I've never been one to wash my own car, but after all the remarks about
car washes here, I'm ready to begin with my AM/Ebony TL.

I bought microfiber towels at Costco last weekend so I've taken my first step.

So I will go to the automotive store near me to pick up products but
I need advice . . . remember I'm a newbie for this so I need this to be
simple.

Will one of you guys who is a pro give me step by step instructions, and
recommendations on products ?

Thanks,
Rachel

 

I currently use Zaino, but I think that Meguiars products are the next best thing...their NXT line of wax is great, and their car washes and their Quick Detailer is great too. If you go to meguiars.com, they have a whole little package available (New products for 2004) for $40.00 w/ free shipping. That will take care of most of your needs.

 

I also vouch for the Zaino products. I have been using their car wash, leather cleaners, and tire dressing for a while and they are great. Just yesterday - for the first time- I did the whole Zaino process (claybar - removes all the bugs, tar and foreign particles on the paint), dawn (to remove the old wax) and the then added 3 coats of Z-2 (polish for clearcoat) - WOW. This car is now like a mirror and it is supposed to last 6 to 9 months. You can only get Zaino on line at Zainobros.com. Zaino is a rather "complex" process, and takes some time, but is not any harder to do than normal waxing. (In fact applying and removing the polish were the easiest part.)

Good luck

 

If you want to learn to clean and detail your car properly, then I recommend you check out http://www.autopia.org They have a forum. Look into, you'll learn a lot there.

 

I ordered the Zaino "Ultimate" kit yesterday. I'll be going over the TL and Solara at the end of the summer.

I'm looking forward to seeing if the Zaino products live up to the hype.

 

The most important thing is not to be overwhelmed by the information...because there is a lot, and a lot of levels of being anal. Here are a couple of threads I've found (I cannot warrant all of the info, but there has been a good discussion of the products and techniques involved).

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showt...ht=car+washing

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showt...ht=car+washing

Also, from my own car washing experiences...be sure to allot enough time in your day to do it. You don't want to rush the job, or give up. It might be best to seperate the exterior and interior cleaning to two different days...otherwise after you do all that you might be ready to kill someone...