help w/ a 07 DeepWater Blue Sonata

[DUMP_TRUCK]

My first questions is....

Which product would be best for removing what I believe to be excess wax from the dealership on the black plastic(?) off my wiper blades? I was thinking the GC Trim Detailer, but I wasn't certain.

Second, I figured I'd throw out what I intend to buy and have some of you vets critique it. As I said the car is deepwater blue..looks black at night, amazing during the day. Chrome accents abound, and chrome tipped dual exhaust. Car was built approximately 3 months ago. I am not looking to spend a fortune in time or money. So something that gives me a good bang for my buck. I'd rank protection over shine, but I'd like a little shine also.

1. NXT Car Wash
2. Quick Clay Bar
3. DC Paint Cleaner
4. DC System Polish
5. GC Liquid Wax


Do I need to get something addtional for the chrome pieces, or will something above double up? Also looking for suggestions on the interior (light/dark grey). Was planning on using saddle soap for leather, but wasn't sure about dash etc. Anything I'm missing besides a few buckets, even coat applicators, mitt, chamoise, and sumpreme shine microfibers towels?

This is my first brand new car, and I want to keep it looking that way!


Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Russ

[Murr1525]

1. The trim detailer only has a pretty mild cleaner. You want some of the #39 Rubber and Vinyl Cleaner. Then dress the plastic after with a dressing if you want.

2. Your system is good. But the best bang/speed for the buck is:

1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. ColorX
5. #21 Synthetic Sealant

Just something to think about.

3. It depends if they are chrome, or "chrome" over plastic. For your muffler/exhaust tips, you want Nxt Metal Polysh.

4. Saddle soap is a very rough soap, you dont need it. Just get the Gold Class Leather Cleaner/Conditioner.

5. There are many vinyl/plastic products. I like Nxt Tech Protectant, but you will have to pick what you think sounds good.

6. Glass, wheels, wheelwells, Water Magents, Grit Guards, dont even get us started.

Check out ordering from autodetailingsolutions.com, might save you a few bucks.

[DUMP_TRUCK]

I'm new to this obviously so excuse my ignorance, but can you please explain what you mean by a dressing? Couldn't find #39 @ the store so it looks like I'll be ordering it.

It seems as though they are somewhat different products, but would I be ok substituting #26 for #21 and visa vera? Same thing w/ scratch-x and deep crystal system polish? Pros and cons of any of the above?

This stuff is addicitng, ran up quite a bill at pep boys today!


Small world by the way, another person from the 'burgh.

[DUMP_TRUCK]

also, as far as applying products goes...

do I need to use a different even coat applicator for each product?

i.e. one for cleaner, one for polish, and one for wax?

I'm assuming I do, just making sure how many of them I need to buy. Can MF or terry cloth be used at all to apply anything, or would this be strongly recommended against?


also, i've seemed to have read that the stratch-x is a tedious and time consuming process needed to be repeated many times. If it is indeed as bad as people make it out to be, would it be easier to you the dc 1 & 2 products?

[Murr1525]

Sure, no problem.

#39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner



A dressing can be for plastic, tires, or some are made for both. It just adds some protection, esp from the sun, and really makes the black and gray plastics look a lot richer and darker.

#26 is a carnuba blend, hile #21 is purely synthetic. Carnuba type waxes seem to make darker colors look a little richer, while synthetic waxes tend to be a bit more durable.

But yes, you could top ColorX with any wax you like. Meguiars recomends 2 coats of wax, so ColorX + a topper is perfect.

Deep Cryustal is a very mild cleaner, quick and cheap, but not meant for removing scratches/swirls by hand. ScratchX is a product meant for removing some swirls/scratches by hand. Takes a lot more work to apply, but that is what you get by hand.

You want to apply products with eaither the Hi-Tec Applicator or the Even Coat applicator. Your paint cleaners would be better with the foam. The rest you can try and see what you like. And yes, one per product. Towels and MF towels are best for removing product.

Well, as mentioned above, DC#1 and 2 would be easier, but they wont remove your swirls. So that is up to you. Now a brand new car might not have any swirls, or a few, so you'll have to give it a close look and see what you have. You ca nScratchX one panel, or one spot if needed. Then DC#1 everything. So just give it a good look and see what you are working with.

[DUMP_TRUCK]

Thanks again for all your help. Right after I posted I found the dressing on the link you gave me earlier and got a good understanding.

I inspected the wiper blade arms some more, and them seem to actually be a metal of some sort.....maybe aluminum? They have that dull finish like it was just spray painted black, looks like the same stuff that goes around the edge of my windows on my side doors. The dressing seems like it would be great for 'waking up' these small trim pieces.

The residue does definately appear to be excess wax that dried white onto the metal. Considering this stuff is some sort of metal, is #39 still the right deal to use to remove the dried wax?

