Cleaning

[postalav8]

Thanks for the information. I live in the Texas Gulf Coast area (not much freezing weather - except recently). I picked up my car on Friday (after the freezing weather - Black 09, Black/Saddle, with Tech package. I will check Autogeek for the california duster (not sure what it is). I don't anticipate driving the car for extended periods of time. I still have my 2000 Acura TL for my 60+ mile (roundtrip) commute.

Walmart has Califormia Duster's. They are common in auto parts stores also. Save some $$$ on shipping.

Autogeek is good for quality microfiber towels and cleaning/waxing products.

 

[Resnuncio]

I will go to Walmart and get the duster. I purchased the microfibers and cleaning/polishing products from Autogeek, and it was expensive. I guess I can't complain; no sense being cheap when it comes to taking care of the Genesis. I will try the Meguiar Swirl X for the swirls. I was also very impressed with the comments (and information) about the Wolfgang Deep Paint Sealant, so I can't wait to use it.

 

[TJPark01]

I will go to Walmart and get the duster. I purchased the microfibers and cleaning/polishing products from Autogeek, and it was expensive. I guess I can't complain; no sense being cheap when it comes to taking care of the Genesis. I will try the Meguiar Swirl X for the swirls. I was also very impressed with the comments (and information) about the Wolfgang Deep Paint Sealant, so I can't wait to use it.

Yeah auto geek can be pricey, I usually wait till they have a sale and free shipping promos. Sign up for their mailing list and they will let you know. They also have stuff that you can't really get at other places. You can buy them individually from ebay or amazon, but it helps to consolidate the order, get 15% off and free shipping with no out of state sales tax, if you live outside of FL, then it works out well.
Swirl X is a great product. Keep in mind it will remove any of the sealant you have on there, so you will have to reapply. Also, if you have a Dual Action polisher, it makes it a hell of a lot easier to apply. The porter cable 7424XP is fantastic. But then again you're getting into a whole other world of paint care. Caveat emptor.
http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html

 

[scottdk]

Yeah it's awesome. Useless for people in Minnesota, sorry wally and scott. But for fair weather folks it's the lazy man's car wash. Also, for light cars the dirt doesn't show up that much. I have a black car and dirt shows up seconds after I was it. Although I love the color, trying to keep it clean is like chasing around a 2 year old... Never ending.

I knew you'd expect me to chime in hear TJ I would have to disagree with you at this point. The California duster is AMAZING, especially with a black car. I've used one for the last 10 years and they work great........but you don't use them in the winter. No point. Also, the cars I have used the duster on actually was stored winters anyway. I actually find it funny that I now am doing the same thing with the Genesis.

 

[Resnuncio]

Just a clarification regarding Swirl X. My plan is to wash/dry, apply Swirl X, and finally the Wolfgang Deep Paint Sealant, wait 12 hrs., etc..... I got the car from a dealership (it was an exec demo - but bought it a great price, btw), so I am not sure whether it has any sealant.

 

[TJPark01]

Just a clarification regarding Swirl X. My plan is to wash/dry, apply Swirl X, and finally the Wolfgang Deep Paint Sealant, wait 12 hrs., etc..... I got the car from a dealership (it was an exec demo - but bought it a great price, btw), so I am not sure whether it has any sealant.

I would clay the car after the wash/dry. You wouldn't think a car this new would need to be clayed, but you would be surprised at how much surface contamination there is that you can't see.

 

[Resnuncio]

Okay, another dumb question -- what is a good lubricant for the clay? I have never done it, so I really don't want to mess it up.. (no pun intended)

 

[TJPark01]

Just a clarification regarding Swirl X. My plan is to wash/dry, apply Swirl X, and finally the Wolfgang Deep Paint Sealant, wait 12 hrs., etc..... I got the car from a dealership (it was an exec demo - but bought it a great price, btw), so I am not sure whether it has any sealant.

you can go a couple ways. You can buy the kit which is probably the easiest way. Or you can buy the clay and lubricant separately, if you plan on doing multiple cars. Any quick detailer will work as a lube.
Kit:
Meguiars Clay Kit
Mothers Kit
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI"]YouTube- How to Clay Bar[/ame]

 

[Resnuncio]

Wow... that is incredible....This should be fun

Thanks for the video TJ. I had asked the dealer (maybe a big mistake) to try and take care of some minor scuff marks on the vehicle (from being used as a demo). Now two spots have a slight haze on them...Is this something that the clay will take care of?

