Call me crazy, but I have a black on black RDX! It looks awesome when its clean, but it's a **** to keep it in that state.

So, signed up for the annual shine and protect pass at the local car wash, its a "soft touch" with dryers and free vacuums and it features the undercarriage wash and "double" hot foam soak.

I guess I only have to wash it 4 times a month to get the money's worth, but in all honesty would probably wash it twice a week.

I plan apply NuFinish with buffer once a year (2 applications in 30 days).

I just hope I don't have to repaint the car by the end of the year washing it this much.

How do you guys wash your cars?

 

First off, congrats on your new RDX. I saw this car in person yesterday and it looks real good. In regards to keeping your black RDX looking clean, you may not want to take it to a car wash. Acura/Honda vehicles are notoriously known for having soft paint, especially the NBP. I would suggest you head over to the wash and wax section of Acurazine and learn to hand wash it yourself. If you plan on taking your car to the car wash twice a week, you should have enough time to give your car one good wash a week. I suggest you save your 375 dollars next time around and use it for a full detail after every winter.

 

guess how many people signed up for that same deal?
Guess how many cars are going to be ran through that car wash?

the water will be dirty, because they re-cycle the water.
i dont know what soft touch means, but if any mitt has any debris in it, it will scratch and mar the paint.

 

hand wash only its black...

 

If you wax your car with a LSP, I recommend Collinite 845!

 

A man after my heart *LMAO*

 

don't EVER run a black car through an automated car wash. marring, swirls... better yet...dont EVER run a car YOU actually like through a car wash.

however it's your money and time...and your RDX...up to you.

 

I think it depends on where you live and driving habits also. I use to wash my car at my house and I had a water hose connected to my water softner in my garage.

I live in NM and it is a constant sand storm and all kinds of debris hitting both my cars at 70-80 mph. I-40 and I-25 cross in the middle of town and there are always semi and pickup trucks kicking up all kinds of trash from the road hitting my vehicles. My radiator fins on the bottom center air intake on my TSX are all jacked up because of this. I have a 3M clear bra on my front end/fogs/headlights/side mirrors for my TSX and RDX and that works 100%.

After 6 years and 160,000 miles on both cars; a once a week $8 carwash at Octopus does the job because the car is covered with dust/dirt/pollen the next day anyway.

 

I prefer washing my car but I also love taking long distance roadtrips. I have taken the car thru car washes after the car has gotten extremely dirty. Wyoming has some of the worst mud that cakes on. Had to take it thru the car wash then especially to get the underbody clean. It was a bit too far to wait until we got home.

 

Well, I know that's been generally true about "many" of the automatic car washes.....but, it's not true of some. I found one when I first moved here....and was very hesitant to use it. I talked to some people....watched the operation inside....looked at some of the expensive cars going through...so I gave it a shot. AND...I am very good at checking out the paint in all directions in the sun, in the garage with a light, etc. I have put 5 different...NEW cars and SUV's through it and have never found any issues at all. You can choose to add the underbody wash...which I always do in the winter time.

So, it's not true ALL auto washes are the same. Mine is proof.....my previous 5 vehicles are proof of that. I will just add....I keep my vehicles well polished and protected. I'm sure that helps. I have them professionally buffed twice a year....and then I do my in between touch ups.

Am I a little hesitant....even knowing my positive experiences with 5 previous vehicles......to take my new RDX through it....yeah, but, I will. I am confident based on the past. It's just that when the window sticker price goes up...you get a little hesitant.
But, this wash hasn't failed me yet. Mine is not black. But, I've put through dark charcoal met. ones. Not one swirl mark....and trust me...I tried to find one anywhere. NOPE....NONE......

 

I would only use the underbody wash during the winter if you live somewhere with salt. Water hitting all the hot parts... exhaust, brake rotors, etc makes me uncomfortable.

 

it's not worth it to me. not only would i be concerned with the marring that may occur, the harsh chemicals and high pressure super wash that they perform would be my other concern.

you may not notice the flaws as much or at all b/c you get your car professionally cared for regularly. like i said to the OP...it's his car...do what he/you want, if that's how YOU want to do it.

hand wash and detailing my cars is more than just keeping the car clean...it's bonding with the car and knowing all the curves and angles. as seen in the wash and wax section...for many of us...it's therapeutic. there is nothing more satisfying than standing back and staring at your steed (well maybe not as satisfying as crossing the finish line of an IM).

