Caring for the garage queen, need advice

[Green Sub]

Please don't laugh to hard when reading my request

I have a true garage queen, a 2007 special order Mustang with 701 miles. Took delivery straight off the transport truck at the dealer Jan 20, 2007

She has always been garaged, never washed with a hose (except maybe when the dealer prepped it), and seen only a sprinkle of rain. There is no rust at all on the rotors.

This is what I use to care for her

a. Spray bottle of water
b. California Duster
c. Meguiar's Silicon Free Dressing on tires and just a little bit on exterior plastic trim, engine hoses, and plastic parts in the engine bay.
d. Bags and bags of yellow micro fiber cloths
e. She has never been waxed. The paint is smooth as glass.

So is this the right course to go? The paint is clear coat Vista Blue Metallic. The tires show no browning. BTW, after 3 years she still has the "new car" smell in the interior :-)

Any advice caring for this Pony would be appreciated

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

Hi Green Sub,

First of all, welcome to MOL!

As for your questions, there are a few things worth pointing out. For starters, just using water and a wash mitt or towel to wipe the vehicle is actually very dangerous and will instill swirls and scratches without a doubt.

It actually makes it worse when there is no wax because the wax acts as a protective barrier and a lubricant between the paint and whatever contaminants may land on the car.

Have you ever clay barred the car? If it is as smooth as you suggest, it likely isn't a huge problem, but it never hurts to start a detail with that step to remove contamination, increase gloss and improve slickness of the finish.

As for wax, is there a reason you don't wax the car? I would highly suggest starting with a cleaner wax, and then follow that with a product like NXT 2.0 for some lasting protection. You will find that a waxed car is significantly easier to clean as contamination and dust come off MUCH easier - and it reduces the chance of scratching the paint in the process.

We would love to see some pics of the Mustang as it is today - especially out in the sun so we can see the condition of the paint and give you the best advice to clean and protect her for many years to come!

[Andy M.]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

To be honest, Have you tried claying? When your car was transported it was exposed to the elements. You mat be surprised what you may find. Polishing and regular waxing is also necessary in my opinion to keep it looking that way. I applaud the care that you treat your car with, I just think in order to bring out it's true potential you may want to try some of the things you can learn here. Oh yeah, Welcome to MOL!

Andy

[Green Sub]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

Thank you for the replies. I'll try to get some current pictures.

I have not waxed or used a clay bar. Here is my usual routine.

After the usual 5 mile trip around the greater neighborhood "loop"

1. California Duster
2. Inspect for any contamination and remove with just a touch of water from the spray bottle and a micro fiber towel. The car doesn't get fully sprayed down, just the contaminted area which is usualy around the rocker panel. The car doesn't ever get "dirty". You should see the wheel wells and under carrage :-)
3. Then I take another virgin yellow micro fiber and go over the car. I watch the towel often looking for the slightest bit of dirt and don't use that area any more. Yellow is a great color. There are no swirls and only just a few micro fine scratches here and there.
4. The wife hates it, but I don't wash the towels. Their second use is the wheel well or aluminum wheels, then the trash.
5. Then I use the Silicon Free Dressing on the tires about once every 2 months, wiping off any over spray.

Some may find it odd, but I get such an enjoyment out of detailing this baby, changing the fluids, and keeping the tire pressure up. All maintenace is documented and backed up on the Ford Owners web site.

[CAShine]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

To be honest, Have you tried claying? When your car was transported it was exposed to the elements. You mat be surprised what you may find. Polishing and regular waxing is also necessary in my opinion to keep it looking that way. I applaud the care that you treat your car with, I just think in order to bring out it's true potential you may want to try some of the things you can learn here. Oh yeah, Welcome to MOL!

Andy

[cnfowler]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

GS, the above recommendations are worth noting. Mark and Andy are very knowledgable gents and have given you great advice.

I have a question for you (and please don't take this the wrong way) - what is special about the Mustang? It appears to be a regular Mustang. Upon reading your post and before getting to the picture, I was expecting a limited edition, a GT-500, a special package, etc. I always wonder what makes a person purchase a new vehicle and then park it in the garage and rarely use it.

Colin

[Don]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

I agree with the others that you need to do some polishing and waxing on your 'Queen,' but at the very least, you need to switch from using plain water when you wipe down you car to using a quick detailing product such as Final Touch or Ultimate Quick Detailer. Water has no real lubricating qualities and these two products are designed to help protect and preserve the condition of the paint when used as directed (which is pretty much in the same manner as you use the water).

JMO, you're needlessly wasting a lot of MF towels. Washing them doesn't hurt them, and a washed Micro Fiber isn't any more dangerous to your finish. If you're afraid of wiping your paint with a cloth that might have brake dust on it, delegate certain cloths as your 'wheel wipers,' just mark them with a sharpie or other permanent marker to keep track of them.

[Green Sub]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

GS, the above recommendations are worth noting. Mark and Andy are very knowledgable gents and have given you great advice.

I have a question for you (and please don't take this the wrong way) - what is special about the Mustang? It appears to be a regular Mustang. Upon reading your post and before getting to the picture, I was expecting a limited edition, a GT-500, a special package, etc. I always wonder what makes a person purchase a new vehicle and then park it in the garage and rarely use it.

Colin

My first car in 1976 was a 1970 Mustang Sports Roof with standard 302 2V. Also bought a Mustang 1988 Mustang GT and kept it from '88 to '90. I wanted a Mustang that was as retro as possible, emulating my 1970 model. There is a free space in the 3 car garage and the $23,000 was right for my budget and I paid cash for her. I was 47 at the the time of order. So why not? I truely have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it. Hope to keep it till I die.

