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Her name is Falseto
08 Mysterious Solstice GXP
Order date 12/26/07 Delivered 01/15/08
Total mods to date July 01,2008
vanity plate Falseto, Stubby antenna
Never washed it. Use the duster & detailer. Looks (better than) showroom new. I bought it off the showroom floor. I won't do that again, too many finger prints, but a good detailer & cleaner works fine. Always use a microfiber towel, NEVER terry cloth. I also have a 1984 Eggshell white Corvette, been doing the same for 24 years & over 250K miles. Looks new. However, the last 2 years it's been a garage queen & covered up most of the time. It doesn't really snow here in Vegas, but we did get some rain last year, but I slep in that morning till noon & missed it.
When I got my last toy (Mustang) a friend who restores cars gave me a California Duster. Fair weather toy seldom needed washing except before once a year wax. When sold after 9 years and 40000 mi. to get my 08 GXP it was in showroom condition.
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MEAN 2008 GXP
Bought 7/03/2008
Past toys: Austin Healey 100
Triumph TR 4
Datsun 240Z X 2
Mazda RX-7 X2
Mustang
I wash mine 2-3 times a year... detailer otherwise. Never driven in the rain, garage kept. 20 months old... 6000 miles. Never waxed... Clear-coated, garage kept cars do not need waxed IMO.
__________________ Mysterious GXP, dark-side, ebony w/gray stitched leather, manual 5-speed, loaded
Additions: "J" stubby antenna, custom rubber floor mats, tinted windows (35%), Evolution car cover
Solstice - sol (sun) and sistere (stand still) as we drive off into the sun!
Also, The duster only adds to the damage. I've never been a fan of the duster and this is just my feelings here. I could never understand how an oily cotton fiber gets better when there's more dirt and grit on it. The best thing is to wash the car. There are other products such as Optimum No Rinse wash that basically only use up about 3 gallons of water to wash the car. You wash with the No Rinse and wipe off with microfiber towels.
What if there was a liquid that you sprayed on the car and all you had to do was wipe, and the need for a wash was eliminated? Sound too good to be true? Well, it is. Now I know there are those that will give me gripe about this, but I challenge anyone to wipe down a dusty car with a detail spray then shine a halogen light afterward. What you’ll see are the micro-scratches caused by the dust, which are microscopic rocks, being dragged across the surface.
Detail sprays have their place. The original intention of a detail spray was to wipe down paint finish in dealer showrooms, private collections, or at a Concours event. However, detail sprays are now used as an alternative to washing a car. In my opinion, there is nothing better at getting dirt off a car than washing.
Detail sprays come from many different manufacturers but are mainly of two classifications: Natural carnauba sprays or synthetics. Neither of the two is better than the other. Just as with a wax, you achieve a certain “look” by using either two sprays. The synthetics give you more shine and gloss due to their silicones and/or polymers. For example, einszett Detail is a polymer-based technology spray. It has an anti-static agent that helps repel dust. The polymer technology can be felt when you apply the spray; the silky smooth flow of the microfiber over the finish is a sign. On the other side of the spectrum, Zymol Field Glaze is a natural carnauba-based product that contains no silicone or petrochemicals. It actually contains carnauba sap instead of wax. The sap is obtained from tapping the tree just like getting maple syrup. The natural carnauba spray will give the finish more of a glow than shine. There is much more depth and it can be noticed on metallic and solid colors.
The proper way of using a detail spray is either after a wash or after dusting the finish; a finish that has surface dust in the garage from the air, not the road.
After a proper wash and dry, applying a detail spray will rejuvenate the wax helping stop rapid deterioration. This is the secret of not having to wax every other week. If applied properly and consistently, most detail sprays will enhance the appearance of the finish, giving you the same look as the day the car was waxed. If you don’t use de-ionized water, the detail spray will also take care of the pesky water spots.
You can also use detail sprays if your car is garaged and not driven too often. Say you washed the car two weeks ago and it hasn’t been driven. By simply dusting the finish with a natural wool duster, not the California duster, you remove most of the superficial dust. Then you’re ready to apply the detail spray.
