Please be easy... This is my first time posting in the Wash/Wax forum. I have two questions.

Let me give you a quick history. I just got back from a two week business trip to Costa Rica. My dad dropped my off at the airport in my car, he left it in a car port which did not keep it clean or protected... from anything.


Questions:

1. I have Black/Polish SP1's (wheels), the polised ring has some residue on it. It seems to dull the shine but I can see that it's not permanent damage. I tried to wash them. They looked fairly clean until they dried, the dullness returned. I spoke with a mobile detailer that I know who said I just need to polish them.

So the question to you experts is. Is he correct? If so what polish should I get for the job?


2. What conditioner/cleaner should I get for my soft top. My car is about two years old. A friend with a 3.0 Z4 keeps telling that I need to do that.

So, what do I use for that? How do I do it?


I know.... total newb when it comes to this. I usually just pay someone to do my car, but I am starting to want to do it myself because I am out of town so much now that time with the car is limited. Please help a brotha out...

 

For the wheel, Id recommend Mother's Wheel Polish. Its a little red circular tub. It works wonders and its a sinch to apply and remove.

As for the Vinyl top, I just ordered some Lexol Vinyl top cleaner and conditioner.

Just wash the car like normal. Rinse the top. And then apply the top cleaner and scrub the top with a slight brustle brush lightly. Be careful when you do this not to apply too much force. They I believe you rinse it off, and let it dry. After that, apply some conditioning and your good to go. I haven't actually done this procedure but I ordered the part and thats the step im going to take. Let me know how it goes.

 

good questions! dont be hard on yourself. we are here to help!

1. your wheels are clear coated like your paint... so you should treat them pretty much like you treat the paint.
pics would be helpful- and it sounds like you need a mild polish like a swirl remover or paint cleaner.

2. you absolutely need to protect your top. as suzukas2000 said, you can use your regular car shampoo.... and a brush is a good idea. after its dry, soak a rag with vinylex (made by lexol), 303 or raggtopp for vinyl tops- soak it away from the car and rub it into the top really well. let it sit... i do the rest of the car at this point. then come back and buff off all excess with a clean rag.

 

Thanks for the replies Wanabe and Suzuka. I will try these ideas over the weekend and let you know the results.

 

No problem. Let us know how it turns out. And if you have time, give us a reveiw on the products you have used.

 

No problem. Let us know how it turns out. And if you have time, give us a reveiw on the products you have used.

 

I didn't get around to it this weekend. I am going to try to do it this week. There is a mobile guy who comes to my office, maybe I will ask him. I have seen his work, and it's pretty good.

Is that safe? Or just do it myself? I don't really know what I am doing.

 

Are there different types of 303?

I've been using vinylex on the interior but didn't think to use it on the top. Would it be necessary to try to get all of the 303 off before applying the vinylex?

Thanks!

Dave

 

You have to find out how the lips on your wheels are finished. Are they uncoated (raw), cleared or anodized clear? I have cleared lips on a wheel right now. It has tarnished under the clear. There isn't a way to re-polish unlesss the clear is stripped off.