Detailing Question for Mr. TJPark, or ...?

[Ron Veenker]

Mr Park, I have come to appreciate so greatly your advice and amazing experience and knowledge of all the cleaning products.

Here is my problem: I was putting my first coat of Zaino on my black Genesis at a friend's house. He fancies himself a serious detailer. I look up and find him putting Mother's Liquid Carnuba wax on my windows. He swears by this treatment. I thought, "Well it's glass, what harm can he do?" Then I notice he got some wax on the matte black door pillar. It does not wash off and leaves a white residue, of course, but I am reluctant to try just any old corrosive product on that exposed metal. There is nowhere safe to test that won't show up if it damages the finish.

What might you suggest, sir?

 

[STREETS]

The wax should wipe/buff off the matte black window pillar stickers- as I have no previous issues. Try re-waxing entire pillars- maybe with synthetic wax that does not leave residue.

 

[dg_moore]

... on that exposed metal. There is nowhere safe to test that won't show up if it damages the finish.

What might you suggest, sir?

I found out the hard way that the exposed B pillar surface is not metal. It's some kind of plastic or matte paint finish and is very fragile and easy to damage. Whatever you do, be gentle!

 

[TJPark01]

Here is my problem: I was putting my first coat of Zaino on my black Genesis at a friend's house. He fancies himself a serious detailer. I look up and find him putting Mother's Liquid Carnuba wax on my windows. He swears by this treatment. I thought, "Well it's glass, what harm can he do?" Then I notice he got some wax on the matte black door pillar. It does not wash off and leaves a white residue, of course, but I am reluctant to try just any old corrosive product on that exposed metal. There is nowhere safe to test that won't show up if it damages the finish.
What might you suggest, sir?

The matte black door pillars are indeed plastic and not metal and not painted. This material is tricky in that it is a porous plastic that can retain moisture,oils and grease. In this case wax. The good thing is that it's usually pretty resistant to corrosive materials. The wax just probably got into the pores of the plastic and you're finding hard to take off. I would probably try the following in order of aggressiveness:

1. a premixed solution of Dishwashing Soap and warm water/sponge (not the abrasive kind,try not to get in on the paint)
2. Stoners Trim Shine/Microfiber applicator or towel
3. Mothers Back to Black microfiber towel or applicator.
2. Rubbing Alcohol with microfiber cloth (denatured is best cause it dries super fast, but really any will do.
3. 3M adhesive remover/microfiber towel, comes in a spray can, works real well, but smells like gasoline so use in well ventilated area.
4. Goo Gone
5. Meguiars Paint Cleaner, microfiber towel or applicator
6. Prayer

 

[scottdk]

The matte black door pillars are indeed plastic and not metal and not painted. This material is tricky in that it is a porous plastic that can retain moisture,oils and grease. In this case wax. The good thing is that it's usually pretty resistant to corrosive materials. The wax just probably got into the pores of the plastic and you're finding hard to take off. I would probably try the following in order of aggressiveness:

1. a premixed solution of Dishwashing Soap and warm water/sponge (not the abrasive kind,try not to get in on the paint)
2. Stoners Trim Shine/Microfiber applicator or towel
3. Mothers Back to Black microfiber towel or applicator.
2. Rubbing Alcohol with microfiber cloth (denatured is best cause it dries super fast, but really any will do.
3. 3M adhesive remover/microfiber towel, comes in a spray can, works real well, but smells like gasoline so use in well ventilated area.
4. Goo Gone
5. Meguiars Paint Cleaner, microfiber towel or applicator
6. Prayer

Don't forget baby shampoo with water! Works for damn near everything

 

[Ron Veenker]

Thank you all so much. This forum and you members and friends have kept me in a "heads up" position since joining.

Baby shampoo! I had nearly forgotten about that miracle substance, Scott. And T.J., I will go through the numbers... I will try to be very disciplined and not jump directly to #6.

Ron, who has picked up two nails in his left rear tire in two weeks time. What are the odds?

 

[TJPark01]

Ron, who has picked up two nails in his left rear tire in two weeks time. What are the odds?

You're welcome. Are you still on the OEM Dunlops or have you switched tires?

 

[Ron Veenker]

You're welcome. Are you still on the OEM Dunlops or have you switched tires?

Yes, I am still driving on those OEMs. They have 12,766 mi on them and I noticed some wear marks that did not look good. Went to Merchant's Tire in Little River, SC today for a look. Ended up needing alignment correction in 3 of the 4 wheels.

