Detailing New Chrysler 300 - Mopar Recommended?

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Hi - just bought a new silver Chrsyler 300. I asked the dealer to detail it before taking delivery, but there are still tar deposits on the paint. From the sticker, it looks like the car has been sitting in the lot for 9 months.



The owners manual recommends using Mopar cleaning products - I ran a search here and all I could turn up was the Mopar interior cleaner, which seemed to receive good reviews. The manual said do NOT use ArmorAll, for whatever reason.



At any rate - I was planning on purchasing and using:



Meguiar's G1016 Smooth Surface Clay Kit - following the wash, to remove the tar, etc., prior to waxing.



Meguiar's NXT Wash & Wax Kit - includes: 18 oz. NXT Tech Wax 2.0 (G12718), 18 oz. NXT Car Wash (G12619), 24 oz. NXT Insane Shine Spray (G13124), 22 oz. Ultimate Quik Detailer (G14422), Microfiber Towel (M9910) and a Foam Applicator Pad (R-30-60-241).



Meguiar's X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber - Pack of 3



And I was just going to buy the Mopar interior protector, as the price is pretty much the same and the guy here on the board recommended it.



As I don't really know jack about any of this - any advice/info would be great.
 
-Do get clay to get that tar off and any other contaminants.

-Would not recommend NXT wax. If you must use a Meguiar's wax, I'd be more likely to recommend Meg's #26 Yellow. If you don't mind waxing on a somewhat regular basis and have a Harley Davidson store anywhere nearby, they should carry S100 paste wax, which as far as LOOKS is very good, especially considering it's OTC at some bike shops.

-I have no experience with the rest of those NXT products but I know Meg's Gold Class wash is a good choice - may be cheaper and it's a solid product. Meg's quik detailer in the red bottle is a good product as well for removing dust, wax residue, etc.

-If you have a Target nearby, their Vroom brand of microfiber towels is probably as good as it gets OTC and they are priced affordably.

-As far as interior protectors, I don't know anything about that Mopar product. I really like Meg's #40 vinyl and leather, if you like a little bit of shine on the dash (not extreme though), or 303 Aerospace Protectant if you like the interior to just look clean and consistent with minimal shine.



I'm sure many others will add their opinions,



D
 
Thanks for the quick response. We live out in the boondocks - so other than your run-of-the-mill autoparts stores, there's nothing available. I was planning on just buying products off the 'net.



For the wax, the car has already been sitting on the lot for 9 months - and I don't have a carport. So I'd like to use whatever hand wax might afford the longest protection. I'm an idiot, so NXT sounded cool? Whatever you guys suggest, I'll use - as the price of the protectant probably would be a fraction of the price of the car :)



But I don't have any mechanical tools - and it appears you need professional experience to use them - so it's going to be "wax on, wax off" Karate Kid crap for me.



I have a 2000 Jeep, which is all metal - whereas this 300 has body molding all over the place - not sure whether different waxes are needed for different areas either.



On my Jeep, I literally yank off the top, take out all the carpet, wax the exterior and interior with Meguiars - and never have been able to figure out how in the hell to get rid of the tar - on the paint or the wheels.



I don't want to screw up and "wax" the tar into the new 300 - as Jeeps are supposed to look rugged, so tar is not as big a deal.



Plus I only have time to do a Spring/Fall detail. So if there's anything online that offers the best protection, that's what I'd go for. Then whatever is best for the weekly/bi-weekly "car wash".



I'm not taking the vehicles to a show - I'd just like to keep the new 300 in the best condition. Thanks for the info.



Also, if anyone is in the market for a 300 - I got the 2.7L engine, which is supposedly not "big" enough. That's a load of crap. That car zooms plenty fast - so for 23k drive off, I got a Mercedes E-class suspension, the handling is stupid tight, a much more luxurious interior than anything else in the price range. And I think the styling will hold up for years as a "classic". So I'm pretty psyched about it. I did drive the 3.5, didn't notice a difference - did not drive the Hemi, as I didn't want buyer's remorse :) My guess is that thing must freakin' MOVE. But I couldn't afford it anyway.



Now if I can just keep it looking like new, I'm set. But that's the tricky part I guess.



drew.haynes said:
-Do get clay to get that tar off and any other contaminants.

-Would not recommend NXT wax. If you must use a Meguiar's wax, I'd be more likely to recommend Meg's #26 Yellow. If you don't mind waxing on a somewhat regular basis and have a Harley Davidson store anywhere nearby, they should carry S100 paste wax, which as far as LOOKS is very good, especially considering it's OTC at some bike shops.

-I have no experience with the rest of those NXT products but I know Meg's Gold Class wash is a good choice - may be cheaper and it's a solid product. Meg's quik detailer in the red bottle is a good product as well for removing dust, wax residue, etc.

