[coastal]

Just one thing I noticed with the XC.. it's sure going to be a pain keeping the wax off the plastic trim!<P>What's the best way to approach this?<BR>Is it best to mask off the trim area prior to waxing, or is there an easy way of removing the hardened wax once I'm finished? Keep in mind that the trim on the XC is pretty rough.<P>Also, probably worthy of a separate thread, but is it worthwhile to have the car Diamond Kote'd, and if so, can it be done later? <P>We just got the car, and I'm real hesitant to leave it with service for a day or two when all I want to do is drive it! <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/biggrin.gif">

 

[TheEFFecT]

I've heard good results from painter's tape (the blue stuff) applied before waxing, and simply peeled off afterwards. You might want to check out <A HREF="http://www.carcareonline.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.carcareonline.com</A> , as they have excellent products and cleaning guides.<P>Not sure about the Diamond Cote thing. Keeping the car clean and waxed should take care of any issues...<BR><P>

 

[tigerlily]

Hello all,<P>I just joined this forum today but I've had my S40 for about 6 mos now and I am obsessed with keeping it clean and protected. I don't like to take it to the carwash because they guys lean across the backseat to clean the other side and they put their feet up on my leather seats... ewwww.<BR>So anyway I was wondering what this Diamond Cote that you were talking about was, and what it does.<P>Thank you!

 

[darell]

Man, we need to breath some life into this forum. I'll wake it up a bit by posting here...<P>Coastal -<P>Let me begin by begging you to not waste money on the dealership coatings (and I myself got suckered into buying it on my V70). I know several people who swear by the coatings, and if you plan on never doing anything but splashing water on the car now and again, the coatings will keep the car looking better for the first year or two. But to seriously protect your paint for the long haul, you've got to work at it a bit (but not much). The first time I detailed the car, I began by removing the $400 coating. After a few hours of work, I have a finish that is more resisant to pollutants, looks WAY better, and will last about six months with the same care I would have given the coated surface. Which brings me to another of your points: Wax.<P>Wax - Stop using it! Instead, grab yourself a bottle of Klasse All-In-One. It WILL NOT leave white paste on your black trim, so that worry is gone immediately. And that's only the beginning of the good news. It goes on and wipes off without drying. In fact, you use a damp cloth to apply it. It cleans, and puts down a shiny, protective layer that will outlast any wax. If you're truly anal (like who do you think I'm talking about?) you then follow up the AIO with Klasse Sealant Glaze. That will make the shine last for six months or longer.<P>I'm telling you, I LOVE this Klasse stuff. I've gone through many $100's over the years before finding this stuff, and it is a bargain in the long-run. If you REALLY want, you can put wax over all these other layers, but there really is no reason in my book. If you take a look at my T5 site, you'll see how my car shines, and in none of those pictures was the car JUST cleaned.<P>Here again, is Darell's must-have list of detailing products:<BR>Anything Klasse (All-In-One, Sealant Glaze)<BR>303 Aerospace protectant<BR>High Quality microfiber cloths<BR>Quick detailer<P>Yours in anality,<BR>- Darell<P>

 

[Glen]

I have used the product Meguiars Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner # 39. M-39-16. <P>Its not real easy to find, but it really works on getting wax off the black plastic trim. Its the only thing I have found that takes it off the trim permanently. The other stuff I have tried just seems to hide the wax, and then the next time you wash the car, the cloudy spot is back.