Best Exterior Maintenence Strategies

[*TT*]

Got my new car (hooray!), I'm having a blast tooling around in it getting lots of comments about how nice it looks.

And then reality hit - my parking space is sandwiched between an original edition Hummer in mint condition and a Lambergini. I kid you not... my tiny little MX-5 has to compete in the looks department vs those two big boys.

So now I have to devise a strategy for exterior maintencence to constantly be the best looker amung the three vehicles. I cannot wash the car in the lot myself, therefore I will be using a hand wash service. How often should I wax? Compound? Touch up the clear coat? What can I do to remove the black stains on the very tips of the tail pipes?

If there was an automotive BBV forum, I think this thread might fit in [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[blinden84]

tail pipe blackening, you are running rich, get it tuned!

I've found very detailed detailing threads on the car forums I visit.

This guy does detailing for a living I believe:

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48139

[guids]

I dont know if it is optimal, but I get my car fully detailed twice a year, once right when the weather breaks for spring, and once right when it gets cold again. I run it through an automatic wash every other friday (that only uses cloth, none of that rubber [censored]). then the fridays that I dont go the automatic route, I take it to the place that vacuums it, cleans my rims etc.

[tom10167]

Wow, you are a terrible speller.

Autogeek is great for products to buy: http://www.autogeek.net/carwax.html?...FSRQgAodfmNDNQ

http://superiorcarcare.net/auto-detailing-guide.html

Good


http://www.thedetailingbible.com/index.html
Great

www.Miata.net Good site with good forums.

[blinden84]

These are great links (well, all but the miata.net one!), thanks

I think I'm goign to buy a decent buffer this winter so I can get my car show ready for the summer, doing a lot of work on it over the winter, can't wait for spring/summer.

[tom10167]

I like the idea of getting a GOOD detailing done once or twice a year(Read: Not the $100 detailing your local carwash offers, those are awful)

Keeping up on the stuff yourself is tough... especially if you live in a cold area, don't have a garage, and are lazy(I fit all 3 categories)

Also I don't know if it's mentioned but don't wash microfiber towels in hot water.

I can also recommend an excellent detailer in the Northern Pennsylvania area, he'll drive to your house and do it on site too.

[gusmahler]

Most car forums I've seen seem to recommend Zaino as giving the best shine of any wax. Detailed instructions are on their site:
http://www.zainostore.com/

[sternroolz]

[ QUOTE ]
Most car forums I've seen seem to recommend Zaino as giving the best shine of any wax. Detailed instructions are on their site:
http://www.zainostore.com/

[/ QUOTE ]

I second the zaino. I put it on my now three and a half year old G35 black coupe. Infiniti used a really awful paint that year, and I keep the car outside(though sometimes covered). Yet I still get people telling me that my car looks brand new. Anyway, it doesn't, but its pretty nice looking. If I had been able to store it inside and it came with a decent paint job, zaino twice a year would keep it looking new, mirror like finish, and swirl free.

Now the downside...and the downside is huge......

You have to jump through lots of hoops. One thing is you have to buy towls that are made of 100% cotton. They are not cheap and you have to cut off the edges. Zaino products themselves are not cheap and with a small car, the stuff may dry up on you before you use it all. And it takes a lot of time. Basically I have to set aside three days to do the process right, and the way I want it. Basic process is:

1.) Wash car with Dawn to clean off all grime and buildup.

2.) Dry car

3.) Run clay bar over the car.

4.) Wash car again with zaino car wash.

5.) Dry car again

6.) Layer of Z5(swirl remover) with ZFX

7.) Wait 45 minutes

8.) Wipe off polish(no buiffing needed)

9.) Coat of Z2

10.) Wait 45 minutes

11.) Wipe off

12.) Coat of Z5 again

13.) Wipe off.

No more than 3 coats in a day. Repeat steps 4-13 on two other days.

But, your car will look better and the paint will last longer. And you only have to do it twice a year.