ryanhook

Hey all, I'm posting up photos of my near-stock TSX for the first time (I think!). Last weekend I spent about 5-6 hours giving it a thorough spring cleaning inside and out. After vacuuming and detailing the interior, I moved to the outside and did a full wash, claybar and wax before finishing off with the wheels, tires and chrome bits.

My only regret is that the front got bugs all over the front end only a day afterward (took a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake the next day), but the paint still has that lovely smooth feel you only get after a good waxing. It was my first time ever using a claybar and I was impressed with the results. It was very effective at removing all the little spots of tar, brake dust, etc. and it also seemed to bring out some of the sparkle in the metallic paint. One thing I did notice is how much I dislike carnauba wax -- I think I'll stick to synthetics.

Here's three photos of the end result:

drigo

lookin good...good job

kboosman00

Looking good. I too just washed, clay, and waxed my baby earlier this morning. I'll post pictures later.

Red_TSX

3 words for you. Nice and shiny.
Good job and glad to see people who take such spactacular care of there TSX.

Lao Sticky Rice

looks awesome

my car is long overdued for a clay treatment, just went to a Honda dealership just recently for servicing and i couldnt believe how smooth and glass-like feel of a new car!

btw y dont u like carnauba wax?

ryanhook

Thanks for the positive comments everyone!

I found that it was a lot harder to buff off than synthetic waxes. Don't get me wrong, it does an excellent job of shining up the paint, but so does synthetic.

One thing I have noticed is that after I use a synthetic wax, the finish is so smooth that even a towel seems to not stick to the car's finish.

Since I've only used carnauba wax once, maybe I'll give it another chance... at least to better compare with synthetic waxes.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

wow...shiny...

Alin10123

Wow! looks so good. I think it'd look even better with some ronjon inspyres on there.

aaronng

You have to apply a thinner layer of wax. The layer is so thin that you can't see it when it is dry unless you have the light shining on it at a particular angle. If you want a thicker layer, you can apply a 2nd layer of carnauba over the first by misting the surface very lightly with water and then applying the 2nd layer.

si2tsx

sooo cleeeeaaaan!!! props to you!

afici0nad0

nice...

what products do you use to clean the interior (other than the leather)?

Ellas9

What synthetic wax did you use? And what brand of clay did you use... the ones at Canadian Tire are 22 or 25 bucks with the showshine (lubricant) - I was thinking that next time I'm in Buffalo with my 90 cent dollar that I would pick some up for cheaper.

iterry

Nice job!

ryanhook

Thanks! I just use 303 Protectant on the interior (except the leather). I took the advice of fellow AcuraZine members of using it because of its low shine (I also go back and wipe everything down with a clean towel after applying the product). Other than that, Gunk Foaming Glass Cleaner on the windows and mirrors, and Meguiar's Leather Conditioning Wipes on the leather maybe once every one to two months.

Actually, I used the Mother's Clay Bar Kit and picked it up at PartSource (Canadian Tire's auto store spinoff). It worked well enough. The kit includes a clay bar, lubricant (Showtime Instant Detailer spray), and a small bottle of carnauba wax (hence why I gave the carnauba wax a try).

I've been trying various synthetics. The one I'm using right now is Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax. So far I'm happy with it.

I'm going to take aaronng's advice about the carnauba and try it again sometime this summer.

Oh yeah, one other thing, if you're like me and don't like the super high-gloss shine on your tires, look for the new Michelin tire and wheel products. I bought the three products as a kit last year. The tire shine is excellent... especially for the low-gloss but "fresh off the line" look; the brake dust repellent actually works (!!); and, the wheel cleaner is acid-free (not many other wheel products out there are acid-free). Check it out here: http://www.pylonhq.com/michelin/products.htm I HIGHLY recommend them.

VoLLy

iTrader: (8)

I've never washed or waxed or clay bar-ed my car before, I think its time I did, but I dont want to spend a lot of time and money doing it. The results in your 3 pics look superb, I just want to ask you what you used (ok i see you used Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax and the Mother's Clay Bar Kit), how you did it and how long did it take you?

I have no idea how to use these products.

Your TSX is looking very clean!!

LoveMyTL-S

Check out this thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/acurazine-car-care-faqs-293029/

LoveMyTL-S

Ryanhook, your SSM looks awesome. Makes me wanna go do mine.......

VoLLy

iTrader: (8)

Yeah, I did read that, but he seems to 4-6 hours to do, I just want to know how ryanhook did it, cause it looks really good in the pics.

waTSX

Looks really good! Nothing like a clay bar/polish/wax job. Disagree about the carnauba, though. I think nothing gives a wetter look. The suggestion above about using a thinner coat is a good one. You don't need very much, and it'll buff off easier.

To VoLLy_1IIusioNz, to do a clay/polish/wax right, it's going to take you 4-6 hours, no way around it. You're looking at a 4 step process of wash, clay, polish then wax. It's a lot of work, but the payoff is the slickest, shiniest, wettest looking car you've ever seen. Definitely a labor of love, but well worth it.

VoLLy

iTrader: (8)

Ok thanks, I need to find a weekend to do this. Here a pics of my car btw: