DJ Iceman

Just showing off a little. I got tired and didn't end up adding the first coat of wax like I'd planned to, but I hope to get to that this weekend. I did get several coats of Klasse soaked into the interior and I vacuumed up all the fuzz from the new carpet.

I must say that this car has the nicest factory paint job of any car I've owned. The clay bar was almost unnecessary. There is very little "orange peel", the paint is uniform and deep, and it was smooth and blemish-free even before I started. What a car!

docboy

Nice job! The ZDX's interior looks gorgeous.

Were those pics taken today? Looks like nice weather in Southern Cal. In Seattle today, we had 45 degrees, cold, wet, rainy, and a flood watch. I miss the warmth and the sun.

DJ Iceman

They were taken Sunday, but it has been a week or so of gorgeous weather. My plans to wax may be in jeopardy this weekend, though, as we're supposed to get some rain, too.

I love Seattle as a city, and the people there are great, but the climate would drive me bonkers!

tobwac

ZDX is a beautiful car and that color is just amazing

mrgold35

Is there a big difference between the driving the ZDX compared to your RDX?
Acceleration, handling, gas mileage, comfort, utility, everyday usability, etc..

DJ Iceman

It's early to tell, especially because we're really babying the ZDX during the break-in period. Once we pass 600 miles and I can have more fun stomping on the gas pedal I'll be better able to tell.

Initial impressions are that it feels similarly nimble as the ZDX, but heavier. It's almost like it's the ZDX that has the turbo lag. I'll be filling up with gas for the first time today, and the mileage so far seems very comparable to the RDX--around 18 MPG of mixed but mostly city driving.

The ZDX is definitely more comfortable, and I attribute that to the ~50% price differential between the two. They definitely focused on the front two passengers' comfort, and I can already tell you that when I get in the RDX I miss the cooled seats and blind spot detection system. The stereo is also noticeably better in the ZDX.

As for usability, that's hard to say. One example of RDX superiority was in transporting my factory ZDX wheels/tires home. They wouldn't fit in the ZDX, so I had to go back to the dealership with my RDX, where they fit quite comfortably with just one of the rear seats folded down.

Thurmal84

sweet looking ZDX!

VQPower37

holy moly looks gorgeous!

jwong77

If Acurazine had a like button, I would have clicked it. Job well done!

eneffex

you really don't need to claybar something that new, I'd leave anything paint related alone for at least a year

DJ Iceman

To each their own, eneffex. I don't fault you for your point of view, but I was happy to smooth out any imperfections and get a few coats of wax on before subjecting my new ZDX to too many of the hazards of the world. So far so good--she still looks brand new!

BosunMate

As a professional show car/high end detailer, the clay bar is one of the most important things to do for a new car. Here is why. Your new car traveled on a truck and a train at some point in it's journey to the dealer. Then it sat outside waiting for you to buy it. The paint is covered in rail dust and various bits of environment fall out. Washing alone will not remove those embedded contaminants. Clay the entire car...paint, glass, wheels, etc. Clay does a good job at removing water spots from windows too.

I just picked up my ZDX a few days ago and it is in the garage getting ready for a complete paint treatment. Clay, iron dissolving soap, machine applied paint cleanser and then a wax or sealant. Your new paint was cured a few hours after it was painted. I routinely machine polish freshly painted cars.

The clay bar is the secret to a show car shine. Use before your next wax job to get all the old stuff off. Makes a world of difference.

BeachTyme

^^^ +1 ^^^

Couldn't agree more.

mugen_kid

+2

I have many years of detailing professionally(years ago) and can say if you plan on waxing your car and don't clay bar its a waste or your time. I think this is one of the most important steps when waxing vehicle(brand new or used). Plus who doesn't want to feel the silky smooth finish when its done.

mugen_kid

I also would like to comment on your vehicle DJ, its a gorgeous color! This color really screams high end luxury to me. Shows the lines pretty well too.

terdonal

I had never clay barred my vehichles before but I did the ZDX after seeing DJ Iceman's great results. It still feels like glass and the shine after the wax is holding months later.

HAWAII-TSX

My front windshield has been bothering me for a while because it had very small outlines of water spots on it. Kinda looked like etching on the glass.

After reading this I clayed half of my windshield and OMG all gone. This week I plan to do the rest of the windows and glass roof.

Thank You. That made my car washing day.

BosunMate

I can see these glass roofs being a water spot magnet. Mine sat on the lot for quite a long time in the Florida sun. My intense claying didn't even touch em! Florida water is like liquid limestone. I had to go with a machine applied chemical cleaner. I sealed all of the glass with a semi permanent nano coating (CQuartz). Hopefully it keeps the spots at bay. I am loving this car/suv/crossover thing more everyday!

HAWAII-TSX

Me too... The added bonus I didn't anticipate is the nice tight group of owners on this forum. I feel like we are a family.

BosunMate

We should hold a meet. I vote for Honolulu!

HAWAII-TSX

HAHA I'm going to orlando ending of oct.