Buick Rendezvous: Care & Maintenance
but here goes. I use a couple of good resources for tips on proper cleaning/waxing of our new babies. Since the paint is brand new and without any oxidation, now is the time to give it the once over and protect it. A good wax will protect the paint for 3 to 6 months!
Check out:
http://www.properautocare.com (Klasse all-in-one and P21S for the wheels is a great start)
and
http://www.mercedesshop.com/detailing_faq.htm
Check out:
http://www.properautocare.com (Klasse all-in-one and P21S for the wheels is a great start)
and
http://www.mercedesshop.com/detailing_faq.htm
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Thanks for the info. I looked at both sites. Good information.
Did you buy the Kit or did you just get the Klasse All-in-One separately? Also, re: P21S - do you recommend the gel or regular?
Do you know if these products are available in stores or only at these web sites?
On my recent camping trip I had a bit of sap fall from a pine tree onto my hood, bummer! Today I went to my body shop and they used some kind of solvent & then followed up w/ polish. The guy said it should be fine, but commented that sap can be real tough on the finish. Luckily it seems to be okay.
Tire Pressure: Yesterday I noticed my front right tire appeared slighly low; after checking it, w/ the cool pressure guage it showed I had about 31 psi. I upped it to about 36 psi. w/ the air compressor in the car. The front door pillar, I believe, said a max. of 40 psi should be used. - Do you have an idea of the optimal pressure for front & rear tires? Should front & rear be the same? I appreciate any feedback you or others have on this.
Bar and tar remover works on sap, bugs, etc. but must be used carefully. It contains petroleum distilates, which are generally safe for all finishes. Just buy a jar for about $5.00 and rub gently. Another option (one that bodyshops use) is a clay bar. I've never used one before so check the website for advice.
I couldn't find P21S in any stores out here and their website showed dealers in Oregon, California, and the east coast. I think online ordering is great anyway...I paid $10.95 shipping but no sales tax, so it's about the same.
Check the inside door sill on the driver side for recommended tire pressures. For mine, it's 35 psi all around (Firestone Affinity's without trailer tow package).
Well, after referring to the manual for fuse identification, I was pleasantly surprised to find a "fuse puller" in the fuse box located under the hood (on top of the windshield reservoir). Thats pretty convenient. I was using my fingers initially, but big hands make it hard to pull out those mini-fuses. The RDV continues to impress us...
I didn't put the sealer coat on top of the wax because I was exhausted. I'll wait until next wash for the sealer coat.
BTW, Our RDV now has 690 miles on it so I took it for it's first oil change today. I bought three oil filters from the local Chevy dealer and asked him for a discount (he gave me 10% off). Went to Jiffy Lube and told them, "don't touch anything but the oil and filter" because I just washed and waxed it. I cringed as they opened and closed doors and the hood with their greasy hands and rags (they hold those filthy rags like they think their protecting the finish).
All's well now. I buffed their smudges and I have peace of mind that the oil is fresh. I'm thinking that I'll change the oil again at 3000 miles and switch to synthetic. Any opinions/advice?
Speaking of which, thanks again for the recommendatiion of Klasse products. I just ordered my kit and am planning on on putting on aio this week. In the meantime, I've vitited and spent lots of thime over at Autopia. Great info over there, and, as w/ RDV forum, nice folks too.
3 Questions for you Brian:
#1 Did you apply and take off by hand? I assume so. Have you considered using PC for removing?
#2 What are you doing/using for the cladding? Do you put the aio on it?
#3 Have you put anything on leather yet? What will you use, if not?
Congratulation on getting yours washed & waxed so soon! I'm sure yours is one of the best looking RDV's on the road; and just wait till you put on the SG; You'll have to post a photo once you get it complete.
Thanks for feedback on my above questions.
I applied and took it off by hand. Since the AIO (cool acronym, BTW) is acrylic, it doesn't need any buffing; just wipe it on and wipe it off! It leaves a very smooth, slick surface finish.
I used it on the whole car, cladding and all. In fact, I had a little goo on the passenger side mirror and I used it to clean that off! It also worked great on the bugs on the front of the mirrors. Just rub it like a polish and it cleans the surface without damaging the finish!
