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Old 11-21-2012, 07:37 AM
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Default keeping the exterior clean

I've heard many different opinions about the best way to maintain the exterior. I thought I'd ask and get some opinions. My questions are:

Wax: how often?
Clay bar: when to use it?
Washing: Water? Cleaners only?
Detailing Products: brand and type?
Chrome: best way to preserve it?
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Old 11-21-2012, 04:42 PM
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I wax 2 times a year, touch up when needed
Not had to use a clay bar yet, not a fan of them
Damp soft cloth or a california duster, No water
Meguiar's G-7014J Gold Class Carnauba Plus
For the tires I still expermenting with what I like. Nothing for me that makes the tires look wet, I like the more natural look.
Chrome I keep waxed and polished.
The dash pad I have been trying baby oil after I read it on here. Looks great so far.
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Old 11-22-2012, 12:20 AM
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I think you will find different opinions depending on car color.

Wax: two or three times depending on how often washed.
clay bar: never used one
Washing: Only wash in the shade, dry with microfiber over and over, then I will pull into sunlight and dry again to make sure there is NO water left. Use Mequiar's car wash.
Detailing: For me having a black car I love the finishing spray called ICE. Not the brand by Turtle Wax, you can only find it in the Auto Paint stores.
Chrome: The ICE works really well on the chrome too.
Dash: The baby oil thing is great, just make sure you wipe if off well. Thanks flash !
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Old 11-23-2012, 09:17 AM
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I've heard many people say they do not use water to wash the car. It makes sense but it seems like you'd need a good washing from time to time to remove build up?
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Old 11-23-2012, 12:05 PM
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The no water thing is probably more for show cars that never really get dirty than for a driver type cars like mine .
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Old 11-23-2012, 08:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flash View Post
The no water thing is probably more for show cars that never really get dirty than for a driver type cars like mine .
I do agree. The road grime would be hard to get off, and would seem like it would scratch the paint without water.
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Old 11-23-2012, 09:50 PM
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I may use water but it not out of a hose. Lots of soft damp rags and a bucket of water. My car is never driven in the rain, so road grime at this point.
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Old 11-24-2012, 06:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowgray396 View Post
I may use water but it not out of a hose. Lots of soft damp rags and a bucket of water. My car is never driven in the rain, so road grime at this point.
I use a bucket of warm water and a micro fiber cloth, no soap. The micro fiber will remove bugs and any grime. Try it, you'll be surprised how well it cleans. Of course I don't drive the car through mud puddles, that would take more water and probably soap. I do one section at a time and dry it right away.

Clay bars work good but unless your car sits outside it probably won't need it. I've used one on my truck and other car. The truck sits outside all the time and gets full of tree sap and other dirt that bakes into the wax. The clay bat removed all the grime and makes waxing a lot easier.
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Old 11-24-2012, 07:59 AM
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I have a question, 15 years ago I owned a light silver car. The car sat outside and about every 4 months I would notice that the car looked dingy. Someone suggested a product called color back to get all the "grime" off the car. I tried it and it really cleaned up the paint. Now I have a car that is 4 years old and is a lighter colored silver and I was wondering if anyone has used Color Back on one of the newer cars. I know the paints and clear coats have changed over the years and I was wondering if it damages the paint. Thanks for your input.
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Old 11-24-2012, 09:13 AM
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Color back is a light rubbing compound cleaner wax, I have used it on many cars to clean oxidation off the paint. I used it on my red truck at least once a year. I used it on our white company trucks with good results, but use a non scratch pad so I don't get swirl marks. I would try it on a small spot down low where it won't show first. A good cleaner wax would also work about the same. I have used a light polishing compound before, but have had it show swirl marks on a black car.
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Last edited by shadowgray396; 11-24-2012 at 09:16 AM.
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