[thegazelle]

My 2004 MDX has quite a bit of rust on it, around the rear quarter panels, around the doors, in the front panels - apparently this is quite normal for that vintage. It would cost too much to fix it, so I got the car rustproofed last month to slow it down and I will just live with it.

Over the weekend, I gave my 2008 MDX a car wash, as I am bought some touch up paint and was planning to fix a few minor nicks and such. What surprised me was finding two very small spots of rust....one in the right rear quarter panel - it is literally 1/4 of a size of a grain of rice - literally a little spot but there is a small bubble beside it. The other one is probably 3/4 of a grain of rice and it is in a weird spot - right above the door handle on the left back passenger door (top left of the door handle, almost against the frame).

I am obviously planning to get both of these fixed, probably professionally done since I can't do squat myself. I had the car rustproofed earlier this month.

I assume I don't just paint over it and then apply clearcoat - I suspect probably the shop will want to sand it down, reprime, and then paint. The quarter panel I am not suprised...but how the rust got to the edge of the door handle at the top is weird. But I will get a professional shop to do this.

Do any of your 2Gs have any rust on it, even if it is a minor, minor spot, and if so, how did you deal with it? I did not see these when I bought the car, but I could have easily missed it.

 

[Priscillababy]

My 2004 MDX has quite a bit of rust on it, around the rear quarter panels, around the doors, in the front panels - apparently this is quite normal for that vintage. It would cost too much to fix it, so I got the car rustproofed last month to slow it down and I will just live with it.

Over the weekend, I gave my 2008 MDX a car wash, as I am bought some touch up paint and was planning to fix a few minor nicks and such. What surprised me was finding two very small spots of rust....one in the right rear quarter panel - it is literally 1/4 of a size of a grain of rice - literally a little spot but there is a small bubble beside it. The other one is probably 3/4 of a grain of rice and it is in a weird spot - right above the door handle on the left back passenger door (top left of the door handle, almost against the frame).

I am obviously planning to get both of these fixed, probably professionally done since I can't do squat myself. I had the car rustproofed earlier this month.

I assume I don't just paint over it and then apply clearcoat - I suspect probably the shop will want to sand it down, reprime, and then paint. The quarter panel I am not suprised...but how the rust got to the edge of the door handle at the top is weird. But I will get a professional shop to do this.

Do any of your 2Gs have any rust on it, even if it is a minor, minor spot, and if so, how did you deal with it? I did not see these when I bought the car, but I could have easily missed it.

this could come across as a very subjective post, but my 2009 MDX has NO rust on it (with the exception of the stock wheel/brake rotors area- which I've since REPLACED a couple years into ownership)...as for the lack of rust on my MDX I believe that a large reason(s) behind this is that over the years I've meticulously kept my MDX obsessive compulsive level clean, sheltered in garages (home & work), and most importantly have regularly used ZAINO paint sealant/enhancer products to keep my paint looking new!!! this stuff really works and I believe it's created a barrier on my paint which has significantly slowed down/resisted normal paint oxidation processes...while it's not the cheapest stuff available, if you do your research, you'll note that ZAINO is almost always mentioned as one of the most recommended car detailing products when researching, Acura, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche message boards 'detailing' related threads...you won't hear of this stuff being mentioned on a Chevy message board!!!bwahahahahaha LOL

in summary the paint on my 2009 MDX STILL looks almost as good as some of these 2017/late model vehicle paint jobs! :29: (I've since made it a habit to use Zaino on all my new cars right from the get go...if your paint is already oxidized and you have lots of rust, then it may be too late to reap the benefits of Zaino ).

alot of the resentment I have for GM cars (and perhaps even deeper my disdain for stealerships altogether) in general stems from the fact that all of the cars in my family used to be GM b/c we have lots of engineers in the family who work for the Big 3- and there's this discount that they've been able to pass along to family members resulting in one GM car being bought after another...the quick rust that had developed on my former $30K Oldmobile SUV was such a joke- the paint quality (let alone the OVERALL lack of quality throughout the car itself which turned out to be a moneypit car, requiring one endless repair after another- car was at stealership getting the same major repairs every 6-8 months!) was absolutely horrendous!!!!- rust could be seen on all parts of the crappy GM car only several years into ownership of the P.O.S....i will NEVER buy a GM car again.