 

I guess that is one of the reasons you do not drive you TL very much. I love washing my tsx. It would be alot easier If i stayed close to home.

 

^^my TL was my full time DD and lived outside under a car cover when she wasn't dirty. it used to get washed ALL the time. now she sleeps in the garage. i have the luxury of washing the MDX ALL the time now assuming the weather cooperates. lol. my neighbors must have thought i was nuts when i washed my TL in winter and seeing me out washing her every week and throwing the car cover over her to put her to bed.

it's kind of a labor of love. i dont' mind washing my cars...when i'm not getting eaten alive by the mosquitos (hello deet) during the summer, or freezing my ass off in winter to get all the salt and grime off the car. i typically have the cleanest and shiniest cars on my street.

 

When in nc I hand wash our cars year round. I get numerous compliments on how nice they look. We have a 2 car garage where my tsx is in one side and hubby's motorcycles aré on the other side. His car stayed out and still looks Excellent.

 

How do you get the crap off the underbody.

 

i either can't or dont' drive (the TL) when there is buttload of snow out...or i essentially run the hose with the pressure up a little and gave the undercarriage a good rinse. i'm not quite as anal as weather about getting ALL the nooks and crannies of the underside to crawl under there. don't let it layer up on the exterior or underbody, the less work it is later to get her clean. the underside of the TL isn't all that bad considering my friend was curious since his STi is the same age and he has a lot more rust under his car than i do.

the MDX...hasn't really seen snow since we didn't get any last winter (at least none that i would consider worthy of a headache).

 

Did you just call me ANAL?! *lmao* Thats OK...I can handle the title as I am not trying to hide the fact that I detail/pamper my cars in a way most don't.

It is funny how I can so relate to your labour of love comment and how gratifying it is to see your car all clean after a good wash....and enjoy bonding with the cars with all its angles and curves *lol*

Its too bad I don't live closer....I'd love to get a "car detailing party" going on

 

^^road trip? the nation's capitol in the states is quite lovely during the fall and spring (minus the pollen in spring). you could always be a weather guy down here, they can't predict anything anyway.

nothing wrong with being anal. you should see me at the dealer. they all think i'm a little nuts over there, but some of them actually understand. plus coming from a girl...i think it makes them more impressed than anything. lol.

 

That could actually be a great adventure! I have a friend who lives in West Virginia and always wanted to go down for a trip to visit him. I'd have to make sure it doesn't rain during the whole trip *lol*

Its funny how you mentioned working as a weather man down there....I am so tired of our harsh Canadian winters and have explored buying another house somewhere in the South Carolina area as a winter escape....

To be honest with you, I have the utmost respect who enjoy detailing their car as much as I do, and can appreciate the love of a vehicle....

 

take the rdx....put the awd to use if it rains. WV is only 2-3 hrs away.

my TL saw rain for the first time in 6 months after doing an install of a few things at brother's. no worries she didn't melt!

 

The car wash I use does not use harsh chemicals or high pressure water systems. Just good quality soaps and liquid wax IF you want them. They get a rinse before the soap is applied and the washing begins. I don't tend to get the liquid was application.

THE place I found out that truly uses harsh chemicals to try and get a car clean are the "touchless" washes. I kept eyeing this one and was wondering about it. A really dried on dirty vehicle having been driven in the winter, can't get clean in a touchless auto wash, without using harsh chemicals.

I learned from some pros that short and long term damage has been noticed by those using the touchless washes. So....I never went there.

But, again....I am fairly anal about my cars...was more so when I was younger. Then I would wipe down my vehicles after each time they were driven. I still wipe them down in my garage...not in the winter....but, not after every time they've been out.

Still, when my vehicles are traded in....they shine like new....the paint is perfect...and I always get comments like...."did you ever drive this car?"

I know what I'm doing...I learned auto detailing from some experts in So. Cal. and by my personal trial and error over the years while owning 60 cars/trucks and SUV's.
I'm not stupid enough to put my cars through a car wash that would use harsh chemicals is what I'm trying to explain to you.

I'm not a novice when it comes to cars. I've rebuilt engines, changed suspensions, brakes....done most anything. Now, it's different. I will be getting another Mustang to play with....I miss them. I owned 8 in a row at one time. All GT's or Cobra Mustangs.....and 1 Saleen.

So, I would say....do your homework....like I did....find a quality car wash...IF one is available near where you live.....keep your paint waxed and protected....and then don't be afraid. The ONLY flaws ever in my paint was due to road rock knicks, and the like. Never any issues from my car wash place.

