Cleaning

wallymn · Jun 28, 2009

I am laid up for a few months and today I spent some time looking over my Black on Black Genesis, I really love the look of this car but I have noticed a few things.

1. Swirl marks....
In the summer I use a touchless wash but in the winter I use a touch wash or the road salt will never come off.

Anyone have a recommendation on a preferred swirl remover?

2. interior nooks and crannies....
The silver plate around the shifter/DIS , where it meets the plastic console collects a bit of dust. I haven't found anything which clears that seam well.

3. Special care for seat stitching?
The seats are great but I am not sure if the leather cleaners will have any negative impact on the exposed seat stitching...

4. Rim cleaning.
I have been using any alloy cleaning on the Hypersilver rims, which works ever well but should I be concerned about the rims using a generic alloy cleaner?

jwaters943 · Jun 28, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

1) Liquid Glass. Although I have yet to try it, I know many guys w/ black cars that swear by this stuff (it leaves the finish very reflective and removes/hides swirl marks)
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Glass-LG100-Polish-oz/dp/B0002JMIEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1246245223&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Liquid Glass LG100 Polish 16 oz.: Automotive[/ame]

2) A Detail Brush or simple business/credit card.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-Automotive-Detail-Brush/dp/B000CQ44WM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1246245404&sr=1-5"]Amazon.com: Mr. Clean Automotive Detail Brush: Automotive[/ame]

3) I would not worry about this at all.

4) I'm not sure. Whatever you do, make sure not to leave the cleaner on the wheels too long. These types of cleaners are very strong. I personally avoid these cleaners because if you've ever gotten some on your hand you know that it can "burn" your skin (the top layer of skin will turn white). I usually just use a rag and some Quick Detailer to clean my wheels, but to each their own.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G14422-Ultimate-Quick-Detailer/dp/B000RXNLK6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1246245630&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Meguiar's G14422 Ultimate Quick Detailer: Automotive[/ame]

wallymn · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

Thanks Jwaters.

I know what you mean about the burning, although mild it has dried/cracked the skin on my hand more than once.

mk1 · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

wallymn said:
I am laid up for a few months and today I spent some time looking over my Black on Black Genesis, I really love the look of this car but I have noticed a few things.

1. Swirl marks....
In the summer I use a touchless wash but in the winter I use a touch wash or the road salt will never come off.

Anyone have a recommendation on a preferred swirl remover?

2. interior nooks and crannies....
The silver plate around the shifter/DIS , where it meets the plastic console collects a bit of dust. I haven't found anything which clears that seam well.

3. Special care for seat stitching?
The seats are great but I am not sure if the leather cleaners will have any negative impact on the exposed seat stitching...

4. Rim cleaning.
I have been using any alloy cleaning on the Hypersilver rims, which works ever well but should I be concerned about the rims using a generic alloy cleaner?

Blue Sapphire here and PLENTY of swirl marks when I picked it up from the dealer. If you really want to get as close to swirl-free as possible you'll need to work at it. Here's what you do:

1) Use a rubbing compound like 3M's product. Swirl removers are a misnomer - they don't remove swirls, they just fill in the micro gaps so that the swirl doesn't show when light hits it at the right angle. You can apply by hand but best with a buffer (I used an orbital buffer - they're best for non pros like me).

2) Apply a polish to remove the haze left by the compound. Meguires makes a good product for this. Again, I used the buffer.

3) Apply favorite wax.

I removed pretty much all my swirls and the car looks GREAT. Now if you really want the best finished product, you should use a clay bar first to remove debris. And I'd try to strip off all the old wax using Dawn dish detergent (the blue kind).

Like I said, it's work but you'll be thrilled with the results.

Here's a great link:

http://www.properautocare.com/removingswirls.html

Good luck!

