Detailing Wife's New car
 

Ok, as some might know from another thread - my wife just got a new Acura MDX. Now it's up to me to get it looking it's best. Didn't have the dealer wash or do anything to it - plastic's still on the inside. It's nimbus gray (somewhat akin to Mini dark silver)

Plan to wash, clay, and wax with Epic. Any other tips? Anything I should start out with to protect the leather (black) seats? Also, I have Amigo - is that needed/beneficial for a new car?

Cheers in advance :thumbsup:

PS something tells me it's going to take longer to do than my Mini :lol:

Woohoo! Congrats on the new car, even if it's not a MINI :)

Once it's clayed, look and see if it looks like it needs Amigo - mild "dealer-installed" spiderwebbing or swirls. Otherwise just go at it with the Epic! Good protection from the start :)

As far as leather care...there's a lot of good stuff out there...Lexol, Zymol, Griot's, Zaino...all have good leather products. There's supposed to be a new Prima leather product coming but no word on it yet. But you probably don't need to clean it much...just a good protectant for now. Even 303 Aerospace Protectant works well on leather - I use it on my leather furniture in the house! But Lexol and Zymol are really easily found - my Target carries both.

If this is a brand new Acura, why do you feel the need to clay ? Did it sit outside at the dealership that long ?

Amigo is a very fine polish. You can use it, but again, if this is a brand-spanking new car, you should be able to just do a Dawn wash (to remove anything the dealer may have used that resembles wax) and then put a couple coats of Epic on it.

In about six months to a year, THEN it'll be time to break out the clay and the Amigo... might even need to use some Swirl then.

I don't know guys, when I clayed the brand new MINI (now more than a year ago) you would be surprised what came off. So I would recommend clay even on a brand new car - can't hurt, can only help and it doesn't take that long.
So I would Dawn wash it, clay and then inspect the paint. Amigo would be a good choice if there are some small swirls that you don't feel like getting out. Then Epic and you are (she is) good to go.

Yup, I agree with the clay. It's amazing what sticks to the car from transport!

Don't forget some Hydro :wink:

What auto manufacturer's don't transport cars these days without the protective shrink-wrap stuff on them ? And this is an Acura, not a Kia.

Baggie test it. If it feels rough, THEN clay it.

Baggie test it. If it feels rough, THEN clay it:thumbsup:

The Acura should be no differentto take care of than your MINI and all the advice you have gotten for the MINI will work on the Acura.

Dont wax for at least three months from build date, the paint is still setting. However, I do agree, get some clay on there, possibly some hand Glaze, wait a few months, enjoy the new car, then wax it. And dont use Dawn, it says right on the bottle, not for auto finishes. It will dry out your rubber seals.

i know im going to sound not so smart.. but can't help it, im learning..
what exactly is clay.. and why? and how please? not to steal the thread but i have seen this on more then one thread.. and im curious

Griots Garage Clay is what I have used for years. It takes the surface contaminates off the paint giving you a nice smooth finish to start polishing and protecting. (In your case, glazing)If you dont you run the risk of pulling those contaminates off your paint and into your polish/wax pad, grinding them into your paint as you work around you car with your polish/wax.

I believe that back in the day the wait might have been desirable, but the paint on today's cars is fully cured right from the factory. You can apply wax as the car leaves the factory floor if you want.
As for Dawn, agreed that it will damage your rubber since it has very high pH. However once or twice a year to strip old wax and road oils is not going to be too bad. I would not use it every time however. If you apply a trim dressing like Black WOW afterward, life is good.

congrats on the new MDX!!! those 07's look great. I like them. :nod:

I would start off with a nice wash and claybar. a lot of contaminants
from dealer lots while in inventory. then do a quick coat of Epic or just
go straight to Hydro. :)

Do you already have the Epic? If yes, you might as well use that. But if not, consider some Megs #21 or maybe some Zaino. Zaino is generally considered to have the best durability. That is an important consideration for a daily driver.

As far as clay, you can run out to the auto parts store and pick up some Clay Magic. It works just as well, if not better, than any other detailing clay I have used.

h2o2mini

That's correct. The wait time applies only to aftermarket paint jobs from the body shop. The reason is clear.

At the factory, the painted frame can be baked in an oven at high temperatures without fear of explosions from gasoline, etc.. Not true with a fully built car sitting at a body shop! :wink: