[Blue_Water_Rush]

Best way I have found to quickly remove the wax off the black plastic: Take a damp rag, put a small dab of Dawn Dishwashing detergent on it, wipe off the plastic. With a small bit of effort it will take it right off. Just be careful and not get the Dawn on the fresh wax, because it will remove it. Use a good protectant on the plastic when your done, and it will look as good as new. Dawn will remove wax but not hurt the paint.

I use Dawn to wash my truck before applying the zaino polish (they recommend it), because all the old wax and contaminents must be stripped from the paint in order to properly apply the polish. Dawn works awesome here. The activator will not bond properly to the paint if there is old wax on there.

If I'm applying Carnuba wax, I just use Mcguiar's soft gel wash.

 

[RIDER]

Thanks Josh. I will have to try some of those tips. I currently need a buffing to get out all these spider webs (except the grill LOL). A buddy of mine works at an auto body, and is their detailing specialist, so I'm gonna let him have a crack at it (no pun intended). They use 3M products. I think I need a fine cut or slightly coarser.

Currently, I use microfiber towels and applicators and some of my favorite products include:

Exterior- Mcguiars soft gel wash, Turtle wax chrome polish, Mcguiars spray quik detailer, Mothers cleaner wax with brazilian carnuba, Zaino bros. show car polish, Stoners glass cleaner, Mcguiars NXT protectant, Black Magic tire shine, Bleche White tire cleaner. (soon to come Mcguiars NXT tech wax)

Interior- Mcguiars NXT protectant, Mcguiars leather wipes, Stoners Glass cleaner, Armor All cleaning wipes, compressed air, Craftsman shop vac.

I have never used a clay bar. Isn't that more geared toward faded and old finishes?

BTW... your trucks look great (ask Rider LOL)

LOL. Great info guys!!

 

[TheElusive]

Thanks for the great ideas! Is there any length of time one should wait before any wash/wax/etc... with a brand new truck? I took delivery of my truck just two days after it was assembled, and I haven't even washed it yet for fear of screwing the paint. Its getting pretty nasty.

How long does it take for the paint on these trucks to harden?

How long before using a pressure washer?

Any tips for a brand-new-unwashed-truck?

 

[JoshInTitan]

Thanks for the great ideas! Is there any length of time one should wait before any wash/wax/etc... with a brand new truck? I took delivery of my truck just two days after it was assembled, and I haven't even washed it yet for fear of screwing the paint. Its getting pretty nasty.

How long does it take for the paint on these trucks to harden?

How long before using a pressure washer?

Any tips for a brand-new-unwashed-truck?

I know you just got your truck... so I can't remember exactly how long. I am sure you would be safe to wash it gently. As far as the pressure washer goes, not sure...

Also, putting some good wax on it wouldn't hurt, and others have suggested already using the claybar is a good idea, but I don't have any personal experience with the clay on a new vehicle.

 

[DaddyG]

I know you just got your truck... so I can't remember exactly how long. I am sure you would be safe to wash it gently. As far as the pressure washer goes, not sure...

Also, putting some good wax on it wouldn't hurt, and others have suggested already using the claybar is a good idea, but I don't have any personal experience with the clay on a new vehicle.

Clay is hard work, but the extra effort is worth it in the end. Follow the three step process and it will look excellent.

1 Clay
2 Polish
3 Wax Multiple coats are worth the time.

There are several sites that will show you how to clay the vehicle, just make sure and use a good lubricant. I was very skeptical on this until I tried it and saw the real difference it makes.

 

[ttugrad95]

Great info guys! I just wanted to let everyone with a Costco card that they have packages of microfiber towles for $10, 10 of them I believe. Not bad since they are about $3 each at the auto part store. Also I have successfully used back to black to remove wax from the black plastic parts like the cowl.

 

[DaddyG]

Great info guys! I just wanted to let everyone with a Costco card that they have packages of microfiber towles for $10, 10 of them I believe. Not bad since they are about $3 each at the auto part store. Also I have successfully used back to black to remove wax from the black plastic parts like the cowl.

That is a pretty good deal, wish we had costco's in Oklahoma.

 

[BuenasNalgas]

That is a pretty good deal, wish we had costco's in Oklahoma.

You can probably join and order online...........

 

[bebrown]

Zymol is hands down the best product. I bought there Titanium Complete detailing kit for about $365.00 and I have never seen better results.

 

[Lurchdubious]

i just bought the meguiar's clay kit & polish. gonna go get some zymol wax right now too. i really wanted to do the wifey's car (we're on vacation and the Titan is 900 miles away ). but now it's windy outside so i'm gonna have to wait 'till tomorrow...

 

[whirichardson]

That is good stuff for shore. Any tips on the interior? The Nissan leather seems a tad cheap compared to what I got on my 2000 Accord. Looking at seat insert panels I'm not sure they'll hold up well, I could be wrong. Anything on leather treatments past Lexol?

Anyone have problems with the paint scratching off the steering wheel where the volume or cruise controls are placed? Mine is wearing off on the sound control. Dang wife with nails too.

 

[James Con]

For all us TITAN owners that don't have the nice palm tree's to wash and wax our trucks under. Not to sound jelous or anything ( I am) This tip is for us up north. After a long salty winter I use this salt remover to clean the underbody of my TITAN. It does a nice job and it will prolong the rust that our vehicles are prone too. I even use it atleast three or four times durind the winter. Cheap preventive maintenance. I have a 2005 Titan with bareley any rust, The only rust I have is on the frame welds very little. I will take care of that this summer with some POR15.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=31977&aID=24G&cname=Cleaners-/-Waxes&pdesc=Salt_Terminator_Gallon_Concentrate

 

[TEXASGIANT]

For all us TITAN owners that don't have the nice palm tree's to wash and wax our trucks under. Not to sound jelous or anything ( I am) This tip is for us up north. After a long salty winter I use this salt remover to clean the underbody of my TITAN. It does a nice job and it will prolong the rust that our vehicles are prone too. I even use it atleast three or four times durind the winter. Cheap preventive maintenance. I have a 2005 Titan with bareley any rust, The only rust I have is on the frame welds very little. I will take care of that this summer with some POR15.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=31977&aID=24G&cname=Cleaners-/-Waxes&pdesc=Salt_Terminator_Gallon_Concentrate

Thanks for the tip! life at the beach is not salt free.
You got salt on the margarita glass and then there is the salt that goes on the back of your hand with the Taquilla and the salt in the BBQ Rub.
oh and the AIR!

 

[whirichardson]

Hey TexasGiant nice truck. My son lives in Seabrook and owns a SE. I bought my LE at Gulfcoast last year. I'm in snow country now so I traded the salt air for the salty road but no more mildew or mold either.

My pic is the truck on the beach @ Galveston.

 

[James Con]

Thanks for the tip! life at the beach is not salt free.
You got salt on the margarita glass and then there is the salt that goes on the back of your hand with the Taquilla and the salt in the BBQ Rub.
oh and the AIR!

Ohh Man Rub it in some more (as I put on my jacket to go outside)
At least when you are at the Cabana saddled up for some drinks Throw one back for us northerners. CHEERS

 

[kartelan03]

One of the benefits of using a clay bar mitt for car detailing is that it helps remove imperfections from the surface of the paint. Now many professional blogs are very praising the clay bar towel. These imperfections can include small scratches and swirls that can make the paint look dull. By using a clay bar mitt, you can smooth out these imperfections and restore the shine to your car's paint.