2006 Acurs RSX Needs Help!

[Scott]

I recently bought a 2006 Acura RSX Type-S with about 15K miles. It is in decent shape, but I don't think it has been ever waxed and may have been kept outdoors. It has a fair amount of car wash brush scratches and other minor scratches. My question is, what will be the best process for me to use to restore it to a new car like shine? Here is what I was thinking:

1. Good soap & wash
2. Clay bar
3. Wash again???????
3. Either go over the whole car with ScratchX or #83 (I have both)
4. Wash again???????
5. NXT (I also have on-hand)

Will this be enough to accomplish what I want? Also, since I am in Nebraska and the high these days is about 10, what is the temperature I need to have to do this? I do NOT have a heated garage.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions!

[LacViet]

Re: 2006 Acurs RSX Needs Help!

This is what I do if the car is mine:
1. wash
2. clay
3. apply #83 by DA (scratchX by hand will take very long time and not very efficient if the car has lots of scratches)
4. apply #80 (optional)
5. apply NXT wax twice.
I would venture out and guess the fist 4 steps can do at any temp. (as long it's not freezing) since you don't need to let #83 dry before wipe off. The outside temp should be around 50F or higher to be good to wax since you will need to let the wax dry and with low temp/ high humidity wax will takes long time to dry. Hope it helps.

[Scott]

Re: 2006 Acurs RSX Needs Help!

Thanks! That is probably what I will do. I'm not sure if it will even get above 10 here today, but my son has a heated garage that he invited me over to use. I just hope the #83 will get the scratches and swirls out. The main thing I want to accomplish is to just get a decent coat of wax on it here for protection for the winter sand and salt.

[Scott]

Re: 2006 Acurs RSX Needs Help!

Just too cold this weekend to do anything. High predicted today of 9.

[Scott]

Re: 2006 Acurs RSX Needs Help!

The other big problem that I am going to have is the exhaust tip. It is from the factory, so I assume that it is probably stainless steel. Well, the car is one year old, and I don't think the previous owner ever did anything to keep it clean and shiny (or the whole outside of the car for that matter). So, it is just filthy and I am not sure it will ever look decent again. Any ideas on how to clean the soot and crud off of this thing? I was thinking maybe polishing compound?

[Graeme]

Re: 2006 Acurs RSX Needs Help!

You could try using NXT All Metal Polish

http://www.meguiars.com/?chrome-aluminum-care/NXT-Generation-All-Metal-Polysh

[Scott]

Re: 2006 Acurs RSX Needs Help!

After reading quite a few other threads, it sounds like I should be using ScratchX to remove the swirls/scratches since it was made to be used by hand, and #83 is not. It may take more time, but it sounds like the right product for what I am trying to do. Thoughts??

Fo my exhaust tip, I used some metal polish that my wife has for her stainless steel poys/pans, and it worked great. I had it cleaned up in a matter of 5 minutes! Not sure of he name of it, but I can get it if anyone wants to know.