How to detail your Crossfire!!

[j-fire]

Zaino!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kit Fox]

Originally Posted by golfdude

Try Meguire's Scratch X after washing and clay barring. Work the product in well.

For the paint that's fine too? I've generally used it for plastics in the past.

Also would the ScratchX or PlasticX be better to use to remove the haze on my headlights?

[maxcichon]

Originally Posted by Kit Fox

For the paint that's fine too? I've generally used it for plastics in the past.

Also would the ScratchX or PlasticX be better to use to remove the haze on my headlights?

PlastX is made for ...plastics. Go figger'!

It works for light problems, but go the full (and more difficult) route of sanding and buffing for bigger problems.

[onehundred80]

Great job golfdude, what we need now is a article on the buffer speed for each step, the types of pads and the product that is best used with each type of pad. Pads are touched on but nothing concise.
If we use all the correct products with the wrong tools we will be wasting our time.

[bdnldn]

My new Crossfire was sealed with Resist All. How long is it good for. Is it any good? I want to take care of my Crossfire right. I do not work and am a disabled Vet. This is my dream car. I do everything by hand. I think the dealer gets a kick back. It is a Cal-Tek product. Thanks for any advice.

[Airscape]

This thread is like old faithful, so much good info. I have seen a few new products come out lately and it is time to do a full detail job on the baby so looking for some advice.

Checked some of the old links to combos\packages for doing the full job (clay,condition,polish,wax...) but most are either gone or changed up. Any new recommendations for this season? I already have my porter cable so I don't need that or the velcro backing and such. Pretty much just looking for all the products and pads that are needed. I still have a bunch from the last time I did it but I did not have any cleaner or anything so I assume I should just start fresh instead of trying to get 6mo old wax out of them.

Honestly I have only used Meguiars producs that I picked up at autozone and such and have been really happy with them. It seems like I need to go a little more hardcore this time around though as some of the swirls and scratches I have are pretty bad.

Here are a couple I was looking at for reference. Any help/suggestions are appreciated!

Meguiars Ultra Polish Kit with 6.5 Inch Pads, Meguiars Mirror Glaze Polishes, Meguiars 105 and 295, Lake Country Foam pads
Pinnacle Complete Swirl Remover Kit

[maxcichon]

I'm a big fan of Meguiars too. I've been using an Orange LC pad with Meguiars Ultimate Compound after a thorough cleaning. NXT 2.0 Tech Wax and I'm good to go.

Mike-in-orange should chime in here pretty soon. Listen to him-he's a professional!

[Mike-in-Orange]

Originally Posted by Airscape

Honestly I have only used Meguiars producs that I picked up at autozone and such and have been really happy with them. It seems like I need to go a little more hardcore this time around though as some of the swirls and scratches I have are pretty bad.

Not sure when the last time was you bought Meguiar's consumer products, but if it's been more than 6 months and you now feel you need to step up to something more aggressive, you can pick up Meguiar's new Ultimate Compound at most auto parts stores and even Wal-Mart. UC makes use of some very unique abrasive technology that we're able to port down from our top line pro stuff but in a more user friendly formula. It is much, much more aggressive than any "consumer" product on the market, but the abrasives are such that, along with the level of cut, they provide a very high degree of clarity to the finish. Used with a pad like the Meguiar's yellow polishing pad or Lake Country orange light cutting pad, you should be able to go straight to wax after using it. And at about $10 a bottle it's a steal.

[golfdude]

Airscape...The Meg's kit looks ok to me. But I don't think the grey pad is good for use with 205...it's too mild to do anything. I use that pad to spread sealants on paint. I'd get a blue pad instead of grey.

If you need just pads I would get this kit since it is contains a nice variety of pads:
http://autogeek.net/pc-foam-pad-kit.html

If I were you I'd step up to the FLEX XC3401...that's for anybody looking for max performance out of their random-orbit polisher

[Airscape]

Thanks for the help once again guys. Just ordered that pad kit and will be hunting down some of that ultimate compound locally. Should be enough to keep me busy this weekend, need to sand down one of my headlights also.. my arm is burning already

[pizzaguy]

Originally Posted by VALKRYDERGUY

Although I have a SSB color which requires very little work to keep looking good.

What is a "SSB color"?

[nate_man]

Originally Posted by pizzaguy

What is a "SSB color"?

Silver Sapphire Blue,
Sweet Sexy Blue,
Sweetest Scolorinthexfirefamily Blue!

[MSWANSON1950]

I'm a newbie here but could sure use anyone's reccomendation for a good bug remover! Now that winter is here (I'm a midwestern) the Crossfire will be stored but come next spring, I could sure use a good product that would make it easier.

Thanks

[pizzaguy]

I"v been here since July and I could use a suggestion, too. I bought Turtle Wax's "Tar and Bug Remover" and am STILL looking for something effective.

Sorry to hear you are in the midwest, I spent the first 40 years of my life in Michigan before escaping! My car isn't driven all that much, but it IS driven regularly. I intend to keep that up all winter - since we really don't have what YOU would call winter here!

[MSWANSON1950]

Originally Posted by pizzaguy

I"v been here since July and I could use a suggestion, too. I bought Turtle Wax's "Tar and Bug Remover" and am STILL looking for something effective.

Sorry to hear you are in the midwest, I spent the first 40 years of my life in Michigan before escaping! My car isn't driven all that much, but it IS driven regularly. I intend to keep that up all winter - since we really don't have what YOU would call winter here!

Hi Pizzaguy!

It's great to get your comment so quickly! I have a 2004 with about 17,000 miles on her. I never drive her in the winter (self explanatory). Congrats on your "escape". It's about 28 degrees where I am and we may get a little snow before morning. Dang, winter is coming way to fast for me the older I get. LOL

I've used lots of products on the bugs but none that I would recommend or purchase again. Guess we have to wait and see if anyone else has some suggestions. Heck, bugs are everywhere (eventually).

[emforce]

The best thing I have found is a "bug remover" sponge - which is a sponge with a layer of quilt type or guize type material on the outside. Spray the buggy area with bug/tar remover and let soak for like 15 minutes. wet the bug remover sponge with HOT SOAPY water and rub the pre-sprayed area - no more bugs. If the bugs have baked on too long and damaged the paint - there is not much you can do - I know from experience.

emforce

Originally Posted by MSWANSON1950

Hi Pizzaguy!

It's great to get your comment so quickly! I have a 2004 with about 17,000 miles on her. I never drive her in the winter (self explanatory). Congrats on your "escape". It's about 28 degrees where I am and we may get a little snow before morning. Dang, winter is coming way to fast for me the older I get. LOL

I've used lots of products on the bugs but none that I would recommend or purchase again. Guess we have to wait and see if anyone else has some suggestions. Heck, bugs are everywhere (eventually).