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SUVs Buick Rendezvous Buick Rendezvous: Care & Maintenance
63 messages, Last post on Oct 06, 2006 at 12:21 PM
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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 |
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Brian, 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. |
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I went with the kit that has the All-in-One and the High Gloss Sealant so that I could have that extra layer of protection. I also got the regular P21S because I didn't want anything stronger than necessary...it works best with gentle agitation with a wheel brush. 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). |
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| I'll look into picking-up the kit too. I like your idea of putting extra protection on the finish. Thanks again. | |
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I tried to use a spare cell phone charger in the front seat (my other one has been misplaced), and found that it was blowing fuses. Incidentally, the front-seat power adapters are on the same circuit as the On-Star system. So, if you blow one of those fuses, guess what else doesn't work? 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... |
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Well, I must say that it takes FOREVER to wash and wax an SUV! The roof takes a lot of time since you have to stand on a chair and scoot it around to clean the roof in sections...and then repeat the process when it's time to wax! I washed the car last night (from about 7:00 to 10:00) and then waxed this morning (from about 7:00 to 9:00). I think I have some ideas on how to streamline the process a little next time. 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? |
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Changed oil at 690 miles! I guess you're being extra careful. I haven't changed ours yet and it has, I'm guessing, about 1300 miles on it. I've read some posts about mobil 1 synthetic oil. One poster claimed he got about 20% better mpg w/ it. - I have no clue about the merits of using it. - I'm learning lots at these forums. 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. |
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Mine IS the best looking RDV on the road up here because...it's the ONLY RDV on the road up here; I haven't seen another one yet! Now, on to your 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"? |
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which are some of the things I first thought when I saw it. And I'm sorry, I just assumed you were also hanging out at this other forum which is a goldmine for care care tips, how-to's, etc... The reason I thought so was the url link you gave above (Your Post #1) referred to www.properautocare.com . Somehow that was linked on this other site I stumbled upon while going through some other forums here at Edmunds. That site, which you and everyone else should visit is: http://autopia-carcare.com/ I think you'll love it; the question is, "Do you Have Time?"
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. |
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| when you get to that website, click on the "Autopia Forums"; that's where most of the hands-on, great info. is at. Of course there's tons of other stuff outside of the forums as well. Have fun browsing there. | |
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