Hello all,
First, thanks for the amazing advice in this thread for vehicle washing:
Foam Cannon and Air Compressor Recommendation
I have elevated my game for routine washes and I am becoming more efficient with every wash. I am now ready to take the next step: Wax / Coating / Protection. There are tons of resources online and in fact its overwhelming. I figured I would start here to keep it in the Tesla family.
I am not going to do a wrap / XPEL, etc. It is expensive and I am just not interested. I do, however, want to protect the paint, keep the shine, protect from UV, bird droppings, pollen, etc. I want the showroom finish.
I contacted a local detailing shop, considered among the 'best' in my town per various reviews, and they wanted to charge me $500 for a "new car protection package" or $700 for the "top of the line" detail package.
For the "new car protection package" the exterior portion reads as follows: "hand washed using only premium soap and an extra soft, premium wash mitt, wheels are deep cleaned in and out using a top of the line wheel cleaner specialized for your vehicle, wheel wells, tires and all jambs are cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner and wiped spotless, exterior protection application of Nano Resin Paint Coating, Glass Waxx, and Wheel Seal, dried with compressed air and plush microfiber towels, ultra fine clay pad to deep clean paint and remove contaminates, leaving your car with a smooth feel and preparing the paint for polish and coating, exclusive glass polishing designed to remove light surface imperfections and amp up the shine." The description goes on to say that the "nano-resin is a long lasting, durable nano-coating designed to provide the best paint protection possible. It protects paintwork and leaves behind a glass-like hydrophobic finish that beads liquids, resists contaminants, and makes your vehicle easier to maintain. Your clear coat has microscopic peaks and valleys or "pores" and when left exposed, contaminants enter the clear coat and start to cause damage. Nano-Resin fills these "pores" with a liquid that when full hardened, is much like glass. 2 coats are applied for extra durability. Glass Waxx is a glass polish and sealant that when applied makes your windshield nearly invisible for incredible definition while driving. It utilizes the same active ingredients used on aircrafts, so water and snow bead right off your windshield even in the roughest weather conditions. Glass wax makes driving much safer in harsh weather conditions."
For the "top of the line" detail package, they talk about "2 layers of AMMO Reflex followed by 1 Layer of AMMO Skin." It goes on to say "Everything else out there can tear down your paint leaving it unprotected. AMMO'S approach is to build up layers of protection and increase shine with every application. It's designed to endure long drives, high speeds, and punishing track days. AMMO is for those people that care about the way their car looks, as much as it drives. The AMMO regimen includes: AMMO Reflex is the first layer of protection that goes on the paint. Unlike glass or ceramic coatings that claim to last a lifetime, Reflex creates a flexible membrane on the paint which wears away after one year. This allows you to have fresh layers put on every year. The benefit of this is that you won't lose your coatings performance from wear and tear. Reflex is applied to all paint, chrome, rubber, plastic, headlights, and taillights. AMMO Skin is a super sticky, super strong polymer based coating. It adheres to the AMMO Reflex, creating a candy like shell on the clear coat. Skin is applied to all paint, chrome, headlights, and taillights. AMMO Gelee is a high tech wheel sealant that's designed to keep brake dust from penetrating into the wheels. While it doesn't prevent brake dust entirely, which no product can, Gelee slows the build up of brake dust and dirt keeping your wheels cleaner for longer than normal. Gelee creates a deep glow that makes all types of wheel looks incredible. It's safe on all wheel types too including matte finish and powder coat.
AMMO Mousse is a leather moisturizer or "conditioner" as many people call it. It's designed with all the essentials that your leather needs to look its best and retain color while leaving a natural finish and not a greasy shine. Many conditioners out there simply shine the surface giving you a false impression that your leather has been treated. Mousse contains rich oils that penetrate deep into the pores of the leather. Mousse contains a light leather scent that is not overpowering."
Here is my issue: I have anxiety about the above. First, I do not want to let anyone else touch my car, professional or otherwise. I have anxiety leaving the car there for 2 days. I realize they're professionals, but I feel like this is quite expensive for a car that looks showroom new to begin with. I do not need any of the interior work done. Much of the above reads like I am going to restore a 1983 Camaro. My car looks brand new. All I really want is to protect the paint and wheels.
I do not want to mess anything up by doing it myself; however, this does not seem like rocket science. Admittedly, I do not know much about clay bars, polishes or waxes. But I learned how to do a proper wash on this forum. I hope I can learn about the next step as well.
I called Chemical Guys for recommended products. They told me I have two options if I want the best they offer:
Chemical Guys - JetSeal Paint Sealant & Protectant & 5050 Paste Wax Ultimate Shine & Protection Kit (6 Items)
- or -
Chemical Guys WAC227 - Carbon Flex C9 Protective Coating Kit (4 Items)
It depends on the approach I want to take. We briefly talked about clay bars and polishes. It was a bit overwhelming.
I recognize the easy route would be to simply hire someone to do this. However this skips the learning experience and I find it therapeutic to do the job myself. Surely there is a best practice to follow from my fellow EV owners.
If it is not too much of a bother, I would welcome some advice from those of you that prefer to do this job yourselves. What is the best approach to protect a new Tesla? What are the proper steps? Must I clay the car first, then polish, then wax, even for a new car? Or is this ceramic coating the way to go?
Thanks everyone.
