New Car Care

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wonduhboy

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Hi All, I just bought a brand new car (diesel).
Any tips on caring for it?
Getting it polished/waxed etc. Driving style.

thanks
 
Regarding the driving style, a few pointers:

  1. Diesels have tremendous torque, so they can pull in high gears from low, low revs. Don't do it. It puts tremendous strain on the engine and entire driveline.
  2. Modern diesels are quite happy to rev to the red line, but their power delivery drops of sharply in the higher rev ranges so don't bother.
  3. Keep your foot light until the engine reaches normal working temperature.
  4. Don't think you can shortcut around #3. by letting the car idle to warm up in the mornings - this isn't a good habit.
  5. If you're returning from a spirited drive, either let the car idle for a minute or 2 before switching off or take the last couple of kilometers nice and easy.
  6. Try to stick to 50ppm (cleaner) diesel. Depending on the car it might be fine with 500ppm, but it'll always be happier on the good stuff.
 
You can safely consider products from Meguairs, Autoglym, Chemical Guys, Sonax and Mothers

If you're serious about taking care of the paintwork, then I'd start collecting the following:

- wash mitt
- microfiber drying towel
- microfiber sponge (for lower sections and rims)
- decent microfiber buffing cloths
- sponges for polish and wax application
- good shampoo
- a light cleaning polish
- wax (go to town and look at Collinite, Chemical Guys, Menzerna, etc etc), but get a good wax that's easy to apply too.
- bug remover (I actually like Meguair's Bug and Tar Remover)
- A large container to hide all the goodies in, from the missus!

Later on, also grab these:
- clay bar and Quick Detail lubricant
- trim dressing
- tyre dressing

Most certainly follow the 2-Bucket-method (1 containing shampoo mix, 1 with clean water to rinse your mitt or sponge in after every section).

- Wash the car every weekend if you're inclined
- Wax once per month
- Wash, clay, wash, polish and wax every 6 months

Enjoy your clean, slick auto! :D
 
flarkit said:
You can safely consider products from Meguairs, Autoglym, Chemical Guys, Sonax and Mothers

If you're serious about taking care of the paintwork, then I'd start collecting the following:

- wash mitt
- microfiber drying towel
- microfiber sponge (for lower sections and rims)
- decent microfiber buffing cloths
- sponges for polish and wax application
- good shampoo
- a light cleaning polish
- wax (go to town and look at Collinite, Chemical Guys, Menzerna, etc etc), but get a good wax that's easy to apply too.
- bug remover (I actually like Meguair's Bug and Tar Remover)
- A large container to hide all the goodies in, from the missus!

Later on, also grab these:
- clay bar and Quick Detail lubricant
- trim dressing
- tyre dressing

Most certainly follow the 2-Bucket-method (1 containing shampoo mix, 1 with clean water to rinse your mitt or sponge in after every section).

- Wash the car every weekend if you're inclined
- Wax once per month
- Wash, clay, wash, polish and wax every 6 months

Enjoy your clean, slick auto! :D
Click to expand...

thanks for the detail!
But sheesh I'm lazy, surely I can pay some crowd to do this for me? Can you recommend anyone in JHB?
 
wonduhboy said:
thanks for the detail!
But sheesh I'm lazy, surely I can pay some crowd to do this for me? Can you recommend anyone in JHB?
Click to expand...

Rather do it yourself, or get a professional to do it for you. Professional detailers are a bit expensive if you want to do it regularly, and the guys at the carwashes will cause swirl marks etc. So I would recommend doing it yourself. If you want to give a detailer a try - www.uniquefinish.co.za

They do AWESOME work!! I know you are not always lus to do it, but trust me, if you use the correct methods from the beginning your car's paint will "last" a lot longer.
 
wonduhboy said:
thanks for the detail!
But sheesh I'm lazy, surely I can pay some crowd to do this for me? Can you recommend anyone in JHB?
Click to expand...

Rather do it yourself, or get a professional to do it for you. Professional detailers are a bit expensive if you want to do it regularly, and the guys at the carwashes will cause swirl marks etc. So I would recommend doing it yourself. If you want to give a detailer a try - www.uniquefinish.co.za

They do AWESOME work!! I know you are not always lus to do it, but trust me, if you use the correct methods from the beginning your car's paint will "last" a lot longer.
 
Last edited:
wonduhboy said:
thanks for the detail!
But sheesh I'm lazy, surely I can pay some crowd to do this for me? Can you recommend anyone in JHB?
Click to expand...

I woz lazy as well with my previous (2nd-hand car), enjoying a monthly visit to the local Engen car-wash on a Sunday morning. After I bought a brandnew car, I was firmly bitten by the cleaning bug and wanting to prevent someone else from adding any scratches. Once you overcome the laziness and learn the basics, it's very rewarding to appreciate your own efforts. Also, it's much easier to maintain a clean car, than to try and remove older grime.

BTW, Uniquefinish provide truly excellent detailling service. Although it's not cheap, it's certainly worth every cent. Avoid the higher-volume places (I've heard horror stories about "Sparkle" car-washes), other than for cleaning your car's undercarriage as needed (twice a year with regular use). Their staff have no interest in keeping dirt in their wash-buckets and cloths, away from your car's paint.
 
wonduhboy said:
thanks for the detail!
But sheesh I'm lazy, surely I can pay some crowd to do this for me? Can you recommend anyone in JHB?
Click to expand...

I'm also pretty lazy so what I did was buy a bunch of chamois and when I get my car washed I make sure the guy uses my cloths to wash and dry.


Sent from my Desire HD using MyBroadband Android App
 
enigma243 said:
  1. Diesels have tremendous torque, so they can pull in high gears from low, low revs. Don't do it. It puts tremendous strain on the engine and entire driveline.
  2. Modern diesels are quite happy to rev to the red line, but their power delivery drops of sharply in the higher rev ranges so don't bother.
  3. Keep your foot light until the engine reaches normal working temperature.
  4. Don't think you can shortcut around #3. by letting the car idle to warm up in the mornings - this isn't a good habit.
  5. If you're returning from a spirited drive, either let the car idle for a minute or 2 before switching off or take the last couple of kilometers nice and easy.
  6. Try to stick to 50ppm (cleaner) diesel. Depending on the car it might be fine with 500ppm, but it'll always be happier on the good stuff.
Click to expand...

+1

Also gooi in some 1-stroke oil at 1:200 ratio before filling up to keep things running smoothly and avoid coking of injectors and premature diesel pump failure ;)
 
RandomGRK said:
I'm also pretty lazy so what I did was buy a bunch of chamois and when I get my car washed I make sure the guy uses my cloths to wash and dry.
Click to expand...

A chamois traps grains of dirt and these are then dragged over the paint, with frightening results. A good wash mitt and drying towel should minimize the chances of that
 
How good/bad is that Tevo Blue Blitz broom/sprayer combo thing? Are those really non-scratch bristles? The time saving appeals to me as well as being able to rinse the car immediately after washing a section.
 
LOL @ the above tips.

Read the manual that came with the car. It will tell you all you need to know.
 
Gaz{M} said:
How good/bad is that Tevo Blue Blitz broom/sprayer combo thing? Are those really non-scratch bristles? The time saving appeals to me as well as being able to rinse the car immediately after washing a section.
Click to expand...

LOL! There's no ways I'd risk my car's paintwork with a broomstick!
 
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