Footman

iTrader: (2)

After lurking here for a year, and researching all aspects of the car I finally caved in and bought one... I've managed to meet Darkbrew, Neo, and that QTRWE guy once (i can't spell his name right)...

So I'm expecting the car on Thursday. I'm aware of all the news lately with the update of the RX-8 and such, but frankly, it doesn't matter to me cause I need a car now, and no one can wait forever, cause there is always new stuff on the horizon.

I have a few questions I would like to ask about.

1) Should I claybar and wax the car first time as soon as I pick it up? I have Meguiars 3 step system. Should I use the clay and then skip to step 3, because I heard that step 1 and step 2 will strip the clearcoat? Is that true?

2) JDM clear corners... any local companies in Ontario selling them around GTA? Khanmotorsports ignored me when I emailed them. Ebay, couldn't find one that ships to Canada. Mazdaparts online has them for like $90 with stealth bulbs but are in the states.

3) Fender strakes - Seems like I'm down to the two best options: Rotary13B1's aluminum ones or the stainless steel chrome ones from some guy in UK going for 73 BRP. What's your take people?

See you guys soon...

burnaby rx-8

-clay bar a new car? hmmm... why? save yourself the work and wait until you need to. you'll know when the surface of your paint is a bit rough and sandpaperlike. I just claybarred my 04 today for the first time and I don't really think I needed it. the clay bar wasn't as dirty as I thought it would have been.

-there are a number of our bcrx8 club members here in BC who have bought clear corners from the japanese supplier on ebay. so keep looking because they do ship to canada

-are you sure you want strakes? be unique and go strakeless! haha wait a bit, or spend the money on other stuff

Rems31

I have yet to meet any members from here and I've had my 8 for over a year now haha...I'm sure you won't regret your decision

DarkBrew

Try coming to a meet!

DarkBrew

Congrats on the car! Let's see.
Leave the claybar till next summer but you should wax (step 3)before winter, get some winter wheels and tires, buy clear corners from the USA and get the Chrome strakes from Rotary13B1 on the group buy deal.

zerobio

Right on! Great decision.

What colour is your car? Strakes are okay in my opinion but I prefer not, at least on a black car. So I think it depends on the colour to some extent.

As for clear corners, I'm in London and a few shops around here couldn't get them (or wouldn't try), I was too lazy to do serious shopping around so I just ordered them from Corksports which is in Vancouver, I think. Canada, at least. They cost me just over $100 all in. It took two weeks to get them in the mail and thanks to the detailed installation text and photos on this website, 10 minutes to put them in.

Good luck with your new 8!

TurboEight

iTrader: (1)

Pm-ed you regarding the JDM corners=)

Footman

iTrader: (2)

TurboEight,

I didn't get any PM's in my mailbox about them.

Zerobio,

I got the 2007 VR, also with the performance package and moon roof. I also added the front, side and rear underdeflectors. I skipped the front mudguard, cause I decided that it ruins the lines a bit.

Darkbrew,

Since I got the perf. package, I'm going to use the OEM rims as winter rims. I"m now in the market for Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 225/45/R18 tires now for a set of 4.

So are you saying that step 1 and 2 indeed does strip the clear coat? In that case, I will just wash the car, dry and then apply step 3?


To all,

Is there anything you guys recommend that is just a one-step application after a clean wash? I.e. Meguiars NXT? I am aware of Zaino, but I think I'll wait till next summer to start the Zaino thing.

DarkBrew

No. You just don't really need to do any prep since the paint is new.

Steps one and two do not hurt the clear coat; they just buffs off the oxidation and prep the surface for the wax.

burnaby rx-8

I used to use the Meguirs 3 step system. The end result is absolutely beautiful but it's also a whole lot of work. I've also used Nufinish and that lasts a pretty long time. It's a 1 step product and really easy to apply and buff off. You continue to see water bead off your car months after too. Not as spectacular as the Meguirs 3 step, but great protection for the winter months.

Neo

Congrats Footman! Hope to you see you soon.

As for the car, follow these guys advice. The car is new so you shouldn't worry about waxing her until the end of fall. The car should be allowed to be exposed to the elements for a month or 2.
Then you can go crazy with the wax application. There are a variety of products people use. Suffice to say, the more work you put into it, the better the results.
I personally use Zymol. You know the saying, if it's good enough for Ferrari...

See you soon!

Lates,

Footman

iTrader: (2)

Do you guys apply wax with applicator and buff off with cloth (no random orbit polishers or any machines)??? Will that create swirl marks?

Leesha

Excellent choice!!
Congrats!!

Leesha

Use NXT for an easy all around EXcellent shine and quick wax job...

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-show-shine-26/meguiars-products-excellent-126138/

Footman

iTrader: (2)

You guys apply this stuff by hand with no machine and it's fine? doesn't leave swirls?

qtwre

iTrader: (1)

Congrats on the purchase.

I apply and buff by hand. Have you never waxed a car before? I would also suggest the NXT. Maybe you should ask your dealer if you can apply wax in the delivery room before you even drive it out. It will never be cleaner.

zerobio

Footman,

Great colour. I might remove the front deflectors also. A number of people have commented on whether they think the appearance components ruin the lines. So far, I like mine.

Willicuddy

I clay bared mine when I first got it and it made a huge difference.

Rube your hand along the car when you get it, and if it feels rough, then clay bar it.

Clay bar only removes impurities on the surface, it won't ruin the clear coat unless you do it improperly.

Neo

It can always be cleaner!

Footman,

Yep, apply by hand. No machine. Leave the machine to the professionals. You don't want to be taking off clear coat.
We all know it's painful to do by hand, but it's the safer way to go.

Take a look at the man who does this for a living! This is the man every body calls up when they want their car to look absolutely prestine!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkli4tQ3kRs

Here's a thread of the same guy but he details a run-of-the-mill car as opposed to an exotic.

http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/vi...=347865&page=1

What we do to clean our cars fails by comparison to what that guy does!

Lates,

Footman

iTrader: (2)

QTWRE,

I wax my car all the time, I have done it by hand. but afterwards, I always end up seeing circular marks on the car. The old car was 10 years old, and when I got it, it had never been waxed, so I might have been seeing the swirl marks before instead of the wax swirls. Or am I not rubbing hard enough?

I do apply the wax in circular motion. Is that incorrect?

Gyro_Bot

Welcome to the club! and congratulations on the purchase of this great car! I hope you enjoy your car for a long long time.

The clay bar is mostly useful when your paint has accumulated grime build up. (Usually from trees or just road grime) I would apply NuFinish at some point as a base protector on your car, after this, I'd suggest the Mcguiars NX TechWax, or the 3step method, they will both prove excellent.

Leesha

I apply the wax by hand and use my cordless buffer to remove it after it dries. I don't apply pressure. Just uses lightly...

climacus

Try some Zaino wax. It lasts a lot longer than NXT and is really easy to apply and wipe off. It doesn't look as nice as a real carnauba wax, but it's a lot less work.

Neo

You guys are so lazy! lol

eug

iTrader: (2)

Congrats on the purchase footman!

Depends which product you use. After years of using the 3-step Meguire's system, I switched to Zaino's sealant system (not a wax), and I can tell you it is -not- any less work. Handcoating one coat of Z5 followed by two coats of Z2, with Z6 in between each, that's still a lot of work. But you can't beat the reflective shine:



It may not have the warmth of carnuba wax, but it is much more durable.

The Z-AIO is much quicker and simpler, but I doubt the results will be the same.