While I was there I priced some Michelins because Merchant's makes such a big deal out of "lowest prices guaranteed." For the Michelin Pilot Sport AS+ they want $245 +mounting, etc, $28 per tire.

Some how that didn't seem so very low to me. I asked them about Continentals and they sell them but advised me that "they are very noisy."

Ron

 

[TJPark01]

Yes, I am still driving on those OEMs. They have 12,766 mi on them and I noticed some wear marks that did not look good. Went to Merchant's Tire in Little River, SC today for a look. Ended up needing alignment correction in 3 of the 4 wheels.

While I was there I priced some Michelins because Merchant's makes such a big deal out of "lowest prices guaranteed." For the Michelin Pilot Sport AS+ they want $245 +mounting, etc, $28 per tire.

Some how that didn't seem so very low to me. I asked them about Continentals and they sell them but advised me that "they are very noisy."

Ron

Go somewhere else, the prices you are getting quoted are rich...Since you are in NC, I assume you rarely see snow. Michelin's are good tires, but they are typically the most expensive on the market. If you are looking for a softer tire with more GT characteristics, I would take a look at:
Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum - $144
Pirelli PZero Nero All Season

A little bit more pricey, but other people on this forum have mentioned what a good tire this is, and it seems to do really well in the rain:
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity
Or if you want a tire that is very good in the snow, and similar to the Micheline A/S Sport this tire crushed all others in winter driving, most people seem pleased with it:
Continental ExtremeContact DWS

 

[Ron Veenker]

Thanks, TJ. I had the feeling we were being jerked around. And they "guarantee" the lowest price.

Ron

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[TJPark01]

Thanks, TJ. I had the feeling we were being jerked around. And they "guarantee" the lowest price.

Ron

The price isn't outrageous, it's pretty much in line. The real issue is that you don't need to spend $250 a tire to get some decent tires on the Genesis. You can spend $150 a tire and get some very good tires.

Here's what I've seen with that tire:
Michelin
Pilot Sport A/S Plus
235/50ZR-18 97Y BSW
A set of 4 tires qualifies for: Michelin $70 Rebate
$212.00
Environmental Fee (State Required) $7.00
Tire Disposal Fee $9.00
Valve Stems, Lifetime Rotations FREE
Installation & Lifetime Spin Balancing $60.00
Subtotal $924.00
CA 9.75% Sales Tax $83.56
Total "Out the Door" Price $1,007.56

Or if you MUST have the Michelins you can do it cheaper buy them on tire rack for
768 + 60 for shipping (they don't charge tax, which in LA is 10%)
$100 for installation
-70 for rebate from Michelin, gets you in them $858 out the door.

 

[Ron Veenker]

You options are certainly helpful, T. J. Does one have difficulty getting a shop with state of the art equipment like Merchant's to install tires you bring to the from the Tire Rack?

I do like the Bridgestone Turanzas very much and would likely pursue those in a similar fashion.

I really appreciate you time, effort and excellent advice.

Ron

 

[TJPark01]

You options are certainly helpful, T. J. Does one have difficulty getting a shop with state of the art equipment like Merchant's to install tires you bring to the from the Tire Rack?

I do like the Bridgestone Turanzas very much and would likely pursue those in a similar fashion.

I really appreciate you time, effort and excellent advice.

Ron

Go to the installers page on tire rack. It will list a bunch near your area, click on the installers name and it will tell you what equipment they have to install and balance tires. Honestly, I think it doesn't make a difference unless you have some exotic size for a Porsche or Ferrari. BTW, you don't bring them the tires. You ship it directly from Tire Rack to the installer, they call you when the tires arrive...

The place I got a replacement tire for had the following:
Certification & Installer Facts: Michelin PAX certified facility. Nitrogen inflation available.
Mounting Equipment: Corghi Artiglio 50
Balancing Equipment: Coats 1250

 

[ctrcbob]

Go somewhere else, the prices you are getting quoted are rich...Since you are in NC, I assume you rarely see snow. Michelin's are good tires, but they are typically the most expensive on the market. If you are looking for a softer tire with more GT characteristics, I would take a look at:
Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum - $144
Pirelli PZero Nero All Season

A little bit more pricey, but other people on this forum have mentioned what a good tire this is, and it seems to do really well in the rain:
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity
Or if you want a tire that is very good in the snow, and similar to the Micheline A/S Sport this tire crushed all others in winter driving, most people seem pleased with it:
Continental ExtremeContact DWS

When I replaced my Dunlop Sport 5000m OEM tires, due to one (or two) of them having a broken belt, going thump thump thump down the road, I replaced them with the Pirelli PZero Nero All Season mentioned above. Of all the tires mentioned in this Genesis Owners Group, this is the one I got the best price on.

