Daily driver car care

[tbird05cel]

Re: Daily driver car care

You guys have it all wrong! You need to move down South and enjoy your convertible all year long!

[robpopper]

Re: Daily driver car care

ok I'm getting the message. There are basically two type of owners. Those that have the car to preen & those that have the car as a daily driver, which is my situation.
So I think that a waxing prior to the winter with Meguiars NXT or Zaino A19 wil ldo it for me.

[merlot4]

Re: Daily driver car care

I don't live where salt is put down, nor is there much in the way of snow, so I have no advice to offer as to what the proper procedure might be for that. BUT, I do have a site you might want to take a look at for tips on waxing, claying, etc. These guys are quite serious about their cars, the Volvo C30, and do some excellent comparisons and how-to's that are well worth reading. I almost bought one of these, they're a real kick to drive. They also did a demographic age study that's an interesting parallel to the one on TBN. The site is Volvo C30 world and the specific link for detailing is:

http://www.c30world.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=27

Good luck to you Bob, wax and enjoy!

[Brad]

Re: Daily driver car care

I put 80,000 miles on my 2002 much of that was driving in the winter. When I sold the car it looked like it was in Showroom condition. Put 2 or more coats of any good wax before winter (I put about 5-6 coats under where the hardtop rests), and then wax it every few months.

The key is keeping the car clean. I can't wash it myself in the winter so I have 2 different hand washes that I use on average ever 4 or so days depending on the weather. When it's real bad I have several of those self-serve washes where I pay the $2.00 minimum and just use it for a quick rinse off.

I've purchased 20 year old un-driven "garage queens" in the past and I will never buy one again. The last one I had looked perfect when I bought it however once I started driving it every piece of rubber and plastic started disintegrating from dry-rot.

[lasuvidaboy]

Re: Daily driver car care

Mine is a daily driver and it looks wonderful. I get compliments on it's condition frequently and when I bring it to the dealer for service (it has always been cared for by my local Ford dealer) customers waiting for their cars are always surprised that it is a daily driver. That said, I am very careful where I park, wash it by hand once a week, vacuum the top inside and out, detail the interior and generally keep it pristine. It is of course easy to do it in So Cal w/the weather but a daily driver can look almost as good as a garage queen if well cared for.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Daily driver car care

isnt the question: What buffer to use? There is only one in my book. Porter-Cable. For complete detailing stuff, I use Autopia.com They have it all, and quality stuff too. Sure over the counter stuff is good. Meguiers, Mothers, etc. step it up a notch to Klassie, or Sonus. Or go to a manufacturer of them all: Autopia is their marketing arm. And, they private label to all the above. On their site, for every product, there is also a "How to" section. check it out.

[Wheats]

Re: Daily driver car care

isnt the question: What buffer to use? There is only one in my book. Porter-Cable. For complete detailing stuff, I use Autopia.com They have it all, and quality stuff too. Sure over the counter stuff is good. Meguiers, Mothers, etc. step it up a notch to Klassie, or Sonus. Or go to a manufacturer of them all: Autopia is their marketing arm. And, they private label to all the above. On their site, for every product, there is also a "How to" section. check it out.

Aloha,

No salt here but if you want good car care advice you can also check out autogeek.net.I've used several of their products,sealants,waxes,etc and they know car care.

[E'sBird]

Re: Daily driver car care

Ah, critical: good snow tires on all 4. I have used Bridgestone Blizzaks for more than 10 years and different cars including a Toyota MR2, Nissan 350z and most recently a 2005 Pontiac GTO. Care for the car body is excellent, lots of good waxes as well as new tech stuff. Care for the underbody yes, most important. If you have to drive it. Good snow tires will save a lot of fender benders. Different companies....go to TireRack.com and research.
Now off my soap box and back into my Bird......."I'll Fly Away Oh, Glory!"

[Southern]

Re: Daily driver car care

Zaino is the way to go. Do NOT use Carnauba wax (Except as a "dressing" if you wish on top of a Polymer) as a protectant. Carnauba wax, ALL carnauba wax, no matter who makes it, is fine for looks but has the staying power of butter. Always use a polymer for protection. I have used Zaino for about 20 years now. No carnauba wax can last as long as Zaino. Put a couple of coats on and you will will have decent paint protection for 6 months outside and as much as 9 months if the car is garaged when it is not slogging through the frozen tundra. Good Luck!
BTW I think using a buffer with Zaino is enormous overkill. It is very easy on/easy off. Polymers work by chemically bonding and using a buffer doesn't do much for you.

