first new car in decades. Its got the metalic Pearl Blizzard paint. I'm in mostly sunny and wildy SF bay area. I'm not a big can wax type of person, but just to "protect my investment" I'm forcing myself to ask what sort of "care" I should give my paint job. I'm also considering doing a "white out" job where much of the black plastic would be painted very similar to paint color with this stuff.Rust-Oleum Universal 11 oz. All Surface Metallic Pearl Mist Spray Paint and Primer in One-342505 - The Home Depot Test shows it looks basically the same as my factory paint. Only problem original color shows through so I'd need white primer for black plastic. Main reason I want to paint my factory roof racks to match the car so they will be less attractive to thieves, and do other black plastic body the same to give custom look.
I discovered Malco Cherry Flash about a year ago. Apply it to clean paint, using either a wax applicator pad by hand or with an orbital buffer. It's very easy to buff to a shiny finish and will not discolor plastics.
When I was younger. I loved detailing my vehicle. I did everything by hand and used a variety of different products. I'm just too old and out of shape now. to apply that same level of dedication. My point being...when you say this: What I have to ask, is what are you willing to do? How much do YOU want to put into it? The more you're willing to be a "can wax" type of person, the better protection and results you'll likely be able to create. Even with todays multitude of products I don't think much beats the application of a good quality wax, hand or orbital buffed. But the truth is a lot of people don't want to do that, and won't do it, as an action of routine maintenance. As I've gotten lazier....or just unable to do what I use to do... I've been impressed with a lot of the spray on, easy wipe, "Instant" products. I think for an easy to obtain, low cost option, just about any of the many Meguiars products are pretty good. Turtle Wax has some good products. It's kind of fun to just enter the search parameters at Amazon, and see all the products available. You can also find user reviews and feedback. And whatever product you close in on? Somebody on youtube has probably used it, and made a video. None of them will have the overall lasting protection of a real hand applied wax. IMO. But also to me what it comes down to is the best product for you? Is the product you will use. If you go with a real wax, a hand buff...then never do it again? You're better off with a spray on, wipe off easy "instant" product....that you might get in the routine of using more often. I'd NOT be afraid to spend some money. Stick to name brands, or proven product lines. But whether you go "Old School" full bore detailing, or cutting corners "easy to use" products, good options exist. But you have to determine how much energy, and time you are willing to put into any process or any choice you make.
My favs: Collinite 476s paste wax 1 time a year in the spring, and Collinite 845 Insulator wax once or twice over summer and fall. I have a blizzard pearl on Gen3 and moonglow (same color) on a "c" Truly amazing at the depth it adds and it is easy....just use a very little amount. In reality, once a year for either would be fine, I always overdue everything lol.
The wax? Of course. I think it could wax just about anything. The Insulator wax is a liquid and is the easiest, wax on wax off. I normally just wax the whole car, then towel it off. About 1 hr when I take my time. But if you dont do door jams and engine bay frame, etc then could do it in 20 mins. Less is better.
I got the paint protection package with mine when I bought it and at 4 years old it still looks like new after just a quick wash. In the past, I had always thought these paint protection packages were a gimmick and used to think, why pay for something you can't see, but after seeing a very shiny 3 year old car in the dealers which had had it done I was sold.
Well the other reality, I left out of my post is this "option" as far as handling the situation. I now have my my vehicle detailed once a year. so I pay somebody to apply a real quality wax. Then for the rest of the year, I use a spray on, wipe of "instant" wax product to maintain. I embarrassed that with such a small vehicle, that I don't wax it myself. but it's a compromise to age. This routine works pretty good for me. IMO the instant wax, and spray on, wipe off products have improved. They don't last as long, regardless of what the box says, as a real hand wax treatment, but they do bump up, and continue existing coverage. I also don't have a favorite or specific spray on/wipe off product. I've used Meguiars "Instant Wax", I've used Turtle Wax Ice, the latest "trend" is a spray on "Nano-Technology Ceramic" product. Haven't used it yet, but I may try it next. I kind of have fun, trying them. And I really haven't stumbled on a bad one. They all do pretty good, considering the ease of use.
