A minimalist's approach with a White 4R - Suggestions?

[TeryT]

OK, I've spent a fair ammount of time on here today reading thru the Detailing section (prior to today I didn't even know there was a Detailing section on here!). I have a white Sport 03. One thing I'm hearing is that it's somewhat a waste of effort to try & get too deep a shine on white. This is good, as I don't really want to spend that much time, but want to cover my maint. bases well.

In a minimalist's approach, what's the best way to keep the interior & exterior looking decent? Not show room floor standard, but nice.

Based on what I've learned/gleaned from this forum:

1. I bought a bottle of the Meguiar's Natural shine for the interior, because I didn't think it had silicone - really tired of the greasy silicone feel/look/dirt attractor.

2. Bought Stoner's window spray & used old linens (paper towels a no-no)

3. Bought a couple micro-fiber towels to try out.

4. I got Windex vinegar based wipes for the quick window & dash cleanings while away from home (no ammonia).

5. For synthetic wax (supposed to be easier to use & longer lasting) people on here really like Zaino (never heard of it) or Meguiar's NXT. These sound good to me, as I've used a synthetic for a few years (Nu-Finish) & it seemed OK.

6. Will switch to a non-silicone tire spray (perhaps also Meguiars NXT) - or perhaps there's a better/easier approach?

So how am I doing for a Newbie (minimalist) Detailer? Suggestions?

 

[iFORCE]

Excellent choices. All of the points are well taken care of and good choice of products. Meguiars has always been excellent to me in terms of products. I recommend their full line of products for all your needs.

I've used their nxt wax, #9 pro line, #26 pro line, tire spray(aeresol can), trim spray, leather spray, dashboard wipes.

 

[TeryT]

Thanks. I'm wondering if that 303 Protectorant would be good to try - or any better than the Meguiar's. Is it simple to use?

 

[TeryT]

Silicone in All Meguiar's except . . .

Here's a reply from them when I asked if their Natural Shine & also tire products have silicone:

Dear Terry,

Thanks for your interest in Meguiar's. They both do have silicone. Now, I know that this raises all kinds of questions for you about if these products will damage a surface. Check this link out, http://www.meguiars.com/faq/_index.cfm?faqCat=General Questions&faqQuestionID=19&section=_19#_19 , this discusses why silicone is not bad in a product. The only dressing we have that is silicone free is our D16101 Silicone Free Dressing.


I hope this information was helpful and thank you for choosing Meguiar's.


Sincerely,

Jeff Evans

Meguiar's Inc.

Surface Care Specialist

800-854-8073 ext. 165

I have responded to him and asked to address the issue of why manufacturer's like Toyota & Michelan don't want silicones used.

 

[Fro-Runner]

I purchased some new kind of wax yesterday from Wally world. It is called "Teflon" car wax made by Dupont. I believe it is silicone based with carnauba wax added. It is suppose to leave a Teflon coating which protects against the elements and UV rays.

My question is: Does anyone here know of somebody who has used this product on thier vehicle? Would it be safe to use? I purchased this because the store was out of the Zanoil product. Should I return it or try it?

 

[TeryT]

Meguiar's Responses

Here's the reply I sent to Meguiars:

Thanks for the reply Jeff!

However, the article you listed seems to talk mostly about the effects of silicone on paint, not on vinyl or tires.

A couple of the forums I'm in (T4R.org - 4Runners & Autopia.org) are saying that manufacturers are saying to stay away from silicone. Toyota says this in their manual, as does Michilen.

Could you address this?

Thanks! Tery

Here's his reply:

Dear Tery,

Thanks for the reply. I don't mean to be forward but I will try and answer this as best as I can. The same concept applies to Vinyl, plastic and rubber. Silicone by itself is a substance that does not hurt a surface. It depends on what is mixed in with it. For instance, Alcohol is a common ingredient in products, and by itself it can over time dry out a surface. Like our How-to center says, all of our silicones and petroleum distillates :

The petroleum distillates (including silicone) Meguiar's uses are:
Environmentally Safe
Contain No Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Contain No other Serious Air Pollutants
They are also distilled multiple times to remove:

Carcinogens
Reproductive Toxins
Multiple other Impurities
Keep in mind, we have a team of chemists that give us this information. They are the source of all the Techno babble that is on our website; they are not just detailers. They have a technical knowledge above and beyond the average user.

Lastly, we have been in business 104 years now, and we do not put products out on the shelf to damage your car. That would be unethical and misleading. Meguiar's has prided itself on the principal that we should put Great products out there and let them speak for themselves!


I hope this information was helpful and thank you for choosing Meguiar's.


Sincerely,

Jeff Evans

Meguiar's Inc.

Surface Care Specialist

800-854-8073 ext. 165

[email protected]

Another message I sent & reply:

I'm sorry Jeff - one other thing I failed to ask: Doesn't silicone attract dust, or is there some that doesn't?
****************************************

Dear Tery,

Thanks for the reply. Silicone by itself does not attract dust. To attract dust, there must be a "polarity" difference for those molecules to attract to eachother. Silicone is inert and neutral.