 

[PRGonzalez]

As a general rule, always wash your car specially under after the roads have been salted for snow. Keep fresh water running on wheel wells, transmission, axles, steering, etc for a while until the salt is dissolved and sand comes off from the car. Keep paint protected with car wax at least every six months.

 

[thegazelle]

I just got the vehicle at the end of March, so not sure what the previous owner did or not do. The car is in great condition otherwise. But it has been through several Canadian winters, so no doubt the salt/snow combo is bad. My old 2003 Sentra I didn't wash for 7 years (yes, my bad and my fault), and that took a toll, and I learned my lesson the hard way once it was rusted out badly. I have changed my practices and wash once every two weeks in the summer and in the winter, I wash once a week now.

 

[thegazelle]

this could come across as a very subjective post, but my 2009 MDX has NO rust on it (with the exception of the stock wheel/brake rotors area- which I've since REPLACED a couple years into ownership)...as for the lack of rust on my MDX I believe that a large reason(s) behind this is that over the years I've meticulously kept my MDX obsessive compulsive level clean, sheltered in garages (home & work), and most importantly have regularly used ZAINO paint sealant/enhancer products to keep my paint looking new!!! this stuff really works and I believe it's created a barrier on my paint which has significantly slowed down/resisted normal paint oxidation processes...while it's not the cheapest stuff available, if you do your research, you'll note that ZAINO is almost always mentioned as one of the most recommended car detailing products when researching, Acura, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche message boards 'detailing' related threads...you won't hear of this stuff being mentioned on a Chevy message board!!!bwahahahahaha LOL

in summary the paint on my 2009 MDX STILL looks almost as good as some of these 2017/late model vehicle paint jobs! :29: (I've since made it a habit to use Zaino on all my new cars right from the get go...if your paint is already oxidized and you have lots of rust, then it may be too late to reap the benefits of Zaino ).

alot of the resentment I have for GM cars (and perhaps even deeper my disdain for stealerships altogether) in general stems from the fact that all of the cars in my family used to be GM b/c we have lots of engineers in the family who work for the Big 3- and there's this discount that they've been able to pass along to family members resulting in one GM car being bought after another...the quick rust that had developed on my former $30K Oldmobile SUV was such a joke- the paint quality (let alone the OVERALL lack of quality throughout the car itself which turned out to be a moneypit car, requiring one endless repair after another- car was at stealership getting the same major repairs every 6-8 months!) was absolutely horrendous!!!!- rust could be seen on all parts of the crappy GM car only several years into ownership of the P.O.S....i will NEVER buy a GM car again.

Thanks Priscilla. For my old Volvo I just to always apply Nu Finish on it. Guess Zaino is similar, maybe? I just didn't like how the Nu Finish permanently marred my chrome and plastics on the frame - didn't know that until it did it and it was impossible to remove the ugly white film and smears after.

 

[Priscillababy]

Thanks Priscilla. For my old Volvo I just to always apply Nu Finish on it. Guess Zaino is similar, maybe? I just didn't like how the Nu Finish permanently marred my chrome and plastics on the frame - didn't know that until it did it and it was impossible to remove the ugly white film and smears after.

Sure no problem- I would adamantly say NO- they're very different products...NuFinish which I tried (and hated) many, many years ago is a cheap, (As Seen On TV quality/type) product that doesn't really give good results...Zaino is a comprehensive set of products that not only makes car paint (in particular new car paint) really pop/shine, but also offers amazing, extremely durable protection year round (inclusive of CHROME!!)- I've driven this 2009 MDX through some very rough MI (probably not too different from Canada's weather) winters and its really quite amazing how 'new' my 2009 MDX's paint looks even now in 2017 :29:

I'm a firm believer that proper consistent use of Zaino can facilitate further, chemically enhanced protection of your car's original clear coat layer, thereby extending the overall 'new paint' finish of a car for many years after it's left the factory brand new!!

You'll see here in the thread below that others (with 2nd gen. MDX's) seem to share this sentiment concerning Zaino products- its really like nothing I've ever used before on any of my cars, all the way back in the day...

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/45211-wax.html

MAJOR downsides to using ZAINO:
1.) Cost- not cheap, I've easily spent about $100-$300 (per year) for Zaino products ...
2.) TIME CONSUMING- if you apply Zaino the way its supposed to be applied per the manufacturer, it can be labor intensive and time consuming, there were many days over the years that I had opted to skip workout days to instead engage in 'Zaino days' b/c a several hour Zaino application on my MDX really burns the calories!!

