is due to the AWD, the additional weight, or even the more weighted steering feel, or a combination of these, but I do like it.

dominik331

How do I change my user name without having to sign for a new one?

LuvMyTSX

PM Astro to request a change.

nj2pa2nc

happy to hear you are enjoying your new RDX-
In my growing up years I spent a lot of time in Nanuet, NY. The mall, concerts that were at the Nanuet Theater in the Round (now a christian place),etc.

Mr Marco

WTF

WTFx2

mrgold35

I took the wifey RDX in to have the service manager look at the spot where the clear coat is peeling and he said it was a paint defect. They gave me a TSX loaner in the RDX is in the shop getting the front bumper repainted. All under warranty

I thought it was from rock chips or bugs juice causing the problem. I think I will still get the clear bra once I get the RDX back.

LuvMyTSX

I think it will be a good investment. It sucks to see chips and whatnot on the bumper.

925mugen

Any pics with the new tint? Its illegal out here too , but I'm curious to see how it looks.

LuvMyTSX

I'll try to get some for you today. It looks different from various angles. From some, you can't really tell there's tint on the front windows, but from others, you can notice it. It's not perfect, but a compromise in an area where tint it illegal and people do get hassled for it.

stray_pube

Tint isn't illegal in NY/NJ, it just can't be any darker than 35%. Since the windows already have some tint on them if you request 35% tint it will end up lower than that making it illegal. I requested 40% to be safe, but it would probably measure like 37% if checked. When it's cloudy outside the fronts look like they match the rear.

925mugen

They are all over anything where I'm at. I think in the RDX I could get away with it but in my civic forget it.

LuvMyTSX

From www.tintlaws.com:

NY:
Front sides: 70%
Rear sides: 70%
Back window: any%

NJ:
Front sides: none (meaning any tint is illegal)
Rear sides: any%
Back window: any%

From the factory, I think it's legal, but for some reason, aftermarket is a problem.

I have some pics from today, just need to get them up here.

I had issues in Jersey with my tint (on my TSX), even though it was only 35% all around. This was before I moved to NY. I had the front tint removed in 07. Hopefully I won't have a problem in the RDX, as it's really pretty light. It's darker on cloudy days, of course.

stray_pube

Wow, I didn't realize tint was illegal in NJ...I see tons of cars with like 20% tint on the front windows all over the place down there. Glad I have Mass plates!

jupitersolo

In Virginia tinting the rears of my wife's CR-V isn't a problem because it's an "SUV". Look into that as well for you up there.

LuvMyTSX

Some shots of the tint and clear bra:

(Forgot to close the sunroof before taking these)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swimjax/5137678523/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swimjax/5137680785/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swimjax/5137676553/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swimjax/5138283042/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swimjax/5137673629/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swimjax/5138279588/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swimjax/5137668329/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swimjax/5137670431/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swimjax/5138277306/

jupitersolo

Looks good!! When first looking at it I thought it was scratched completely across. I damn near fainted.

LuvMyTSX

Jesus, if it were scratched like that, I'd do a lot more than faint!!

Hopefully the clear bra will prevent crap like that from happening. I had some nasty scratches and chips on my TSX.

stray_pube

So how are you supposed to wash the car with that thing on it? Any chance of moisture getting under there?

LuvMyTSX

Nope, wash like normal. I actually just washed it on Sunday. You even wax over it, too, just avoid using anything that removes scratches, as they'll be too abrasive.

nj2pa2nc

very nice looking- From the pictures the clear bra does not cover the whole hood. Hopefully since the RDX is higher up than the tsx it will avoid the chips near the windshield. My tsx has many there and also in front of the sunroof.

Rocket_man

The white line on the clear bra is caused by dried wax. You can try to remove it with a toothbrush but use a soft one or it may scratch. If you put painters tape across the edge next time before you wax it will avoid this.

Nice car!

edit: I have the Venture Tape clear bra on my car and I will never get this brand again. It clouded about a year ago and it was replaced under warranty, but the new one is doing the same thing. I was told the new one was improved, it is actually worse. Now I have no chips on my 06 TSX so that part does work, but getting it replaced is a pain.

LuvMyTSX

Actually, I haven't waxed/polished the car since the clear bra was put on. The line is simply the clear bra material. You can hardly see it from most angles.

Sorry to hear about your Venture Shield. I couldn't find much info about that product and not many places install it. The place I wanted to go for my window tint uses the 3M clear bra, so I just had them do both to make it easier on myself. Hopefully this material lasts. There is a 5 year warranty, I believe, but it would be annoying to get it replaced, especially if it has a problem again.

925mugen

The clear bra is well worth it. It will keep that front looking good.