Ok here I come, I work at a new car dealer "Audi and VW" doing car detailing and looking on my experience I was the one that applies the protection package, AKA paint Sealer since can't tell how it goes if I don't see the car again I apply it to my own car to get my own feedback on the product, work? Yes, but let me tell you this if you get a stain on the paint on your car and need to clean it you will be taking the protection with the stain all together so you will need to do it again, also do never use dishwasher soap and stick to a car soap because you can put any product you want and take it out just washing the car with the wrong soap, As a bonus to this post a little trick, if you ever get on you car tree sap, just wipe off with a wet on brake cleaner microfiber towel just make sure you just touch the sap with the brake cleaner because the brake cleaner it is not good at all for the paint but it's better than keeping the sap eating you paint, you may need to wax seal after removing the sap, sorry my English I know is no the best!
You may get many answers. Use foam applicators for wax & glaze application. Use micro fiber towels to buff wax and glaze off and to apply spray on wax. Car is new so may not need to be clayed first. Meguires' products can be bought at local O'Reilly, Pep Boy, Wal Mart etc. or buy on the 'net 1) Apply w/ foam applicator M7 Show Car Glaze and micro fiber towel buff off. 2) Apply w/ foam applicator M26 Hi Tech Yellow Paste Wax (not the liquid) and micro fiber towel buff off. 3) Wait 24 hours, apply # 26 again w/ foam applicator and micro fiber towel buff off. 4) Apply Gold Glass Premium Quik Wax with micro fiber towel to apply and buff off. Above will really make your pearl white paint shine. Then use Quick Wax spray to main. Apply # 26 every season change or every three months and your car will remain looking new. You may even wish to do the door/ hatch/ hood jam areas. Again, you may get many answers including ceramic sealant option which can reduce application to yearly, yet will still need maintenance with a spray. Congrats and good luck.
wasn't there a massive break in all this when they came out with "Clear Coat"? Ain't what we all really trying to do these days is protect the Clear Coat, which in turn protects the paint? Shouldn't all these companies be advertising how their product works with Clear Coat?
I got a small holdall bag with a comprehensive collection of after care products in for the protection package. This included, bird and tree sap remover, tar and glue remover, ceramic shampoo, paint and alloy wheel cleaner spray, glass cleaner spray, leather and fabric cleaner spray and a small bottle of paint surface and windscreen de-waxer.
I'll stick with Paint Protection. I had Paint Protection included in the package with my KIA in 2006 (it was leased) and I was amazed at how easily it cleaned, and, because it resisted dirt, didn't get dirty anything like as quickly as other cars. The glass needed cleaning more often than the paint. I didn't get it on my next car - when it was new, I'd wash each one every Saturday - because the KIA was for sale, and the FOCUS - well, was new. It was so much easier to wash the KIA. The FOCUS had been polished before I took delivery and beaded water beautifully at that stage. I had the 2 of them parked side-by-side when the new FOCUS was 2 weeks old (the KIA was for sale), they were mostly under cover with the bonnets (hoods) poking out in the open. That night, the Fruit Bats (huge ones we have here in plague proportions - photo below courtesy GOOGLE IMAGES) defecated on both cars. I spotted it at 8:00am before heading to work, and hosed them both off - the KIA, the poop just flushed off the Paint Protection, the FOCUS, I had to wipe it. The KIA - no damage. The FOCUS, it removed the top clear-coat layer of the paint. I complained to FORD who pointed out that the warranty doesn't cover it. My next car, and now my PRIUS have had Paint Protection. I don't buy it from the dealer - it's less than ½ price at the installer down the road, who had a stack of new TOYOTAs there from the dealer when I had my PRIUS there. Both these cars have had attacks by Flying Foxes, but no damage. They just eat my fruit!!!