I haven't used Zaino on MDX for a couple years now, as its now my oldest car/workhouse, but its resilient protection/shine properties layered on the MDX's surface throughout the years is definitely still present and doing its job!!!

 

[thegazelle]

Sure no problem- I would adamantly say NO- they're very different products...NuFinish which I tried (and hated) many, many years ago is a cheap, (As Seen On TV quality/type) product that doesn't really give good results...Zaino is a comprehensive set of products that not only makes car paint (in particular new car paint) really pop/shine, but also offers amazing, extremely durable protection year round (inclusive of CHROME!!)- I've driven this 2009 MDX through some very rough MI (probably not too different from Canada's weather) winters and its really quite amazing how 'new' my 2009 MDX's paint looks even now in 2017 :29:

I'm a firm believer that proper consistent use of Zaino can facilitate further, chemically enhanced protection of your car's original clear coat layer, thereby extending the overall 'new paint' finish of a car for many years after it's left the factory brand new!!

You'll see here in the thread below that others (with 2nd gen. MDX's) seem to share this sentiment concerning Zaino products- its really like nothing I've ever used before on any of my cars, all the way back in the day...

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/45211-wax.html

MAJOR downsides to using ZAINO:
1.) Cost- not cheap, I've easily spent about $100-$300 (per year) for Zaino products ...
2.) TIME CONSUMING- if you apply Zaino the way its supposed to be applied per the manufacturer, it can be labor intensive and time consuming, there were many days over the years that I had opted to skip workout days to instead engage in 'Zaino days' b/c a several hour Zaino application on my MDX really burns the calories!!

I haven't used Zaino on MDX for a couple years now, as its now my oldest car/workhouse, but its resilient protection/shine properties layered on the MDX's surface throughout the years is definitely still present and doing its job!!!

Well, I am intrigued..and my daughter loves car related stuff, so this could be a family project to Zaino the car. I just gotta figure out how to repair those two very small rust spots first. Honestly, the car otherwise is in great shape and the body and paint is exceptional (several friends and colleagues thought it was a 2012-2014 model).

Interesting feedback about Nu Finish. Does Zaino have any issues with staining/residue? I will have to look into this for sure. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Priscillababy]

Well, I am intrigued..and my daughter loves car related stuff, so this could be a family project to Zaino the car. I just gotta figure out how to repair those two very small rust spots first. Honestly, the car otherwise is in great shape and the body and paint is exceptional (several friends and colleagues thought it was a 2012-2014 model).

Interesting feedback about Nu Finish. Does Zaino have any issues with staining/residue? I will have to look into this for sure. Thanks for the feedback.

Just to be completely candid about my MDX's history- I did pay like an extra $150 when my X was new to have that optional 'rust protection' applied from the stealership- prior to vehicle delivery (though I've been told by many that its just another scam)- in the end I still think the phenomenal paint condition of my 2009 MDX is more closely associated to the fact that I've been diligent with Zaino usage over the years as opposed to this particular/potential money-making stealership gimmick they pitched as 'rustproof protection formula' or some sh*t like that...lol

*back in the day when I was just a little toddler, I used to help my cousins wax their sports cars with 'Fomblin-A' it was a Blue Coral product back in the Boyz in the Hood era- I thought that stuff was amazing (it was back in the 90's...lol)...Zaino is the new (more effective) Fomblin-A... :29:

As a rule of thumb, I think as with most waxes/paint sealants-polymers (Zaino is more like a very strong, very effective polymer- strong enough to last throughout the winter!), you should take the effort to avoid the black plastic parts of your MDX that would be better served with Armor All like application sprays/creams etc....with that being said I have not experienced anything even close to the staining/residue problem that I recall being associated to 'NuFinish'- NuFinish should really be used on Chevy's- you know cars that really aren't that great...lol

If you DO decide to take the Zaino plunge, you'll need to get some Dawn soap for the initial wash (before any Zaino product is even applied) and a couple Zaino clay bars- you'll know what I'm talking about if you do your due research...if you're diligent, and serious about enhancing the (already seemingly excellent) paint condition/exterior of your MDX, and have the time + physical stamina/commitment to apply the right set of Zaino products (appropriate for your particular objectives which you need to determine for yourself?) in the correct manner/sequence, then you should be able find more than enough information that you'll need via the the threads below (and also widely available via GOOGLE) to make your paint really pop out (while simultaneously protecting it in the long run):

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/31223-help-zaino-kit.html

Tip 1: go to zainobros.com . Lots of good info for obsessive-compulsive detailers.
Tip 2: Only use clay bar on smooth painted surfaces.
Tip 3: Be sure the paint has been washed clean before using clay. It's Dawn, then clay, then zaino soap, then Z5 or one of the other newer Z products.
Use Z6 after you apply the polymers. It buffs up, removes streaks, and swirls.

