Basic advice

MiVor

MiVor

New member
So I just got a new (to me) truck (2013 Silverado 1500 LT). The paint is in really good shape (the truck looks like new). Although I have a Porter Cable 7424, I'm not sure I really 'need' to polish, just get and keep a good layer of protection at least when spring comes. In the past (circa 2007) I was fond of Optimum and Duragloss polish and also quite liked Aquawax. On the interior I did extraction for the carpet and really liked 303 Aerospace Protectant.

So what is the 'today's best advice' on products and practices for the semi-novice???
 
I'd wash, clay bar, and seal at a minimum. If after claying there are swirls or a few scratches, take the time to make it right, get it sealed, and start off right.
 
MiVor said:
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In the past (circa 2007) I was fond of Optimum and Duragloss polish and also quite liked Aquawax. On the interior I did extraction for the carpet and really liked 303 Aerospace Protectant.
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Those are still highly recommended products today. It sounds like you're off to a good start.
 
I agree with the thorough wash and clay. If you like DG and no correction is necessary, I'd give it a good rub with DG501 for a good cleaning, then seal with your choice of product. DG's 105 and 110 are still highly thought of, but the new DG coating product has gotten good reviews also and is very moderately priced, as all DG usually is. If you go the coating route, skip the 501, as the prep step for the coating uses the same cleaners as 501.

Bill
 
Trouble said:
I wouldnt do anything till Spring. My cars haven't been washed since October
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I won't be claying, polishing or 'waxing' until spring, but I go to the power (spray) wash ($2.50) at least weekly unless it's too cold - way too much crud and salt here in Central New York to go without washing.
 
Trouble said:
In a way a good layer of dirt protects your finish
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I've never believed that - all someone has to do is brush up against yer dirty finish and it's like sand paper. Besides, as I mentioned, there's a fair amount of salt spray in the 'dirt' around here in winter where even the smallest nick will begin to rust.
 
I'd be interested to hear the rationale behind "dirt protects your finish".

IMO dirt harbors moisture (which can lead to all sorts of problems) and can also be abrasive (causing marring if somebody/something brushes against the vehicle). That's leaving aside the whole salt/etc. issue. Plus, dirt makes it harder to see if there's some mechanical issue developing (just caught a leaking transmission seal on the A8, well before it got critical). I'm a big fan of keeping vehicles, undercarriage and all, properly detailed all year-round, even if you don't care about the aesthetic factor. And OK, I'll admit it- maybe it's just vanity, but I'd no more drive a filthy vehicle than go out wearing dirty clothes.

MiVor- Welcome to Autopia! Congrats on the new truck, and you've received good advice on how to keep it that way.
 
Accumulator said:
I'd be interested to hear the rationale behind "dirt protects your finish".
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It acts as a protective barrier of sorts. Its hard to wrap your head around what I'm saying I understand

I've seen countless cars over the years that have been poorly maintained. I will take the one that has never been washed over one that gets weekly tunnel washed or the $10 broomstick parking lot hack washes everytime

No, I was not joking
 
I just picked up a 2013 Ford Focus for our son...I did a wash, clay, polished with a PC..Black hole glazed with the PC, then sealed..twice over two days and finished with nattys blue paste wax..It's a metallic black car and looks perfect to me. That's my go to process for all of our cars twice a year and in between that the cars are cleaned weekly and waxed once a month...all are garage queens
 
Trouble said:
It acts as a protective barrier of sorts. Its hard to wrap your head around what I'm saying I understand..
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Heh heh, I'm sure you don't mean to be insulting, but I sincerely doubt that this topic could involve anything I can't wrap my head around ;)

I can see dirt acting as a barrier of sorts with regard to, say...some bird-bombs, but the "moisture retention" and "abrasives sitting on the paint" factors outweigh that for me. Maybe we just have different priorities.