I just wonder why whenever I've used anything with silicone in it, including caulking, it attracts dust like crazy!!?? Well so far I like their Natural vinyl stuff as it is a lot less greasy and seems to leave a nicer finish - so we'll see!

 

[Bobby]

I purchased some new kind of wax yesterday from Wally world. It is called "Teflon" car wax made by Dupont. I believe it is silicone based with carnauba wax added. It is suppose to leave a Teflon coating which protects against the elements and UV rays.

I just bought some myself. I like the idea of the teflon repelling dirt on the paint surface. I don't know if it's good for the paint or not but I'm guessing it is because Dupont isn't really a fly-by-night company and they're pretty good with synthetic stuff.

It's still too damn cold to wash the truck myself so I run it thru a car wash and use QuikDetailer from Meguires when I get a chance. I've never been known to obsess over the cleanliness of my cars. As long as they're mechanically sound, I'm happy.

 

[Bluto]

4. I got Windex vinegar based wipes for the quick window & dash cleanings while away from home (no ammonia).

Vinegar is an acid. Don't use it on the dash.

Keep a can of stoner's and microfiber in your truck for your windows. A damp microfiber does fine on the dash.


I also keep a bottle of Eagle One wipe and shine and another microfiber in my truck. I use it to remove bird poop when I can't wash. Bird doo can etch the clear coat very quickly. Spray, wait for the poo to soften, then wipe off.

 

[TeryT]

Re: Re: A minimalist's approach with a White 4R - Suggestions?

Vinegar is an acid. Don't use it on the dash.

Keep a can of stoner's and microfiber in your truck for your windows. A damp microfiber does fine on the dash.


I also keep a bottle of Eagle One wipe and shine and another microfiber in my truck. I use it to remove bird poop when I can't wash. Bird doo can etch the clear coat very quickly. Spray, wait for the poo to soften, then wipe off.

Oh yeah. Sounds like good advice.

But do you think the vinegar wipes would be milder than ammonia ones?

 

[iFORCE]

yes.. milder.. but still not good. THat's like smoking cigarettes that are "light,mild" instead of "regular". Just as harmful.

Oh.. DO NOT USE AMMONIA BASED PRODUCTS ON THE INSIDE WINDOWS IF IT IS TINTED. just had to make sure that was clear.

 

[TeryT]

Guess I'll just use the wipes while I'm out, only on the windows!

No one's commented on the Meguair's thing regarding silicone.

 

[iFORCE]

Guess I'll just use the wipes while I'm out, only on the windows!

No one's commented on the Meguair's thing regarding silicone.

I use it and I haven't seen a problem with it. If it shows up, it'll be one of those long-term-use things.

Why does Toyota say that silicon is harmful? what is it harmful to(what parts of the car)?

 

[TeryT]

I use it and I haven't seen a problem with it. If it shows up, it'll be one of those long-term-use things.

Why does Toyota say that silicon is harmful? what is it harmful to(what parts of the car)?

Ya know, I don't really remember were I read that - if it was in the manual or on here. Have to look in the manual to see.

 

[General Lee]

Here on my recommendations, I am not a professional detailer however I detail on the side and consider myself fairly knowledgeable in detailing, so take it for what its worth

The safest way for *dusty* dashboards would be just to use a damp microfiber towel w/ water and simply wipe down your dash. For lightly soiled dashes I use Woolite detergent diluted 6:1. 6 parts water to 1 part detergent. Woolite is very gentle.

303 Aerospace protectant has very good UV protection although *I* find it a bit to shiny on dashes as well as some of my customers. It all depends on the look your after. Wooloite can also be used on all your vinyl/plastic surfaces throughout your vehicle. On heavily soiled vinyl and plastic surfaces I use a diluted all purpose cleaner.

If you find 303 to be too shiny you can always go back and buff it with a MF towel to lesson the shine.

For windows/glass I recommend Stoners Invisible glass or Eagle Ones 20/20. They are both good consumer line products.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I don't like applying anything to the dash and interior pieces and I use Simple Green (slightly diluted) and wipe my dash down with it about once a month and it gives it a non glossy clean look and doesn't attract dust.
I wonder of the Meguires dispels after a little while since I wouldn't want to be putting "coats" of stuff over my dash over the lifetime of the truck.

 

[Fro-Runner]

I just bought some myself. I like the idea of the teflon repelling dirt on the paint surface. I don't know if it's good for the paint or not but I'm guessing it is because Dupont isn't really a fly-by-night company and they're pretty good with synthetic stuff.

It's still too damn cold to wash the truck myself so I run it thru a car wash and use QuikDetailer from Meguires when I get a chance. I've never been known to obsess over the cleanliness of my cars. As long as they're mechanically sound, I'm happy.

I was going to do mine on Saturday, but it is going to rain here in So. Calif. this weekend..."again"! Dupont ran a TV commerical advertising these products during the NCAA Tourney games today. I am hoping it turns out to be all well. I am going to give it a try.....I have applied another coat of polish (3 weeks ago) as a good base before applying this Teflon wax. Thanks for responding.

 

[TeryT]

I actually wonder what took DuPont so long - there's teflon in kust about everything else one can imagine. This seems to make sense.

Then when it got's hot around here, and I fry eggs on my hood, they won't stick - right!?