What do you clean your Sky with

[butter]

Originally Posted by Angelqute1

That's so true. A good duster can go a long way, if you need it looking good in a jiffy! I keep mine in the trunk with a car rag.

As for the top.... believe it or not, I wash it with just water, BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE........... take it to the gas station that has a vacuum. You will not believe what a vacuum can do to the top, it made it look so good, took all of the excess dust off and made it dark again. It was a beautiful thing. Strictly by coincidence did I discover this, but it was a good find, and cheap.

Thanks for the tip,clean top with clear water then vacuum. I will try when my new SKY arrives.
butter

[Leather]

Here are a few Items everyone should at least try.

1) Swifters for the interior (They work great for the quick removal of dust)
2) Microfiber Towels (Best I have found for removal of wax plus many other uses)
3) Mr Clean AutoDry (Almost a spot free wash)
4) California Duster
5) California Wiper

[lostcause]

Is there any type of instant detailer, wax, or dry wash type of product that can be applied in sunlight or when the car is hot? I don't have a garage and it's always hot in miami so I hardly ever have a good opportunity when the car isn't hot.

I was going to order something called Liquid Diamond from Simoniz but I couldn't find any info on their website about whether it can be applied hot.

I also saw something at the auto parts store the other day called Ice. I think it was made by turtle wax. It did say it could be applied hot but I wasn't sure about turtle wax products. Are they generally decent? Even if it's not that great, I don't mind trying it on the car as long as it won't damage the paint.

[SKYRCKT]

We are in a total outdoor watering ban here in West Georgia so washing at home is not an option. Instead, I take SKYRCKT to the wand-operated car wash and do the soap, rinse, spotless rinse thing.

As far as wax, Meguir's is my choice, including the clar bar system and the detailer they sell between waxes. The detailer is great for removing fingerprints and bugs.

For the tires I have found that Eagle One Tire Detailer is easier to apply, as it has an applicator that fits the grooves in the tires and is less likely to "sling" off on the body and then ArmorAll "Natural Finish" detailer for the interior works for me.

Definately RaggTopp products for the top.

[ktraver97ss]

Originally Posted by lostcause

Is there any type of instant detailer, wax, or dry wash type of product that can be applied in sunlight or when the car is hot? I don't have a garage and it's always hot in miami so I hardly ever have a good opportunity when the car isn't hot.

I was going to order something called Liquid Diamond from Simoniz but I couldn't find any info on their website about whether it can be applied hot.

I also saw something at the auto parts store the other day called Ice. I think it was made by turtle wax. It did say it could be applied hot but I wasn't sure about turtle wax products. Are they generally decent? Even if it's not that great, I don't mind trying it on the car as long as it won't damage the paint.

Hi!

I offer an excellent product called Ultimate Poly-Seal that is a high gloss spray sealant that can be applied in the sun. It contains some of the same compounds as my Ultimate Paint Sealant to add protection to your wax or sealant. It is easy to apply as you just spray a small amount on a portion of the vehicle, work it in with a microfiber, flip the mf over and buff to a deep wet-look shine. This product can be purchased at www.perfectautofinish.com and for a limited time I am offering a free microfiber towel with the purchase of an Ultimate Poly-Seal. Just type "Sky Forum" in the comments area of paypal after making the purchase.

[SKYRCKT]

Originally Posted by ggccg

Found this pic of a great product being demoed at SEMA. Just look at how clean and shiney those fenders are after just one application!

Of which fenders do you speak and where do you buy said wax?

[HiredGun]

deluke and Arioch5 are correct. Zaino products are the best I have ever used in my 45 years of "waxing" cars. Zaino is a polymer coating and not a wax. It can be applied in direct sun on a hot day. You apply it very thin and lasts and lasts!

My son, who also has a black car, recommended it. It is only available via mail order or on the Internet and when you get it you wonder why the bottles are so small. Then you realize how little you really have to use to cover the entire car.

When my car was ready for its first "waxing", I washed it with Dawn dishwashing liquid to remove any wax. Then I clay barred the entire car. For those who don't know, this will remove any road grime, surface specks or traces of insects that remain. This is a worthwhile step.

Then I washed the car again with the Zaino car wash. Two coats of the Zaino polymer coating, which we "activated" with an additive that Zaino offers to speed the drying time of the product. There is NO buffing or polishing. You just wipe off any haze. And if you hit any rubber or vinyl, just wipe it off and there is NO white haze left behind.

When I travel, I pack a couple of microfiber towels and the Zaino spray detailer which I absolutely love. I think it is actually called Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer or something like that. If you get caught in a little rain that leaves spots, this stuff removes them like magic.

One time while travelling I woke to see my Sky covered with beads of water from heavy dew. I simply ran a microfiber towel over the car and then used the gloss enhancer to remove a few water streaks. (Black shows EVERY thing.) When I was done, you would have thought that I had just paid for a $200 detail job.

Inevitably after washing and drying, I come out hours later to see where water has dripped down from the mirrors or the ONstar antenna or the grill. rather than using a damp towel to remove them, which does work because of the Zaino coating, I just spray the gloss enhancer and wipe with a dry micorfiber towel: a 10 second job.

