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Just wanted to pass along some tips that I have picked up over the years regarding polishing and waxing. First of all, I am not an expert per se, I am just offering items that I have learned either throught reading, talking to others, or just stumbled across myself. So no flames please....lol
Everybody has tried one type of polishing system or another and has their views on it as well. I have enough polish and wax in my garage to last me 3 lifetimes...lol Lately I just have purchased the Zaino system. So far I has achieved very good results with it. I am not a dealer for them or any other system, but the point that I would like to make is that with any "good system" by different manufactures can and do work just as well as the next. Body preparation is the key to getting the best possible shine and protection. Also it takes time, be prepared to take the time to do the job right your first time. When I did the Zaino system, I started 11:00 in the morning and finished up about 8:00 in the evening. Of couse I had a break or two during that time. Now after the first time, keep up maintenance should take no time at all.
I have used many different products and they all have come out looking great. Yes there are some that are inferior than others, but you learn which ones they are. Just remenber you have to have patience in order to achieve the best results.
Now some tips that you may alrealy know.
Water spots, how to prevent them...Athough I have a garage, you can also do this outside weather permitting. Whenever I come home, I always pop the hood on the SSR to let out all of the engine heat. Heat is your worst enemy for waterspots. If it is raining and you park in the garage without wiping down the hood, you are asking for trouble, as the heat from the hood will just bake the rain drops into the paint. Lets say you don't cover your car at work and you have an afternoon shower, which leaves the rain to be dried by the hot sun afterwards, you can be looking for waterspot trouble. That is why I always carry a spray bottle of water and liquid polish or wax with enough cloths to hande any situation.
If anything try to keep your hood as clean as possible under any conditions and you will prevent waterspotting in the future. Never wash your vehicle in the sun, no matter what anyone tells you, just don't do it period. With one exception, if you don't have a choice, was it piece by piece and then dry that area, this way the sun does not have a chance to spot the finish with dried water.
Tires and Wheels-always wash them first, it is easier to respray them as you wash the rest of the vehicle rather than the the other way around. I have also found that the stock wheels on the SSR are just about the easiest to keep clean inside and out. Just pick up one of those small sponge handle products from the supermarket, they are easy to use to use to get to the inner wheel area, or for the rear wheels just lay underneath and use the sponge or rag to wipe down that area. It does make a difference in the appearance of your SSR. And if you do it when you wash your SSR, that brake dust never builds up.
Winter driving- Alot of us will be seeing snow with our SSR's this winter, not only is it important to keep the body clean, make sure you stay ontop of the wheels. Don't let salt and brake dust stay on the wheels for an extended period of time, that is asking for disaster. Even if you come home and you know that the roads will be just as bad the next day, get that salt and dirt off your wheels, so that it doesn't bake in, believe me it will be a real problem if you don't, and keep that hood clean.
Just thought I share some tips with you, which you may know and do already, I am on vacation this week and have some extra time on my hands, what better way to spend it, having a conversation with the SSR menbers....................Tom
Everybody has tried one type of polishing system or another and has their views on it as well. I have enough polish and wax in my garage to last me 3 lifetimes...lol Lately I just have purchased the Zaino system. So far I has achieved very good results with it. I am not a dealer for them or any other system, but the point that I would like to make is that with any "good system" by different manufactures can and do work just as well as the next. Body preparation is the key to getting the best possible shine and protection. Also it takes time, be prepared to take the time to do the job right your first time. When I did the Zaino system, I started 11:00 in the morning and finished up about 8:00 in the evening. Of couse I had a break or two during that time. Now after the first time, keep up maintenance should take no time at all.
I have used many different products and they all have come out looking great. Yes there are some that are inferior than others, but you learn which ones they are. Just remenber you have to have patience in order to achieve the best results.
Now some tips that you may alrealy know.
Water spots, how to prevent them...Athough I have a garage, you can also do this outside weather permitting. Whenever I come home, I always pop the hood on the SSR to let out all of the engine heat. Heat is your worst enemy for waterspots. If it is raining and you park in the garage without wiping down the hood, you are asking for trouble, as the heat from the hood will just bake the rain drops into the paint. Lets say you don't cover your car at work and you have an afternoon shower, which leaves the rain to be dried by the hot sun afterwards, you can be looking for waterspot trouble. That is why I always carry a spray bottle of water and liquid polish or wax with enough cloths to hande any situation.
If anything try to keep your hood as clean as possible under any conditions and you will prevent waterspotting in the future. Never wash your vehicle in the sun, no matter what anyone tells you, just don't do it period. With one exception, if you don't have a choice, was it piece by piece and then dry that area, this way the sun does not have a chance to spot the finish with dried water.
Tires and Wheels-always wash them first, it is easier to respray them as you wash the rest of the vehicle rather than the the other way around. I have also found that the stock wheels on the SSR are just about the easiest to keep clean inside and out. Just pick up one of those small sponge handle products from the supermarket, they are easy to use to use to get to the inner wheel area, or for the rear wheels just lay underneath and use the sponge or rag to wipe down that area. It does make a difference in the appearance of your SSR. And if you do it when you wash your SSR, that brake dust never builds up.
Winter driving- Alot of us will be seeing snow with our SSR's this winter, not only is it important to keep the body clean, make sure you stay ontop of the wheels. Don't let salt and brake dust stay on the wheels for an extended period of time, that is asking for disaster. Even if you come home and you know that the roads will be just as bad the next day, get that salt and dirt off your wheels, so that it doesn't bake in, believe me it will be a real problem if you don't, and keep that hood clean.
Just thought I share some tips with you, which you may know and do already, I am on vacation this week and have some extra time on my hands, what better way to spend it, having a conversation with the SSR menbers....................Tom