Richard Ft. Lauderdale · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

I have made sure I run mine through the local car wash at least once every three to four months and it looks great.

wallymn · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

You wash once every 3/4 months? If I did that you couldn't tell what color my car is.

mk1 · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

wallymn said:
4. Rim cleaning.
I have been using any alloy cleaning on the Hypersilver rims, which works ever well but should I be concerned about the rims using a generic alloy cleaner?

I had brown stains on my Lincoln LS rims that I could never get off. On a whim, I tried my stainless steel oven cleaner - it's called MAAS. Took the stain right out.

I know that sounds unconventional but MAAS is unreal at cleaning any kind of metal. And if you don't want to try it on your car, absolutely use it on your grill, fridge, sink, etc. The stuff is unreal.

https://www.maasinc.com/default.aspx

It's the polish cream, not the spray. 1.1lb. can is $25.

Dimitry · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

Big difference if you ride 3k miles a month, versus 300 also. I think Richard has the Genny as the weekend car

TJPark01 · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

wallymn said:
I am laid up for a few months and today I spent some time looking over my Black on Black Genesis, I really love the look of this car but I have noticed a few things.

1. Swirl marks....
In the summer I use a touchless wash but in the winter I use a touch wash or the road salt will never come off.

Anyone have a recommendation on a preferred swirl remover?

2. interior nooks and crannies....
The silver plate around the shifter/DIS , where it meets the plastic console collects a bit of dust. I haven't found anything which clears that seam well.

3. Special care for seat stitching?
The seats are great but I am not sure if the leather cleaners will have any negative impact on the exposed seat stitching...

4. Rim cleaning.
I have been using any alloy cleaning on the Hypersilver rims, which works ever well but should I be concerned about the rims using a generic alloy cleaner?

Let me first say that I do this as a hobby (auto detailing, so I have all the proper tools.) At the bottom you will find some links to help to get educated about the process. FYI, most scratches and swirls are created by the washing process. Your average car wash facility is way too harsh.
1) Meguiars Swirl X
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17616
2) Shop Vac first, then Interior detailing brushes with rubber tips.
http://www.autogeek.net/apbrus.html
3) Lexol Cleaner first, then leather conditioner
http://www.lexol.com/
4) Generic Rim cleaner is fine. I use Eagle One and a rim brush.
http://www.eagleone.com/pages/products/category.asp?cid=5006

Everything else...
http://www.autogeek.net/index.html
http://paintcarendetailing.com/
http://meguiarsonline.com/

Good luck!

jwaters943 · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

Some good suggestions TJPark01.

With that said, I'll never in a million years understand the fascination some people have w/ Lexol poducts. They smell gross and can be a bit tacky if you don't buff them really well.

For rubber/vinyl/dash plastics I only use 303: http://www.303products.com/tech/ind...Product_ID=428&CFID=52660712&CFTOKEN=92530922

For leather I absolutely love Griots Garage Leather Care Spray (best of all, it actually smells like leather): http://www.autogeek.net/griots-leather-care-spray.html

scottdk · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

Wally my Black 4.6 has swirls too. RUBBING COMPOUND scratched the hell out the the car. Even with the smallest amount of pressure used per the instructions. Thank God I used it only in a small spot.

What worked AMAZING for me was Turtle Wax Liquid Ice CLAY BAR. Did a sweet job at removing scratches etc.

Final coat I used the Liquid Ice wax and it looks awesome!

dataguy · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

Great info here!

Any recommendations on tire dressing?

TJPark01 · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

dataguy said:
Great info here!

Any recommendations on tire dressing?

The tire gels work well and tend to last longer than the sprays without making a mess .
Eagle one or Meguiars is fine, most of them are all the same. What's equally as important but often ignored, is the applicator used. A cellulose sponge is no good, it falls apart. Try these, they're countoured to fit the curve of the tire + cheap and at most Autozone or Pepboys...
http://www.eagleone.com/pages/products/product.asp?itemid=1031&cat=5005

Side note. Armor All although looks shiny attracts a lot of dust and is super greasy. I'm not a fan of their products at all.

wallymn · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

Thanks Scott, I will try the Turtle cleaner. I have seen that at the local walmart, reasonably priced.