[eboose7]

Re: Daily driver car care

Zaino is the way to go. Do NOT use Carnauba wax (Except as a "dressing" if you wish on top of a Polymer) as a protectant. Carnauba wax, ALL carnauba wax, no matter who makes it, is fine for looks but has the staying power of butter. Always use a polymer for protection. I have used Zaino for about 20 years now. No carnauba wax can last as long as Zaino. Put a couple of coats on and you will will have decent paint protection for 6 months outside and as much as 9 months if the car is garaged when it is not slogging through the frozen tundra. Good Luck!
BTW I think using a buffer with Zaino is enormous overkill. It is very easy on/easy off. Polymers work by chemically bonding and using a buffer doesn't do much for you.

I couldn't agree with you more! Zaino offers a superb product, and equally important are the competent employees who are willing to help by answering any questions.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Daily driver car care

I put 80,000 miles on my 2002 much of that was driving in the winter. When I sold the car it looked like it was in Showroom condition. Put 2 or more coats of any good wax before winter (I put about 5-6 coats under where the hardtop rests), and then wax it every few months.

The key is keeping the car clean. I can't wash it myself in the winter so I have 2 different hand washes that I use on average ever 4 or so days depending on the weather. When it's real bad I have several of those self-serve washes where I pay the $2.00 minimum and just use it for a quick rinse off.

I've purchased 20 year old un-driven "garage queens" in the past and I will never buy one again. The last one I had looked perfect when I bought it however once I started driving it every piece of rubber and plastic started disintegrating from dry-rot.

The important part here is highlighted.

Any car can still look good 5 years in if cared for despite winter driving.

Anyone who might consider this question of driving in the winter conditions or not really needs to first consider how long they intend to own their car.

By all means, if the car will be GONE before any repair work is necessary or real damage starts to show itself then it really comes down to how you feel the car will or won't do in the slippery conditions. Personally I can't imagine that anyone would consider the T-Bird an acceptable winter driver but then again maybe it's because I live in an area where negotiating hills and even leaving my own drive way is tough without AWD or 4 wheel drive. This single track car that rides closer to the ground than most just seems like it would be equal parts dangerous and likely to get stuck in but the least amount of snow, slush and crap.

If you intend to keep it for any great length of time though.

There really is no debate here.

SALT EATS METAL .......... period. You really can't drive any car in the winter that you really care about and intend to own for any great length of time.

UNLESS......

If working on rusty CRAP with a torch is your kinda fun. If rotted frames and patching 'em up is your idea of a challange........ then go ahead. Drive it...... follow a salt truck for a few miles when-ever you can find one. Jam as much of the corrosive stuff deep into the many crevices and joints that are under you car. The fun will no-doubt come sooner.

[04birdman]

Re: Daily driver car care

yep...two kinds of Tbird owners.....those who drive the car and enjoy and those who prefer to be voyers......for me if i dated Halle Berry...she would be a daily driver

[Leroy]

Re: Daily driver car care

The way I read these posts is, if you're TBird is a daily driver, you'll find every excuse you can to justify driving it year round and if you don't have to use your TBird as a daily driver you'll park it in the garage all Winter. Leroy

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[Brad]

Re: Daily driver car care

For the record the title of the thread was:

"Daily driver car care"

If you're of the opinion that automobiles were designed to be stored why in the world would you feel compelled to respond to this thread?

Since it's raining out I guess I'll take my "rusty CRAP" car for a ride, hopefully it won't melt!

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Daily driver car care

Since it's raining out I guess I'll take my "rusty CRAP" car for a ride, hopefully it won't melt!

DON'T WORRY, I HAVE HAD SIX OUT IN RAIN AND SNOW AND NO MELTING YET. BUT I DO USE THE NEW TURTLE ICE PASTE WAX. IT DOES A WONDERFUL JOB ON EVERYTHING, PLASTIC, RUBBER, AND EVEN THE PAINT.