Honda 1996 Accord Wagon Owner's Manual page 149

Waxing
Always wash and dry the whole
car before waxing it. You should
wax your car, including the metal
trim, whenever water sits on the
surface in large patches. It
should form into beads or
droplets after waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or
paste wax. Apply it according to
the instructions on the container.
In general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes — A wax coats the finish
and protects it from damage by
exposure to sunlight, air
pollution, etc. You should use a
wax on your Honda when it is
new.
Polishes — Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to
paint that has oxidized and lost
some of its shine. They normally
contain mild abrasives and
solvents that remove the top
layer of the finish. You should
use a polish on your Honda if the
finish does not have its original
shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to rewax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does
not need waxing.
Aluminum Wheels
EX models
Clean your Honda's aluminum
alloy wheels as you do the rest of
the exterior. Wash them with the
same solution, and rinse them
thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective
clear-coat that keeps the
aluminum from corroding and
tarnishing. Using harsh
Exterior Care
chemicals, including some
commercial wheel cleaners or
stiff brushes can damage this
clear-coat. Only use a mild
detergent and soft brush or
sponge to clean the wheels.
Paint Touch-Up
Your dealer has touch-up paint to
match your car's color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on
the driver's doorjamb. Take this
code to your dealer so you are
sure to get the correct color.
TOUCH-UP
PAINT
Appearance Care
continued