 

[Ron Veenker]

So, how do you like the Pirelli PZero Nero All Season? Handling? Noise?

Ron

 

[scottdk]

So, how do you like the Pirelli PZero Nero All Season? Handling? Noise?

Ron

These are excellent tires. I looked at their summer tires, but they were expensive, so I went with Sumitomos.

 

[TJPark01]

So, how do you like the Pirelli PZero Nero All Season? Handling? Noise?

Ron

I think you're asking me? I looked at these as well. I haven't had great success with Pirelli's in the past, but they are very cheap and a brand name. They are OEM tires for a lot of cars, namely the Mustang. They get pretty good reviews on Tire Rack, and for 131 bucks a tire, I think they're worth a shot. They asymmetrical, so they can be mounted on either side of the vehicle when being rotated, just like the tires you have now. They're also in the same performance category as the OEM Dunlops. The only other tires scoring over all higher numbers are (of course all of these are more expensive):
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus (directional, only mounted on one side of car)
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position (directional)

 

[scottdk]

I think you're asking me? I looked at these as well. I haven't had great success with Pirelli's in the past, but they are very cheap and a brand name. They are OEM tires for a lot of cars, namely the Mustang. They get pretty good reviews on Tire Rack, and for 131 bucks a tire, I think they're worth a shot. They asymmetrical, so they can be mounted on either side of the vehicle when being rotated, just like the tires you have now. They're also in the same performance category as the OEM Dunlops. The only other tires scoring over all higher numbers are (of course all of these are more expensive):
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus (directional, only mounted on one side of car)
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position (directional)

Sorry TJ, I didn't mean to highjack the thread, yes he was talking to you.....my bad

 

[Ron Veenker]

T. J. and Scott, I was actually asking CTRCBob who said he had them on his car. I am always glad to hear from the both of you, however. I am somewhat tempted, but Mr Park's assessment gives me pause because I am not simply interested in cheap. I'm interested in the best bang for the buck. If the Pirelli PZero Nero is in the same class with the OEM Dunlop then I'm asking for the same sort of experience we've all had with the Dunlops. And that is not necessarily a bargain.

It looks as though Merchant's Tire, 20 mi from me, is a Tire Rack installer. So I might get a better price from Tire Rack and still get them installed.

BTW, my alignment job at Merchant's last Friday has my car, which drove beautifully before they got hold of it, is pulling to the right and the steering wheel is not centered at 12:00 high. Grrrrrrrrr. I'm going back this Friday.

Ron

 

[TJPark01]

T. J. and Scott, I was actually asking CTRCBob who said he had them on his car. I am always glad to hear from the both of you, however. I am somewhat tempted, but Mr Park's assessment gives me pause because I am not simply interested in cheap. I'm interested in the best bang for the buck. If the Pirelli PZero Nero is in the same class with the OEM Dunlop then I'm asking for the same sort of experience we've all had with the Dunlops. And that is not necessarily a bargain.

It looks as though Merchant's Tire, 20 mi from me, is a Tire Rack installer. So I might get a better price from Tire Rack and still get them installed.

BTW, my alignment job at Merchant's last Friday has my car, which drove beautifully before they got hold of it, is pulling to the right and the steering wheel is not centered at 12:00 high. Grrrrrrrrr. I'm going back this Friday.

Ron

There is a school of thought that concludes, "cheap tires are a false economy". I have seen posts from people who have run the bridgestone turanza serenitys for over 100k miles. As far as the Pirellis are concerened when I say, "Pirelli PZero Nero is in the same class", I mean they are in the same performance category. Whether they exhibit the same characteristics personally, I can't say. I've seen people on this forum who have changed to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (also in the same class), and were quite disappointed because the handling and ride quality were pretty much the same as the OEM Dunlop tire.
If you plan on keeping the car for a long time, then investing in the Bridgestone Serenity may be worth the extra money. As far as the cheaper Pirelli's go, you may want to start a thread and ask people who own them what they think, or troll the tirerack reviews.