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With winter & 92K miles approching I decided it was time to prepare my paint for the elements.
Here's some pics I took. 6 Hours total.
Step 1: Wash with Meguiar's Gold class car wash (2x) Top included (with small amount of citrus cleaner and soft brush on top only), Rinse thoroughly
Step 2Left car wet) Clay magic clay with lube. Rinse, and clay again.
Step 3:Wash again to remove any clay residue. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
Step 4:Clean wheels with turtle wax foam wheel cleaner (not sure of the name!) Rinse thoroughly.
Step 5: Clean paint with Meguiar's Paint cleaner 2x
Step 6: Apply Meguiar's NXT paste wax (Synthetic) I like this wax because I can apply to entire car and let dry. I went ballistic with this stuff. I did inside the hood, Doors, trunk lid, inside fuel door and around the cap, Any painted surface including door sills. And finally The wheels! After I finished claying the paint I dropped it! Not to worry. Before I through it away, I clayed the rims it removed tons of dust.
I used citrus cleaner to remove any residue. (did not remove wheels this time. I do that in the spring to remove salt and other winter crap when I clean the undercarriage & wheelwells)
Then I applyed synth wax to the wheels this works great it helps keep crap from sticking to the rims.
Step 7: Removed all wax with micro fiber cloths. There's a porter cable in my future. I'm Letting the wax cure overnight and, tomorrow I will apply a couple coats of turtle wax platinum carnuba paste. I do this twice a year with a weekly wash when weather allows and maintain with detail spray. I use summer & winter covers. My driveway is surrounded by trees. Tomorrow I will also do the interior including the leather and carpet which involves removing the seats. Then I'm having a couple of beers Winter cover on top of summer cover as to not scratch paint!
Summer cover slowly shrinking from washing/drying!
why I need them. lot's of trees,lots of birds (that's bird Sh!t)
Well I finally got around to the interior. After I removed the seats did a major vacuum. Then shampoo. While the carpet was drying, I did the seats. Here's a few pics with products.
By the way any one know what to use for pitted aluminum? I prob. will need a drill attachment. I got most of it off but my arms almost fell off from rubbing.
Thanks a lot guys! MikeyC Yes, I used the Meg's Deep crystal paint cleaner AKA step 1.
Wanabe thanks for your help with the post I have a badge already do I get another?
Dave,Now that Suzuka is discontinued Laguna is the hottest color! You should love polishing it. I Still Need to get to the interior especially the leather and, hit the rubber seals with Shin-Etsu. But, I'll wait till it get's a little cooler.
More pics to come.
No storage for me I couldn't hit 92k mi storing it. All the more reason to protect that paint. Although, I hope this will be the last winter/snow I'll be driving it Don't want to push it with the road salt. Plus, I intend on going FI.
Found a winter carpet that fits drivers side. A bathroom rug! Works great, has a non slip rubber backing. That and a cheepo deep well mat from a car wash to catch dirt, salt etc. This combo does not interfere with the pedals. For passenger side a smaller cheepo mat. The bath rug sheds easy so the plastic protects it. Also, with the mild weather I put more wax on. First a good wash w/ warm water. Followed by zymol cleaner wax. Then Meguiars nxt synth (rims too!), followed with carnuba. With a 12hr cure for each coat. This, with a cover should hold till temps rise above 40 degrees. There is a 'hand' car wash near me that only uses foamy soap and I bring my own fresh wash mits for them to use. This helps when the slush and salt leave that white residue plus they spray the under carriage. Anyway, this is my last winter driving The S.
Thanks, Car will be paid. Then I can afford a beater. I have big engine mods planned. I'm approching 95k miles and I'd like to keep this car for quite a while so I figured I use it as a weekend/summer toy.
UPDATE! Want to maintain my Wacko status
Left car wet) Clay magic clay with lube. Rinse, and clay again.
(that's bird Sh!t)
I couldn't hit 92k mi storing it. All the more reason to protect that paint. Although, I hope this will be the last winter/snow I'll be driving it Don't want to push it with the road salt. Plus, I intend on going FI.
