Eliot Ness
Active member
B737Capt said:
Wait at least 24 hours between coats of SG (most users here like at least 2 coats of SG). Then wait at least 24 hours before applying Souveran.
Newbie/New Black GTO
- Thread starter B737Capt
- Start date
Wait at least 24 hours between coats of SG (most users here like at least 2 coats of SG). Then wait at least 24 hours before applying Souveran.
Corey Bit Spank
Active member
B737Capt said:
Yes, definitely.
Here is my $.02 worth. Since your car has been well detailed, the first thing you need to learn is proper washing techniques. I know this sounds silly. After all, how hard can it be to wash a car. But I guarantee, if you don't practice proper washing techniques on a black vehicle, you're going to start noticing scratches and swirling before too long.
First thing is, keep your vehicle clean on a regular basis. Dirt, water spots, and everything else will eventually work their way into your clear coat and even the windows if they are allowed to remain on the surface for very long.
The best way to maintain your finish is to wash it by hand if you know what you're doing. If you don't want to invest the time and energy washing your own vehicle, go ahead and take it on a regular basis to a professional place. Understand that you will get scratches and swirls, I don't care what a car wash place advertises or tells you, but this is still preferable to allowing your vehicle to remain dirty.
The basic things you need to know are use good auto shampoos, use good wash mits (never brushes), and use a good quality plush MF towels to dry and QD.
Some good reference material to get you started are the Gurureports from roadfly.org, and/or you can go to Better Car Care to learn more.
First thing is, keep your vehicle clean on a regular basis. Dirt, water spots, and everything else will eventually work their way into your clear coat and even the windows if they are allowed to remain on the surface for very long.
The best way to maintain your finish is to wash it by hand if you know what you're doing. If you don't want to invest the time and energy washing your own vehicle, go ahead and take it on a regular basis to a professional place. Understand that you will get scratches and swirls, I don't care what a car wash place advertises or tells you, but this is still preferable to allowing your vehicle to remain dirty.
The basic things you need to know are use good auto shampoos, use good wash mits (never brushes), and use a good quality plush MF towels to dry and QD.
Some good reference material to get you started are the Gurureports from roadfly.org, and/or you can go to Better Car Care to learn more.
Pondscum:
Thank you for yur 2cents! Ill take all I can get. I am planning on giving my car its first wash in about an hour. I have read the "How Tos" on this website and purchased some products that I believe to be high quality. I am going to use the two bucket method described on this website. Here is what I am going to use:
-Megs NXT Car wash applied with Chanille wash spong
-Dry with Sonüs Der Wunder Drying Towel
-Tires dressed with Megs Endurance
-QD with Megs QD applied with quality MF towel
(already washed all new towels and dried without fabric softener)
Am I missing anything? Any other advice you guys have before I go at it today?
Shoould I use QD on my plastic and rubber trim pieces? How about windshield wiper arms?
Thanks again everyone!
Thank you for yur 2cents! Ill take all I can get. I am planning on giving my car its first wash in about an hour. I have read the "How Tos" on this website and purchased some products that I believe to be high quality. I am going to use the two bucket method described on this website. Here is what I am going to use:
-Megs NXT Car wash applied with Chanille wash spong
-Dry with Sonüs Der Wunder Drying Towel
-Tires dressed with Megs Endurance
-QD with Megs QD applied with quality MF towel
(already washed all new towels and dried without fabric softener)
Am I missing anything? Any other advice you guys have before I go at it today?
Shoould I use QD on my plastic and rubber trim pieces? How about windshield wiper arms?
Thanks again everyone!
You're definitely on the right track.
One thing about MF is there is basically 3 different styles (there are actually more but I'll just cover 3). You have thin nap MF which is best for polishing, removing wax, windows, interior, and trim. You have plush MF which is best for drying and QD, and you have waffle weave. I'm not big on waffle weave, but that's just my personal preference, some people love them. You really don't want to use a thin nap MF for drying and QD because dirt particles may remain too close to the surface and scratch.
As far as your plastic and rubber trim, QD will not hurt them. I use a protectant for mine. As far as protectants and dressings, I feel there are basically two types. The first type is water based, and most of these are labeled as protectants and usually dry to a satin finish. The second type is oil based, and most of these are labeled as tire products and usually dry to a gloss finish.
I don't use petroleum based products because there is some evidence they can harm plastic and rubber. I don't think this is a huge problem on tires, because by the time there could be damage, it's probably time to replace them anyway. Most water based products use something called PDMS. PDMS is an advanced silicone which is quite safe. It's commonly used in cosmetics, shampoos, and interestingly enough in silicone breast implants.
Examples of water based products are 303, Eagle 1 Protectant, Zaino Z16, and Armor All Original. I use Armor All Original because it's at least as good as all the others, safe, cheapest, and I prefer a satin finish. I use it on my tires as well as plastic trim, and most everything in the interior except for leather.
One thing about MF is there is basically 3 different styles (there are actually more but I'll just cover 3). You have thin nap MF which is best for polishing, removing wax, windows, interior, and trim. You have plush MF which is best for drying and QD, and you have waffle weave. I'm not big on waffle weave, but that's just my personal preference, some people love them. You really don't want to use a thin nap MF for drying and QD because dirt particles may remain too close to the surface and scratch.
As far as your plastic and rubber trim, QD will not hurt them. I use a protectant for mine. As far as protectants and dressings, I feel there are basically two types. The first type is water based, and most of these are labeled as protectants and usually dry to a satin finish. The second type is oil based, and most of these are labeled as tire products and usually dry to a gloss finish.
I don't use petroleum based products because there is some evidence they can harm plastic and rubber. I don't think this is a huge problem on tires, because by the time there could be damage, it's probably time to replace them anyway. Most water based products use something called PDMS. PDMS is an advanced silicone which is quite safe. It's commonly used in cosmetics, shampoos, and interestingly enough in silicone breast implants.
Examples of water based products are 303, Eagle 1 Protectant, Zaino Z16, and Armor All Original. I use Armor All Original because it's at least as good as all the others, safe, cheapest, and I prefer a satin finish. I use it on my tires as well as plastic trim, and most everything in the interior except for leather.
My first wash went great! Now I am ready to purchase one of these PC things! Can anyone recommend where to buy one? Also I notice a lot of different pads and backing plates for this machine on different websites. Can anyone recommend pads or backing plates for me? Does the PC not come with a backing plate?