If you buy their products, less is more. Use it sparingly. I think I have an 8 oz. bottle and did the whole car with 2 oz. each application. My son also did his car and I still have over half a bottle left.

Zaino claims that their product is almost completely optically clear, which results in NO haze or yellowing like wax.

[JoeBIII]

Turtle Wax Ice Synthetic looks great on the chili pepper red. Looks wet all the time. Seems to be good protection. goes on very easy. won't leave white streaks on matte, black or rubber finishes. also cleans up the chrome wheels/exhaust tips great.

got it at costco, where it came packaged with a detail spray version (for in-between washings) and applicator. total package was $19.

[butter]

Hello all,
I have a question for anybody. I haven't even got my new 2008 green SKY,but Do I need to waterproof my car's top? never having owned a convertible,I don't know. thanks,
butter

[dmbdlatc]

Originally Posted by butter

Hello all,
I have a question for anybody. I haven't even got my new 2008 green SKY,but Do I need to waterproof my car's top? never having owned a convertible,I don't know. thanks,
butter

go to http://www.haartz.com They are the manufacturer of the material used on the SKY top.

The Sky uses "Stayfast C" 1925 Black and "Stayfast C" 2967 Latte (I guess that Latte is the tan top.)

Although the fabric does not promote mildew growth by itself, mildew may develop on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed. This is especially true in warm, humid, dark environments. A program of keeping the fabric clean through regular washings, BEFORE it gets dirty, will enhance the life and beauty of the acrylic and make successive cleaning easier.

Most automatic car washes will not harm cloth top fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths provide a more gentle cleaning action. Those using heavy barrel brushes could damage the top material. Haartz recommends hand washing.

The Haartz Corporation recommends using RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner and RAGGTOPP™ Protectant (available from Wolfsteins Pro-Series at tel: 800-377-4700, fax: 770-395-1353, e-mail: info@wolfsteins.com).

Hand washing in shade or partial shade, not direct sunlight, is best. DO NOT USE DETERGENT. Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle soils, should be removed immediately. Vacuum with a brush attachment and rinse thoroughly with water to remove loose particle soils. This will also prevent the soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the fabric has been rinsed thoroughly, spray RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner evenly over the entire surface while still wet. Allow the cleaner to soak for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub lightly with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no remaining soap foam is observed. Additional cleanings may be required. It is best to determine the need for additional cleanings after the fabric has dried completely.

Washing with soap (ie. Ivory or Lux) and warm water is a safe alternative to RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner, but not as effective.

For more stubborn cases, mix a solution of no more than 1/2 cup (4oz.) bleach and 1/4 cup (2oz.) RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner per gallon of water, soak for approximately 20 minutes and scrub lightly as indicated above. (Excessive soaking with the bleach solution can deteriorate seam threads.) Rinse thoroughly to prevent streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Several cleanings may be necessary.

Once dry, cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling with RAGGTOPP™ Protectant. (This product does not contain CFC's and therefore, is not harmful to the environment.) Failure to apply will result in rapid resoiling of the unprotected fabric.

For ordering information contact www.wolfsteins.com.

[butter]

Originally Posted by dmbdlatc

go to http://www.haartz.com They are the manufacturer of the material used on the SKY top.

The Sky uses "Stayfast C" 1925 Black and "Stayfast C" 2967 Latte (I guess that Latte is the tan top.)

Although the fabric does not promote mildew growth by itself, mildew may develop on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed. This is especially true in warm, humid, dark environments. A program of keeping the fabric clean through regular washings, BEFORE it gets dirty, will enhance the life and beauty of the acrylic and make successive cleaning easier.

Most automatic car washes will not harm cloth top fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths provide a more gentle cleaning action. Those using heavy barrel brushes could damage the top material. Haartz recommends hand washing.

The Haartz Corporation recommends using RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner and RAGGTOPP™ Protectant (available from Wolfsteins Pro-Series at tel: 800-377-4700, fax: 770-395-1353, e-mail: info@wolfsteins.com).

Hand washing in shade or partial shade, not direct sunlight, is best. DO NOT USE DETERGENT. Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle soils, should be removed immediately. Vacuum with a brush attachment and rinse thoroughly with water to remove loose particle soils. This will also prevent the soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the fabric has been rinsed thoroughly, spray RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner evenly over the entire surface while still wet. Allow the cleaner to soak for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub lightly with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no remaining soap foam is observed. Additional cleanings may be required. It is best to determine the need for additional cleanings after the fabric has dried completely.

Washing with soap (ie. Ivory or Lux) and warm water is a safe alternative to RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner, but not as effective.

For more stubborn cases, mix a solution of no more than 1/2 cup (4oz.) bleach and 1/4 cup (2oz.) RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner per gallon of water, soak for approximately 20 minutes and scrub lightly as indicated above. (Excessive soaking with the bleach solution can deteriorate seam threads.) Rinse thoroughly to prevent streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Several cleanings may be necessary.

