Need Recomendations for new vehicle

[JohnMcD348]

I just bought an 08 Dodge Ram MEgaCab 4x4 and opted for the additional ****** coating paint treatment since it actually guaranteed the paint against love bug damage for the next 5 years.

Anyway, I still want to use other protectants on my vehicle to keep it looking the best it possibly can. Possibly going as far as waxing it at least once per month and running it through the car wash once a week.

I have always used Meguiars product in the past but was always pretty much a Carnuba only person with the occasional cleaner and polish applications when needed. I've never had a vehicle this large before so I don't have the time to really put alot of effort into it weekly like I used to with my other vehicles.

I'm not against one step polishes/waxes, I've just never used them before. I have a 9" orbital buffer that I use to apply and work the polish and waxes with and I usually have to do this while in nearly full sunlight. The truck(factory) sits to tall to go into the garage by about 3 inches.

Also for protection of the interior, what is recommended for all the plastic in this truck. I want the best in UV protection and conditioning to help deter the damage from the harsh Florida heat. Also, I haven't been able to locate any full line commercial dealers in my area so I'm kind of limited to what's available at AutoZone, Advance/Discount Auto Parts and Wal-Mart.

OK, so long turned short:

Please recommend what I should use for a new dealership paint protected vehicle that is easy to use, last well for at least 1-3 months between applications with regular washings. Preferably liquid for buffer use. Need to protect the plastic from 130+* interior temps during the summer.

For my tires I have always used the Endurance Gel and figure I'll stay with that.

Thanks
JTMcD.

[jfelbab]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

I just bought an 08 Dodge Ram MEgaCab 4x4 and opted for the additional ****** coating paint treatment since it actually guaranteed the paint against love bug damage for the next 5 years.

Anyway, I still want to use other protectants on my vehicle to keep it looking the best it possibly can. Possibly going as far as waxing it at least once per month and running it through the car wash once a week.

I have always used Meguiars product in the past but was always pretty much a Carnuba only person with the occasional cleaner and polish applications when needed. I've never had a vehicle this large before so I don't have the time to really put alot of effort into it weekly like I used to with my other vehicles.

I'm not against one step polishes/waxes, I've just never used them before. I have a 9" orbital buffer that I use to apply and work the polish and waxes with and I usually have to do this while in nearly full sunlight. The truck(factory) sits to tall to go into the garage by about 3 inches.

Also for protection of the interior, what is recommended for all the plastic in this truck. I want the best in UV protection and conditioning to help deter the damage from the harsh Florida heat. Also, I haven't been able to locate any full line commercial dealers in my area so I'm kind of limited to what's available at AutoZone, Advance/Discount Auto Parts and Wal-Mart.

OK, so long turned short:

Please recommend what I should use for a new dealership paint protected vehicle that is easy to use, last well for at least 1-3 months between applications with regular washings. Preferably liquid for buffer use. Need to protect the plastic from 130+* interior temps during the summer.

For my tires I have always used the Endurance Gel and figure I'll stay with that.

Thanks
JTMcD.

I'd bet that if you read the fine print you will find that any use of a cleaner wax or any other wax will void the warranted paint protection from the dealer. If you paid big bucks for this alleged paint protection it seems to not make sense to toss it so fast. What are the requirements for this plan. It most surely specifies how often it must be reapplied by the dealer. What is the name of the product/plan?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

I'd bet that if you read the fine print you will find that any use of a cleaner wax or any other wax will void the warranted paint protection from the dealer. If you paid big bucks for this alleged paint protection it seems to not make sense to toss it so fast.

Jim makes a great point, you might want to check into the issues he's brought up before possibly voiding the warranty..

If you want to apply a wax coating no matter what then look for NXT Tech Wax 2.0 in your local auto parts stores.

As for the rest of your questions...

The truck(factory) sits to tall to go into the garage by about 3 inches.

How about this idea... maybe get some real small wheels and tires like many of the Lowriders use?

Also for protection of the interior, what is recommended for all the plastic in this truck. I want the best in UV protection and conditioning to help deter the damage from the harsh Florida heat.

NXT Tech Protect for a dressing and Quik Interior Detailer for a quick spray and wipe maintenance product for dust removal.

More options here..

