For convertibles (vinyl) I use the Meguiar's NXT vinyl conditioning product and it does an awesome job. Shines like Armorall but lasts much longer and protects from UV, acid rain, cracking, etc, etc. Spray, spread on with a cloth and buff with a terry towel of some kind.
This is the easiest wax I have ever used and it lasts a long time. Every time you apply it, the finish just keeps getting deeper. I have a black GT and this product never leaves even the slightest bit of film or white residue. You can wax your car really fast with this product. Wipe on, buff of with a terry towel immediately. No drying time at all.
_____________________________
'98 Mustang GT- Triple Black Convertible Gold Pony Graphics w/Gold Nose Pony Steeda Sport Springs, 3.73 Gears Tokico Struts & Shocks w/KYB Quads Magnaflow Catback, March Under Pulleys AF Plenum w/FR 70mm TB, BBK CAI EBC Rotors & Green "Snot
This is a great thread... Thanx for all the info...
I have a redfire 05 and I am sort of a detailing nut... For me it's relaxing. I have two young kids so getting out and doing something like detailing the car is kinda like a work out. Sad isn't it? . Usually I wash the car once a week and follow this process... Of course, this is really hard in the winter time..
1. Wet car with no nozzle.. Just let the water sheet off the car to loosen any contaminates that are on the surface before you start scrubbing. 2. Use Meg. Gold Car wash... It's ok..not the best I've ever used... Use a soft microfiber mitt to wash the car...Top to bottom... (If you go bottom to top you're picking all of the road grime on the lower part of your car and putting on your hood, trunk etc... Here come the swirls (if you have a dark car)). I have a convertible and I was told to never use Harmit-All on anything... The oils make your top, dash, etc... look good, but apparently they also dry out the leather, rubber, and vinyl in the long run. For the interior, the "experts" say you should use a water based cleaner, protecter like the Pinnacle line. (Autogeek has it). I use RaggTopp cleaner on the top and rinse off with a hose. Also, don't use a nozzle.. .Just let the water run out of the hose and gravity will take alot of the water off... Less drying needed. 3. Do wheels next... I use black magic wheel cleaner 4. Dry with a plush microfiber towel. Do door jambs, under the hood, trunk etc... 5. (Don't laugh) I get my leaf blower out and blow out the grill, side rear views (water loves to hide in there).. There isn't anything more frustrating the getting done, closing the door, and getting a big drip down the side. 6. Every 6 months I polish with Klasse All in one... THis stuff is great...Comes off easy too. Put it on your wheels also... Makes the brake dust easier to get off next time you wash. Use a microfiber pad and microfiber towel to buff and you buff it out as you go... (one section at a time) 7. With every 6th wash I layer Klasse Sealant on top (maybe a couple of coates depending on my mood). Be careful... Don't put alot of this on!! You will break your arm trying to get it off. Also, the longer you wait (sometimes I leave it on overnight), the better the seal and shine. Once again, microfiber pad to apply and microfiber towel to buff. Pick up some instant detailer (Meg. Final Touch) to spray on the pads while applying... it helps put the sealant on smoothly and avoids heavy spots so buffing is easier... 8. Then I move to the inside while the Klasse Sealant is drying... I use the Pinnacle Leather Conditioner on the seats and Pinnacle Vinyl and Rubber protectant on the dash, doors... (i.e. everything rubber or vinyl). Stoner Invisible glass on the gauges, satin trim.. 9. Polish off the Klasse Sealant if I put it on... 10. Then put some Meg. Carnuba on to seal and protect the car. I do this every week. Microfiber pad and microfiber towel to buff.. 11 Do the windows with Stoner's Invisible Glass...
Yes, I know..I'm sure I'll get flamed for posting this... But it's my escape... And after the car is done, it looks freaking amazing. Richest and deepest shine... And it makes cleaning go quicker because crap just won't stick to the car... There are some great articles on the internet about this stuff... It takes alot of time guys and gals... About 4 hours plus the wait time... But the next time you clean the car, you'll be amazed at how easy the dirt comes off..
I hope people keep posting their ideas to this thread... Great info...
< Message edited by DanteMo -- 7/16/2005 3:31:11 PM >
Team MF Member #088 Posts: 1447
Joined: 12/24/2004 Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: fordguy17
only an hour for all that? it takes me 45 minutes to wash and dry my car alone...
but not i don't usually go all out. i wash, dry, clean rims and tires, tirwet, clean windows, and wipe down interior. i vacuum every few weeks. wax once a month or so...
_____________________________
2002 GT @ 100 Wet HP - BBK LT Headers - BBK O/R H Pipe - Magnapacks - CAI - Diablosport Predator - MGW short throw - MT ET Streets 275/40 - FRPP 4.10 gears - Steeda U/D p
I must be a freak, I take a few more steps. Wash the car- with a safe pH balanced soap (Wolfgang, DP, etc) Dry with Microfiber Waffle Weave Apply Wolfgang Paint Sealant Tires get stoner MSLT or Meg Insane dressing windows get Stoner Invisible Glass Dash and leather get 303 protectant (NO ONE uses Armour All anymore-did you not see what it did to all of those dashes over the years) Top gets RaggTopp and nothing else!
Next weekend wash it again and apply a Carnauba wax like Pinnacle Signature Series or P21s Maintain inbetween waxings with a Carnauba instant detailer to prolong the wax
Posts: 810
Joined: 5/15/2005 From: Smithfield. RI Status: offline
quote:
Meguiar products are very good, especially their newer synthetic NXT line. They make a vinyl cleaner/conditioner that is so good I use it on my convertible top. Protects it from all kinds of nasties and shines the top real nice
^^^^kudos to Deannostang
_____________________________
2001 GT - C&L 80 mm maf/ CAI kit, magnapacks, bullit pedals, pony floor mats, mustang letter inserts, mach 1 chin spoiler, mach 1 grill delete, 17x8 bullit wheels, SCT 93 Octane tune, 75 mm TB/Plenum, billet peices, white face gauges...ran 14.071!
Use 303 Aerospace cleaner (I get it at Canadian Tire, but then again I live in Canada. It's available everywhere though). I use a microfiber waffle weave drying towel I got from Packshak (from Hawaii) and a sheepskin washing mitt from costco. I was using turtle wax platinum car wash that I got from costco but they don't carry it anymore. It's too bad 'cause it left an awesome shine and when it rained you hardly had to put the wipers on at all (unless it was pouring) as the rain would just bead off of the windshield. I have a Meguiar's 3 step wax system but I haven't used it yet as my car is so new. Gonna wait until I get decaling done.
Printable Version
RE: When washing your baby... - 
. Usually I wash the car once a week and follow this process... Of course, this is really hard in the winter time.. 
