cleaning the car
 

okay guys, i'm going to ask for some advice in regards to cleaning the car. here goes, i never really cared about cleaning the car myself. at all. i never washed/waxed a car in my life. i've basically just wiped the insides of car and took the car to a car wash place to get my car clean. but since getting the 370z, i'm just psycho and i don't really want rough hands taking car of the car and if i'm the one that screws up in anyway, it's on me and i would rather feel better that way.

so what type of cleaners do you guys recommend? i'm talking wash/wax/wheel/rims and interior cleaning brands that you guys would recommend. FYI - i do have this "touch of class" option from the dealer when i purchased my car, the dealer basically details the car every 6 months. but i don't need i should wait 6 months for all the cleaning. please help. thanks!!!

How to center -watch the videos, more than once!
Car Care Tips: How to Wax Your Car to Classic Car Restoration, Your Guide to Car Detailing

First things first, what color is your car?

Anyhow, go hear: Detail University - Automotive Detailing Community

Never... ever move the cleaning sponge, wipe, micro fiber towel in a circular manner. Always move along the length of the car or side ways on the back end and bumper. Swirl marks are more noticable (catch light more relative to viewer) when they are circular in shape.

Whatever product brand you decide to go with (synthetic or carnuba based) the above will always remain true. The only exception is if you are trying to buff out swirl marks.

Dark colors show swirls easier but are beautiful when clean. My 2 cents.

^ I never use a sponge, only the glove/mit thing!

the color i got is the graphite platinum

Most people destroy their car's paint when "washing" and not when waxing. Always hand wash with the "2 bucket" method. Google this method for details. The only cloth that should ever touch your paint is microfiber. For protection after you've cleaned the paint, I would use a good sealant like Zaino or Ultima Paint Guard Plus 2 or 3 times a year.

im not much on waxing...infact i have never waxed my mach1 since ive had it.

i use meguiars nxt car wash, leaves a really nice shine to my baby.

Meguiar's Direct NXT Generation® Car Wash

Yes, Meguiars NXT is a good car wash.

Meguiars also do good polishes (to get rid of the more stubborn stuff).

For a final protective finish I really like Collinite 915 wax - goes on/buffs off really easily, lasts well and looks lovely. ...But you'll find almost as many products as people on this forum.

thanks for all the advice. so i guess pretty much any type of wash solutions is alright. and a microfiber towel is definitely on my list when i go shopping this weekend. freakin' California weather is killing me!!! rain, rain, rain, sunny, sunny, rain, and showers. wtf?

Tip: Do not spray on "tire foam/tire shine/tire gloss"! If the wind catches it , it will end up on your paint, and cause spots. Get a empty cleaned out coffee can<(plastic) and a soft haired brush. Spray the tire stuff in the plastic can(5 feet away from your car), use the brush to apply to the tires!

Be sure to use 2 separate buckets- one for the wheels&tires, the other for the car body. Don't use the items you clean the wheels&tires with on the car body.

that is actually very helpful. thanks.

probably going to wash the car this weekend. hopefully, it doesn't rain here in Cali again.

i found a really good video about washing the car with the 2 bucket system/method. this video also introduced the grit guard. i think it's very useful for people looking to learn how to wash their car(s) ... like me.

anyways, here is the video link - LINK

And remember to clean from top to bottom. The dirt falls down, not up. After that, apply some Meguiars wax, which is a charm, but another good option is Zymol. For touchups between waxing, be sure to use a "spray on" wax. I think there's some cheap stuff called "Ice" at the Autozone/Pepboys/Advance/Oreily's that apparently works well.

Oh, and the two bucket system works very well. Also, if you have "hard water" in your area, a filter for your water hose will eliminate pesky "dry" spots (usually mineral deposits), and washing in a shaded area helps keep your car streak free.

Yeah, waxing and sealing is tough... That's why you only do it once a month. :tup:

waxing a new car
 

Hi all,
Is it ok to wax a relatively new car/paint right away? (received mine last week). I want to do mine right away. In the old days they told not to do it right away, that the paint needed time to cure. Any input would be appreciated.

thanks.