Application of most detail sprays is simple. Work in small sections and don’t over-use the product. Spray about 2-4 sprays in a 3’X5’ area, and with a microfiber towel folded in half or fours, gently wipe the finish in a linear motion. Imagine you’re filling the pores of the paint with the liquid wax. For example, I would spray half the hood, usually about three sprays on a Porsche, and gently wipe from the window to the bumper. Gently work back and forth until the finish becomes transparent. Then, flip the microfiber over with the dry side, and final buff to reveal the remarkable finish. If using a high-quality microfiber towel, you’ll notice the dual-pile. One side of the towel will have a short nap, great for wiping windows, and the other side will have a long nap. Use the long nap for detail sprays and removing wax. And remember, your towel should not be wet when you are done; if so, you’ve used too much product.
For some of us, our Solstice's are our "Toys", and not used for daily drivers. I have had my Brazen GXP for almost a year and have only hand washed it twice, and also only 594 miles. My Mysterious had swirls after the first wash - never again.
Also, The duster only adds to the damage. I've never been a fan of the duster and this is just my feelings here. I could never understand how an oily cotton fiber gets better when there's more dirt and grit on it. The best thing is to wash the car. There are other products such as Optimum No Rinse wash that basically only use up about 3 gallons of water to wash the car. You wash with the No Rinse and wipe off with microfiber towels.
What if there was a liquid that you sprayed on the car and all you had to do was wipe, and the need for a wash was eliminated? Sound too good to be true? Well, it is. Now I know there are those that will give me gripe about this, but I challenge anyone to wipe down a dusty car with a detail spray then shine a halogen light afterward. What you’ll see are the micro-scratches caused by the dust, which are microscopic rocks, being dragged across the surface.
Detail sprays have their place. The original intention of a detail spray was to wipe down paint finish in dealer showrooms, private collections, or at a Concours event. However, detail sprays are now used as an alternative to washing a car. In my opinion, there is nothing better at getting dirt off a car than washing.
Detail sprays come from many different manufacturers but are mainly of two classifications: Natural carnauba sprays or synthetics. Neither of the two is better than the other. Just as with a wax, you achieve a certain “look” by using either two sprays. The synthetics give you more shine and gloss due to their silicones and/or polymers. For example, einszett Detail is a polymer-based technology spray. It has an anti-static agent that helps repel dust. The polymer technology can be felt when you apply the spray; the silky smooth flow of the microfiber over the finish is a sign. On the other side of the spectrum, Zymol Field Glaze is a natural carnauba-based product that contains no silicone or petrochemicals. It actually contains carnauba sap instead of wax. The sap is obtained from tapping the tree just like getting maple syrup. The natural carnauba spray will give the finish more of a glow than shine. There is much more depth and it can be noticed on metallic and solid colors.
The proper way of using a detail spray is either after a wash or after dusting the finish; a finish that has surface dust in the garage from the air, not the road.
After a proper wash and dry, applying a detail spray will rejuvenate the wax helping stop rapid deterioration. This is the secret of not having to wax every other week. If applied properly and consistently, most detail sprays will enhance the appearance of the finish, giving you the same look as the day the car was waxed. If you don’t use de-ionized water, the detail spray will also take care of the pesky water spots.
You can also use detail sprays if your car is garaged and not driven too often. Say you washed the car two weeks ago and it hasn’t been driven. By simply dusting the finish with a natural wool duster, not the California duster, you remove most of the superficial dust. Then you’re ready to apply the detail spray.
Application of most detail sprays is simple. Work in small sections and don’t over-use the product. Spray about 2-4 sprays in a 3’X5’ area, and with a microfiber towel folded in half or fours, gently wipe the finish in a linear motion. Imagine you’re filling the pores of the paint with the liquid wax. For example, I would spray half the hood, usually about three sprays on a Porsche, and gently wipe from the window to the bumper. Gently work back and forth until the finish becomes transparent. Then, flip the microfiber over with the dry side, and final buff to reveal the remarkable finish. If using a high-quality microfiber towel, you’ll notice the dual-pile. One side of the towel will have a short nap, great for wiping windows, and the other side will have a long nap. Use the long nap for detail sprays and removing wax. And remember, your towel should not be wet when you are done; if so, you’ve used too much product.