[Green Sub]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

I agree with the others that you need to do some polishing and waxing on your 'Queen,' but at the very least, you need to switch from using plain water when you wipe down you car to using a quick detailing product such as Final Touch or Ultimate Quick Detailer. Water has no real lubricating qualities and these two products are designed to help protect and preserve the condition of the paint when used as directed (which is pretty much in the same manner as you use the water).

Sounds like great advice. Will do. Do you have a preference between the 2?

[CieraSL]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

I'd go with Ultimate Quik Detailer, as it's easily available most anywhere auto supplies are sold, with a price tag of about $10. Also, instead of NXT 2.0, I'd lay down a coat of #26 High Tech Yellow Wax. I guarantee it would look awesome on that dark blue! You can find #26 at most auto parts stores. I also agree with the claying part. You can get the Smooth Surface Clay Kit at Wal-Mart for around $16. Here's a video:

[akimel]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

Hi, Green Sub. Welcome to MOL.

I'd like to join the others in recommending that you use a quick detailer, rather than just water, to wipe down the car after one of your drives around the neighborhood. As others have pointed out, water lacks the necessary lubrication to remove dust and dirt safely. Every time we touch the paint, we risk instilling swirls--hence the need to put appropriate lubrication between the paint and the towel. Meguiar's has many choices for you. If you want a body shop safe quick detailer, i.e., one that does not have any silicone, then get yourself some M34 Final Inspection; otherwise, go with Ultimate Quik Detailer (UQD). And be sure to use only high quality microfiber towels, like Meguiar's Supreme Shine towels. Wash new towels once before using them to remove any "stuff" that might be embedded in them. If you are not sure how to properly wash your microfiber towels, do a search of the MOL archives.

I note that you are not waxing the paint surface. I understand that many who take their vehicles to car shows also avoid waxing their cars. Given that your Mustang is basically garaged 24/7 and only rarely driven, the application of a protectant may not be a high priority. But if you would like to heighten the gloss and add a touch of temporary wetness to the paint, you might consider applying M07 Show Car Glaze. It's a favorite among show car enthusiasts, especially among those who own dark-colored cars. However, you will only want to apply it to a clean surface.

If you should ever decide to wax your car, I would recommend that you try Pinnacle Souveran. It's a beauty wax and durability ain't good, but it sure looks gorgeous on dark-colored vehicles.

One product for you to consider: Optimum No Rinse. It's a rinseless wash and might be more effective in safely removing dirt than a quick detailer. Use a high quality microfiber or lambs wool mitt with it. If ONR interests you, do a search through the MOL archives. I'd be happy to point you to more information about it. Personally, FWIW, I feel better about giving my car an ONR rinse than I do about cleaning it with a quik detailer--and an ONR rinse certainly is safer than just using water alone!

In any case, I compliment you on the care you are giving to your gorgeous Mustang!

Cheers,
Al

[Green Sub]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

Hi, Green Sub. Welcome to MOL.

If you want a body shop safe quick detailer, i.e., one that does not have any silicone, then get yourself some M34 Final Inspection;

Thank you for the compliments.

I have been so pleased with the long term results of Meguiar's Silicon Free Dressing on the tires I would very much like a silicon free detailer. Price does not matter, so M34 is what I will get.

Got the Pony out for some current photos for you guys, but it was 6:00 PM and I didn't think it would give you the bright sun light that you were looking for. Saturday looks good for photos.

Mrs. Green Sub and I did give the paint a very close look. We don't see any swirls after 3 years, but will let you guys be the judge.

[ColonelCash]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

Mr. Green Sub,
As others have mentioned. welcome to MOL! Like you, I have a garage queen (many on MOL do) and I have found that using a product called Optimum No Rinse has been a life saver. ONR is a product that you add to a bucket of water and it allows you to wash your car inside. A couple ounces of ONR allows you to wash the car without all the excess water typically used. There are PLENTY of threads on MOL about it, so feel free to search ONR and see if that is something you might want to look at.

Also, the second life saver I have found is called a "Battery Tender" and is made by Deltran. This product is a float charger that maintains your car at optimum operation levels when not in use. I picked up mine on Amazon for $30ish. It is a highly prized piece of hardware!

There are some good tips, especially from Al (couple posts earlier). Feel free to ask questions and enjoy your stay on MOL!

[Garage Troll]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

This isn't actually a paint care suggestion, but does the vehicle move often? I know it's low miles but if you at least move it often you can disregard this.

However, it you don't drive it often and it sits for a long period of time, ie winter, I would suggest something like these flat spot stoppers for your tires

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...2C+set+of+4.do

This will save you from flat spots that will cause you to have to replace your tires prematurely.

Just a suggestion.

Btw... nice pony package in vista blue!

[Green Sub]

Re: Caring for the garage queen, need advice

+1000 on the Battery Tender Plus. I added one around 12 months in to owning the car. It truly is a life saver.

At 701 it is very low miles, but I do move it on to the driveway every 2 weeks or so, weather permitting. Let the engine come up to temp for about 30 minutes. It does have a stainless exhaust.

The main reason she was special ordered was for the manual trans and Interior Sports Appearance Package. It has an all black dash (but with the upgraded steering wheel, shifter, and pedals), not the aluminum dash one you see so often. It's so RETRO. Just like my '70 Sportsroof.

It was cloudy today and 2+ inches of rain scheduled tommorw, but sunny day pictures are comming.