2008 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 312

Maintenance and Care Appearance Care WARNING Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly and applying the brakes lightly until brake performance is normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident. Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected. Waxing Your vehicle needs to be waxed when water no longer beads on the finish. Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body, wax the metal trim to maintain its luster. 1. Use wax which contains no abrasives. Waxes containing abrasive will remove paint and could damage bright metal parts. 2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors. 3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth. 4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth. NOTE A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar materials will usually also take off the wax. Rewax these areas even if the rest of the vehicle doesn't need it. qRepairing Damage to the Finish Deep scratches or chips on the finish should be repaired promptly. Exposed metal quickly rusts and can lead to major repairs. CAUTION If your Mazda is damaged and needs metal parts repaired or replaced, make sure the body shop applies anti-corrosion materials to all parts, both repaired and new. This will prevent them from rusting. qBright-Metal Maintenance l l l Use tar remover to remove road tar and insects. Never do this with a knife or similar tool. To prevent corrosion on bright-metal surfaces, apply wax or chrome preservative and rub it to a high luster. During cold weather or in coastal areas, cover bright-metal parts with a coating of wax or preservative heavier than usual. It would also help to coat them with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or some other protective compound. CAUTION Don't use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong detergents containing highly alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-plated or anodized aluminum parts. This may result in damage to the protective coating and cause discoloration or paint deterioration. 8-42