Brand new BLACK Mazda6

[ejoech]

Hey everyone. First time poster. I purchased my first car, a 2004 black loaded Mazda6, a week ago. The salesman convinced me to purchase the Simoniz System 5..which is the teflon paint sealant package. I really didn't know if it was BS or not, and I couldn't find anything online so I decided what the hell, it can't hurt, and had it added. When I picked it up from the dealer it looked BEAUTIFUL. Since then it's gotten pretty dirty compared to how it originally was, but not too bad. I was planning on washing it soon. Last night I was at my girlfriends house and around 2am her ex boyfriend came by and put wet newspaper(it was raining) ALL over my car. I picked it all off and didn't see any left over marks, thank god. This morning I checked the car out in the day light and there was some inprinted ink from the newspaper on the back of my car. This was an excuse to clean it. I've never really washed a car before - so I must have done something wrong. I bought one of those car washing sponges, some Meguiar's Car Soap, and a micro fiber towel. Wet the car, soaped it up, rinsed, dried it with the MF towel...It took a while to get the newspaper ink out, but it did come out. I dried it as much as I could with the MF towel but it wasn't completely dry so I took it for a 10 minute drive or so. I came back, took my flashlight(I washed the whole thing in the dark - just had a flash light attached to my head) and checked out the car up close. Up close it looks like there's still water marks, and even very fine scratches. NOT good. I couldn't believe it. It's still dark out so I guess I can't tell 100%..but the car looks horrible. I'll have to see what it looks like in day light tomorrow. What did I do wrong? How can I fix this?



Since this obviously didn't work out, I'm going to bring it to a detailer and have him make it look brand new again. I did a search and saw that some people reccomended "Detailing Dynamics" in Mineola. Any other good places in the Long Island area? How much should I look to pay to have it completely done? I've never done this before, as you can tell.



Any help is appreciated. Thank you!



-Sage

 

[raymond_ho2002]

Use a washmitt instead of a sponge. Wash in sections, use the two-bucket method. Do a search for two-bucket method and proper wash methods.



I advise against getting the scratches fixed at this moment.. No use in fixing it if you don't fix the source of the problems. When you can wash without producing scratches, then take it to be detailed.



my opinion only, of course.

-Raymond

 

[scottabir]

I too have a black 6 and all I can say is have fun keeping it clean

First of all check out the Learn! button on the top of the home page that should get you started.

In my neck of the woods I charge about $175ish inside and out on cars...just the outside only should take a light polishing and wax topper maybe $90-$100

 

[ejoech]

Thanks for your replies. I took the car to Hess and it actually looks pretty good unless you get up close on certain parts...I did however miss a couple small spots and there were some streak marks, but I think that's more because I did it at night.



Definately don't need a detailer, now. Is it too early to wax/polish it?



Also, does anyone know anything about this Simoniz System 5? I can't find anything about it.





I picked up a wash mitt with the sponge, but to be honest I thought the sponge would be safer than the wash mitt that I got. What should I look for in a wash mitt or are they all nice and soft?



Thank you very much.

 

[DaGonz]

Welcome to Autopia!



Any dealer applied "paint protection system" is a total ripoff. They charge you hundreds of dollars for about an hours worth labor by the "lot lizard" (probably paid about $8 an hour, guesstimating on the high side) and $10 worth of materials. They have little or no experience in detailing, and their pride shows in all the swirls they introduce to the finish. The salesman picks up a little extra commission, the dealer reaps a small fortune and everyone is happy, except for the customer when he/she takes a good look at the car.



For what you paid for the "simonize system 5", you could have bought a Porter Cable 7424 polisher, an array of cleaners, polishes, waxes and sealants, microfiber towels and still had money left over for dinner and a movie!



Download the Autopia guide to detailing, but the prooer tools and materials and prepare to have a love affair with your new car!