[The Chin]

I am a detailing fanatic and I'm a little new to this thread. Have used chemical guys almost since their Inception. Beendown to their original Hawthorne shop and I got a Chemical Guys Outlet less than a mile from me. Taken a few of their classes. I use their polishes and glaze.

I've used many high-end detailing products besides them as well. However, there's a new kid on the block that's actually an old kid and I'm amazed that nobody's mentioned it because Turtle Wax 75th Anniversary Ceramic Graphene Paste Wax is Far and Away the most outstanding wax I have ever used or seen. You can buy it for $30 and it will outperform $200 waxes and it's not even close. Their graphene liquid wax is closed behind and I use that with water as a touch-up. The level of gloss and depth is through the roof. If you don't believe me look at any YouTube video that's reviewed it. Incredible bang for the buck

 

[Walshy6677]

I am a detailing fanatic and I'm a little new to this thread. Have used chemical guys almost since their Inception. Beendown to their original Hawthorne shop and I got a Chemical Guys Outlet less than a mile from me. Taken a few of their classes. I use their polishes and glaze.

I've used many high-end detailing products besides them as well. However, there's a new kid on the block that's actually an old kid and I'm amazed that nobody's mentioned it because Turtle Wax 75th Anniversary Ceramic Graphene Paste Wax is Far and Away the most outstanding wax I have ever used or seen. You can buy it for $30 and it will outperform $200 waxes and it's not even close. Their graphene liquid wax is closed behind and I use that with water as a touch-up. The level of gloss and depth is through the roof. If you don't believe me look at any YouTube video that's reviewed it. Incredible bang for the buck

Thank you for this, I love detailing my Abarth and of late I have decided to clay bar, polish and wax, so strip it right back if you will. I’ve not tried it before, but am looking forward to the challenge. I tried to get a tub of the TW 75th here in the UK, but it seems to have sold out everywhere. Luckily for me, my son lives in SC and is ’coming home’ to the UK at Xmas, he will bring a tub with him. I’ll be off to Chemical Guys today to sort the clay bar and ‘lube spray’, I’ll do the work in January. Thanks again.

 

[Racer27]

Really a big fan of Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating. Use there full system, replaced the Mothers and Meguire stuff.

 

[Pancetta]

Packetjones,
Be careful.................Very careful. Just in case you have not noticed detailing supplies can lead to a very DEEP and DARK rabbit hole. I know. I have been there. Look at some detailing websites. These guys are always detailing their cars and never look at their wives.
That said there are some good recommendations here. I have always had good luck with Griot's products (great customer service). Check out Zaino too. A couple of crazy brothers in New jersey that make and sell their own products. zainostore.com

David

 

[Walshy6677]

I am going to clay bar, polish and wax my car after Xmas. I have the heritage stripe and am wondering how best to approach this part of the car, is it OK to polish it? (And before the forum police get on my case, I’ve tried 3 or 4 searches and am struggling to find a thread that provides what I am after, though if there is one a link would be great). I am using the Chem. Guys clay bar and lube, then VSS polish and I’ll finish with the Turtlewax grapheme wax. I don’t want to start work on it and find there is a problem. Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Chris rl]

303 Graphene nano spray coating gets good write up in Auto express

 

[The Chin]

I am going to clay bar, polish and wax my car after Xmas. I have the heritage stripe and am wondering how best to approach this part of the car, is it OK to polish it? (And before the forum police get on my case, I’ve tried 3 or 4 searches and am struggling to find a thread that provides what I am after, though if there is one a link would be great). I am using the Chem. Guys clay bar and lube, then VSS polish and I’ll finish with the Turtlewax grapheme wax. I don’t want to start work on it and find there is a problem. Thanks in anticipation.

I don't know what the purpose of polishing a matte finish would be. Polishing is usually to get scratches and swirls out of clear coat and glossy paint. As for waxing, I don't know if that's a good idea either. I don't have a heritage stripe but I would be interested to know the definitive answer to this question.

 

[Chris rl]

I put a ceramic coating over which did not give a shine but makes water bead

 

[Aldo]

Questions for the experts:

Last weekend I drove the Spider to the mountains and found snow. It was a fun drive, but the car is now covered in dirt, grime and salt residue.

