I heard that it's good to wax your car once every 3 months (4 times a year), and okay to wash your car once a week, is this correct?

In between washes, I would be using Mcguiar's quick detail spray with a soft cloth.

What do you use to clean the glass windows, and what material do you use to wipe it down with (cloth or towel)?

Does this sound about right to keep the paint looking good?

I also have Mcguiar's Insane tire dressing.

Also, I purchased a California Card Duster for the exterior and interior, what do you guys use to clean spills or chocolate stains off the cloth and plastic dashboard, door interior? Or in other words what product do you use for general interior maintenance?

I've always been partial to Mcguiar's cleaning products.

Thanks.

 

Hi Jon...

It's perfectly fine to wash once per week (I have gone as many as 5 times in one week I think) providing you're using good techinque, good products, and a VERY good drying technique (if you dry).

You see, the continual abrasion of a sponge (or any other material) against the paint will, eventually, cause swirling and marring. The proper use of products and proper technique will limit these swirls and make them easier to remove later when polish/wax time arrives.



No problem there but, again, make sure your technique is proper. By this, I mean that you start at the top of your vehicle and work towards the bottom; you don't substitute washing with QD as it's only intended for light dust and smudging; and, simply put, use common sense when using the product. A high quality microfiber towel (PAC) should be used as well.



I prefer either Stoner's Invisible Glass or NXT Glass Cleaner from Meguiar's. There are oodles of great glass cleaners out there though... try a few and see what you like best.

As for wiping, I, again, prefer a premium microfiber towel.



Yep. Technique, technique, technique.

While I haven't tried this particular product, I hear several people mentioning that they like it.[/b][/quote]

I prefer a warm, damp 100% cotton terry towel. Rarely do I follow with any type of protectant as I simply don't like a glossy dash or interior. If you do go with something along these lines, be sure that it offers a high level of UV protection like Aerospace 303 Protectant or Meguiar's #40.

I hope that helps out a bit. Welcome to f150online.com!

--RP--

 

What I have found to work the absolute best with my glass is Meguiars glass cleaner ( nice smell also ) and newspaper. News paper is free, well usually and it leaves no streaks. It is by far better than cloth or paper towels. But hey, that's just my .02

 

Thank you for the advice.


Here's is another question?


I just got my F150 SXT this weekend, it's black in color, and it's aleady started to accumulate alot of dust and road 'whatever" on it.

Short of completely washing it, which is what it looks like needs, how do I get off the crud that has started all over the paint to keep it clean and shiny all the time?

I went and bought the various assortment of microfiber towls, including the Z-wipes. I was tempted to either dip that towel in a bucket of water or hose down the truck and then just wipe it dry.
I figured that would work, but what the heck I'll ask the guys who have already do it?

How do you guys keep your ride in prestine condition?

The Z-wipes look like they might hold debris in their construction, but the other microfiber towels are much softer?

 

This guy's gonna need a lot of help.....

 

Bad news. It's going to be dusty every time you look at it. Black is the worst of all colors dirty.... and it's ALWAYS dirty.



I'd recommend picking up some Meguiar's Quik Detailer and some Poorboy's Spray and Wipe from Premium Autocare. These products can be used with DUST but should not, in any way, be used as a substitute for washing!! These products are meant for light dust, smudges, and other VERY LIGHT contamination.



If you're getting the hose out; wash it. A wet towel on the paint, while it may provide a little bit of lubrication, will be just about as apt to cause swirling and other surface scratching. The shampoo is a necessary addition as it will provide the lubrication.

I have NO IDEA what 'z-wipes' are.



There aren't enough hours in the day bud. You and I both own black and my truck is NEVER in pristine condition. Black is impossible.

Sure, I can cover up problems and make it pretty good rolling down the road but I can ALWAYS (and I mean always) see surface defects that I need to work on. What I'm trying to say is that my detailing obsession with my truck could be a 60 hour per week job if I wanted it to be...

Welcome to 'black vehicle' ownership. If you're like me and ultra-**** about paint condition and keeping swirls out of the finish etc..., buy some hair color because you're going to go gray.

RP

 

I will do my best. I've always wanted a black truck, so I really can't complain. Nicest car I've ever owned, so I plan on keeping it that way.

 

Sure. Anytime I can help.

 

I like the NXT Tech Protectant for the interior dash and door panels, but in between quickie cleanups I use Pledge. It leaves a nice low gloss and repels dust.

