A lot of nice BMW’s in here.
I bought a dark grey 09 civic in April. First new car I’ve owned. Well, anyways I hear it’s good to get it waxed before winter season. Any recommendations on brands/methods? Never waxed a car before so a little worried I could do more damage than good if done improperly.
Waxing:
Do a two bucket method wash first - [media=youtube]LBo76v2je44[/media]
Then, apply the wax in a THIN coat, using a new cotton applicator and small circular motions. AVOID rubber trim and plastic…PAINT ONLY.
Do this in the SHADE.
Once you finish applying the wax to a panel, do the next panel while the first dries…then you can go back and buff the wax off with a clean cotton towel or tshirt.
Doing multiple applications is recommended for newer cars.
As for what wax to use, you will get all kinds of feedback.
My favorites are Zymol, Maguires, or anything sold by Autogeek: http://www.autogeek.net/
Zymol is dope. I used to be a store manager with autozone, since I ran the show, anytime I wanted to test wax I would. IMO Don’t get caught up in the nano particle hype and as a rule of thumb, carnauba wax has better protection, but is a lot harder to apply and generally not worth the time. Zymol is classified as a cleaner wax, so it is slightly abrasive. All around for the quality and price, Zymol is the way to go, unless you want to invest the time and money with the three step maguires kit, which will be a bitch unless you have a buffer machine.
Thanks. http://www.autogeek.net/mg12711.html The Maguirers polishing paste then. That looks like what I need then. So you guys would recommend that over the paint sealant? I didn’t know about the 2 bucket method either.
I’ll check into that Zymol too. Thanks.
dude, I hope that is better than the first next gen maguiers waxes. They went on easy, but didn’t last worth a fuck…The three step system is excellent, it is a paint cleaner, followed by a polish then a wax. EASILY the best I’ve ever used, but it takes time and a lot of work 
The stuff on that link is legit…its a really good wax from what I hear…better than some of the other “new” offerings from Maguiers.
Zymol is based on natural caranuba wax…the upside is how it feels and looks after you apply it…the downside is that caranuba wax doesn’t last nearly as long as the synthetic waxes and it turns VERY VERY white when it dries…so get it on rubber or plastic molding and its really going to show.
You don’t want to use a paint sealant until your car is at least a full year or two old, btw…so next summer you can try one out.
I use the Zaino paint sealant twice a year…its a lot less work than wax and the beading effect lasts for months.
Help!
Okay, so I drive a 2002 Lancer OZ Rally Edition with almost 100k miles on it. It’s a little busted up but it runs well.
Anyways, yesterday I had just under a half-tank of gas, and I go to turn the car on today and the needle is on E.
A) Is it still possible to siphon gas in this day and age? I thought there were safety measured put in place to stop that sort of thing on newer model cars?
B) Is it possible that the gas gauge went bad overnight?
C) I didn’t see any gas on the ground, but would you immediately suspect a leak?
Cool, because I almost ordered some sealant a couple months ago. Glad I know that I need to wax it instead.
Easiest thing to do is to put more gas in it, or take off your cap and shake the car while listening to see if their is gas in the tank. If there is gas in the car and it still reads empty, then the most likely culprit is your fuel sending unit. It is a sensor that is connected by an arm to a float in your fuel tank, it varies ohm resistance when the float is in different positions, this badboy is hooked up (through wires) to your fuel level gauge and gives it the readout.
LOL, knowing me I would probably mess up during one of the steps. I might try 3 step system next year.
A - It is absolutely easy to siphon gas, especially if your gas door does not lock. Inspect it carefully for signs of damage or forced entry.
B - Yes, it is possible but not probable that either the gage (float in the tank) or the wire that transmits the level to your dash cluster has gone bad.
C - No. If it was leaking you would smell gas for 30’ radius around the car.
I recommend that you try to fill it up…watching carefully how much gas you can put in the tank before the autofill on the nozzle clicks. Read your owner’s manual for the gas capacity and do the math on the difference.
If the gas is literally GONE, then it was almost certainly stolen…half a tank of gas leaked onto the ground would REEK…you would know if it was leaking.
Best practice I’ve been adopting for detailing my car was here:
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-perfect.html
What I do:
1 - wash the car twice, dry thoroughly.
2 - use a clay bar/detail spray to remove the surface contamination that the soap couldn’t get out.
3 - I use the Meguiar’s Step 1 bottle…acts as a swirl remover/paint cleaner.
4 - I polish. Use Klasse All-In-One (CLICK)
5 - Wax. Here’s where I’ve been experimenting with different waxes for different results. I’ve used Meguiar’s Tech Wax for a little while. Then I’ve actually used the Klasse Glaze for a bit. Both of them gave great initial shine, but durability wasn’t there. I switched to, get this: Meguiar’s BOAT Wax (CLICK). Shit is rock hard now. 
Of course, results may vary, so you just gotta invest some time and research into it all.
Nice Z. Don’t particularly care for the wheels, but to each his own. Former '96 slicktop owner, best car I’ve ever owned.
I’m not an expert, but I don’t think they ever made a stock turbo AE86… especially not in the US. If it really is turbo, it’s probably modified.
^I am 99.9% sure you are right as well.
I am hoping I get an '88 MKIII Supra Turbo from Pablo The Mex on friday or so, will post pics if I do. :karate: Super excited about it.
So, I currently have 2 cars. Both civics, One is a 91 4door civic, The other is an 89 hatch. My question to you guys is which one would look better when fixed up? I fuckin LOVE the civic, But the 4door is nice too. But the hatch is my baby and I had plans for it. Which one is better? Anyone have any examples maybe?
Depends on what you plan on doing with the car. pics?
Cant really get pics since my cameras screen is cracked. -_- I didnt get any help in the tech section either, But I plan on painting the hatch and buying some rims for it, Maybe fixing up the interior and adding a few engine mods. Nothing TOO extreme. I was thinking maybe a red paint job with some black rims?
Best wax I have ever used is Swissvax… search for it, if you are going to put in the elbow grease to detail and wax your car, might as well make it worth it.
Ah, I finally bought a winter beater, Mazda 626 LX, and funny enough, it has a combination that I would NEVER accept in a Honda… it’s green with tan leather interior. I hate green (Cypress Green Civic’s or Dark Emerald Pearl Accord) Hondas, and I don’t like leather, nor do I like interiors other than black.
Anyway, I can put my BB6 Prelude away, and do the following:
Right hand drive
S2000 steering wheel
Recaro seats
2.0 F20B block 12:5 pistons
Skunk 2 intake manifold, and cams with valvesprings
Fidanza 8lb flywheel, CC stage 3 clutch, OBX or PG LSD
repaint from Nordic Mist to Vogue Silver Metallic, with bodywork taking care of imperfections
extra hood that I personally draw a murial on
swap my H&R’s for a full coilover set up, LCA’s, tie bars
in dash flush double-din LCD with a XB360 hook up, 2 12’s, components in cabin
It depends, body color, body condition? interior color? Honda cancer? What motors do they have?
Overall, everything you can do to one, you can do to the other.