Also, I haven't been able to locate any full line commercial dealers in my area so I'm kind of limited to what's available at AutoZone, Advance/Discount Auto Parts and Wal-Mart.

Lots of great information in these to forum groups...

Have Questions? Looking for Answers?
So much good, practical and helpful information in these two forums
Hot Topics
How To Articles



Like this article from the how-to article forum...

How to locate Meguiar's Professional and Detailer products in your hometown

[JohnMcD348]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

Wow, I didn't know there were so many auto detailer shops in my area. I'll be checking them out tomorrow. Any recommendations for the commercial products?

The paint and interior protection coverage is the Simoniz System 5 that also included interior fabric protection. Looking through the paperwork, it doesnt' really say anything specific about what to use and not use except that if using an automatic car wash it is "recommended" the I use a car wash that also uses Simoniz products....

The reason I got it was because it actually guarantees protection against LoveBugs. If you have ever lived in FLorida, you'll know just what a pain they are twice a year. THey can really eat away paint in short order if not dealt with quickly.


Back to the recs. If I can find a detail supplier, I would much more appreciate the professional level products. I started off years ago using the numbered products the 7, 23, etc, etc. I can't recall the exact things as it was nearly 20 years ago when I first discovered the Meguiar's products.

[jfelbab]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

I can give you this recommendation for live bug help. I spend a lot of time in my Fl home so I've been dealing with LB's for some time. I find the use of Meg's Utimate Quik Detailer to help a lot. This stuff does make the paint much more slippery and it is therefore much easier to just hose them off. They don't stick as much to the paint. I usually apply UQD to the front and mirrors daily during the LB seasons. IT only takes a couple minutes to apply.

[JohnMcD348]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

Thanks. I'll keep a bottle in the truck during the season.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

I live on the west coast of Fl. I agree with using the uqd. I also make sure I have enough bug and tar remover on hand. I hate this time of the year.

[JohnMcD348]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

At least it's only a few weeks twice a year. Not like up north with all the salt and other issues they have for alot longer each year.

[Mort Corey]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

Sorry for getting a little off topic....but what's a "love bug"? June bug? Sounds kinda nasty.

Mort (who thinks pollen season might not be so bad after all)

[JohnMcD348]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

It's a little black insect that comes around twice a year, usually around May and September. They mate by actually attaching themselves back to back for a few days and "exchange" all the stuff needed to procreate. They are seen flying around like this during the matting part of the season. It only lasts for a couple of weeks but when they are out they get smashed on the front of the vehicle and the body fluids they leave behind are enough to really etch the paint quickly if yo leave them on there for more than a day or so.
They lay their larva close to drainage ditches and is the reason they are so prevalent on roadways. They feed on and help breakdown the grass trimmings left by roadway grass cuttings. Other than that, they serve no real useful purpose. Google Love Bug and you'll see pics of them.

[HagFan]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

...Any recommendations for the commercial products?

...Back to the recs. If I can find a detail supplier, I would much more appreciate the professional level products. I started off years ago using the numbered products the 7, 23, etc, etc. I can't recall the exact things as it was nearly 20 years ago when I first discovered the Meguiar's products.

I buy them online. Meguiars.com, AutoDetailingSolutions.com and AutoGeeks.net should have what you need. My favorite among them is ADS because the often offer multiple sizes from gallons down to 12-oz. sampler sizes. That's helpful in trying something before going to the bulk size.

Professional line products I use-- to jog your memory-- include: Last Touch (quik detailer), All Purpose Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Hyper Wash, #83 (cleaner/polish), #80 (speed glaze), #7 (pure polish), #21 (Synthetic Sealant), meduium detaling clay (blue), #40 Rubber/Vinyl Cleaner/Conditioner.

[Jokeman]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

Depending on what you paint coating treatment is. Id buy some clay, a G110 and a bottle of 80 and one of 151. That should be enough to keep the black mega-cab clean and be able to do it in a timely fashion.

[3Fitty]

Re: Need Recomendations for new vehicle

Follow this strictly.

1. Wash with Dawn


2. Clay with Magic Eraser



3. Clean Paint with with Turpentine



4. Polish with olive oil



5. Wax with ear wax.



If you're lucky your car will come out lik mine:


















*Please don't take any of the above seriously.