[Murr1525]

Ehh.. it wont hurt metal. Perhaps the best thing to start would be to get some dishoap on a terry towel, and just try and spot rub over the wax. Gently of course. Just see if that does it.

Is it just kind of stuck on, or down in creases?

Do you mean the things around the windows are coated metal?

[DUMP_TRUCK]

no, it's not in creases. just looks like the buffer over ran the top of the hood and hit the top of the wiper arms.

the stuff around/between the windows/doors feels like the same stuff the wiper arms are made of. feels like aluminum or tin?!?! definately don't think it's any sort of plastic/vinyl. But it has a dull, spray painted look to it, looks like the dressing would make it look pretty sharp.

[Murr1525]

The dressings are meant to soak into a porous surface, like plastic, vinyl, rubber. Metal, or powder coated metal, wont have that so it will just run off the metal.

[DUMP_TRUCK]

yeah, after the fact I realized that sounded like a pretty stupid idea.

how would I go about protecting these areas? I've seen older cars and that black starts to look really ratty. Fading, rust, you name it.

[Murr1525]

Actualy not a whole lot too do. I actualy wax my wiper arms, which sound like yours, coated metal.

[DUMP_TRUCK]

Re: help w/ a 07 DeepWater Blue Sonata

I'm afraid if I waxed those areas, they would become even more white. I nipped the wipers again with the cleaner wax (or scratchx), and they were instantly stained again w/ a white residue that would not wipe off. I tried rubbing w/ a microfiber cloth and dishsoap w/ no success in removing the white residue. Maybe they are plastic then? They sure feel like a metal of some sort. You would think if it was metal it would buff off, especially using dishsoap.

I just realized you had said colorx and not scratchx in your original post. I was under the impression that colorx was more geared towards a neglected older finish, and not a brand new vehicle?


And can someone please tell me the difference between Megs #20 and #21, they seem like the same product. I can't find any local retailers in Pittsburgh that stock it, or even heard of it. I did however find 1 that carried #20. Is it just as good as #21?


I have 2 small scratches I need to get some touch up paint for, still afraid of wet sanding though. But since white is showing and no more blue, I better get on it quick before that bad weather and salt hit.

I gave her a good washing w/ the NXT soap, then clayed the horizontal surfaces, followed by 1 application of scratchx on the horizontal surfaces, followed by one coat of cleaner wax this weekend.

[DUMP_TRUCK]

Re: help w/ a 07 DeepWater Blue Sonata

And can someone please tell me the difference between Megs #20 and #21, they seem like the same product. I can't find any local retailers in Pittsburgh that stock it, or even heard of it. I did however find 1 that carried #20. Is it just as good as #21?


any takers?

thanks.

[Murr1525]

Re: help w/ a 07 DeepWater Blue Sonata

To kind of tie both posts together...

ColorX is fine for an old or new vehicle. If you apply it with a good bit of passion, it ca nget through oxidation and old dirt, and remove mild swirls. Applied more gently, it acts like a regular cleaner/wax. As my car is a daily driver, I figure I can use the extra cleaning ability.

Were you able ot find any of the #39 vinyl/rubber cleaner to try on the wax?

#20 is a synthetic wax with a fair bit of cleaning ability.
#21 is just a synthetic wax, more like Nxt.
I have never used #20.. But I sure like the #21.

If you find a PBE store around, the yshould be able ot at least order it. I think I went to one in McKees Rocks that had all kinds of stuff. Have to go back and check the PBE Locator thing.

But for the most part, I just order from Auto Detailing Solutions anyway. Save a few bucks, pay a couple bucks shipping. Break even without driving my car anywhere.

[DUMP_TRUCK]

Re: help w/ a 07 DeepWater Blue Sonata

To kind of tie both posts together...

ColorX is fine for an old or new vehicle. If you apply it with a good bit of passion, it ca nget through oxidation and old dirt, and remove mild swirls. Applied more gently, it acts like a regular cleaner/wax. As my car is a daily driver, I figure I can use the extra cleaning ability.

Were you able ot find any of the #39 vinyl/rubber cleaner to try on the wax?

#20 is a synthetic wax with a fair bit of cleaning ability.
#21 is just a synthetic wax, more like Nxt.
I have never used #20.. But I sure like the #21.

If you find a PBE store around, the yshould be able ot at least order it. I think I went to one in McKees Rocks that had all kinds of stuff. Have to go back and check the PBE Locator thing.

But for the most part, I just order from Auto Detailing Solutions anyway. Save a few bucks, pay a couple bucks shipping. Break even without driving my car anywhere.

You are probably talking about Lloyd's Auto Paint Supply in Mckees Rocks. They were the only place I found that atleast had #20. I think they had #39 as well from when I talked to them on the phone. It's literally right down the street from my parents house so I'll have to give the #39 a try to get that stuff off of there.

Thanks for all the help.