New PT Cruiser Owner -- Any Tips/Pointers?

[Cruising Mike]

I just got a PT Cruiser as a graduation present from my parents, and I absolutely love it. It's a black PT Crusier Touring Edition -- straight-up, no spoiler, no sunroof, perfect just the way it is. I've loved the Cruiser since I first saw it, and I can't believe that I actually own one.

Since I don't have anything to do as far as tune-ups go, right now I'm looking for the best cleaning/protecting products I can get at a reasonable price. I went to the store and saw a lot of Turtle Wax and Armor All products. I came home and did some internet research, and it seems like a product called Meguiar's is solid stuff. Anyone have any tips on what brand I should purchase. I figured I'd go the whole nine yards, with soap, detergent, tire cleaner, interior cleaners, etc. so I'm just looking for the best overall brand.

Also, does anyone have any preference of which type of something to use? For example, soaps come in concentrated liquid and in gel form; some waxes say leave the car wet, others say dry it first. Is there any one type that's better than the rest? Convenience is not an issue; I'll clean it for as long as it takes to keep it in top condition.

Besides that, any tips for the proud owner of a brand new PT Cruiser?

[BumperBob]

Got mine in November, and just last month it got nice enought to do a thorough clean and polish on it. I ordered this kit: http://www.properautocare.com/klassoncomki.html and am very pleased with the results. Get yourself a claybar kit, for a great clean. Tips for car care are here: http://bettercarcare.com/topics.php?topicId=17 and http://www.properautocare.com/detailingtips.html . I like the Klasse and Menzerna products because they are acrylic, not a wax. Longer lasting shine and protection, and easy to keep up with the detailing spray. The kit comes with applicators, and microfiber cleaning cloths, everything you need. I also use Mequire's Next generation auto wash too. It has a lot of suds that don't quit, and it rinses easy.

[Jimbo]

First off welcome to this forum.[^]If you go to the detail section
on this forum, You wiil get all kinds of answers to your question.
Check out this link http://www.perfectautofinish.com/ .Gary
ownes a Cruiser and his stuff is the best IMHO His web page will give you all kind of tips on how to keep your new toy looking new.
Again welcome.If you have any questions, you couldn't come to a better place.The people on here are the best.
I like my first Cruiser so well that now I have two.

[Topless in Cali]

Welcome the the forums. Word of caution about using this site. You will catch a bug if use it often. This is no ordinary bug. It seems as though once you get it, you just can't shake it. It's called the "modding bug". We all have it and we ARE going to give it you! The upside - BIG TOOTHY SMILES! Happy cruising...

[blue]

Welcome to the forum and Congrats on your Cruiser. You must be a great kid to have gotten one as a present. You will get lots of help and tips here. Enjoy the ride and a word of caution WATCH OUT FOR MOD BUG!!!! Its been almost 4 years now and I still don't know how to shake it

[ptsilver]

Welcome to the forum!!
I agree, Gary is the go to guy, for detailing our Cruisers. The products he offers will leave you with a perfect finish on your Cruiser!!
Be careful with the bugs you may pick up on this forum, if the mod bug sets in, you'll find plenty of stuff to spend any extra cash on...[8D]
So far, I have not found a cure for the bug I've gotten...

[Sci-Fi]

quote:Originally posted by Cruising Mike

I just got a PT Cruiser as a graduation present from my parents, and I absolutely love it. It's a black PT Crusier Touring Edition -- straight-up, no spoiler, no sunroof, perfect just the way it is. I've loved the Cruiser since I first saw it, and I can't believe that I actually own one.

Since I don't have anything to do as far as tune-ups go, right now I'm looking for the best cleaning/protecting products I can get at a reasonable price. I went to the store and saw a lot of Turtle Wax and Armor All products. I came home and did some internet research, and it seems like a product called Meguiar's is solid stuff. Anyone have any tips on what brand I should purchase. I figured I'd go the whole nine yards, with soap, detergent, tire cleaner, interior cleaners, etc. so I'm just looking for the best overall brand.

Also, does anyone have any preference of which type of something to use? For example, soaps come in concentrated liquid and in gel form; some waxes say leave the car wet, others say dry it first. Is there any one type that's better than the rest? Convenience is not an issue; I'll clean it for as long as it takes to keep it in top condition.

Besides that, any tips for the proud owner of a brand new PT Cruiser?

Congrats on your new PT!!!

There really isn't a "best overall brand". Owning a black car requires a bit more care and any scratches or imperfections will be magnified. People have mentioned Gary's products and I will list the products you can buy locally.

Car Shampoos at local auto supply stores are pretty much equal and ph balanced, although Mother's seem to have the better lubricity. Check Big Lots and sometimes they will have Zymol Car Wash in gallons for about $3.00. That is an excellent car wash shampoo and usually costs twice as much or more. Meguiar's car wash (any of them) is another one to be considered and is designed to have the water sheet off. So it may seem that your wax protection may be gone if you are expecting water to bead.

You should use a non abrasive wax, not a "cleaner wax" or "one-step wax" (Read the labels carefully). My favorite is S100 Wax, which can be bought at your local Harley Davidson or motorcycle shop. Just apply thinly and wipe off, it's that simple and gives excellent shine and protection. Meguiar's #26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax, #16 Professional Carnauba Paste Wax, or NXT Tech wax. Mother's California Gold Pure Carnauba wax is often underrated and overlooked but is quite a value, gives an excellent shine, and is priced right. If you live in the East, consider Collinite 476-S Doublecoat or 845 Insulator Wax. If you don't mind spending the cash, Pinnacle Souveran is pretty much the standard others are judged by and is usually found in car boutique or high end accessory shops.

Plan to invest in "quality" microfiber towels. They are softer and more absorbent than regular towels and tend not to scratch the paint surface. Can use them for washing, buffing off wax, and in your interior. They come in various sizes. Wash them separately and not with your regular clothes and towels. The best value microfiber towels can be found at, surprisingly, at Dollar Tree. Wash them in hot water before use and they perform as well as the more expensive alternatives and are very soft and well made. They are made in Italy. Most microfiber towels come from Korea or China. Plush microfiber towels are usually favored though so expect to pay more for those.

For interior care, Lexol products are the time tested standbys with 303 Aerospace Protectant (available at any RV center) the top choice for plastic, vinyl, rubber, and dash protection. Can get free 303 samples here:
http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=freesample

For tire care, avoid any product that contains silicone and/or petroleum based. Bad silicone penetrates

[quicksilverdon]

I think you've got more than enough input! Hope you can sort it out. Avoid Armor All- it's no good.
Looking good is nice, I just want to suggest buying plastic Rhino Ramps (about $20) so you can change your oil - and get Mobil 1 at WalMart in 5-quart jugs, and a K&N, Mobil 1, or Purolator oil filter (NOT Fram)at Advance auto, etc.
Drain is 13mm.

[2step]

Keep the shiny side up.

[Cruising Mike]

Thanks for all the help guys!

My only other question . . .

How important is a claybar kit?

I've read on a few websites, including the ones you guys listed, that I can really mess up my paint job if I don't do it right, and I have a bad habit of screwing something up pretty bad the first time before I actually get it right.

So is it easy to mess it up, or do I really have to be a moron to mess it up?

And is a claybar important enough that I should take the risk anyway?