Sure it's okay.
:tup:

You have to be careful if you had your car repainted, but a new car from the factory the paint has already been on it for a long time before you get it.

I try to do a meticulous wax job when I first get it to make sure that bug splatter and road grime comes off easy. Typically your dealer will do this for you on a new car but that don't necessarily do a great job so you're better off telling them not to and doing it yourself.

here's a Fantastic site that has everything you'd ever need.

Detailed Image



PM if you would like a discount code.

my worst fear has come true today.

i was washing the car today after work and i saw this!!!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/...f6fae2f7_b.jpg

i've browsed through the forums. people are saying scratchx, no use. i tried the quick detailer, no use. some other forums say use dish washing soap, no use.

what do i have to buy/do to get this freakin' stain off my hood??!!!

Hold it now...is that a stain on your hood with a clear bra?

actually never got the clear bar because by when i wanted to do it, i already got some chips in the front bumper so i said screw it.

this is near the back of the hood. behind the antenna

god damn. if i can't clean this off tomorrow morning with the clay bar, i'm going to take it to a detailer shop and see what they say about this stuff. read that what they will have to do is buff it out with polisher and wax it down. ****, swirl marks for sure after that...

+1 on the clear bra.
Even if you have some minor scratches now, it will save you the headache of waking up to a million more scratches on your car later on.

As far as the mark... If you've already referred to autopia, there are multiple solutions. I'd try these first.
1. Clay bar
2. ScratchX
3. GooGone (not harmful to your paint)

Hope for the best.

done the scratch x already. for 15 freakin' minutes. no help

You can also try using Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound, have to elbow grease that spot to hell and you'll have to clean up some swirls also.

this pisses me off so much. i couldn't get this crap off with clay bar and i bought some tar/sap remover and that didn't help either. god damnit, i guess i have to buff this out with a machine.

Tar/bug remover is harsh, and I hope you took a detailing spray at least to go over the spot afterwards. When you were washing did you notice what was created the spot? Was there any debris on the the spot (e.g. bird dropping)? Use a fine polishing compound on the spot—not a rubbing compound. There's no need for a machine at this point.

i bought the one that doesn't remove the wax and nor clear coat. but i quick detailed over the stain last night so it should be fine. and after i did what i could, i quick detailed it again.

when washing it car, i did not know what it thing was. it was actually already there. i thought it was just regular bird poop but i guess it's not. damn already spent 25 bucks on those two products (clay bar and tar/bug spray). i guess i'll hit up autozone on my way home today and see what they got for polish compounds...

any recommendations?

Since your Z is new, I would not be using any strong abrasives on it and would try something like SwirlX. I use Griot's Garage Fine Hand Polishing or Einszett products, but they are bit more esoteric.

I am beginning to wonder whether this blemish is actually under your clearcoat.

Try this goo gone, works pretty good. Just apply a small amount to a micro towel, use your finger(In side the towel) to rub it on the problem. It may take some time rubbing to get the spot out. If it doesn't come out, then it's very serious spot!
GooGone Goo Gone 4oz Bottle

Sold at, K Mart, Target, Wal Mart, stores.

Zymol cleaner wax... i swear by this stuff. It's amazing what it can do. Amazing shine, hide swirls, remove water stains, and even remove sap/tar/bird poop stains (with some elbow grease).

how does stain get UNDER the clear coat?

i'm also on the meguiars online forums, just talked to Mike over there from Meguiars. he told me to come in on Saturday after their car class and he will take a look at it and see what's up.

at the factory. Could be grease or anything from nissan's paint line that these parts hang on when they get coated.

During production. The automated spray equipment has to be cleaned and flushed properly.

okay i'm just wondering, is there a way to take off the clear coat and then re-apply the clear coat? sorry but i know nothing about how the paint process works.

Not really something you'd want to do yourself—if this is actually the case.

you guys think this will be covered by the warranty? i mean if that IS the case, shoot, i'll have them re-paint the hood or something.

Yes.

yea i noticed some over spray on my back bumper blue/black spots on my right rear bumper just behind my tire, i tried just about everything to take it off. i told my dealer about it said just bring it in, and it will be covered under warranty if it is indeed under the clearcoat.