I've seen countless cars over the years that have been poorly maintained. I will take the one that has never been washed over one that gets weekly tunnel washed or the $10 broomstick parking lot hack washes everytime

No, I was not joking
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See, I simply view "unwashed" as being a form of "poorly maintained". In my area, unwashed vehicles rust out due to the moisture/salt-retention issue. Period. Simple as that- UNLESS they're properly/thoroughly rustproofed, and that's awfully rare.

If you're assuming the vehicle *was* properly rustproofed, then that's different and maybe we don't disagree all that much after all.

I guess it's a pet peeve of mine in part because I had to replace all the fuel and brake lines (no longer available, had to all be custom-made) on the '93 Audi because the previous owner's so-called detailer didn't keep those areas clean. Even the tunnel wash's undercarriage spray would've probably done the trick.

OTOH, the old Volvo I inherited was run through the tunnel wash regularly, including the undercarriage spray. Yeah, it was marred up, but it was also rust-free, and still is despite decades of use in winter salt. And I compounded it one time after I got it, and it's still looking swell today for its current owner. Looks better-than-swell IMO for a 30-some year old car.

I do agree with you *in the short-term* though, it's just those long-term ramifications that I've learned about the hard way.

And OK, I guess that the marring from "rub against a dirty car" vs. "crappy wash technique" could be a toss-up, but I'd hope that any Autopian can wash (at least relatively) marring-free even if that means just running it through a touchless (with all the product-related risks that can involve).

And no, I'm not trying to be contentious, I just don't want somebody who believes everything on the internet to say they "read on Autopia that you don't have to wash your car..but now mine is all rusted out!".
 
Accumulator said:
Heh heh, I'm sure you don't mean to be insulting, but I sincerely doubt that this topic could involve anything I can't wrap my head around ;)

I can see dirt acting as a barrier of sorts with regard to, say...some bird-bombs, but the "moisture retention" and "abrasives sitting on the paint" factors outweigh that for me. Maybe we just have different priorities.



See, I simply view "unwashed" as being a form of "poorly maintained". In my area, unwashed vehicles rust out due to the moisture/salt-retention issue. Period. Simple as that- UNLESS they're properly/thoroughly rustproofed, and that's awfully rare.

If you're assuming the vehicle *was* properly rustproofed, then that's different and maybe we don't disagree all that much after all.

I guess it's a pet peeve of mine in part because I had to replace all the fuel and brake lines (no longer available, had to all be custom-made) on the '93 Audi because the previous owner's so-called detailer didn't keep those areas clean. Even the tunnel wash's undercarriage spray would've probably done the trick.

OTOH, the old Volvo I inherited was run through the tunnel wash regularly, including the undercarriage spray. Yeah, it was marred up, but it was also rust-free, and still is despite decades of use in winter salt. And I compounded it one time after I got it, and it's still looking swell today for its current owner. Looks better-than-swell IMO for a 30-some year old car.

I do agree with you *in the short-term* though, it's just those long-term ramifications that I've learned about the hard way.

And OK, I guess that the marring from "rub against a dirty car" vs. "crappy wash technique" could be a toss-up, but I'd hope that any Autopian can wash (at least relatively) marring-free even if that means just running it through a touchless (with all the product-related risks that can involve).

And no, I'm not trying to be contentious, I just don't want somebody who believes everything on the internet to say they "read on Autopia that you don't have to wash your car..but now mine is all rusted out!".
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Sounds like we agree then

I am going to start offering Rustproofed Dirt Coatings and make a fortune!
 
It's surprising on this site to find anyone advocating 'maintaining' a dirty vehicle. Dirt is the enemy of the finish which is why there's such an emphasis on washing and waxing/sealing products and procedures. However, I do see how vehicles improperly washed could mar and ultimately be worse than not washing. I remember years ago a kid that worked for me said one day "I get more dirt off when I wax than when I wash the car." I just cringed....but this was a fellow that didn't really know about proper wash methods, let alone claying...Heck, back then (70's) neither did I!
 
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