Normally I’d wash the car myself, but the forecast calls for temps between 32F/0C and 40F/4C, and rain, for as far as the eye can see. The car is garaged, but it bothers me to leave the salt and dirt stuck onto the car paint for weeks.

Should I be worried about the car sitting filthy like that?

Should I bite the bullet and take the car to the car wash for the first time...? Is there a risk that the car wash bristles might cause damage considering the paint is covered in a film of dirt and salt?

 

[Chris rl]

Questions for the experts:

Last weekend I drove the Spider to the mountains and found snow. It was a fun drive, but the car is now covered in dirt, grime and salt residue.

Normally I’d wash the car myself, but the forecast calls for temps between 32F/0C and 40F/4C, and rain, for as far as the eye can see. The car is garaged, but it bothers me to leave the salt and dirt stuck onto the car paint for weeks.

Should I be worried about the car sitting filthy like that?

Should I bite the bullet and take the car to the car wash for the first time...? Is there a risk that the car wash bristles might cause damage considering the paint is covered in a film of dirt and salt?

Rinse,Snow foam then rinse then wash

 

[17221]

303 Graphene nano spray coating gets good write up in Auto express

This stuff is excellent. Be prepared to bring some elbow grease to buff off the dried product, but the result is well worth it. I used it on a 12-year-old Mazda3 and it looked amazing. Giant water beads, very ceramic-like. Car sold in an instant.

 

[17221]

Best tire shine ever: Car Guys. Doesn't actually "shine" unless you want it to. I just want a deep black sidewall and for that it works amazingly well. Also lasts quite a while.

 

[Aldo]

Well, out of the blue the weather surprised us with sunshine and 7C/44F today!

I pulled out the hose, rinsed the car, poured some Meguair's Gold Class wash in the bucket and made a nice lather. Unexpectedly, I was able to give the Spider a much needed wash!

 

[SteveP.]

Questions for the experts:

Last weekend I drove the Spider to the mountains and found snow. It was a fun drive, but the car is now covered in dirt, grime and salt residue.

Normally I’d wash the car myself, but the forecast calls for temps between 32F/0C and 40F/4C, and rain, for as far as the eye can see. The car is garaged, but it bothers me to leave the salt and dirt stuck onto the car paint for weeks.

Should I be worried about the car sitting filthy like that?

Should I bite the bullet and take the car to the car wash for the first time...? Is there a risk that the car wash bristles might cause damage considering the paint is covered in a film of dirt and salt?

Hi Aldo. Sorry to hear about the salt getting on your car. My '76 124 Spider succumbed to corrosion due to salt, I had it for 8 years. I've lost other cars to salt too (my '2004 GMC Sierra went 12 years before the frame was junk, hood and fuel lid perforated!!), hence I refuse to drive my new Spider ('18, so not really new) in the snow, or even on nice winter days (salty snow banks melt and leave salt water puddles). I store my car 6 months of the year - painful, but I don't want to lose this car to rust, ever . . . 70 now, but want to drive it for as long as I can! My advice - and not trying to tell you what to do, only what I recommend - is to wait for the first really nice, warm, road dry day and take it to a local shop and ask them to thoroughly wash off the entire underside. Or, alternatively, jack the car up and do it yourself with a pressure washer. But the sand/salt needs to go! On the other hand, Aldo, I understand you wanting to drive the Spider. Your car, your countryside, your photos are all beautiful and I, for one, really appreciate you posting the pics. This is what our forum is supposed to be about. So I hope you can get your car cleaned up with no harm done. Best Always, s
.

 

[SteveP.]

I am going to clay bar, polish and wax my car after Xmas. I have the heritage stripe and am wondering how best to approach this part of the car, is it OK to polish it? (And before the forum police get on my case, I’ve tried 3 or 4 searches and am struggling to find a thread that provides what I am after, though if there is one a link would be great). I am using the Chem. Guys clay bar and lube, then VSS polish and I’ll finish with the Turtlewax grapheme wax. I don’t want to start work on it and find there is a problem. Thanks in anticipation.

Hi @Walshy6677 , you might be interested in an earlier thread "Heritage Stripe matte paint care" post #2 where Meguires talks about care of matte surfaces. Hope this helps! Best, s

 

[17221]

Should I be worried about the car sitting filthy like that?