 

[TJPark01]

Wow... that is incredible....This should be fun

Thanks for the video TJ. I had asked the dealer (maybe a big mistake) to try and take care of some minor scuff marks on the vehicle (from being used as a demo). Now two spots have a slight haze on them...Is this something that the clay will take care of?

You'll be amazed at what the clay will remove. After you wash your car, if the surface doesn't feel like glass, then it needs to be clayed.
It's hard to know what you mean unless I can physically see it or you can take some really good pics. A lot of what you can or can't see has to do with the color of the paint as well. The darker the car the easier it is to see dirt and surface contamination. Silver and White hide everything. Black tells no lies. As long as these spots with haze you mention are minor, you should be able to get them out with some elbow grease and polish. What you can't typically get out are deep scratches. The general rule of thumb is that if your finger nail can catch the scratch, it probably aint coming out.

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[Resnuncio]

Thanks TJ. The hazy spots are located exactly where two scratches/scuff marks were before. It looks like they used some sort of product to remove the scratches, but now I have two circular hazy spots. I did not see at first, when I picked up the car after the service call. But last night I noticed it. You can see it at an angle versus right from the top. The Swirl X information states that it is a polish, so this should be sufficient, right?

 

[Disaster]

Thanks TJ. The hazy spots are located exactly where two scratches/scuff marks were before. It looks like they used some sort of product to remove the scratches, but now I have two circular hazy spots. I did not see at first, when I picked up the car after the service call. But last night I noticed it. You can see it at an angle versus right from the top. The Swirl X information states that it is a polish, so this should be sufficient, right?

Those hazy spots are the microscratches from the polish they used. You need a finer polish...a swirl remover, to get rid of them. I haven't used Swirl X, but Meguairs makes several levels of finer and finer polish, for working down to a mirror finish.

 

[TJPark01]

Thanks TJ. The hazy spots are located exactly where two scratches/scuff marks were before. It looks like they used some sort of product to remove the scratches, but now I have two circular hazy spots. I did not see at first, when I picked up the car after the service call. But last night I noticed it. You can see it at an angle versus right from the top. The Swirl X information states that it is a polish, so this should be sufficient, right?

When trying to remove paint imperfections you start with the least abrasive chemical and work your way up. Yes, start with swirlX, if that doesn't work, then you move to scratchX, if that doesn't work move to ultimate compound (these are all Meguiar's consumer line products readily available at any auto parts retailer). If that doesn't work, you need a DA polisher, or if you don't feel comfortable doing that have it done by a proper detailing facility, (not a car wash).

 

[Mphsgrizz]

Does anyone have experience with Optimum No Rinse car wash or similar product (rinseless car wash)? Sounds like an interesting product but I am afraid that this may cause scratches or swirl marks.

 

[Ruissimo]

Boy... getting my trade-in ready for Friday, and I spent half the day on the car (at least). Washed exterior, blew out vents, cupholders, etc, cleaned and treated leather, dusted everything and protected the vinyl/plastic inside, cleaned windows in and out. I also degreased the engine bay (one part at a time), and cleaned/protected all plastic and hoses. Looks amazing.

AND THEN I SPENT SOME TIME ON THE PAINT.

My brother brought over the Mothers California Gold 3-step kit - I decided not to clay the car... but I used those three products.

WOW. What an amazing result! I think my 10 year old paint has NEVER looked as shiny as this, not even brand new.... I'm serious.

Unfortunately, he broke his leather protector bottle as we started, and when I was cleaning up, I broke his Step 1 Mothers product. Two bottles in a few hours... what a shame. Family of butterfingers over here! Already ordered a replacement for him, and will be picking up a kit for myself soon.

Here's a pic of the hood:

I'm guessing with a few coats of liquid glass afterwards, I'm gonna be real happy with this combo on my black R Spec next week

Thanks for all the great tips in this thread. TJPark is scary-knowledgeable.

Oo

 

[TJPark01]

Boy... getting my trade-in ready for Friday

What are you gonna trade into?

 

[Ruissimo]

See sig.

Hint: it's an R Spec

 

[TJPark01]

See sig.

Hint: it's an R Spec

oh, ok. What is this that you are prepping?

 

[Ruissimo]

Oh... sorry! It's an '02 Passat GLX 4Motion.

Days.... numbered. But at least it is shiny!

 

[TJPark01]

Oh... sorry! It's an '02 Passat GLX 4Motion.

Days.... numbered. But at least it is shiny!

You kept an AWD Passat for 10 years? How many miles? What do you think the dealer will give you for it?