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Sedans Honda Accord Honda Accord (2003-2007) Maintenance and Repair
4933 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 5:02 PM
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Replying to: rascal7298 (Jan 22, 2009 10:14 am) |
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I need some help from you all with experience in care care. My daughter just gifted our old 1998 Accord V6 back to us. It has been well taken care of, mechanically, but I know for a fact that the last time it was washed was last summer when she dropped by for a visit and I just had to help out. The finish is in pretty good shape with a few door dings, a scrape, and some white paint from the door post of her garage. What should I do to clean it up, protect it, and hopefully get a few more years out of it. Don't be shy; name names of your favorite products. Thanks in advance.
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Replying to: jfdalton (Jan 23, 2009 8:46 am) You can obviously do all this work yourself and it will be cheaper. However, I have clay barred an Acura Vigor, which is about the same size as you car, and it will take a full day of constant elbow grease. it is not a fun job, it is straight hard work. Any clay bar product will do fine I am sure. And it is very simple to do, again just a lot of work. Clay bar can be found at almost every auto parts store (Kragen, Checker, Napa, Autozone, etc...) If you don't want to do it yourself, find a detailer, not a car wash/detailer combo shop. Find the ones that are in commercial areas like where you would find mechanics. Or find the ones that luxury used car dealers use for their reconditioning. It will cost you a few hundred but if they have to please luxury car dealers than I am sure you will be pleased. Just make sure to mention you want the car clay barred as part of the exterior detail. Clay barring removes dirt, debris, oil and contaminants that are lodged/fused into the paint. If you are really anal you could also ask for a wet sand after the clay bar. But we a re talking about a 10 years accord, not a luxury/collector/sports car. That may be over kill. Again you can easily do all these things if you do not want to pay. It would be a great learning experience as well. You should google the above topics and I am certain you will find a number of sire with how to's on all of this and that will give a more thorough explanation of what does what for your paint. Good Luck!!! PS ~ Last wash a year ago. Better keep guiding your daughter until she finds a spouse who can take car of the "manly" things. |
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Replying to: bunkie1 (Dec 01, 2008 8:22 am)
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Replying to: will43 (Jan 23, 2009 9:59 am) |
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Replying to: jfdalton (Jan 23, 2009 8:46 am) There are lots of good sites on the web that will give you some idea of what needs to be done. You can spend a lot of money and/or time... or you can do some basics yourself. Washing with a good car wash is an important first step. Using a clay bar is crucial but I disagree with Forlorn about it taking all day and needing a lot of elbow grease. Good clay and a good lubricant makes it pretty easy to do. I've never had to rub hard to remove anything... but it is amazing what you'll pick up. You can use various levels of polish to remove scratches (if they aren't too deep) either by hand or with a machine. You aren't going to want to spend time wet sanding on a car like that. To finish, you can either put on a wax or paint sealant. The wax will last 3 months and the sealant longer (but you won't get as deep a shine... probably not something that will concern you with this car.) My CarSpace has some pics of my car with a paint sealant after almost a year to give you an idea. Not all sealants are created equally, however, so get a good one. You can check this forum on Edmunds: Paint & Body Maintenance & Repair for more info. As I said earlier, there are many other websites that will give you all the details. Autopia is pretty popular and has lots of tips. My personal favorite is Detailer's Handbook from Griot's Garage. You can read it online at that link for free or you can buy it. It has great info but you don't have to use their products (personally, I love them.) Good luck! |
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Replying to: will43 (Jan 23, 2009 9:59 am) http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/2003-honda-accord-wiring-problem-8584-1- - - 8.html I used the directions at this site, http://www.cdplayerrepair.com/Remtips/accord_rem.htm , and this site, http://www.cardomain.com/ride/561772/3 , to help in removing the stereo. The top panel is difficult to remove, but after you get that off, it goes pretty easily. |
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Replying to: srizvi1 (Jan 02, 2009 11:09 pm) Thanks again for the advice. I went to the Honda Dealer on Friday and took a printout of handa-accessories.com's prices. And the guy was a bit confused at first if he was able to, but then went ahead and matched the online prices (I fibbed a bit and said someone had did it for me before - the truth was that someone did it for elroy5 before  ). So I got to shave a few bucks off of all the items I needed AND didn't have to pay shipping so it worked out well. In the post I am replying to, I listed all the items I had wanted to get: a) Air Filter / Genuine Factory Honda Accord engine air filter - $20.49 - bought two of these b) Micron Air brand Pollen Filter - Also called A/C or Cabin filters. Fits Years 2003-2005, for other years - $15.95 - bought two of these too c) Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF-Z1 - $6.11 - bought 5 of these d) Genuine Factory Honda long life antifreeze/coolant type2 - 1 Gallon Container 50/50 prediluted. - $11.73 - bought 2 of these Final price - $136.20 Now, I have been shopping around a bit with the different dealers in the DC/Baltimore area to find out the costs of the 120k and under services I have to get done: 1) Inspect Valve Clearance (110k miles) 2) Transmission Fluid (120k miles) 3) Coolant (120k miles) 4) Spark Plugs (110k miles) Many of the dealers were pretty high in price for the services, so by me getting the parts, I should have been able to save significant money. However, Sport Honda in Silver Spring was one of the last dealers I e-mailed, and when they responded, it seemed to be most reasonably priced for these 4 services and looking at their breakdown, it seems that by buying my own parts, I prob won't be saving a significant amount. Check out their e-mail to me below: Transmission Fluid Replacement - fluid $36.00 washer $4.00 - Labor $52.00 - our present special $79.95 (a savings of about $12.00) the fluid replacement consists of about 3 quarts... the procedure that you are quoting - 'three successive flushes w/ roadtest' is only done if there is a specific problem with the transmission fluid being burnt - Honda does not recommend a flush of the system unless there is an actual problem - If in fact this procedure was needed the price would be $249.95 - I would be suprised indeed if it turned out to be necessary. Spark plugs - Honda platinum $100.00 regular installation $104.00 /$ 204.00 - there is a si Valve Adjustment - Honda Valve cover gasket $14.00 + labor charge of $156. - when done together - special price is $349.95 - As it is necessary to remove the valve cover to inspect the adjustment there is no seperate charge for the inspection Honda engine coolant for your vehicle $22.00 + labor $72.80 - Special $ 86.95" When I get a chance, I'll post some of the other breakdowns I received from other dealers. I hope all this info helps other Accord owners when they hit services around this mileage.
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Replying to: blufz1 (Jan 08, 2009 8:26 am) |
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