Anyone washed their new cars yet?
Notice any areas of concern? How easy is it compared to the R56?
I find that there is more detail that the water hangs on compared to the R56. There are 2 rubber pieces that have a groove in them under the front windshield washers that will be tough to clean when they get dirty.
The back bumper on my MCS and front too have that mesh that just gets filled with water and are impossible to clean (same as the R56)
My plastic mouldings around the wheels arches are hard to clean too.
I find the doors easier to clean.
Thunder Grey is much more satisfying to clean than you might think :-).

 

yep washed it the second day...we have lots of pollen right now so it looks dirty almost immediately. nice thing though the volcanic orange hides a lot of it, black roof on the other hand shows EVERYTHING

Only thing that caught my attention is the bonnet stripes, they show every mark, every finger smudge, every bug smudge, even show swirl marks bad. the marks aren't permanent, so I took the cloth and wiped length wise so at least the marks are in the same direction.

 

To both of you and anyone else who wanders in: Spend some of your forum time reading up on 'Detailing 101'. There is a lot to learn about keeping these cars looking their best. One hint, don't ever just run a dust rag over the finish. Get a jug of quick detailer available at many auto supply houses, Meguiars - Mothers - Turtle Ice - Griot's or Prima and proper high quality microfiber cloths. Branch out from there for glass, tire, wheel, interior, engine bay detailing supplies.


ojedam, only way to get rid of swirls is to clay bar then polish. DO NOT polish over the stripes, wax yes but no polish.

 

I washed mine today as well. I would agree that some things were easier and some more difficult than my R56. The Hood was much easier as the water channeled nicely off of it, the doors and roof line as well. I also found the new spoiler to be pretty easy to get into it's nooks and cranny's. However I had to spend much more time on the front grille and entire rear as well. No matter how much I wiped water away there was always more somewhere coming out.

I used Mother's Gold wash which I diluted a bit more than normal to be extra easy on the fresh paint. I got a new set of micro fiber cloths to use after my initial drying (with a large micro fiber drying towel). I used many of these on the different lips on the front and rear and get that water out of there. The cosmos wheels were really easy to clean too, very easy to reach any of the (exterior) visible portions.

In the end she is smooth, spotless, and reflects like a midnight black colored mirror Looking forward to next weekend when I get to do it again and continue refining the new routine.

 

Leaf blower works well at getting water out of mesh areas and grill.

 

Another good tool to have for getting those suicidal bugs from between the grill and the radiators is a $10 refrigerator coil brush your Maytag repairman guy can get for you. Also good for detailing those other hard to reach places in the engine bay.

 

What do y'all use for all the bare black plastic trim? Just keep it clean, or are there products to provide protection (UV, stains, etc)?

 

I use 3M black restore type of product for the wheel arcs. Works like a charm. Lasts every 5-6 months to reapply.

 

Good tips in this thread. I did find washing a bit more challenging than it was on my old '11 Buick LaCrosse. More place for water to be held = longer time to dry. Not a biggie, though. I will wax it in June. I want to give the paint plenty of time to cure.

 

I agree Bob. Good suggestions. Love the leaf blower idea Russ. Better that Q-Tips! Not that I have done that but I have thought about it...

 

Don't have my MCS yet - still a week to go, but I've used a leaf blower for years on my cars. Got a 2 speed electric one and use just for washing the cars. Certainly speeds up the drying process. Then a quick wipe down and the cars just sparkle. Washing removes the dirt but the proper drying makes the car look clean!

 

I've used Zaino show car products starting is 2002 on my WS6 Trans Am and every car there after. I highly recommend taking a look at what they have to offer.

 

Can I ask whey you say not to use polish on the stripes but it's okay for wax?

 

Polish contains a fine abrasive,
Wax does not.

 

Ah, okay. Thanks.

 

I used Mother's 'Back To Black. The jar lasted almost five years, just a dot of it on an applicator pad is enough. Recently I switched to Black Wow. Still uses just the smallest drop and a jar lasts a long time. Detailing guru Richard Lin of Showcardetailing.com and his dad invented it. Richard aka octaneguy can be found giving sage advice throughout Detailing 101.

 

I do a little detailing on the side. I'm happy to help out as well. This is what my wifes '10 looks like after 4.5 years and almost 53k miles

 

Show room nice! I couldn't even find a finger print on top of the dip stick ****. A set of strut tower defenders would be a good idea if your streets and roads are prone to holes.

 

What products do you use on the paint? Looks great!

 

Really nice job and excellent choice of colors on that car.

 

I've used many different products as I have a huge collection (mostly from Chemical Guys) but the one that's been most important for maintaining the paint down here in sunny Texas is Jetseal 109

 

Detailer's Paradise products, and Black Wow for the plastic. I used to use Nero (DP product), which is pretty good too, you use more product of course. Love the Prima spray wax and Clarity for the glass.

 

Yep that's what I use too, they work great and smell so unbelievably good.

 

Would you share some tips on the engine bay and how often do you clean under the bonnet.

 

Ordered some of those Prima Hydro products today. They seem to have some strong recommendations.