Just finished my complete exterior and engine compartment clean-up of my 90Q. Expected good things, but i'm shocked at the final results. She literally looks like it just rolled out of the showroom!!!! Everyone was stunned that a 13 year old car could look that incredible. Here's my steps 1-wash with dawn detergent, cuts through dirt and old wax to give a fresh start. 2-the "mysterious" clay bar treatment. I'll be honest, had my doubts about it and everyone laughed when they watched me rub "play-doh" over the Q but the results made the paint feel like glass. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!! 3-Meguiar's step-two polish 4-Meguiar's Hi-Tech Yellow carnuba paste wax. 5-Invisible Glass for interior/exterior glass-amazing, never again with the windex 6-Meguiar's Gloss Endurance for the tires factory rims are a lost cause-the hunt continues for 16's. Results were absolutely amazing. Wish i had pics. I'm sure it's a combination of the Q being garage kept(assuming the first owner did) and Infiniti using top-notch paint.
I know I'm gushing, but I really am shocked at how good she looks!!!If anyone is looking to get their car the best it can look, try these steps. Well worth it:D Jeff
Just Detailed The Q--stunning Results!!!
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Woodmister
- Posts: 230
- Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2002 7:02 am
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natsoundup
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 4:27 am
I just happened to do my semi annual re-do of my 90Q Saturday.
Did McGuires #2. Put it on and took it off with an orbital machine.
Pressure washed the engine... I could almost eat off it before..now I can again..
Damn factory wheels... sanded down and re-sprayed the plastic center caps... this time in aluminum... lighter than the wheel..last time it was grey..slightly darker than the wheel..that was four years ago.
cleaned all the leather with lexol....then put some oil on the seats...
cleaned the carpets...with foam stuff that I brushed in and then wiped off with a damp cloth
Still need to wax the car...Is this really necessary?
ok...here's the biggie.... is there an over the counter spray paint to match the grey plastic? I have some curb rash on the front under the bumper....I want to re-spray it with the factory color...but may have to do black ...Primed it with grey.
The car is black with grey interior...
It looks pretty darn good for 13 years plus...152k...I stopped garaging it about 18 months ago in favor of a boat (which can't stay out in the driveway due to homeowner's restrictions)
Oh...and then I drove the sucker hard for about an hour on some back country roads.
Did McGuires #2. Put it on and took it off with an orbital machine.
Pressure washed the engine... I could almost eat off it before..now I can again..
Damn factory wheels... sanded down and re-sprayed the plastic center caps... this time in aluminum... lighter than the wheel..last time it was grey..slightly darker than the wheel..that was four years ago.
cleaned all the leather with lexol....then put some oil on the seats...
cleaned the carpets...with foam stuff that I brushed in and then wiped off with a damp cloth
Still need to wax the car...Is this really necessary?
ok...here's the biggie.... is there an over the counter spray paint to match the grey plastic? I have some curb rash on the front under the bumper....I want to re-spray it with the factory color...but may have to do black ...Primed it with grey.
The car is black with grey interior...
It looks pretty darn good for 13 years plus...152k...I stopped garaging it about 18 months ago in favor of a boat (which can't stay out in the driveway due to homeowner's restrictions)
Oh...and then I drove the sucker hard for about an hour on some back country roads.
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
- Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Next time I wash and wax, Ill be sure to use some dawn or dish soap, that is key to getting off all the old stuff.
here is what I used to make mine look really goodI washed with KITs wash/carnuaba waxI applied car brite polish (the pink stuff)I then finished it off with some imperial paste wax, which i wont use again because it is pretty hard, and old.
here is what I used to make mine look really goodI washed with KITs wash/carnuaba waxI applied car brite polish (the pink stuff)I then finished it off with some imperial paste wax, which i wont use again because it is pretty hard, and old.
j30t wrote:how well does that invisible glass stuff work? i was looking into gettin some because i cant seems to get my rear window completely clean and smudgefree.
THE best glass cleaning product out there is Flitz Polish. I've tried everything from windex to invisible glass but Flitz Polish is the best by far. It will remove all those water marks all the other cleaners can't. After using the Flitz, use the Castrol rainshield and not Rain-X. The Castrol is much more effective and rain just beads off even if you're driving slowly, unlike Rain-X.
Although Meguiar's does offer some good off-the-store-shelf products, I'd personally recommend Klasse wash and wax products. I first heard about this stuff in the showcar scene where many of the winning guys religiously used their product.
Here's what I recommend for totally transforming your car:
1. Finishing Touch car wash soap (can be found at Autozone)2. Klasse dirt remover (removes swirl marks and dirt like no other)3. Zymol polish4. Zaino sealant (wax)5. PS-100 carnuba wax (can be found at Harley shops)6. Liquid Glass to top it all off
This is a tried and true formula by many hotrodders and IMO produces the best results. Give it a try and you'll fall in love with your cars all over again.
