New TL

6

65redcorvette

New member
I'm getting a new Acura TL next week.(black) I've had black cars before and well know what I'm in for, but this is the first new one since I've been on Autopia. Now that I'm as nuts about the cars as the rest of you, is there anything I can do right from the start to minimize the swirls on the car? Should I not have the dealer "detail" it prior to pickup? I've used the Klasse twins and Menzerna with good results on my current vehicle and like both of them.
 
Tell the dealer to NOT EVEN touch it, tell them to keep the car wrapped!!!!!





The dealer created a lot of swirls in my CL when I bought it new in 99 :(





btw, enjoy it, the new TL is a sweet car, did you get the 6 speed?
 
I ended up with the auto since I've got a back problem although I would have preferred the manual it doesn't work for me on a daily driver.
 
Revisit your washing technique so that you do not introduce swirls to the paint. Congrats on the TL.
 
Picking it up today, I told the dealer not to "detail" it. Any advice as to what I should use as from the start? I've used BF, AIO/SG and Menz FMJ before.
 
Get a good walfe weave towel like the big blue from CMA, it will solve most of your problems. I've owned a couple of black cars and i love them, if you use the right products it will be fine.



Stick with the FMJ, it's one of my favorites
 
65redcorvette said:
I'm getting a new Acura TL next week.(black) I've had black cars before and well know what I'm in for, but this is the first new one since I've been on Autopia.
Click to expand...



I hvae had my 2004 Nighthawk Black Pearl TL since December 31st. It's a wondeful vehicle. The color is, as you say, a real pain to keep clean -- as are all black vehicles. But, being an Autopian, it should just add to your fun! :cool:



Anyway, th rewards of having it look so darn good when it's detailed make it worht the effort. Good luck with yours. you'll love it! :up
 
Technique is far more important than product when aiming to avoid swirls. Ensure you are using proper techinque when washing and drying your vehicle and you should avoid most swirls. Other detailing related activites that are performed less often (like claying, polishing, sealing) also require appropriate technique in order to avoid swirls. The hall of fame forum has many good threads that offer best practices for all activities.



Bill.
 
BillNorth said:
Technique is far more important than product when aiming to avoid swirls.....
Click to expand...

:xyxthumbs what he said.



What ?!?! A new TL owner and they haven't recommended Zaino ?...lol....If you have the AIO/SG combo already, maybe start with that.....and don't forget the clay.



Oh, and Congrats on the TL :D
 
Be careful with that Acura/Honda black paint. I had a Nighthawk black 04 Accord coupe that I traded in that swirled like CRAZY! I probably could have scratched it with cotton ball!

So be extra super careful with it.

I just used AIO/SG on my (black) car for the first time this past weekend and it looks awesome on black!

Better call the night before AND morning you pick it up to make sure they don't touch it AT ALL!

Congrats! :)
 
Now I've got a couple of more questions. The car has brushed aluminum trim, inside and out, what do you use to clean it? Second, the dash pad feels like a textured rubber, any ideas? Third and most perplexing, the wheel wells are covered with a carpet-like stuff, I have absolutely no idea what it is or how to clean it. So far since its summer, I've just been hosing it off, but the snow and salt are going to be a mess.
 
65redcorvette said:
Thanks to all, I think I love this car. Kinda upsets the wife, but too bad.
Click to expand...



I have an '04 TL as well. Traded in my '03 TL-S because I fell in love with the '04's when they came out. You'll love your new car. Just curious. Why is the wife upset?
 
65redcorvette said:
Now I've got a couple of more questions. The car has brushed aluminum trim, inside and out, what do you use to clean it?
Click to expand...



For the the outside, I just use whatever wax/sealant I'm applying at the time. For the inside, I use Woolite solution to clean it. I haven't found the need to polish it yet so I'm not sure what I'll use for that.



65redcorvette said:
Second, the dash pad feels like a textured rubber, any ideas?
Click to expand...



You're right. It is texturized rbber in the spots it's not vinyl. So far, I've just used Vinylex on it along with the rest of the vinyl dash. However, I've purchased some 303 protectant and am planning on trying that



65redcorvette said:
Third and most perplexing, the wheel wells are covered with a carpet-like stuff, I have absolutely no idea what it is or how to clean it. So far since its summer, I've just been hosing it off, but the snow and salt are going to be a mess.
Click to expand...



To me, it feels like a fine astro-turf. I was told it's there to reduce road noise in general and deaden the sound of picked up stones, etc. specifically. So far, I only clean and don't dress it. I think dressing may cause the stuff to lose its texture and therefore its sound-deadening capacity. I use a brush with the remaining car wash water/soap and then rinse. So far, it seems to stay relatively clean. There is no way to make it shiny.



Good lucjk with your TL!:up
 
Thanx for the replies, mine is also the Nighthawk Black Pearl(who comes up with these names?). Its got flecks of blue and gold in that you can see when the sun hits it just right. Awesome! The wife thinks I like the car more than I do her. At least it doesn't nag me!
 
I have an '04 TL as well. Traded in my '03 TL-S because I fell in love with the '04's when they came out. You'll love your new car. Just curious.
Click to expand...



I did the same thing. Different car though. I had an 03 Maxima SE that i traded in for an 04 Maxiam SE. Lost a couple of bucks :eek: but it was worth it !





To me, it feels like a fine astro-turf. I was told it's there to reduce road noise in general and deaden the sound of picked up stones, etc. specifically. So far, I only clean and don't dress it. I think dressing may cause the stuff to lose its texture and therefore its sound-deadening capacity. I use a brush with the remaining car wash water/soap and then rinse. So far, it seems to stay relatively clean. There is no way to make it shiny.
Click to expand...



I have the same "stuff" in my rear wheel wells. I've been spraying a bit of liquid tire shine in there. The same stuff that i use on the inside of the wheelwells in the front. It looks like it is holding up pretty good after a couple of months. I hope that it helps with reducing the amount of snow that will probably stick to the astro-turf in the winter. I don't know how it does in the snow yet.



Anyways 04 TL is agreat looking car. :xyxthumbs



Bob
 
65redcorvette said:
Thanx for the replies, mine is also the Nighthawk Black Pearl(who comes up with these names?). Its got flecks of blue and gold in that you can see when the sun hits it just right. Awesome! The wife thinks I like the car more than I do her. At least it doesn't nag me!
Click to expand...



I have that color too! Oh! and my wife says I like mine more than her too -- but I think she's kidding. :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top