Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. We're all supposed to be concerned only over performance and technical aspects of the ITR, and we're not supposed to care about appearances. Well, maybe I'm weird. But I really like the ITR, I enjoy owning one, and I'm proud to own it, so I like to keep it looking nice. I also like to take care of my cars (all my cars) so that when they're ten years old, they still look almost showroom new. Don't like it? So sue me.

With the ITR Expo 4 coming up the end of next week, and with last week's absolutely delightful weather in Chicago (sunny and dry and about ten degrees cooler than our normal highs in the low eighties), I thought this would be a good time to go over good ol' PY 01-1091 with a full detailing. So I did. I started by washing the car with Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner.

Then, I went panel by panel. I used Zymol HD-Cleanse next. It works a lot like the clay products, only it's a liquid so it's easier to use, and it removes oxidation, tar, black marks from tire chunks hitting the car on the track, lots of little black specks (from brake pads?) on the side panels, etc. Makes the finish "squeaky clean" (yes, the towel even squeaks when you're done). I normally do this on a "spot" basis, like for those tire spots, but I only go over the whole car about once every year or two.

Finally, I topped it off with a nice shiny coat of Zymol Japon, a wax that contains 37 percent carnauba and is especially formulated for the finishes used by Japanese manufacturers. Smells sooooo nice (like a pina colada!) and puts down a deep, rich, long-lasting gloss. Again, I use this on a "spot" basis (because the HD-Cleanse removes the wax, so any time I use the HD on a spot, I use this too) but I only go over the whole car about once a year, maybe twice. With keeping it garaged and our mild climate, that's enough to keep it shiny.

Here's how it came out. Kind of hard to see, especially since lighter colors (PY or CW) reflect more light themselves, and this somewhat obscures the reflection of the surroundings, which makes it more difficult to distinguish in a photo, but you can still get the idea.

Of course, by the time I arrive at the Expo, the front end of the car will be covered with bugs from the 400-mile trip, but that's what car washes are for - and afterwards, I'll be able to wipe off all those teeny tiny water beads and you'll be able to see that nicey nice shine! Until I take it out on the track, and put more tire marks onto the finish... and start the process all over again.

See you at the Expo!

 

Looking clean as a whistle, at least for the moment I will enjoy meeting you at the expo.

 

It actually doesnt look blingy in the pictures Get a better camera

 

you have an nsx too.....you own a computer networking company...dude pull out some pocket change and buy a better camera

 

Look'in good man, how about some pics of the "other" car?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boston &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It actually doesnt look blingy in the pictures Get a better camera </TD></TR></TABLE>

yea get a better camera

 

heh... wash it?

I have a feeling that many a ITR owner will cry when they see my car at exb0.

 

Ken, you's a stunna.

But I would be proud to partake of a apple pancake with you on next Thursday.

Chris - who thinks he should have said 'i would be proud to partake of your pecAn pie....'

CHris again - watchign too much tv.

 

Pics of the NSX too please!

 

Where'd up get that blingy stuff Ken? Especially the cleanser. Since I've tried most of Meguires and still had no luck removing all of the hawk blue crap right behind the front wheels. I guess thank God my R is black and you can't see the black junk as much.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Willard &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a feeling that many a ITR owner will cry when they see my car at exb0.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Newcastle front end, please!!!

 

My R is covered in pencil marks from my baby nephew who drew on it while I was on vacation while my mom wasn't watching him

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by opie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My R is covered in pencil marks from my baby nephew who drew on it while I was on vacation while my mom wasn't watching him </TD></TR></TABLE>

Owch.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by opie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My R is covered in pencil marks from my baby nephew who drew on it while I was on vacation while my mom wasn't watching him </TD></TR></TABLE>

just take an eraser to it

 

&lt;--- was hoping for Chris93Si-esque shots.

Nice thread and car nonetheless.

 

lookn nice ken..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 01-1293 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you own a computer networking company</TD></TR></TABLE>

No I don't. Never did.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 01-1293 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">buy a better camera</TD></TR></TABLE>

This roll came out particularly bad. Taken with a 35 mm film camera scanned onto CD-ROM. I think they did a really crappy job with the scanning this time. But if I send it back (I probably will), I might not get the re-done photos back before the Expo.

 

Come on now Ken...........clean is for that Stunna look yO !

J/K........looks like you know your product!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

This roll came out particularly bad. Taken with a 35 mm film camera scanned onto CD-ROM. I think they did a really crappy job with the scanning this time. But if I send it back (I probably will), I might not get the re-done photos back before the Expo.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dang, Ken. You really do need a better camera. Could we convince you to buy a digital camera? I think most of HT's CW ITR's have better shine than the PY pictured.

 

Ken you really need to keep up with the modern world ok? You being 100yo is not an excuse. Please get rid of your camera.

 

Woah...those pics look like they're from the 80's...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Willard &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">heh... wash it?

I have a feeling that many a ITR owner will cry when they see my car at exb0.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good thing I'm not bringing mine! My R makes me even want to cry!! (smashed lower rad support [still attached and doing its j0rb tho], tweaked frame rail in front, something bent in rear, still not sure what, dent in RR quarter panel with some chipped paint (three or four of them), destroyed front lip/front bumper)

Chris - got some estimates and figures work will be started in the next few weeks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by opie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My R is covered in pencil marks from my baby nephew who drew on it while I was on vacation while my mom wasn't watching him </TD></TR></TABLE>

LMAO! Being that he is your nephew he probably drew the shockaR right smack in the middle of your hood. Right? Please tell me I'm right, it would make my day.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. We're all supposed to be concerned only over performance and technical aspects of the ITR, and we're not supposed to care about appearances. Well, maybe I'm weird. But I really like the ITR, I enjoy owning one, and I'm proud to own it, so I like to keep it looking nice. I also like to take care of my cars (all my cars) so that when they're ten years old, they still look almost showroom new. Don't like it? So sue me.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm the same way! Car looks great

 

lol Ken used "bling" and "nicey nice" in the same post!