Black SUV vs Trees and Dust

[pdslax]

Hi There,

I'm new to this forum, and I hope I'm not repeating a thread. I just bought a black Nissan Xterra that I must park outdoors both at home and at work. At home, my driveway is completely shaded by poplar trees, and they drop sticks, seed pods, and sap all the time. My car always has a layer of grime on it, and it really shows up on the black paint of the Xterra. At work, I have to park on a gravel lot, under trees, so I get lots of dust and sap on it there as well. I know I can't keep the thing in show-room condition, and since I hope to drive it off-road once in a while, I don't expect it to be perfect all of the time. However, I don't want it to be gross, either.

So, I need help from the experts. Should I just get in the habit of hosing my car off every morning before I get ready for work? Is there something I should do to protect my car from the conditions it has to live in? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Black SUV vs Trees and Dust

Welcome to MOL!
What year is your Xterra? Are you familiar with the process of the claybar to clean the paint? Because that would most likely be where you'd begin your journey of making it much easier to maintain a clean vehicle that you'd be very pleased with. Even if seed pods drop on it everyday, they can be alot less of a problem to deal with.

And just like you mentioned, it doesn't have to be perfect, but you sure can make it easier to clean and prevent all that daily crud from bonding to your paint.

[pdslax]

Re: Black SUV vs Trees and Dust

My Xterra is a 2015, and I bought it a few days ago.

Thanks for the welcome!

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Black SUV vs Trees and Dust

Awesome. Congrats on your brand new truck. Since it's so new there is a nice and convenient product by Meguiars that you might find ideal for you. And it's alot easier than pulling a bucket of water and soap every few day just to keep your truck looking nice.. It's called Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere. Research that product. You can find it at your big name autopart stores or Walmart too.

Just make sure to research how to properly use the product [that includes what microfiber towels you should choose]so you avoid inflicting your own preventable fine scratches on your paint.

Used properly, that product makes keeping a car clean alot easier than you'd think! Good luck. Remember to research that product aka waterless washing in general before diving in. It's actually quite simple. You just have to follow a few well known general rules and it's a breeze to do.

[The Guz]

Re: Black SUV vs Trees and Dust

well you should definitely have some sort of protective wax on the paint. From Meguiar's I would recommend ultimate wax or NXT. They offer months of protection. Clay before using it. If it was me, I would consider having a semi permanent coating installed to protect the paint even more so than a sealant like Ultimate Wax or NXT. They are more durable than a sealant and form a harder sacrificial barrier than a sealant.

Then I would consider a rinseless wash type product like D114 to wipe the car down to remove the contaminants from the paint.

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Black SUV vs Trees and Dust

I was just thinking the Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere would help simplify things for him and also help speed things up in the matter of how soon he can begin using it and therefore apply a bit of protection to his paint since it's just a few days since he's purchased it.

Yea it may need a clay straight from the dealer, but that's not always the case these days as more people/corporations are learning about how to present a new automobile to higher standards.. My parents Kia surprisingly came 100% free of contaminents and ready for wax the day they brought it home.

And Kia sends out an info magazine to their customers every so often in the mail. I looked through it and they had a several page how to do article on recommended maintenence for their cars. I was actually impressed that they actually provided proper instructions. I have to give Kia a bit of credit for stepping their game up and at least being knowledgeable on current car care methods. Most car companies/car dealers don't know the difference between a swirl and a squirrel lol.

But as far as pdslax and his new truck, he may or may not know where to begin as far as choosing gallon sized professional products and high end fancy coatings quite yet.. UWWA can yield him quality results without having to overthink it. Just sayin.

[The Guz]

Re: Black SUV vs Trees and Dust

That is true but I would find a professional detailer and have them apply the coating. It's cost is high but in the long run it requires less maintenance and offers better protection than a wax or sealant (synthetic wax). The reason I mention this is because he will be going through lots of product if he chooses to use ultimate wash & wax anywhere. The cost adds up per bottle. So investing in a gallon of D114 or D115 would be the way to go to save him some money. Regardless some type of wax on the car would be better to help in protect in any etching from sap and what not. It could be as simple as a cleaner wax.

He's kind of in an awkward position. The only real answer is to find a better parking spot. But that may also be next to impossible.

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Black SUV vs Trees and Dust

Problem is finding a "professional" detailer might be the hardest task of all. I would advise anyone to steer clear of places like Yulp and similar sites full of hacks who are faking the funk. Finding a good detailer is about the same as trying to find an honest mechanic. Good luck with that. Lol.

"Hey can you get your babies mommas cousin to post a fake review for me"? Yulp!

If it were me, I'd save the couple hundred on the hack and stick with a wax or sealant applied by hands I can trust. My own! Lol.