Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

[iMak]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I got my new 2011 Maxima in Satin Pearl White color just two days ago. As you can read the title, the enviourment in my country is so bad, hot, humid, dusty, etc. Since my car is a brand new car I just want to maintain its paint and finish and want it to catch the eyes all the times.

Gardx Protection was applied by Nissan Dealer to the body and the interior and it was part of the offer, I have never waxed it so far and not gone through the automatic car wash. This weekend I am going to wash & wax it.

Would someone tell me all the products I need to buy to maintain my car in Excellent shape? This would also include the towel and sponges. There are so many products and I am so confused.

Thanks very much.

[Murr1525]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

Well, the applicators and towels may depend on what is near you. But you would want to compare with the Meguiars Water Magnet for drying, Supreme Shine for removing products, and Hi Tec Foam Applicators for applying products.

As far as products, I would looks at:

1. Wash - Gold Class Soap, 2 buckets, good wash mitt. (Meguiars MF wash mitt)
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay Kit - good to do a couple times a year.
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Ultimate Wax prefered, or Nxt 2.0 if that is the only one there.
5. Maintain - Ultimate Quick Wax is nice for after future washes.

[rst08tierney]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

if you dont mind me asking, what did that gaurdx protection set you back?

[iMak]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

Well, I was told by the dealer that the Gardx Protection will protect my car for 3 years if I maintain it well with the use of Gardx Conserver which should be applied monthly as a wash additive. Since this product is not popular in my area, I just wanted to stick to Meguiar's products to maintain my car as it's well known in my area.

[wifpd4]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

The only thing I might suggest beyond Murr's list is Ultimate Quik Detailer. It's great for mild dust removal and imparts a great shine, although with the color of your car it may not matter. Although certain colors of dust will most certainly show up.

[iMak]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

Well, the applicators and towels may depend on what is near you. But you would want to compare with the Meguiars Water Magnet for drying, Supreme Shine for removing products, and Hi Tec Foam Applicators for applying products.

As far as products, I would looks at:

1. Wash - Gold Class Soap, 2 buckets, good wash mitt. (Meguiars MF wash mitt)
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay Kit - good to do a couple times a year.
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Ultimate Wax prefered, or Nxt 2.0 if that is the only one there.
5. Maintain - Ultimate Quick Wax is nice for after future washes.

Since the car is White, do I have to use ColorX?
How often shall I Wax the car?

[Murr1525]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

The ColorX is a cleaner/wax, so it will be good for the paint regardless of color.

If you use the UQW after future washes, the main coat of wax will last longer. As far as how long, hard to say, certainly not familiar with your region. However the general idea would be to do the detail mentioned above, and get a look/feel for the paint, how smooth, how the hose water runs off, etc. And when it gets away from that, and you feel like waxing again, you can ColorX & wax again.

[Romad81]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

iMAK, having spent some time in your country, I know how hard it is to keep a car clean there. You'll need to wash frequently and maintain a good coating of wax. With what I know about the Ultimate line, you should be fine starting with Ultimate Wash followed by claying the entire car. Polish if necessary to remove any swirls with Ultimate Polish. 2 coats of Ultimate Wax 12-24 hours apart to seal. You could use a coat or two of a carnauba wax such as Gold Class over the Ultimate for an additional sacrificial layer. Waxing once or twice a month might not be a bad idea unless your car is garage kept.

I wouldn't use a quick detailer in your area except maybe to remove a contaminant on a very small area. Since most of the sand blown around is more like powder and sticks to everything, you'll most likely cause scratches. Rinsing the entire vehicle off, washing, and blot drying would be better. Maintain your wax with Ultimate Quick Wax after washings and betwen regular waxings. With the scouring sand and the almost unbearable humidity from the Gulf, your car will thank you for taking care of it.

You may be able to find the New Car Kit that has almost everything you need to get started. If the Ultimate line is unavailable, use NXT 2.0 wax, NXT or Gold Class Wash, and SwirlX instead of Ultimate Polish if needed. Like I said before, the Gold Class wax can be used over the NXT 2.0 for an additional layer. Use Meguiar's Supereme Shine microfiber towels, drying towel, and wash mit. For wheels I'm using Ultimate Polish on an old microfiber towel and it cleans most everything off. You can followup with Ultimate Wax or NXT. Tires get NXT Tire Coating spray or Gold Class Endurance Gel.

[iMak]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

@Romad81
Good to know that you were in my country. Hope you found it peaceful...

Let me thank you for your input, I really appreciate it.

[iMak]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

@Murr1525
As you suggested to clay the entire car a couple times a year, since the car is new and by doing it after six months from now for the first clay, is it OK?

[Murr1525]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

Every six months is a good plan.

It probably could use it now starting now, but waiting 6 months wont cause damage. Just more stuff on the surface.

[iMak]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

OK, as a brand new car which is 1 week old and as I mentioned in my first post that the Gardx Protetion is aleardy applied to the body and the interiors "to be honest I don't know how protective is the Gardx Protection", but in their website it's mentioned that it will "protect the car against the effects of the suns UV rays, acid rain, sea and road salt and provides a high gloss finish which retains its appearance wash after wash. With regular Conserver maintenance you may never need to polish your car again for the duration of the guarantee" and the duration of the guarantee is 3 years.

Since this is the case shall I caly it now or it's OK after six months from now?

[Romad81]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

iMAK, I did enjoy your country, the culture, and the food. It was amazing seeing so many exotic cars on the road there. Your people were very gracious hosts.

[iMak]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

As it's a new car, what do you recommend, using Meguiars Dual Action Polisher or Hand Polishing?

[Murr1525]

Re: Hot & Dusty weather, what Meg products to buy?

You can clay now... I dunno about the GardX.. doesnt sound too much different from a coat of wax anyway.

You can apply either by hand or machine. If you dont have defects to remove, by hand isnt hard, just a little workout. Removing a lot of defects by hand isnt fun..