-If you have a Target nearby, their Vroom brand of microfiber towels is probably as good as it gets OTC and they are priced affordably.

-As far as interior protectors, I don't know anything about that Mopar product. I really like Meg's #40 vinyl and leather, if you like a little bit of shine on the dash (not extreme though), or 303 Aerospace Protectant if you like the interior to just look clean and consistent with minimal shine.



I'm sure many others will add their opinions,



D
Click to expand...
 
As far as wax, the NXT 2.0 is actually well respected around here. Do some searching. Also, keep in mind that it is not a wax, it is a sealant (synthetic/polymer). The recommended s100 is a good wax but probably won't be as durable as the NXT 2.0. If you are really looking for a product will provide great protection and durability as well as nice looks I would recommend Collinite 845IW.



-Frank
 
Hi!



I do recommend the NXT 2.0, esp. if your going to buy in a shop. If you cant find it dont get the original version thats not to good. If i couldent get NXT 2.0 i would buy Mothers FX Synwax!



My main advice to you is this: Purchase a paintwork cleaner such as Meguiars Deep Crystal Step One or Mothers Phase 1. These will clean the paintwork, above and below the surface. That way the pores are clean and your NXT 2.0 can bond better.



Enjoy the new car!



Geoff
 
Hadn't read your follow up to my post yet. I would DEFINITELY second that Collinite 845IW for durability. It is my favorite wax when it comes to durability. A little goes a long way and that stuff will bead for several months on a car that sits outside (my trans am is outside at school year round). For how durable it is, it actually LOOKS pretty good too. Also, I've only used it once but FK1 Pink Wax looks great and has pretty good durability as well.. I've been planning on ordering some myself, as I only have a sample from another Autopian.
 
For a cheap durable wax I'd definitely "third" the colonite 845 recommendations. I use it on my silver BMW and am pleased with it's protection and appearance. I'd also probably pick up a little aqua wax to supplement it every couple of weeks after washes.



I have noticed it doesn't bead as nicely with the AW, but I have a hard time believing the additional layer doesn't add additional protection.



You can snag both of them for easily under $20 shipped.
 
Yeah, I will "fourth" the 845 recommendation. It is super easy to use, looks pretty doggone good, and lasts a while. I use it in the winter when I simply can't be obessive, and I use it on family member's cars all the time.



You would not be disappointed with 845.
 
So is Collinite 845IW the way to go or the Meguiar's NXT?



I know I'm an idiot - but I don't understand the difference between a wax and a sealant? Are NXT and Collinite both sealants?



The detailing guide here is extremely... well, detailed. But it gets confusing - as I have a hose and a bucket and front yard with a shade tree, and zero detailing experience.



I appreciate that this is an enthusiast site and therefore would provide the "right" way to do things - but is there also a "right" way that's less intense?



It sounds like I need to wash it with the Deep Crystal, then rub it with that clay bar thing, then apply the sealant? And afterwards, I can just wash it every couple of weeks or so to protect the paint job? And repeat the major sealant detailing twice a year - and I'm good to go?



Thanks again for all of the helpful info.



The Meguiar stuff all comes in a kit I can buy from Amazon - so being a noob, that makes it easy to buy - but if the Colonite is better, I can buy the other stuff bit by bit instead.



I just don't want to screw up and buy something that only a professional should apply, and I end up royally f-ing up the process :)



To be completely honest, I'm a bit skittish about the clay bar - but I had planned to wash it extremely well prior to using it.
 
I think as a noob, your NXT plan sounds right. Just be sure to apply it thin, don't let it build up in crevices or around emblems and keep it off of all rubber and plastic trim. Shiny trim should be alright if it isn't textured. You will probably want to do it 4 times a year or you won't really be keeping up your protection. Do your claying at least at the twice a year interval (spring and fall). And make sure you have soft, clean, wash media, and be very gentle.



After a year or two, you will probably have built up enough residual contamination that you will need to do something more to clean your paint.
 
Unlike my Jeep, this 300 seems to be half plastic for the moldings and whatnot. How do you care for those? And with the moldings, there are a zillion creases - so how would you go about avoiding those?



Thanks again for everyone's help - not trying to be a pain in the ***. Maybe as an amateur I shouldn't be wading around on a pro site and bothering y'all with my idiocy.



This weekend, I'm just hoping to go in armed with a water hose, a shade tree, and whatever products y'all suggest - and do my best not to screw anything up.



Right now, after a rain, water is beading up nicely on the car. I just thought, after sitting on the lot for almost a year, the car would need a good detailing before the sun eats away at it all summer long.
 
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