Anyway, enjoy your beautiful cars!
I understand (I think?) what you are saying...but let's get real here. I drive my Mysterious DarkSol everyday...I can park it for an hour where I work and come out to find it covered with dust. I use a California Duster on DarkSol every day...this is my first black car and I get compliments on it constantly wondering how I keep it looking so good. Is it perfect? Hell no, but at least it is manageable.. Sometimes I go over a month between washing only because I dust it every single day. It would look like crap any other way. Do I have micro fine scratches....of course... but when I do finally wash and wax...they just go away or at least don't seem to matter unless you are looking up very, very close searching for them. This is my daily ride, not a show car... Without my Cali Duster... I would not want this car...I will never be a slave to it; it is my ride, my freedom.
I have better things to do than constantly attend to it, and the difference between what I do and what others may do to the extreme end to keep it meticulous is only noticeable to the owner or to someone looking at it from extremely close with extremely judgmental eyes. Life is to short...ride!
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Mysterious 2007 N/A 2.4. "DarkSol" is the name. Chrome alloys, steel and sand leather interior,
5 spd, ABS, AC.
Mods: vertical billet front grille.
Venture shield clear bra
GM mud flaps (front only)
Carolina Custom leather armrest pads
Real carbon fiber license plate frame
Norm's Fiberglass Split Dual SMOOTH FINISH Rear Fascia
GM CAI (Grrrreat!!)
Solo Mach Split Dual Exhaust for N/A with Resonator (Amazing Sound! DarkSol now has DeepSol's voice)
Loving AZ
Last edited by AZDarkSol : 07-22-2008 at 11:04 PM.
No! After twenty plus years of having "Toys" & "Show Cars" (and other black cars), my first 1K Solstice came with paint finish issues. The car was bought from me before the problem was fixed (new owner did not care). My point was that black takes more care than most other colors. "Assumptions are guesses without facts".
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2008 BRAZEN GXP #5673, LOADED, RECEIVED 9/15/2007
2007 DEEP GXP #0252, LOADED, RECEIVED 9/06/06 (SOLD) 2006 MYSTERIOUS 1k, #0083, LOADED, RECEIVED 8/26/05 (SOLD)
No! After twenty plus years of having "Toys" & "Show Cars" (and other black cars), my first 1K Solstice came with paint finish issues. The car was bought from me before the problem was fixed (new owner did not care). My point was that black takes more care than most other colors. "Assumptions are guesses without facts".
Yes, black takes more care, but a wash shouldn't swirl it up... if you're putting swirls on with a wash, then somehow you're grinding dirt in... Either you're using a dirty (or wrong type of) cloth or dirty water (not using 2 bucket method or a grit guard).
A simple wash shouldn't swirl up your car (especially factory paint). Ya, it does at the dealer cuz they practically use a dirty mop to wash the damn thing... but if you're taking care at home, no way.
I wash and wax the car regularly
mine is a Cool and I have no swirling...I hand wash with a micro fibre cloth
and wax with a pad....I have a clear bra and use a scrubby on it to get the bugs off !!!
I claybar 3 times a year...spring... Summer (last weekend) and Fall
and mine is baby butt smooth too.
I wax the wheels and polish the rims at least 3 times a year and put grape jelly on
all tires...inside side and outside side
and I detail the wheel wells with "grape jelly " too (Meguier's high gloss tire gel works good on all the black surfaces)...and most of the engine compartment too.
Jerry says his car never gets wet....but you have to wet it to wash it.
I guess he means the under-carriage
and unlike DAVE CLANCY..i do not put towels on the floor...I just vacuum it up.
Dave...if it is mint in 20 years...you still won't sell it - will you
and if you die tomorrow will anyone remember that car #1 had 20+ coats of wax on it before you ever drove it
It's a CAR...but you paid for it so you can do anything to it you want...it is YOURS !!!
your right I will never sell my solstice it will be mint in twenty years for me.
Help! We've fallen into the BMW forum..