Here's what I recommend for totally transforming your car:
1. Finishing Touch car wash soap (can be found at Autozone)2. Klasse dirt remover (removes swirl marks and dirt like no other)3. Zymol polish4. Zaino sealant (wax)5. PS-100 carnuba wax (can be found at Harley shops)6. Liquid Glass to top it all off
This is a tried and true formula by many hotrodders and IMO produces the best results. Give it a try and you'll fall in love with your cars all over again.
Other products I'd recommend:
For Leather:
1. Leatherique rejuvinator oil (only available through their website: http://www.Leatherique.com) 2. Hide soap (available at shops that cater to equestrians)3. The best store product is Armorall leather cleaner. Leaves a nice scent and is sooooo good, it's therepeutic.
Tires:
1. 303 Protectant (http://www.303-products.com) makes tires look absolutely immaculate. Does wonders for vinyl as well. Use this once and you'll never want to leave your car. 2. Castrol tire cleaner- works well for a store product and lasts a bit longer than Eagle 1 or Black Magic tire wets.
IMO tires should look neat without being conspicuous because if they have that glazed look, they will distract from the overall cleanliness of the car.
Underhood:
1. Simple Green degreaser 2. Blue Shine CAS Plastic cleaner- gives all that plastic a nice wet look.
For Leather:
1. Leatherique rejuvinator oil (only available through their website: http://www.Leatherique.com) 2. Hide soap (available at shops that cater to equestrians)3. The best store product is Armorall leather cleaner. Leaves a nice scent and is sooooo good, it's therepeutic.
Tires:
1. 303 Protectant (http://www.303-products.com) makes tires look absolutely immaculate. Does wonders for vinyl as well. Use this once and you'll never want to leave your car. 2. Castrol tire cleaner- works well for a store product and lasts a bit longer than Eagle 1 or Black Magic tire wets.
IMO tires should look neat without being conspicuous because if they have that glazed look, they will distract from the overall cleanliness of the car.
Underhood:
1. Simple Green degreaser 2. Blue Shine CAS Plastic cleaner- gives all that plastic a nice wet look.
Lastly, remember to fork over the extra $ to buy microfiber cloths instead of using terry towels. Definitely worth the difference in price. Chenille cloths work very well for removing and holding dirt particles.
It's always been said that automobiles are an extension of our homes. Once you use all these products, you'll understand why.
It's always been said that automobiles are an extension of our homes. Once you use all these products, you'll understand why.
j30t wrote:anyone else ever use zainobros stuff? that has worked the best for me...made my J feel like smooth glass for a month...and its not even garage kept. After each wash and wax it keeps getting better. zainbros.com is the site...check it out..cool stuff.
I am another Zaino convert. I used it on my last Camaro and it made the crappy GM paint look awesome. I will be using it on the Q shortly. Even a new car can benefit from a clay bar treatment.
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natsoundup
- Posts: 669
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natsoundup
- Posts: 669
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greg_atlanta
- Posts: 1111
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 4:37 pm
- Car: 2008 G35 Journey Sedan, silver/black (no sunroof), 1992 Q45 (in a past life)
What color is the clay bar?
I'm trying to stop using cleaner wax on my car (dark grey) because the white residue always gets stuck in the chips and scratches and it seems to take forever to get it off with a terry cloth and/or toothbrush... always finding more week after week after week.....
Does clay bar leave any chalky residue?
I'm trying to stop using cleaner wax on my car (dark grey) because the white residue always gets stuck in the chips and scratches and it seems to take forever to get it off with a terry cloth and/or toothbrush... always finding more week after week after week.....
Does clay bar leave any chalky residue?
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Woodmister
- Posts: 230
- Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2002 7:02 am
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nuQ
- Posts: 1659
- Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2003 1:39 pm
- Car: 2003 Infiniti M45
2009 Dodge Caliber SXT - Location: Bethlehem PA
hey sop, a couple questions for ya,,,, 1. where do you find flitz for the windows. thought invisible glass worked great, but willing to try something even better. only negative might be multiple applications to achieve best results, but they were incredible. 2. i thought liquid glass had to be applied with no other products on the paint,,i.e., polishes or waxes. i have a can in the basement and willing to apply a coat if it will make the shine even better,,,let me know. jeff
If you haven't tried Zaino, you don't know just how good your car can look. I've used it for 2 years now on my 90Q and still cannot believe how effective it is. My garage with its shelves of half-empty bottles/cans is a testament to the fact that I have tried everything, and I do mean everything, and I have found nothing better than Zaino. I print out the order sheet off their website and order by mail.
ok...i zainoed(i guess that can be a term) my car about 3 months ago before i got my ticket and couldnt drive for a while and havent done it since. It looked amazing and had the car feeling like glass for a month or more. Just had to wash it to get it feeling smooth again. Still repels water 4 months later. All this talk about detailing is making me want to go do it...i guess ill spend a couple hours tomorrow with the zaino. Id also recommend their tire gloss...makes it black but not the greasy nasty black. The gloss enhancing spray (z6 i think) is awesome also.