I haven't done the leather yet. My step father gave me some Zymol that he used to use on his T-Bird (they traded it in on their cloth seated Tahoe) and I will use that...eventually. My '94 Miata has tan leather seats and I've never cleaned them with anything but a damp towel! They still look OK, but not great. I will definately maintain the RDV's leather properly, but not so diligently as the exterior (maybe once every couple of months or so).
John, I hope you don't think I'm an expert or anything! When I was in college, my buddies and I loved our cars and cleaned them meticulously. Since I've grown up however, I've been a drive through at the gas station kind of guy. The RDV is the first car I've bought that I really want to keep for a long time and that's why I'm going to try to give it some extra TLC (hence, the early oil change).
BTW, What is "PC"? What is "Autopia"?
So, PC is a Porter Cable rotary polisher. I believe the 2427 model is the random orbital that a lot of folks there recommend. It's also a big, big site for the Klasse products. They also talk about other products as well, although they seem to be minimal on the Zaino products. And by the way, they throw around different acronyms like crazy; thats where I got the aio, etc...
Let me know what you think of the site. btw, I wasn't just talking about Seattle when I said one of the best looking RDV's on the road.
BTW, I spend a lot of time on the road and I have yet to see another RDV. I think the Pacific Northwest was one of the last areas to get them so I'm not sure how many others are around yet. Mine does get more than it's share of looks and comments from people.
P.S. I must correct an earlier mis-statement. The leather stuff my step father gave me is called "Lexol", not "Zymol" as I said above.
Autopia Forum
If you see lots of posts about Klasse products, you'll know you're in the right place.
Hope you like it as much as I do. I only go over there every once in a while; not as often as I do the RDV forums. But since, up until recently, I knew virtually nothing about what to put on car finishes and how to do it, I've figured it's a great place for me to learn. And coincidentally, the product most of the people there advocate is the one you mentioned in Post #1 of this forum - Klasse All-In-One (aio). Until you mentioned it, I'd never even heard of it. Thanks for that initial tip!
I'm a little miffed w/ the company that's sending it from Florida. I paid extra for "3-day delivery", and just recently found out from a UPS tracking email, that it's due to get here in 7-10 days??? Oh well, I'll apply it after our Yosemite trip.
I don't imagine I'll be on any computer in Yosemite, so I'll catch up when we return. In fact, about 5 of my friends & I should be doing the Half Dome trek on Tuesday afternoon; we're actually going to camp at "Little Yosemite" and then continue to the top in the a.m.; we hiked Half Dome about 5 years ago all in one shot. We're taking it a little easier this time, I think, w/ the sleepover.
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
I do not see any warning AGAINST using Mobil 1 in the owners manual, just a caution against any and all addatives. Has anyone spoken to a person "in-the-know" at GM Powertrain or a dealership on this issue?
Mark K2QO
Spiritman
Well, a couple nights ago I did my monthly wax of my black/grey RDV... after finishing up I got to thinking if I was using the best wax/polish/glaze combo for this thing...
I used to own a 1999 Pontiac Trans Am WS6, it was silver... for quite sometime I used Zymol Cleaer wax, the blue stuff that was like $25 a bottle at some point and smelled like a Pina Colada... I loved it, but it was a real pain to do since I had to move in sections... it took me 2 hours to wax the Trans Am... multiply that by 3 everytime (i'm a 3 coat kinda guy...).
Anyway, after I used all that up I ended up just using Meguiars Gold Class for the last month of my T/A before I got the RDV... which is what I started with on it. Recently, I picked up this 3M stuff at Pep Boys and I've been blown away... it's a Fine Grain Buffer, Liquid Wax, and Hand Glaze... 3 bottles, 3 coats... I'm happy...
Anyway, I was wondering what all you guys use? Right now I wash it w/ turtle wax junk I got from Sams Club, then I hit it w/ the cleaner/buffer stuff (by hand), then i follow that up right away w/ a coat of the wax, let that stand for about 20 minutes, take it off and buff it with a cotton t-shirt using Meguiars Quick Detailer (same stuff as Final Inspection, just cheaper...) and then I follow it all up with the hand glaze, buff it to mirror shine, and hit it w/ another round of quick detailer...
