What is the best treatment to preserve the dash on the 2014 Mustang? Something I can buy at Wal-Mart, Autozone, O'Reilly's, Advanced, etc.

 

Meguiars Interior QD or Surf City's Dashaway. Both clean the surface and leave a matte finish.

 

I use 303 Aerospace on the entire interior. It protects against UV damage, and doesn't leave everything all greasy.

 

+1 :nice

 

I use the chemical guys interior dressing, it's not oil based so it dries to the touch.

 

Can I resurrect an old thread? I live in the great Pacific NW where it rains and rains and rains. I must drive my black GT or it would never be driven. The problem is when it rains after a few days there is a buildup of dirt stuck to the car. After washing it has swirls. I use the 2 bucket method and constantly rinse the two mf mitts. I use a blower to get rid of excess water and pat dry with new mf towels. It doesn't stop the scratches. Obviously extremely frustrating. I knew this would be an issue since I have had black cars in the past. Any suggestions to prevent or cut down on the swirls or will I have to spend a day polishing each time I wash it?

 

Remove as much of the dirt and dust as possible with a pressure washer, or at least a garden hose and high pressure nozzle. THEN start with the wash mitts.

 

Did you ever BUFF the car/paint in the first place to ensure that you DID remove 90-100% of the swirls?

If the answer is no, then obviously buff it and get it swirl free. Then proceed below.

If the answer is yes, and you're getting swirls, understand that ANY color paint WILL get swirls no matter how careful you are washing etc. Black just shows it easily. Swirls just happen over time. Anytime you touch your paint with a mitt or cloth or whatever, you are scratching paint. Period. Now, what you can do is REDUCE the amount of swirls/scratches you put back on. Continue to do your proper techniques. Then inevitably, buff your paint 1x or 2x a year...usually a light polish is all you need. One in spring one in fall. That's what I do.

Accept the swirls. Just remember proper detailing techniques and correct paint as necessary.

 

I have had it about 3 months and only have waxed it so I doubt that removed all the marks. I plan on using a clay bar, polish and wax once the weather clears.

 

a) so then the swirls were probably already there to begin with (either dealer induced or prior owner induced

b) your clay bar, polish, and wax, won't remove swirls. The ONLY way to remove swirls is to paint correct using a buffer. Unless your arms/hand can move at 6000 rpms. Only purpose of wax is to enhance the look of perfectly swirl free paint, along with some minor protection from elements.

 

I have a WEN 10PMC 10-Inch Waxer/Polisher currently. Will that work?

 

I have had really great success with swirl removal using Meguiars Ultimate Compound. Very abrasive yet finishes up like a polish. I have used Meguiars Ultimate Compound on my pony which had swirls and oxidation along with customers vehicles I have detailed. Wonderful results removing swirls along with scratches.

I also have a porter cable dual action polisher and having such tool is the way to go.

 

Same here. I own a black Mustang as well, and the PC DA was the best investment I've made so far.

 

I'm not familiar with that brand/equipment. Chances are, if it's something relatively cheap that was obtainable from Autozone or Kmart, it will probably do more damage than good.

Stick with a reputable Dual Action (DA) or Rotary (but more for advanced users) polisher. As folks mentioned, Porter Cable (PC), Griots, Meguiar's, etc... are decent. Visit sites like autogeek.net and buy any brand polisher on their site (or get it elsewhere, just note the brand and type). You'll need a good polisher, at least 2 sets of foam pads with varying cut, and polish and compound, and tons of MF cloths. Make sure you clay your paint before buffing.

 

I feel your pain with a black car. I have Kona blue and its a PITA to keep clean. Love my PC too. Thumbs up!

 

Question-I just purchased the Porter Cable DA polisher. It has the polishing pad...now what. Are there pads or mitts that go over it? Or do I purchase different pads for different uses that thread onto the spindle of the polisher. Someone please advise.

 

You can buy a couple of velcro backed pads but get different color pads for different polishes. I get mine from the local Adams polish distributor. pink white and grey, so you know what compound you've used each one for.

http://adamspolishes.com/shop/access...plicators.html

 

So the pads you showed me a link too, just Velcro to the Porter Cable pad and the colors let me know what compound I am using on what color pad...got it. Now what compounds or polishes should I use. Thanks for your patience on this.

 

here's what I use:

for paint correction and finishing...
http://adamspolishes.com/shop/kits/4...ish-combo.html

then i apply a sealant
http://adamspolishes.com/shop/exteri...t-sealant.html

also when i'm applying my polishes I use the quick detailer spray to lubricate the pads by just spraying 2 squirts onto the pad before applying the polish to the car.

I also apply the brilliant glaze at the end...
http://adamspolishes.com/shop/exteri...ant-glaze.html

it adds what looks like another layer of glass to the paint. it's super easy to apply. just spread it on by hand and wipe off. no machine needed. IN fact i only use the porter to apply polishes. I apply sealant and glaze by hand with microfiber.

 

Thank you so very much