Brand new RX-8, any recommendations?
 

My car is 2 days old to me, but it's been on the dealer lot for a year. Any recommendations on glaze/wax/polish application?

I've collected some misc. products over the years, most notably Mother's 3-stage products (cleaner, glaze, solid carnauba wax) and some 3M glaze/polish. I want to finish these off before I buy new stuff... But it's probably not recommended to mix products from different manufacturers, right?

Are those California Dusters worth using? I'm shopping for a car cover right now :)

I know I will need to get some wheel cleaner and tire dressing... any suggestions? I think Pep Boys is my best bet here in Monrovia, CA.

So, I got the following at Pep Boys this afternoon: Meguiars NXT paste wax and Gold Class Endurance High Gloss Tire Gel.

I didn't see any glazes in the NXT line, does that mean that glazes are not required with this new "nano" "tech 2.0" wax? :) I was thinking about using my 3M glaze and then applying the NXT wax.

zaino.

For sure Zaino. I just put yesterday and today after Z18 3xZ5 then 3x Z2 and in between Z6 and at the end ZCS and the car looks like a mirror and is smooth like glass. Before I used to use Liquid Glass but it can not match ZAINO

Don't forget to claybar it once in a while. :eyetwitch

you need to clay bar the car before you do anythig to it. you'll be surprise how contaminated some new cars are. after that just hit it with a polish,then wax. i assumed you are doing this by hand, but a porter cable 7424 is a good investment. visit autopia.org and read,read,read the guys in there are very knowledge.

i've never tried zaino myself, but i'm a big believer in meguiar's products. the california duster does work, but will leave miniature scratches and some wax behind (meaning u'll need to take another 10 minutes or so to go through with a detailing spray and a microfiber). The scratches won't be discernable to anyone unless they're really looking for it, but unless u're going to garage the car 24/7, you really can't do much about that.

but yea, the autopia.org forums and car crazy forums will basically tell you the same stuff: wash car, clay car, wash car again (i never saw the point in this), polish (with porter cable or equivalent and a paint cleaner - i prefer meguiar's m80), wax and then sit back and applaud ur own handiwork.

zaino.

get a porter cable as well. definitely useful when you get anal about your paint.

When you say Porter-cable you mean the power tool brand? A buffer?

I saw a similar brush like the California duster, but made of microfiber "yarn". Anyone used one of these before?

I use the Mother's 3 step system. May I ask...what is claybar? Where do I find it, what is it used for?

Claybar is a kind of rubber looking bar. After you clayed you car you can feel it the surface is really, really smooth (doesn´t feel like sand paper anymore). Try it. It is worth it. I think you can get it over the net try zainostore.com

My '05 Shinka also sat on the lot for a year before I purchased. There was some "orange peel" on the roof so I employed my usual 4-step process.

1. Wash with Dawn detergent to remove all prior wax, etc.
2. Claybar, liberally using detailing spray as a lubricant.
3. Random orbital buffer with a very mildly abrasive polish.
4. Wax with a high Carnauba content wax.

Thereafter detailing spray day to day, and Turtle Wax Ice after regular washings with the Mr. Clean washing system (deionized water rinse is sublime).

I like Griot's Garage products (mail order), but Meguiar's are excellent and locally available.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-show-shine-26/meguiars-products-excellent-126138/ Follow the steps they recommend and watch the vids...

Clay bar is just that, a bar of clay. But not just any chunk of modeling clay -- it's designed to be rubbed against your car's paint surface to pull minute pieces of dust and other foreign materials out of your paint. It makes it really smooth, to prepare for a nice polish/wax. I'm gonna clay bar my car before my next wax.

Thanks for the link Leesha, I browsed the Meguiar's site before I bought the NXT paste wax.

Change the oil NOW.

Start premixing NOW!

damn, why didn't I realize that sooner... will do, thanks!

AJ has a point as well. The 2008 doesn't have a 3-oil-port Rennie so premixing is a good idea.

I premix at 4 oz./tank most of the time, 6 oz./tank during the hot summer months. '07, purchased BN 3/07, 7100 miles. Idemitsu only.

Can you guys point me in the right direction on learning what premixing is and any other important info on the RX8? I'm new to rotaries and will admit that I am not very knowledgeable in general with car mechanics. Thanks! :)

Pre-mixing is simply adding 2-stroke oil to your gas to help lubricate the rotary's apex seals. The 09's have a third oil injector, somewhat negating the need.

There are HUGE threads on the subject, including debates on the add'l lubrication vs. potential premature cat converter fouling.

For racing premix is a very good idea. For daily driver it's a bit of a nice to have item.

I use 4 oz. Idemitsu per tankful of gas in my '05. http://www.idemitsu-usa.com/page_210.htm

I would add that it is important to NOT use any-old 2-stroke oil, especially the stuff with dye in it. The dye has been known to clog our fuel filters. The Idemitsu is specially formulated for rotary engines, and is only about $60/case (12 quarts). Follow Huey's advice and search the premix threads, lots of good info there.

Idemitsu makes nice products. I use their premix and it works wonders. Helped bring an 87 gtu with 130k on it back to life. That plus creative use of bg44k.

As far as waxes/polishes go, I'm a fan of meguiars NXT 2.0. I use it on my 07 rx8 with 8k miles on it. Looks beautiful.

I wash the car weekly, or every two weeks at the longest with a clear coat safe wash. I prefer ICE by turtle wax. Very mild.

To prep the paint I use regular dawn, NO additives or scents. They will leave residue. Just get the blue stuff.

Then rinse with regular water.

Use Meguiars paint cleaner, its a super mild polish that doesn't scratch, helps take off water spots and any bug residue. If you have bugs or tar, use a bug and tar remover first, then rinse, then use the paint cleaner.

I then rinse with softened water. I use the Mr. Clean kit with the ionizer pack.

Dry the car with chamios or good quality microfiber towel (not something you can purchase locally, autopia.org is an excellent source). The microfiber towels you get locally are extremely cheap and of poor quality.

I then apply one coat of the meguiars NXT 2.0. Let dry and take a 100% cotton towel and wipe off the dried wax. I then apply a second coat. Let dry then wipe off. I then use a very soft short thread terry cloth to buff the wax til it shines.

During the whole process you have to make sure you keep whatever you are using to wash, apply, buff the car with is kept CLEAN! If you ever notice the cloth is holding a lot of dirt or dust, change sides. That dust/dirt in the cloth will scratch.

Another key point is to only use the cloth for one purpose. Never use it to do 2 different things. Sure it means you will have to accumulate more of them but it will produce much more brilliant and sleek results.

Just thought I'd update this thread :)

I've had my car for about a year now, still looks good except for a few rock chips. Gotta find some touch up paint for the Metropolitan Gray... nobody carries it :(

Been using Meguiar's NXT2.0 as my primary wax. Just got some Griot's Garage polishes and a Griot's random orbital (first one burned out when I was practicing on my bro's truck so I didn't get to use it on the 8). Used Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner on my seats, they're better than when I first got the car :) Stoner's glass cleaner on the glass.

Still having problems with white marks on the black texture hard plastic on the exterior from my first NXT2.0 wax job... Griot's wax cleaner doesn't work on this... maybe cause it's silicone based? Got all the calcium marks off with vinegar and Q-tips =)

I'm awaiting my Racing Beat REVi intake and RAM air duct, along with the mesh screens for the coolers. Contemplating the Fluid Motorworks oil cooler fans too... Also awaiting compatibility confirmation for the XCarLink USB/BT MP3 add-on for the stock head unit.

theres a thread about cleaning and about premixing