Greetings,

I've had my black G37S for 13 months with no swirl marks. It has been hand washed at least 70 times - yep, I love to do it myself.

Here is the secret to properly washing/waxing your new G37 (or any other car for that matter).

Begin by rinsing the car with plenty of water - with a powerful stream of water, most of the dirt and grime should come off. I always spray the water in the same direction as the wind moves over the car. In other words, I spray water from the front of the hood towards the windshield.

Second, use a micro fiber washing mitt/glove and automotive soap. Do not use dish washing soap.

Third, many recommend the two bucket approach - I don't. I use Griot's Garage Multi-Pattern Nozzle and Car Wash Dispenser loaded with either their car wash soap or Costco's Turtle Wax ICE car soap. I fill the container with soap and spray the entire contents on the car. I then use a micro fiber mitt to gently remove any remaining dirt and grime. I move the mitt in the same direction as the wind moving over the car. Do this gently. If you're applying a lot of pressure, you may want to wax your car more frequently. I use a similar approach to cleaning the windshield of my airplane - it greatly reduces swirl marks.

Fourth, remove suds and any remaining soap with water. If you have access to soft water; that's even better.

Fifth, when drying the car, I take one soft micro fiber towel and gently place over the car and pull the water off the car. Yes, place the towel on the car and pull the water off the car. You will be surprised how much water you can pull off. I do not recommend using a squeegee.

Sixth (and here's the best tip), with the remaining water on the car and another dry micro fiber towel, I spray either two products over the wet car. The first product is from Griot's Garage, Spray-On Wax.

The second product that works great for black cars is Triple-M Clearcoat Magic with Teflon. You can buy this from Martin Distributors in Van Nuys, CA. The Triple-M product is made up of a combination of paste wax, polymers, and polishing compounds. You can use this product by itself as a great wax/polish for your car, however, I mix this product with water (30/70) in a spray bottle. Thirty percent Triple-M and 70% water (use bottle water or soft water).

Either product works great, however, the Triple-M was developed for black cars and works fantastic. Spray either product on your wet car and gently dry/polish with micro fiber towels.

Seventh, your G37 will continue to drip/weep/cry water after you dry it, however, the waxes and soft water will eliminate most water spots. Be prepared to dry it again, especially after a quick trip around the block. If you have access to an air hose - use it, you can blow most of the water out of the cracks and crevices. Especially the outside rearview mirrors.

I have personally tried a lot of products and have found the Triple-M to be a great wax/polish for any color, but especially black cars.

And finally, if you have any towel or light-medium swirl marks, I might suggest you use Griot's Garage Random Orbital ($129). I have personally hand waxed my cars since I was 16 (that's 35+ years). I was very reluctant to use any sort of machine polisher, until recently. I purchased Griot's Random Orbital and was fearful at first (remember, it's a black car), but after the first time - I was literally amazed. I'm sold on using a random orbital (remember, this is not a polishing wheel, but a random orbital).

To remove those nasty swirl marks, Griot's sells machine polishes ranging in grit from very,very mild (for towel marks) to medium (for heavy oxidation and scratches). They also sell a fine hand polish to be applied by hand - don't use a machine for this hand polish. The hand polish works great for removing light towel marks and bird crap and tree sap.

No, I don't have stock in Griot's, nor am I an employee - they just have great products.

Good luck with taking car of your car. And by the way, I would never take my car to a commercial car wash regardless if its touchless or hand washed. Unless of course you're driving a Chevy Vega (okay, my first car...please stop laughing).

Semper Fi,

Black G37S with 275's in the rear, light tinting, chrome stock wheels, grounding kit, and no swirl marks.

 

any pics of your car???

 

Nice tips, i'll definitely try this sometime. I have a bunch of swirls on my car already, so i think i need to use a buffer first.

 

How is this...

 

looking good... any plans for a drop?

 

excellent write-up. thanks for sharing your knowledge!

 

Unfortunately, in 11 months the G37S goes back to the dealer (the car's a two year lease). A drop is highly desirable along with other mods (mostly engine), but again, it's leased.

Now the big question - what's next? Nissan's 370? Camaro 2010 (previous car was a Covette)? So many good choices out there.

Thanks for the compliment.

Semper Fi

 

Your welcome...

 

Thanks for sharing your knowledge--I just picked up my black G37x sedan this past weekend and want to make sure I start out right.

 

Congratulations on your recent purchase - nothing more exciting than getting a new car.

Semper Fi

 

i tried googleing for 3M clearcoat magic and found nothing...are you sure thats what its called?

 

Great write up and just goes to show that caring for these finishes from the very start is how you avoid problems down the road. No major swirls for me yet either on my BO after 18 months and I'm keeping it that way by garaging and careful cleaning/waxing. Plus, no winter driving, which will kill the finish....

You are a leasing companies best customer

 

The title of the product is Triple-M Clear Coat Magic with Teflon and they can be reached at:

Martin Distributors & Auto Wax Polish Inc
6924 Canby Ave
Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 344-2431

It's a product manufactured specifically for them. Their product was recommended to me by a professional detailer.

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Semper Fi

 

Thanks...Infiniti got it right with their leasing programs. I have two of their products: a G37S and a FX35 (wife's car).

No winter driving here in Southern California...okay, so the temperature drops to the low-60's during the day...still sunny.

Semper Fi

 

Sadly I do not have a garage and some level of winter driving is unavoidable here in Northern Virginia...but the knowledge available in this forum is tremendous and I'm sure my G will stay looking great even if the conditions aren't, shall we say, "optimum."

Does anyone else live in a place that has winters, and if so how do you keep up with maintaining the exterior of your car when it's cold and the roads are salty?