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/30087-steel-blue-has-zainofied-cs-style.html

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/27767-zaino.html

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/30311-zaino-s-magic-my-first-layer.html

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/30131-got-zaino.html

 

[thegazelle]

Just to be completely candid about my MDX's history- I did pay like an extra $150 when my X was new to have that optional 'rust protection' applied from the stealership- prior to vehicle delivery (though I've been told by many that its just another scam)- in the end I still think the phenomenal paint condition of my 2009 MDX is more closely associated to the fact that I've been diligent with Zaino usage over the years as opposed to this particular/potential money-making stealership gimmick they pitched as 'rustproof protection formula' or some sh*t like that...lol

*back in the day when I was just a little toddler, I used to help my cousins wax their sports cars with 'Fomblin-A' it was a Blue Coral product back in the Boyz in the Hood era- I thought that stuff was amazing (it was back in the 90's...lol)...Zaino is the new (more effective) Fomblin-A... :29:

As a rule of thumb, I think as with most waxes/paint sealants-polymers (Zaino is more like a very strong, very effective polymer- strong enough to last throughout the winter!), you should take the effort to avoid the black plastic parts of your MDX that would be better served with Armor All like application sprays/creams etc....with that being said I have not experienced anything even close to the staining/residue problem that I recall being associated to 'NuFinish'- NuFinish should really be used on Chevy's- you know cars that really aren't that great...lol

If you DO decide to take the Zaino plunge, you'll need to get some Dawn soap for the initial wash (before any Zaino product is even applied) and a couple Zaino clay bars- you'll know what I'm talking about if you do your due research...if you're diligent, and serious about enhancing the (already seemingly excellent) paint condition/exterior of your MDX, and have the time + physical stamina/commitment to apply the right set of Zaino products (appropriate for your particular objectives which you need to determine for yourself?) in the correct manner/sequence, then you should be able find more than enough information that you'll need via the the threads below (and also widely available via GOOGLE) to make your paint really pop out (while simultaneously protecting it in the long run):

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/31223-help-zaino-kit.html



http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/30087-steel-blue-has-zainofied-cs-style.html

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/27767-zaino.html

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/30311-zaino-s-magic-my-first-layer.html

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/30131-got-zaino.html

Cool, thanks for the info, Priscilla. Now...the only point of concern I read is the Dawn soap thing...I have read over and over and dish soap or hand soap should never be used to wash a car...or are we talking about something else?

So tell me what your real opinion is on Chevrolet? LOL

 

[Priscillababy]

Cool, thanks for the info, Priscilla. Now...the only point of concern I read is the Dawn soap thing...I have read over and over and dish soap or hand soap should never be used to wash a car...or are we talking about something else?

So tell me what your real opinion is on Chevrolet? LOL

true- NEVER use Dawn soap on car because it tends to strip all the wax/residue off of it- WHICH is precisely why you'll want to use Dawn soap in your preliminary wash, just before you 'clay' the vehicle to remove all the built up wax/other residuals on top....you're basically prepping the car/creating the blank canvas for Zaino to do it's thing...

oh and as for Chevy's, to use an analogy I would say your average Chevy is about as reliable of a car AS IS physically fit Sugar Bear's new bride 'Jennifer' (yes I watch Honey Boo Boo and Mamma June from Hot to Not...lol)

<img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/03/25/04/3E9BAFB600000578-4348008-_Kindness_kills_you_right_The_new_bride_of_Sugar_Bear_who_tied_t-m-47_1490416723965.jpg">

rear view of "Jennifer" wearing red shirt:
<img src="https://peopledotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/mama-june-1.jpg?w=2250&h=1500">

 

[Priscillababy]

In all seriousness, here's a fairly good/worthwhile Zaino discussion/thread below- in particular for those just getting started (that emphasizes that Zaino is not a wax, is best if very little is used, allow enough time in between layers for drying, best if used with new/clean white 100% cotton terry cloths!)

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/12-detailing/2693-zaino-help-tips-tricks-thread.html