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When I bought the LS last Oct., it had been detailed by the new car dealer who sold it, so I didn't do anything as far as waxing etc. in 2016. The car still beaded water just fine, but since I clayed and waxed my wife's (hers gets that artillery fungus on it from mulch, now I've found it comes off after a wax job), I figured the LS deserves the same. I would run my hand on her car and it was like glass. Then I did the same on the LS and it wasn't. I guess it's a shame that both these cars are outside 365 days/yr., which is why I'm resolved no new cars unless we have a new house with a 3 car garage.
I find that the older I get, the less interested I am in doing this work, yet at the same time, I can't even begin to imagine paying someone else to do it (my YOUNGER brother always tells me he detailed his truck and it was ONLY $260). I mean the clay kit plus wax, good for 2 vehicles, is around $27, so why not. Have to admit the surface area of the LS was larger than I had thought in my head.
The finish is hard to demonstrate in a pic, but it came out smooth as glass....funny you can see the recycle sticker from the trash barrel in the reflection....
p.s. looks like I hadn't buffed the lower part yet when I took this pic, and everyone always asks, "What's the black thing on the trunk?" Then, "That's the best they could do with the wire like that..."
That looks great! I need to use a clay bar on my LS when it gets out of the shop.
I've always wondered what that black thing was on the trunk. I've seen most 2004-2006 LS430's in my area with that on the trunk.
Thanks, yeah, I figure our cars deserve it.....waxing imho does most of the job, but the clay seems to make the surface even a little more slippery...from what I can find the puck was installed at the port (my build sheet says it). Little did I know last year that I would go on to activate the XM (used car $25 for 5 mos., my wife has had $25 for 6 mos. since 2011!), so I've been using it for 6 mos. come Feb '18....
Looks good. I just clayed my LS again 2 weeks ago and instead of using clay, I tried out the clay sponges. Worked really well and I don't have to worry about dropping it. Seems to take much less time too. I recommend also sealing it or doing a ceramic coating. Makes it look cleaner longer and alot of the water won't stick. I use Sonax Polymer Netshield, I did my windows also claying and sealing. Makes a huge difference in the rain.
Car looks great! I've been using the nanoskin mitt or sponge for a few years now and I haven't bought a clay bar since. They last much longer than a clay bar as well.
My buddy says he does a polish in there too...I've never actually done those multi-step jobs....just wax....the clay bar for me is only the 3rd time, 2X with my wife's, 1X with the LS.....
If you've got a good clean clear coat the polish may not give you a noticeable benefit. I just did the clay bar, polish and wax on my single stage white paint 4runner and it made a huge difference. Your finish looks great and congrats and a nice clean up job. I usually reserve a day and take my time to do the full job. With the right tools/materials it does not take too long and the results are always impressive. After the clay bar the paint feels as smooth as the glass.
Thanks Legender....today I waxed the garaged car, but did not clay. I actually feel pretty confident the finish is just not quite as smooth as my wife's and the LS, so the clay works....but I'm ok with it...maybe next year it will get the clay treatment. However, being the smallest of all our cars, it was not as much a chore to wax...meaning I can reach the entire roof without having to stand on the door sill...made the job quite easy...and being garaged I skipped last year.
Over Thanksgiving, my mom said she's bringing her car to get waxed for $26. She misunderstood, $26 is a car wash with wax in the wash! lol
So I offered to clay and wax her car. $27 worth of materials, and enough left to do it next year. Hers is a 2006 Acura garage kept its entire life. Smooth as glass....I'm a big believer now in the clay bar. I think I'm leaning to Mothers > Meguiars, but I have used Meguiars gold class paste for more than 2 decades....(I think)
edit: See that parents? Even though they gave you a hard time in their teens, there was a reason why you had these kids. Just be patient, it may take 10-20 years after they've moved out, to realize it.
Wow. Really nice job on that Acura. I know about the parents thing. One year I did the complete wash, clay bar, polish and wax for my mom for Mother’s Day and now every year she expects the same service. Been 4 years running. My dad’s idea of washing a car is moving it out of the garage when it’s raining.
11-18-17, 03:02 AM
clay bar'd the LS