 

I agree with you there! I'm glad I didn't get Pitch Black in a Focus... Sonic Blue is hott enough for me

I like to use NXT Tech Protectant for interior trim too. It doesn't seem to wear off either.

 

I know you’re getting excellent information from all these fine people and the expert himself RockPick but I just have to cringe when someone thinks about somehow wiping down a “dusty” vehicle.

First I am so **** about keeping my paint in the absolutely best condition that I am a bufferphobic (i.e. someone who is a big wuss about using buffers)

I use Zaino products and they too have an “in-between” detail spray (Z7) but for me personally I would NEVER think of using it unless I actually took a hose and washed my truck.

The only thing I have ever done in-between washings is use a California Duster and ONLY if it’s just a dusting. I have a sonic blue Lightning and that is a dark color, granted not as dark as black, but dark enough to show any type of micro scratches. Therefore you have to be very cautious because it would be very easy to introduce scratches to dark paint.

 

Jon, welcome to the site.

Just a couple of comments here...

First off, I would recommend you check out Meguiar's new Duo-Fiber Towel specifically used to clean glass. It's a combination of MF and terry and works really well while limiting haze. I wouldn't recommend newspaper as it obviously contains dyes and fibers that could damage tint. If you take a clean white MF to a window after cleaning with newspaper, you can still pick up the black dye!

Secondly, I would never advocate the use of a California duster or any other type of surface duster that works in the same manner. I believe they even mention it works better the dirtier it is, what! Think about what you are doing, and then think about what causes surface swirls and scratches. The CA duster traps tons of grit, dust and whatever else is in there to its fabric. You then drag that mop filled with particulates across the finish of your paint WITHOUT any lubrication. QD sprays and all good car wash shampoo's main ingredient that aids in not damaging your paint is LUBRICATION agents. This is what prevents swirls and surface scratches. If you talk to other enthusiasts/professionals (I'm not a professional b/c I'm not paid for detailing), they will agree.

Instead, use your best judgement. If you wipe down with a high quality MF and QD spray every other day or so you should be fine. Remember as RP said, technique! After 2 weeks of wiping down every other day, it's probably time for a wash. I have come to believe that the two most important steps in how use wash and dry your vehicle.

A Grit Guard is a must. High Quality Waffle-weave or another specific high quality drying towel is also a must. As mentioned before, TECHNIQUE plays a huge role. Check out other forums (meguiarsonline.com and autopia.org) and do searches on the important steps to pick up hints. Boss recommended a pretty good detailing guide that can be downloaded from autopia in a thread not too long ago. As he mentioned, I too don't necessarily agree with all that is in there, but it gives you a good place to start.

Paint claying and cleaning, polishing, and waxing are the steps that will build and protect that shine I'm sure you are looking for. While I'm not into typing about each of these steps tonight, the outcome of these will only be as good as you maintain and prepare your vehicle for them in the first place.

Good Luck!





-slippy

 

Even though I am no where as good as RP and the many excellant people here I would suggest starting with a good wash and then the use of clay, even if it is a new truck. Good luck with the truck.

 

Ooh, that's another thing I should do to my Focus this weekend! Clay it!

 

Wow, I'm very impressed with this forum. I have to say, you guys really take this seriously. I really appreciate the great advice you guys are giving me, I have already started to save the "how to" info you guys have been recommending, and now I have a little book to read.

I purchased all the Mcguiar products you and all my friends have recommended. Interestingly enough you guys are all on the same page too, the only difference is that they are into their import cars.

I only plan to have the factory bed liner installed, hard Tonneau, Rims/Tires, Running Board (or Tubes), whichever looks good, and a Magnaflow exhaust.

I do eventuall want to add one of the K&N High Performance Air Kits, but I've already spent my $50 bucks at Kragen for the drop in K&N for now.

I cruise when I drive, so I'm never really in any rush. With that said, it's fast enough when I need it (it's a V8 anyway).

I'm always in Redondo, California because I SCUBA dive. My wife and I also own www.islandboba.com I have a lot of diver friends, so I was planning to start a dive club and name it after our Cafe'. I could do the same for this new interest.

We are also involved with the Cancer Walk Fundraiser, so I will probably add those items to our site soon.

If you guys are ever in the area or want to bring your family to a pretty cool place to kick back and enjoy an Island style drink and some real "tasty" sub sandwiches (the pastrami and roast beef rock), come on by we have, wireless internet, live band once a week, Karaoke, and 2 TV monitors. Make it a Ford Truck "hangout".

If you guys have any comments or suggestions, please let me know, I love to get more ideas, car or otherwise?

Thanks again.