harrjar

Not like you all don't know this already...but I just wanted to say how amazing the paint is on the RL. I thought the paint on my Porsche was good but I can honestly say that it's not like this RL. I'm extremely impressed with the details on this car...so well put together. Anyway, I love the blue metallic specks in the NBP paint...incredible. Here are some pics!

Mugen RL

Where are the pics?

Rhlieu

I'm sure you did WONDERFUL job on the RL! Next time make sure to remove the red X car cover before taking the picture!

gbriank

can't....resist....

harrjar

This thread truly is worthless without pics...apparently, I can't follow the instructions in the FAQ.

Trying again...

sherman_nguyen

great can you tell a little more about the procedure

Rhlieu

WOW! Truly magnificent job on showcasing “Nighthawk Black Pearl” in its true form. The palm tree reflection on the hood is amazing!

I suggest leaving the cover off permanently; You gotta show this baby off!!

Mugen RL

Blazing GT

o wow...can you do my car?

harrjar

Thanks for the feedback everyone! You know, the car has such a thick clear coat to begin with, you really have a lot to work with in terms of removing scratches, swirls, etc.

So, I began with a standard hand wash/dry.

Then I used my Zaino clay bar (lubricated by some detailing spray) to really see what I was working with.

I closely inspected the car and focused on the deeper blemishes first, using some Zaino ZPC Fusion. It's designed to remove the least amount of the finish as necessary...so, it's really hard to over do it with this stuff. After I was satisfied with all the major spots, I went over the entire car with my random orbit and more ZPC fusion. This removed any fine scratches or swirl marks and prepped the paint for waxing. The other good thing about the ZPC is it will remove the clay residue and anything else on the surface of the paint, and since it buffs away perfectly clean...no reason to wash the car a second time.

Finally, I applied a polymer-type liquid wax. After buffing that out really well, I applied a carnuba-based paste wax and worked that in good with the random orbit. That's it.

I'll probably do a few more coats of wax in the next couple of weeks but that was all the time I had. Took about four hours total. Gotta love Zaino! Let me know if you guys have any other questions! Cheers!

Rhlieu

Alright, I just finish washing and drying my RL...it took just about a hour and a half. Is that consider average with the rest of you guys (the good o' sheep skin mitt and bucket technique/then a waffle weave towel drying) or am I muttering around to much? It is NOT a full detail, but I am very thorough about the wash and never any dry water spots.


Also is once a week wash consider standard or am I just anal about my RL?

LeftCorner

iTrader: (1)

That's about avg. for me too, and mine is only driven on the wkend.

CL6

Yea Honda uses a chipping primer which is sanded by hand then painted three coats. It's the best paint job Honda does and is impressive. Looks like a lot of work but the car is beautiful.

getakey

hour and a half?
I can wash (with bucket/mitt) and dry (synth shamois) in less than half an hour. Then do Quick Detail spray and wipe in 15 minutes between waxes.

Rhlieu

30 mins???

Is that including 2 helpers on deck? Are you also scrubbing the wheels/tires and exhaust tips too?


I might need some tips or suggestion from you & PorlandRL! Washing my cars is kind of my R&R time, but I'm trying to cut down to 1 hour to wash/dry/qd wipe down/poishing the tips and trims/tire shine on a weekly base.

psheu

here is a short cut.... just wash the rims and dress up the tires.... it'll look like you've washed the entire car

bugeye

That might work for silver and white, but there's no way that could fly with a darker color.

getakey

Ok, I'm doing rims, but not tires. And, I'm not doing exhaust tips.

stevesrl

I took my tips off today and scrubbed them inside and out. All I can say is wow WHAT ADIFFERENCE. Clean those tips weekly and it will be easy to keep em clean.

Rhlieu

^^^

Hey Steve! Since you're in the 05 brotherhood, FYI you might want to check with the dealership about the TBS upgrade of the exhaust tips to the 06's due to the excessive soot that builds up on the rear bumper.

stevesrl

^^^I've seen the threads. If I understood correctly we purchase the 06 model tips. They extend out a little farther. I removed my tips hoping I could slide them out a bit and extend them. You can't. The securing bolt goes through a stationary hole on the exhaust pipe and the thread ties into a raised whole on the tips.

How much are the 06 tips?

Rhlieu

I think the upgrade 06’s exhaust tips was redesign so the flow of smoke would NOT flow upward (causing a burnt residue on the lower part of the bumper) instead it was mounted to be more “flush” helping to avoid the bumper panel entirely.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...+rl+soot+build

To tell you the truth, it looked the exactly the same! However after the dealership installed the 06’s (under warranty) the soot build up went away.

I recall the thread about extending the exhaust tip to enhance the A-Spec body kit appeal, but this upgrade is solely to help reduce the residue buildup.