Once dry, cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling with RAGGTOPP™ Protectant. (This product does not contain CFC's and therefore, is not harmful to the environment.) Failure to apply will result in rapid resoiling of the unprotected fabric.

For ordering information contact www.wolfsteins.com.

dmbdlatc,thank you for this reply.the information you gave,along with links to the supplies I will be needing,will be very helpful.
my Green SKY with Black top is scheduled to be built the first week in September.
butter

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by ktraver97ss

Hi!

I offer an excellent product called Ultimate Poly-Seal that is a high gloss spray sealant that can be applied in the sun. It contains some of the same compounds as my Ultimate Paint Sealant to add protection to your wax or sealant. It is easy to apply as you just spray a small amount on a portion of the vehicle, work it in with a microfiber, flip the mf over and buff to a deep wet-look shine. This product can be purchased at www.perfectautofinish.com and for a limited time I am offering a free microfiber towel with the purchase of an Ultimate Poly-Seal. Just type "Sky Forum" in the comments area of paypal after making the purchase.

I have ordered and used both products as well as the cleaner. I will not use anything else on my SKY. IMHO the best stuff I have ever used on a car, by far.

[ktraver97ss]

Originally Posted by HiredGun

deluke and Arioch5 are correct. Zaino products are the best I have ever used in my 45 years of "waxing" cars. Zaino is a polymer coating and not a wax. It can be applied in direct sun on a hot day. You apply it very thin and lasts and lasts!


Zaino claims that their product is almost completely optically clear, which results in NO haze or yellowing like wax.

I know Zaino has a cult like following, and their products do work well, but my products can provide the same shine with less effort and it will last longer.

First, "polymer" is a buzz word, and the most abused word in the detailing industry. Break it down, "poly" means many, and "mer" means units. All a polymer is is a chemical compound with many units. Chemically it is a macro-molecule formed by the chemical union of 5 or more identical combining units called, monomers. And, the list of polymers available to the chemical formulator is practically endless.
Examples of polymers include: polyethylene, polyurethane or polytetrafluoroethylene. These products start with "poly" followed by another word. So what you have, for example, are many units of ethylene. Most polymers in waxes and sealants are actually thickeners, emulsifiers and fillers, which add absolutely no positive attributes to the performance of the product, but it does allow the sales and marketing people to advertise that their products contain "space-age polymers". In that case, my wife's body lotion also contains "space-age polymers".

The Zaino product you use is a wax, but a "synthetic" wax, not a traditional wax like a caranuba. It is a little better than a caranuba protection wise, but cannot compare to a synthetic paint sealant containing amino-functional silicones. These silicones (which could be considered polymers since they contain more than 5 monomers) actually form a chemical bond with your clearcoat and gives you up to 6 months of protection. A synthetic wax gives you 4-6 weeks, and a caranuba, 3-4 weeks. I have found that the best shine and protection can be had by applying a caranuba over a sealant(after it cures for 24 hours).

[lil goat]

I won't address the which product issue but will share some tips.
Tip 1) For cleaning glass go to Home Depot and get some denatured alcohol, get some distilled water at the grocery store. I mix 2 parts water 1 part alcohol, it is dirt cheap and nothing cleans glass better.
Tip 2) Take the same clay you use for your paint and do your windshield, exactly the same way, then clean with Tip 1, and apply rainX or your favorite wax. You will be amazed how clean your windshield is.
Tip 3) If you get wax on the plastic parts of the car you can take it off very easily with peanut oil, yea I know it sounds crazy I thought so too until I tried it. It seems they use peanut oil when they make the plastic parts to get it to release from the mold so it causes the wax to come right off and it's cheap too.
Just so you know I use Poorboys World Products on my car and am very pleased. The Porter Cable buffer is worth the money but take the time to learn to use it for maximum benefit.

[wireless]

Anyone got ideas about keeping the weather strips soft and clean?

[lil goat]

Any good vinyl conditioner should work, I prefer the water based ones they are less sticky and soak in. Perfect auto finish sells a good one, so does Frenzy and Poorboys and I am sure some one will chime in with Zaino. Simonize makes some decent stuff that is really cheap at Wally world I use it under the hood on the hoses and plastic parts, get something with a UV protectant. 303 makes some super stuff, but it's a little more expensive. I use 303 on my top instead of Raggtop, Hartz reccommended it for 20 years before the switched to Raggtop, they both work about the same and to me are a necessity. Water just rolls off. I just like the way 303 goes on bettter. The are both available on Amazon, as is Poorboys.

[SKY 4 ME]

I agree that the Zaino products are the best I've ever used, but DAMN I've never worked so hard to buff the wax/polish off the car. I thought my arms were gonna fall off. I admit I may have used a little more than I should have. I used about 1 and a 1/2 oz, when it says to only use 1 oz for an entire car. Looks awesome + gives you one Hell of a work out.
SKY 4 ME

[Celt03]

We have used both Mother's & Meguire's in the past with good results on our other cars.
But we discovered the Adams products about a year ago and we LOVE them.