Mark_888 · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

scottdk said:
Wally my Black 4.6 has swirls too. RUBBING COMPOUND scratched the hell out the the car. Even with the smallest amount of pressure used per the instructions. Thank God I used it only in a small spot.

Rubbing Compound (or even Polishing Compound) should never be used on anything but a badly oxidized paint surface (one with a very dull surface that does not respond to wax).

You are probably too young to even seen very many badly oxidized paint surfaces on a car, much less have such a surface on your own car. 30-40 years ago it was not unusual for people to have their cars painted every 5 years or so (sometimes more or less often depending on where you lived). This was before clear coats and before the painting technology was greatly improved.

wallymn · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

Mark_888 said:
Rubbing Compound (or even Polishing Compound) should never be used on anything but a badly oxidized paint surface (one with a very dull surface that does not respond to wax).

You are probably too young to even seen very many badly oxidized paint surfaces on a car, much less have such a surface on your own car. 30-40 years ago it was not unusual for people to have their cars painted every 5 years or so (sometimes more or less often depending on where you lived). This was before clear coats and before the painting technology was greatly improved.

My first car was a 1982 Toyota Corolla. It was only 6 years old but the red paint looked more orange due to oxidation. That was the last car I owned with an oxidation problem.

When do we officially become old?

I will turn 40 this year, long past young, but I am old?

Mark_888 · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

mk1 said:
I had brown stains on my Lincoln LS rims that I could never get off.

Here is some information for dealing with those brown stains on your rim.
http://www.bleachbum.com/anal-bleaching-techniques.html

Mark_888 · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

wallymn said:
My first car was a 1982 Toyota Corolla. It was only 6 years old but the red paint looked more orange due to oxidation. That was the last car I owned with an oxidation problem.

Red paint was by far the the worst for oxidation problems. It probably still is the worst, but these days paint technology has improved so much that even red is usually not a big problem, although if you leave your car out in the sun all day, every day, you might see some oxidation after a number of years (but nothing close to the "old" days).

scottdk · Jun 29, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

Mark_888 said:
Rubbing Compound (or even Polishing Compound) should never be used on anything but a badly oxidized paint surface (one with a very dull surface that does not respond to wax).

You are probably too young to even seen very many badly oxidized paint surfaces on a car, much less have such a surface on your own car. 30-40 years ago it was not unusual for people to have their cars painted every 5 years or so (sometimes more or less often depending on where you lived). This was before clear coats and before the painting technology was greatly improved.

Applications from rubbing compound bottle:

Cleans dull, weathered surfaces.

Removes scratches, blemishes and stains.

I had both since the dealer carwash STAINED my cars paint. Crappy carwash. The RC did everything it said it would, but of course also scratched. All is well now

Mark_888 · Jun 30, 2009

Re: Cleaning?

scottdk said:
Applications from rubbing compound bottle:

Cleans dull, weathered surfaces.

Removes scratches, blemishes and stains.

I had both since the dealer carwash STAINED my cars paint. Crappy carwash. The RC did everything it said it would, but of course also scratched. All is well now

I don't know what to say about your car being stained by the dealer car wash, but a rubbing compound and polishing compound doesn't really clean in the traditional sense, what they do is remove the top layer of paint. You can only so many times before you hit the priming coat.

You should always use a liquid or paste wax after using rubbing compound or polishing compound to fill in the scratches left by the compound. But like I said, these are for severely oxidized paint and it is unlikely that you will own a car that really needs RC or PC.

To clean stubborn spots on my car (bugs, tar, bird droppings, etc) I use Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax.

Did you ask the dealer to fix your paint job after their car wash? I a little afraid to take my car in for service because they might give me a "free" car wash, and would probably use an ammonia based window cleaner on my tinted windows (a no-no).

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