Should I bite the bullet and take the car to the car wash for the first time...? Is there a risk that the car wash bristles might cause damage considering the paint is covered in a film of dirt and salt?

It needs to come off ASAP! I would be tempted to leave it out in the rain to rinse it off, if nothing else.

The one time my car saw salt was when I brought it home after a warranty repair. That drive turned out to be on dry salty roads after a snow storm had passed & melted, but before a cleansing rain. The underbody was coated with invisible salt dust.

It was driving me INSANE that there was salt residue under and on the car. I went outside that night in the cold and dark and just blasted the underside of the car with water from every conceivable angle. I just laid on the ground and got soaking wet in the process...small price to pay. I took a hot shower afterwards...I survived lol.

Another option is a local do-it-yourself coin-operated pressure wash. Around here it would not be advisable to lay on the ground since the stalls are covered in mud from off-roaders washing off dirt, but at least you can soap and rinse the paint and wheels.

The reward for my obsessive rinsing? The underside of my car is not at all rusty. There is very little if any surface rust on any of the bare steel components.

 

[SteveP.]

Of course, after laying on the cold ground and getting soaking wet I would also recommend the wood stove and a nip of Makers 46! 😃

 

[17221]

Of course, after laying on the cold ground and getting soaking wet I would also recommend the wood stove and a nip of Makers 46! 😃

Next time I need to rinse salt off my Spider, I'm doing it in your driveway!

 

[Walshy6677]

Hi @Walshy6677 , you might be interested in an earlier thread "Heritage Stripe matte paint care" post #2 where Meguires talks about care of matte surfaces. Hope this helps! Best, s

Thanks @SteveP. I’ll give that a look. I finf the search function a bit hit and miss at times.

 

[Aldo]

Hi Aldo. Sorry to hear about the salt getting on your car. My '76 124 Spider succumbed to corrosion due to salt, I had it for 8 years. I've lost other cars to salt too (my '2004 GMC Sierra went 12 years before the frame was junk, hood and fuel lid perforated!!), hence I refuse to drive my new Spider ('18, so not really new) in the snow, or even on nice winter days (salty snow banks melt and leave salt water puddles). I store my car 6 months of the year - painful, but I don't want to lose this car to rust, ever . . . 70 now, but want to drive it for as long as I can! My advice - and not trying to tell you what to do, only what I recommend - is to wait for the first really nice, warm, road dry day and take it to a local shop and ask them to thoroughly wash off the entire underside. Or, alternatively, jack the car up and do it yourself with a pressure washer. But the sand/salt needs to go! On the other hand, Aldo, I understand you wanting to drive the Spider. Your car, your countryside, your photos are all beautiful and I, for one, really appreciate you posting the pics. This is what our forum is supposed to be about. So I hope you can get your car cleaned up with no harm done. Best Always, s
.

It needs to come off ASAP! I would be tempted to leave it out in the rain to rinse it off, if nothing else.

The one time my car saw salt was when I brought it home after a warranty repair. That drive turned out to be on dry salty roads after a snow storm had passed & melted, but before a cleansing rain. The underbody was coated with invisible salt dust.

It was driving me INSANE that there was salt residue under and on the car. I went outside that night in the cold and dark and just blasted the underside of the car with water from every conceivable angle. I just laid on the ground and got soaking wet in the process...small price to pay. I took a hot shower afterwards...I survived lol.

Another option is a local do-it-yourself coin-operated pressure wash. Around here it would not be advisable to lay on the ground since the stalls are covered in mud from off-roaders washing off dirt, but at least you can soap and rinse the paint and wheels.

The reward for my obsessive rinsing? The underside of my car is not at all rusty. There is very little if any surface rust on any of the bare steel components.

Yeah, I normally don’t drive the Spider in the rain or snow, either. But after weeks of rain we got a sunny break on Sunday and decided to take the car out for a drive. I wasn’t thinking I’d find snow. But I guess I should have expected it; that road gains a few hundred feet in elevation.

Thankfully, the weather cleared again yesterday (Wednesday) and was able to give the car a thorough rinse all over —and a good wash.

It is raining snow right now, so the car is back in the garage.