A Plan For My New Vehicle-- Advice Please?

J

jstuckey

New member
I recently purchased a 2004 Yukon DENALI -(BLK of course) & am interested in keeping good care of the paint. I'd like to know exactly how you would go about maintaing a showroom contion of the paint. (What should I buy; What should I do w/ it; when) I guess i'm asking for a Paint Maintaince Schedule.... =)

This is what I've been doing to it for the last few months:

Wash wheels, tires & tire wells w/ AJax and Water; Wash exterior with Meguiar's Gold Class(Wash Mitt); Ocassional wax w/ Meguiars.

Keep in mind:

The car is driven daily; usualy is fairly dirty in a few days(due to road conditions in this area); is solid black; garage kept; and I think that about covers it! If there is anything I left out that you need to know, just reply w/ a question.

Thanks,

js.
 
Welcome to Detail City. Black is a popular color around here so I'm sure someone will pipe up shortly with some good advice for you. Here's a plan for you to start the conversation.

Generally speaking, most around here recommend a good claying for new cars to remove the contaminates that arrived with the car. I've never had the fortune to clay a new car but clay really rocks on a neglected finish. :bigups

I would follow this up with a good chemical cleaner like Klasse All In One (AIO).

You will also want to keep some sort of wax or sealant on the paint. 4-Star's Ultimate Paint Protection (UPP) is a great looking long lasting sealant

I would regularly clean it between washes with Poorboys Spray and Wipe and some good thick Microfiber cloths. I use the $6.84 microfiber drying cloth you can get at Wal-Mart wiht S&W. S&W is some marvelous stuff - I can't recommend anything any higher.

As far as your wheels go - does Ajax contain chlorine? If so, I'd be reluctant to use it on the wheels. Chlorine is pretty caustic on most bare metal surfaces like brake rotors and calipers. And if you have aluminum alloy wheels - Aluminum and chlorine can react quite readily. (The aluminum in the wheels should be bonded with the other metals or alloys and should not be available to react so I'm being overly cautious here. Not so on the brake components.) Bon Ami is a similar cleaner that contains no chlorine if you want to continue with that routine.

Good luck with the Denali!
 
I have a black tahoe Z71. I've tried out most every 'boutique' brand, and what I like the best so far on the tahoe is the following:


1) If you don't have a Porter Cable 7424 polisher, get one. Very easy to use, WILL NOT harm your finish unless you drop it on your truck. I'd buy this before ANYTHING else on the list.

2) Buy a few waffle weave drying towels. They will dramatically reduce the swirls & fine scratches (but will not prevent them) DO NOT use old bath towels or a water blade, as they will promote the defects at a much quicker rate.

3) Buy microfiber towels to wipe off products. If you're crunched for cash buy the el'cheapo's at walmart or costco, and build up a collection of quality microfiber towels as you go.

3) Buy a gallon of Poorboys spray and wipe waterless car wash. It is a miracle product, unless you like pulling out the hose a few times each week.

I use the following products:

Porter Cable Pads: Advanced Orange Power Pad, and Advanced White Polishing Pad. I also like the double sides 'The Edge' pads, but they require a special adapter ($17), and produce quite a bit more vibration in the polisher.

Polish:

Menzerna Intensive Polish (I usually try to remove defects with Final Polish II first, before using Intensive Polish). Don't let the name fool you. It's not a heavy compond type of polish. (32oz for $25-26)

Menzerna Final Polish II (32oz for $25-26)

For these steps I use the orange power pad (to remove defects) and the white polish pad for final polishing.

Glaze:
Vanilla Moose (32 oz for $19)
use the white polishing pad.

Sealer:
Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection ($14)
apply by hand with a damp applicator.

Wax: ($13)
Meguires #16
apply by hand.

Another option is to purchase the Menzerna Car Care Kit for $69.00 and the Meguires #16 wax, and try the Vanilla Moose and Four Start Ultimate Paint Protection at a later time.
 
almost forgot -welcome to DC!

and....

leave the ajax in your kitchen for pots and pans. It's too abrasive to use on your expensive ride!!

A good all purpose cleaner like simple green will clean up your tires and wheel wells, and you can buy off the shelf wheel cleaners from meguires and eagle one.
 
I have a Black Camaro SS and mgm2003 has given some fine advice for black car care. You will need to invest some money to keep the black paint looking its best.

The one thing that I especially love is the Poorboys Spray and Wash.. Get a gallon or 2 !! I cannot say enough awesome things about this everyday product.

Good luck and welcome !!!
 
Thanks a lot guys!

I'll write up all of the products I plan on buying before I buy so that y'all can confirm I am in the right direction--


js.
 
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