IF I would have even come close to any issues after the first car I put through my wash.....I certainly would have stopped.....and would not have put 4 more new cars through it.

COULD something happen. Yeah....I could get hit by lightening tomorrow too. But, not likely.

Everyone has their comfort zone and what they feel is right. Yes, I used to enjoy hand washing my cars for the very reasons you have stated. I used to do it as long as the temp. was above freezing. I'm sure my neighbors thought I was crazy.....but, I was happy doing it. Times have changed a little.

But, I still love my cars....want them to look their best....and I do a pretty good job of it, despite living in winter conditions here. My cars are always commented on...on how nice they look, etc.

 

Hey weather.....you two need to get a room!! LOL!!

The innuendos are flying all over this thread!!!!
The monitors are going to have to pour some cold water over you guys!!

 

^^weather is harmless....i think.

colorado guy...(don't take this the wrong way) relax. it seems like you feel obligated to justify everything you post with great emphasis on the fact you owned over 60 cars etc. everyone has an opinion hence it's a forum. ultimately everyone needs to make their own decision on things their repsective car needs. just sayin'. your experience and knowledge will come through without justifying everything. i get it...this isn't your first rodeo.

 

It has been very rare I have made it thru the Commonwealth of Virginia without some sort of rain shower. Washington DC is nice in the spring when the cherry blossoms aré in bloom.

 

*lmao* I could use a bucket of cold water! Its over 32C here and I can't wait for cooler weather to return. And of course I am harmless.....*lol*

Colorado Guy....Thanks for the chuckle though....it sure made me laugh

TLTrigirl...Good thing these guys don't see the PMs *lmao*

JUST KIDDING GUYS before the rumors starts flying!

 

^^

 

I am very relaxed. The idea here is not to "justify" how we feel.....it's to educate on what we've tried, learned, and know. All I was doing was trying to let you know that "quality car washes do exist"....and in doing that I had to give supporting evidence and experiences. If I just said..."Hey....uhhh....duhh...this here car wash I use is the bomb, and all yas should use it".....then I don't think anyone would accept that too much....ya think????

We don't know one another....well....Uhhhh....except you and weather.....Whewww.....BUT, my point is....since MOST of us don't know one another...it behooves us to try and explain our point and use some kind of factoids to back up what we are pontificating about.

You know...you are kinda cute.....in your own testy little way!!

 

^^yeah i get why you do it....sometimes it just comes off the wrong way...to me at least. hell, what do i know...i'm just a girl.

 

Hey...you're cool and smart. That's easy to figure out. Just be fair in your judgement of others. If you go back and read what you wrote today at 8:31....you were justifying your point of view by giving examples, etc. Right??? No real difference.

You might not like my style or whatever.....or my choices....but, I am, most likely, more experienced in ways that you are not. I'm an educator. BS deg. in Occ. Education. It's in my blood. Not always right....for sure....but, IF I really know about something that works....I will lay it out there with examples to help others. That's it. I'm OK...your OK.

Take it or leave it....but, I feel I've been more helpful here than not. I hope! I think your new "friend" on here thinks so. He actually told me he was glad I was here. Hope he hasn't changed his mind. Oh, yeah...maybe he has.....I think he's found a "new" someone to compliment!!!! LOL.........take care!

 

Colorado Guy....No worries my friend. My opinions haven't changed We all bring something to this forum, some bring shopping experience and tips, others bring technical advices, some bring modification advices....myself, I can only bring cleaning/waxing tips.

Collectively, we bring strength to this forum and help new owners, prospect owners and even the more experienced shoppers gain a few tips from the younger folks.

TLtrigirl bring a female perspective that is rare here, she has been a great contributor to the TL and all other threads such as the RDX.....I am not trying to pick favorites but rather, just get along with everyone

**** GROUP HUG ****

 

@colorado guy

 

Uhhh....weather....you may use great after shave and all......but, IF you don't mind...really...IF you don't mind....I'd rather hug TLtrigirl and you can watch!!
Hey...did you see she gave me the thumbs up??? Wonder if she likes me now??!!!

 

^^

 

Really...???...So, when you're driving down the highway and your car is at it's max temps and it starts to rain....what do you do then???

It won't hurt the underside. Trust me on that one!!

 

Obviously there's nothing I can do in that situation. But if I can avoid getting hot parts of my car wet, I will.