~Lance
I've noticed that a lot of things in our manual are from the aztek, so it may be that way on that vehicle, but not on our rendezvous.
~Lance
In any case I use Meguiar's Gold Wax and Quick Detailer on my Ford Expedition and like the results. However, given Lance's rave reviews on the 3M stuff I'll have to go to Pep Boys. Anyone who puts 3 coats of wax on his car must really know his car care products.
Today I gave my RDV it's weekly bath and polished the chrome wheels with Mother's Chrome polish. This stuff worked great. It put a high gloss shine on the wheels and the Buick chrome inserts on the car front and back. I highly recommend this stuff for those with the optional chrome wheels.
I use Eagle One Wadding Cloth on my rims... I've got the chrome rims as well. It's pretty good stuff but it takes a second to put on and off just like anything else. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry i'll actually throw a coat of wax on the wheels along w/ the rest of the car. It usually turns out very nice.
My habits for waxing and polishing are a carry over from when I had my 99 Trans Am WS6, so that might account for why I go so in depth...
~Lance
Lance when I picked up my RDV the dealer said he put a protective coat of some sort on it so that I wouldn't have to wax it for about a year. Well the year is just about up. I am not sure what he used but is there something I need to do before I wax it, and what wax do you recommend?
Ken
As far as the wax itself... I think it depends on how much effort you're willing to put into it...
If you're looking for a once a year wax, I recommend Zymol (it's the blue stuff that smells like a pina colada). It takes longer to put on since you have to apply it in 2 x 2 areas, wait a minute or two, and then remove it, but it will protect your paint longer than say Meguiars Gold. Meguairs is good but you have to keep up with it, in other words a coat a month is recommended, and it'll take 2 or 3 months before it really starts to look good.
I just started using the 3M Liquid Wax and I'm really happy with it. I like it because I can cover the entire surface of the car, let it sit (longer the better) and then take it all off all in one process instead of having to wait for individual spots to cure.
Anyway, you've got some options... good luck!
~Lance
The Dealer said I didn't need to wax it for one year. However during the winter I had it washed and waxed every couple of weeks depending on the weather. It was a very mild winter so I guess I had it washed and waxed at least twice a month. So what ever wax that was applied by the dealer is probably long gone by now.
( I am an old person and I don't have a heated garage that is why I didn't do it myself. )
I think I am going to try that 3M Liquid Wax. How often does that need to be applied and how hard is it to apply?
Ken
Oh yeah, a 16 oz bottle will last five years or more!
Check out all the products here:
http://www.properautocare.com
I bought Klasse polish/wax last July when I bought my RDV. I waxed my RDV at the end of July and haven't touched it since. Even after numerous washes and a Seattle winter, water still beads off the paint.
Good luck,
Brian
~Lance
As for waxes, I really like Nu-Finish. Apply, let dry to a haze, wipe off. Do it twice within a month and it will last almost a year.
Thanks for any help re: motor oil.
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
one have any tips on cleaning stains on the cloth inserts of the seats and on applying leather cleaner?
I've used both the liquid and the wipe on the leather and the wipes seemed to work good.
Thanks
Sm
Out of sight, out of mind.
I would actually recommend a brushed carwash to get road salt off though. A lot of the spray (touchless) washes will just move the salt around and can't really get the stuff that's working it's way into your paint.
Another good suggestion to save some money would be to fill a bucket up w/ hot water and dish soap and just use a sponge to clean sections of your car in the garage and then just use a towel to dry those sections off. It'll take some extra time but you won't freeze certain body parts off and your car will be clean and you'll have $10 in your pocket.
~Lance
They claim to filter the water before reusing it but it still isn't a good thing to wash your vehicle with salt water. I would definitely ask if they recycle the water and stay away from them if they do.
Happy Holidays
~Ken
John B.
PGN
I'd also be interested in improving mileage too. I've developed a light touch on the accelerator and actually have my foot off it as much as possible, but my mileage is still disappointing unless I'm on the freeway for long stretches.
Have you changed your air filter onyour rendevous? Is it hard? A service station quoted me 20.00 tochange it. It looks likea nightmare.
PGN