2004 Honda Civic Ex Newbie Seeks Help

HondaMan

HondaMan

2004 Civic EX magnesium
Greetings, just told about this site a week ago and this is my first attempt to post. I'm still navigating the site, so if some of the stuff I inquire about has already been posted or is in a readily-acccisble part of the pages, please bear with me.

I just purchased a brandnew 2004 Honda Civic Ex (magnesium metallic finish). Haven't washed or waxed it yet. So I'm interested in the basics in taking care of it the right way -- with the caveat that this isn't a $100,000 Porsche or $60,000 Corvette, so I might not need to go to the "nth" degree in getting super-expensive washes or waxes or claying/detailing things now or later.

Anyway....

(1) I presume it's OK to wash the car a few weeks in, after the dealer prepped the car and clear coated it, but what about waxing? Is that a waste at this stage (car is 3 weeks old).

(2) Any car washes or waxes to avoid or definitely get? Or are we basically saying that any mid-priced stuff you find in an auto store or auto section of Target/Wal-Mart is basically OK (no, I won't use those 2-in-1 wash & wax mixtures, always seemed too quick and simple than doing each thing separately).

(3) Should I be looking at detailing and/or this "claying" thing right away or maybe in 6 months or a year?

Thanks again...hope to contribute down the line once I'm up to speed and feel I can make a relevant contribution.
 
What do you mean the dealer "clear coated" it? Are you talking about the paint or some kind of paint protection product that they push? Depending on the manufacture date, you should be able to wax it already unless it has been less than 90days since manufacturing. You can clay, wash and polish it anytime, you do not have to wait to do that. I would definetly recommend claying, it will make a bigger difference than you could imagine. If you are looking to buy OTC products, than you cant go wrong with Megs or Mothers, IMO. But if you are willing to buy online, than I would definetly check out www.premiumautocare.com or www.poorboysworld.com (also in NY) or www.autogeek.net all those products that they carry are top notch stuff and you cant go wrong. Also check these links
, guide to detailing ,acronym list those should keep you busy awhile :rolling

oh yeah :welcome

Eric
 
HondaMan said:
Greetings, just told about this site a week ago and this is my first attempt to post... what about waxing? Is that a waste at this stage (car is 3 weeks old)...Should I be looking at detailing and/or this "claying" thing right away or maybe in 6 months or a year?
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Welcome to DC -- Stick around and you will learn allot!!

As to the first item (waxing), would you wait until your vehicle starts belching white smoke before you changed the oil? Waxing is preventative maintenance for your paints surface and should be done quite regularly. For the claying, that might be done "as needed" -- it might be now, it might not be for a year -- but when it's ready for it, if you stick around, so will you. As for wax's there are so many out there that I will let others help you find the right one -- my $0.02 is use the one that works best for you within your budget (and it might not be a bad idea to support some of the DC sponsors -- I hear their stuff is pretty good ;) )
 
Thanks guys....I'm open to buying from the sponsors on this site....the links you gave me, I will check out....if I can buy the products at a local store, I guess it's the same benefit. If I can't, I guess I can order online and wait.

I remember when I had a Corvette in the late 1980's and it just took an hours research or so to buy the right car wash stuff and waxes (I remember buying Liquid Glass). Today, there's so much stuff and information you can fry your brain. Thanks for the guidance...I'll check 'em out and report back. Thanks for reminding me to patronize those who make getting quality information easy. Definitely something we should ALL be doing.
 
Elortt, I meant presumably the standard non-colored paint that all dealer do when prepping the car (my brother is a big Honda buyer, this was my first, he's the one telling me it's clear coated, no need to rush out and clearn/wax right away, etc).

BTW, I checked out the sites and have some shopping carts ready to go. I presume if I buy this PoorBoys stuff through Premium's site that I'm still utilizing both places? I could buy some of Poorboys stuff direct through them but I figure why do 2 separate purchases.
 
Welcome Hondaman, oh activate your pm please, or else we won't be able to pm you some goody info ;)
 
HondaMan said:
Elortt, I meant presumably the standard non-colored paint that all dealer do when prepping the car (my brother is a big Honda buyer, this was my first, he's the one telling me it's clear coated, no need to rush out and clearn/wax right away, etc).

BTW, I checked out the sites and have some shopping carts ready to go. I presume if I buy this PoorBoys stuff through Premium's site that I'm still utilizing both places? I could buy some of Poorboys stuff direct through them but I figure why do 2 separate purchases.
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Honda,

Most cars are clearcoated nowadays, straight from the factory, only a few aren't. But the clearcoat is still a layer of paint. It just doesnt have any pigment and is a bit harder and more durable. If you do not take care of it, it will oxidize and swirl and scratch. No offense, but yor bro, doesnt have a clue if he told you the clear needs no care :nono The clear is subject to everything, UV, pollution, rain etching etc. Take care of the clear if you want it to look good for a long time

Eric
 
Thanks, Erlott I will......FYI, I am ordering the following "starters kit" and you or anyone else can comment: The Microfiber towel, 4-Star Ultimate Clay Combo Kit, Poorboys Professional Polish (16 oz), SSR1 (16 oz), Poorboys PVA Sponges (4), 1 Clay Magic Fine bar, 1 Poorboys Polish w/ Carnuba 12 Oz.

I figure I can buy a regular bucket at Wal-Mart, but otherwise, I had nothing and hope this is a good start.

I hope I'm not in over my head and have enough to do the right job, not shortchanging or going overkill. Any comments appreciated.
 
Hmm curious why you got the 4* clay combo kit and a clay magic bar? I take it your going to do all the work by hand right? - Well you sure got enough clay! :lol

So - first step is wash the car
then clay it -

weird part is the rest of your order - you really don't need ssr1 since it's new but good to have on hand:) - Professional Polish is a polish and Polish with Carnuba is a polish so not sure why you got both ;) but..

so after claying I would go with SSR1 - you can apply to the whole car (don't use a lot a little goes a long way) then remove - then finish up with Polish with Carnuba which leaves a great carnuba shine.

If you are looking for a bit more I would order some EX to top off the Polish with Carnuba and you should be good to go!
 
Thanks, Gro....yeah, I realize I was buying 2 clay bars....just figured I could have 1 in reserve or more likely use the 4* on the other cars and save the Clay Magic FINE for my new Honda in a few months. Ditto the SSR1 stuff -- for down the line.

I thought the Polish orders were duplicates -- couldn't tell from the labeling. I'm used to buying something with the word "WAX" -- thought the Polish moniker might be a pre- or post-wax application.

I can delete it or keep it in reserve.

My first journey to Detail Heaven isn't gonna be a straight line, as you can tell. Just wanted to make sure I'm somewhat pointed in the right direction -- have already absorbed a lot thanks to good folks like you. Thanks.
 
:welcome to DC. I think there is definitely answers to your questions here. Its just a matter of figuring out what the questions are first. :lol It looks like you are off to a good start.
 
heh - your going to end up like me a garage full of products!!! - ;) -I'm betting your color is similar to mine - I have an antharcite grey TL-S ;)
 
Gro, it's a greyish gold color, yes. I was originally going with Silver, but when I was getting ready to buy in the last few days leading up to the purchase, I must have seen 1,000,000 silver Civics! I liked the color, but didn't want to be in that large a crowd. I liked the blue they had on paper but not on the car; the dark red they had looked good on both but I am not a "red" person (though I had a dark red 1988 Vette).

It's a decent color, pretty rare, and is kinda greyish-goldish-brownish that people tend to look at it. Hopefully, I can take care of it as well as I did the Vette....
 
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