HONDA 2003 Element - Owner's Manual - Manual (Page 273)

Always wash and dry the whole
vehicle before waxing it. You should
wax your vehicle, including the metal
trim, whenever water sits on the
surface in large patches. It should
form into beads or droplets after
waxing.
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.
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 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.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the vehicle does
not need waxing.
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.
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:
On some models
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Waxing Aluminum Wheels
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