First, thanks for the amazing advice in this thread for vehicle washing:
Foam Cannon and Air Compressor Recommendation
I have elevated my game for routine washes and I am becoming more efficient with every wash. I am now ready to take the next step: Wax / Coating / Protection. There are tons of resources online and in fact its overwhelming. I figured I would start here to keep it in the Tesla family.
I am not going to do a wrap / XPEL, etc. It is expensive and I am just not interested. I do, however, want to protect the paint, keep the shine, protect from UV, bird droppings, pollen, etc. I want the showroom finish.
I contacted a local detailing shop, considered among the 'best' in my town per various reviews, and they wanted to charge me $500 for a "new car protection package" or $700 for the "top of the line" detail package.
For the "new car protection package" the exterior portion reads as follows: "hand washed using only premium soap and an extra soft, premium wash mitt, wheels are deep cleaned in and out using a top of the line wheel cleaner specialized for your vehicle, wheel wells, tires and all jambs are cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner and wiped spotless, exterior protection application of Nano Resin Paint Coating, Glass Waxx, and Wheel Seal, dried with compressed air and plush microfiber towels, ultra fine clay pad to deep clean paint and remove contaminates, leaving your car with a smooth feel and preparing the paint for polish and coating, exclusive glass polishing designed to remove light surface imperfections and amp up the shine." The description goes on to say that the "nano-resin is a long lasting, durable nano-coating designed to provide the best paint protection possible. It protects paintwork and leaves behind a glass-like hydrophobic finish that beads liquids, resists contaminants, and makes your vehicle easier to maintain. Your clear coat has microscopic peaks and valleys or "pores" and when left exposed, contaminants enter the clear coat and start to cause damage. Nano-Resin fills these "pores" with a liquid that when full hardened, is much like glass. 2 coats are applied for extra durability. Glass Waxx is a glass polish and sealant that when applied makes your windshield nearly invisible for incredible definition while driving. It utilizes the same active ingredients used on aircrafts, so water and snow bead right off your windshield even in the roughest weather conditions. Glass wax makes driving much safer in harsh weather conditions."
For the "top of the line" detail package, they talk about "2 layers of AMMO Reflex followed by 1 Layer of AMMO Skin." It goes on to say "Everything else out there can tear down your paint leaving it unprotected. AMMO'S approach is to build up layers of protection and increase shine with every application. It's designed to endure long drives, high speeds, and punishing track days. AMMO is for those people that care about the way their car looks, as much as it drives. The AMMO regimen includes: AMMO Reflex is the first layer of protection that goes on the paint. Unlike glass or ceramic coatings that claim to last a lifetime, Reflex creates a flexible membrane on the paint which wears away after one year. This allows you to have fresh layers put on every year. The benefit of this is that you won't lose your coatings performance from wear and tear. Reflex is applied to all paint, chrome, rubber, plastic, headlights, and taillights. AMMO Skin is a super sticky, super strong polymer based coating. It adheres to the AMMO Reflex, creating a candy like shell on the clear coat. Skin is applied to all paint, chrome, headlights, and taillights. AMMO Gelee is a high tech wheel sealant that's designed to keep brake dust from penetrating into the wheels. While it doesn't prevent brake dust entirely, which no product can, Gelee slows the build up of brake dust and dirt keeping your wheels cleaner for longer than normal. Gelee creates a deep glow that makes all types of wheel looks incredible. It's safe on all wheel types too including matte finish and powder coat.
AMMO Mousse is a leather moisturizer or "conditioner" as many people call it. It's designed with all the essentials that your leather needs to look its best and retain color while leaving a natural finish and not a greasy shine. Many conditioners out there simply shine the surface giving you a false impression that your leather has been treated. Mousse contains rich oils that penetrate deep into the pores of the leather. Mousse contains a light leather scent that is not overpowering."
Here is my issue: I have anxiety about the above. First, I do not want to let anyone else touch my car, professional or otherwise. I have anxiety leaving the car there for 2 days. I realize they're professionals, but I feel like this is quite expensive for a car that looks showroom new to begin with. I do not need any of the interior work done. Much of the above reads like I am going to restore a 1983 Camaro. My car looks brand new. All I really want is to protect the paint and wheels.
I do not want to mess anything up by doing it myself; however, this does not seem like rocket science. Admittedly, I do not know much about clay bars, polishes or waxes. But I learned how to do a proper wash on this forum. I hope I can learn about the next step as well.
I called Chemical Guys for recommended products. They told me I have two options if I want the best they offer:
Chemical Guys - JetSeal Paint Sealant & Protectant & 5050 Paste Wax Ultimate Shine & Protection Kit (6 Items)
- or -
Chemical Guys WAC227 - Carbon Flex C9 Protective Coating Kit (4 Items)
It depends on the approach I want to take. We briefly talked about clay bars and polishes. It was a bit overwhelming.
I recognize the easy route would be to simply hire someone to do this. However this skips the learning experience and I find it therapeutic to do the job myself. Surely there is a best practice to follow from my fellow EV owners.
If it is not too much of a bother, I would welcome some advice from those of you that prefer to do this job yourselves. What is the best approach to protect a new Tesla? What are the proper steps? Must I clay the car first, then polish, then wax, even for a new car? Or is this ceramic coating the way to go?
Thanks everyone.
