Newbie with some knowlwdge - dangerous!

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waxacura

New member
Hi, have spent lots of time reading about IF, IO, AA, ZZ, you name it, to prepare for my new car, but I'm taking it slow.

I'm getting a one year old Acura CL coupe (7000 miles, garaged) Friday. It is a metallic dark gray called anthracite. I've never had a dark car before, but love the look.

Over the years I've used your garden variety wax, then Nu-finish...(stay with me), and been using Meguiar's cleaner/wax on the last car. I did the Meguiars 3 step once or twice on my Legend Coupe I had, and I've claybarred.

Anyway, I've decided to take it slow on the new CL. gonna clean it good and carefully, with supplies I'm getting from Autopia, then clay bar. The cleaner/polish/glaze step has me undecided.

Just to get started I may go with Meg ColorX, and NXT. I want to just get the car clean and protected now. Later I would like to try other products that might really enhance the dark metallic paint I have. But for now, I'm taking it slow.

All by hand now too. Any other suggestions?

thanks, enjoyed reading all the info here, altho a little overwhelming.
 
well my suggestion is to get some S100 from the Harley shop....Clay magic from Autozone......and maybe Autopia's Wash/Dry set.....that should get you basically covered......then as you learn more you can decide what you want/need.....
 
Thanks on the compliment, it's actually my 2nd 6-speed CLS. The first was white/tan, sold it for this anthracite/black/Navi. Acura only made 2500 6 speed CLs, and even fewer with Navi. The shifter Honda put in this car is the best I've driven, and I've driven a lot of em, the 260hp Vtec don't hurt either. Sorry, not bragging, just love this combo.



I generally don't like spoilers, but cheaper to keep it on than repaint the trunk. Any nice plugs I could put in the trunk lid if I remove the spoiler?



I do want to move on to a carnauba finish and anything that helps bring out the depth, but I'm gonna try to familiarize myself with the paint etc, Have never seen this car in person!
 
Welcome waxacura ! Nice car - nice color.



I got a TL-S last summer in Aegean Blue. When the sun is out, man, the car DO SHINE!!! However, the Anthracite looks great too. Was considering that color but the Blue won out.



There are so many good Carnubas that it's hard to choose. You'll just have to try different one's till you hit on one that suits your fancy. You can't go wrong with S100/P21S. I've heard great things about Trade Secret, and of course there's Pinnacle Souveran! Currently I have Megs #26 on the TL-S and as I said, it's lookin' good!



My next wax will be Clearkote's Carunba Wax, a new addition to their line. You gotta try Vanilla Moose. A fantastic glaze that's so easy to use producing beautiful results! Can't go wrong having that on your shelf.



Good Luck. Send pics when you get your CL.
 
Thanks Russ. Would I generally need a cleaner, a poilish, or a glaze? Is a glaze (VM) a wax too? Do you have to do all three, or just one,, esp on a newer car?? It's kinda confusing.



I understand a cleaner deep cleans the clearcoat, but polish and glaze are not as clear. And some waxes contain these and some don't. Polish brings out the color, by treating the clearcoat. I already ordered NXT protectant wax cause I wanted a simple good protector on the paint to start with, since I don't know how well it has been protected up to now.



I plan to wash with dawn to clean everything off, clay bar, then ?, and then maybe COLORX and NTX. but I want to learn about the middle steps more.
 
Yupper, it sure sounds confusing, doesn't it, with all this stuff about detailing? Actually I'm still sorting out this stuff myself but I've gotten down to a few products I wouldn't do without.



I can't comment on NXT as I haven't used it, however many here have and like it.



Let me tell you what I do... Now mind you I'm using a PC which helps tremendously, especially when it comes to cleaning the paint or removing scratches. I don't have to use a paint cleaner because I don't allow the car to get dirty! It's garaged and detailed very frequently during the week. Talk about OC behavior!



Generally I use Top of the Line's "Light Cut" to remove fine scratches. There are many other products like this one. Then I use the Moose! - CLearkote's Vanilla Moose. As I said, great stuff. It's a versatile product in that it cleans, removes fine scratches and puts down a lovely deep shine. Then it's on to the wax to seal it all in.





Now, do you need to use a cleaner on your CL? It depends on the paints condition. It sounds like it's in pretty good shape having been garaged and all. You may simply need to use NXT and then as you said a carnuba as a topper later on. However if you do need to remove scratches, water spots, etc. I'd go with an easy to get cleaner such as Megs #1 in the 3 step series (maroon bottles) or the Mothers equivilent. Easy to use and inexpensive. Then go with NXT. Check out the Search, you'll find a lot of info that will help you.



Don't forget a Cal Duster and QD with some good MF towels to keep in your trunk. You'll need them with Spring here and all the pollen and dust in the air. A dark colored car's best friend!!!



I hope this helps a bit. There a many experienced guys here who I'm sure can help you further.



Keep us posted.
 
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