JGTNewLexusOwner

Hi All,

Is there a shelf life to detailing products in general?

I have some 3 year old Poor Boys sealant; Maquires clean and polish; and assorted PS waxes. None were exposed to high temperatures--just keept in basement.

I assume the waxes will be ok as they were well sealed. Spray cans of tire dressing; glass cleaner; plastic dressing should be ok too I think.

Thanks for the help.

Picking up2008 ES 350 in a week or so and want to start with cleaning; claying; polishing; sealing and waxing routine.

Mike

ticman, not sure on the shelf life but I would check out the post below that I started. I posted this after I got my ES in December.....alot of great info in it and will help with you detailing. Good luck and congrats on joining the Lexus family.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=45222

kimchi, see the posts in the link below if detaildoc doesn't answer in this post. detaildoc gave me alot of input on detailing and you may find something in here. Good luck (I have Black Obsidian too...great color but does show dirt and stuff).

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=45222

Thanks AMF...I didn't think so, but I did read the article.... I used Consumer Reports though and it also had the Lexus ES better than the Buick!!!!

SW, thanks for the info and your monitoring of stuff like this. Don't know why people do that but hey, it takes all kinds huh!!!!

Thanks to both of you for this website....I really have enjoyed it (and continue to)!

Just as a point of reference, I have a Blackberry 8830 and all the address book transferred the first time with no problems. It may be the phone and the compatibility as rjt mentioned.

Thanks DDoc and AZ08, just ordered the follwing, they better make and keep my car looking good. Otherwise, my wife is going to kill me..... :D :D . now am looking forward to the weekends....

fk425

Handi-Grip Applicator

Ultima Paint Guard Plus

P21S Carnauba Car Wax

Grit Guard Insert

Ultima Paint Guard Wash

Sonus Leather Care Bundle

Sonus Tire & Bumper Dressing Gel

Ultima Tire & Trim Guard Plus

OH NO, WHAT HAVE I DONE!!! ES350MD and JE are hooked. Their wives (if they find out who I am and who ddoc and rjt are) are going to KILL US!!!! Autopia and Pashak are going to love us!!! I think I am going to buy stock in Autopia and Pashak now!!! Sorry for starting this post ES and JE! (or at least apologize to your wives for me). And by the way, the doghouse can be a really nice place to live.....if the dog lets you in! Hey, good luck with the detailing...wait to you see the Ultima Paint Guard Plus.....(and the P21 on top if you chose)...it is AWESOME!

Hey ddoc, I use the Grout Sponge when I wash my car as you suggested (it is wonderful by the way). So I can use that (a different "clean" sponge of course) on the leather? Does this apply to my perforated (heated/ac) leather seats also (I bought the Sonus leather bundle with the white/black applicator)?

One last thing for ES and JE.....the Sonus Der Wunder Drying towel is to die for! It is the best at soaking up water (after you use the "flood" method with the hose to get most of the "beaded" water off).

Alright, I'd like to know what everyone's rationale is for spending so many $$ on a really nice car versus a new car priced in the mid $20k's. How does one justify it? I've always felt OK spending top dollar on vehicles for my wife (why, I do not know). However, I just dropped +$36k on an 08 IS250 for myself and feel a little queezy. Don't get me wrong- love the car. I just don't think I NEED the car.

Just curious as to your thought processes when spending so much.

Thanks.

frogs, and everyone else, I hope you don't mind an 08 ES UL guy adding something here. Your question intriqued me so I felt compelled to post. The quote that fits well here is what the Lexus salesman said to me; which is applicable here...."People who buy Lexus do not NEED a car; they WANT a car". Hmmm. that probably has some merit. Now, for the practical side for me was that the Consumer Report ratings and reliability ratings for the ES were high. And, the Edmunds cost of ownership were pretty good. As Knight said, I looked at Infiniti, BMW, and others but for the value and comparing reliability/Consumer Reports/Cost of Ownership, the Lexus ES was the best. Hopefully, time will validate this as a car I can keep longer! (Side Note: I looked at the Lexus GS but CR have low reports on this and I felt that the ES was even a better value than the GS...go figure!).

Happy Birthday amf! I have one coming up too...We June B-days must stick together!

amf, GREAT JOB! That clears it up alot and that is what I heard (and experienced...with 89 octane anyway). Hey AZ, glad to see you back!!! Haven't seen any posts from you lately (until this) but I have been away for awhile on business! And Bad, I understand and somewhat agree with you about if we have a Lexus we probably should be able to afford the extra $45...however, I am always looking for a bargain and also do not want to pay for anything I don't have to (if it is not necessary). I do feel you get what you pay for most of the time, but not always. Thanks to amf, we all now know!!!! Thanks again amf!

Not sure if Stuart is serious but I did see in "one article" that Buick passed Lexus in quality.....not sure I totally believe that yet...still would have bought my ES!

I agree with BaddBoi, no matter what numbers you want to use, high/low milage, highway/city etc, the bottom line is that you're driving a $40,000+ automobile. If you can't afford to pay a little bit more for gas, you should've bought more in your price range; say a Camry or something else that takes regular gas. If you're filling up twice a week, as I do, what's that? An extra 10 bucks a week? C'mon...if it's impacting you that much, maybe you should be worried about your overall gas consumption, not the 10 cent difference in price per gallon. I'm no tree-hugger, but if you want to cut down on fuel costs, buying mid or reg. ain't gonna do it. Driving less will. And it'll help you hold more value in your car longer as the milage won't be as high as early.

I can rant on this all night, but I'll only give you one example. I heard a guy interviewed on the local TV news the other day saying that gas prices were too high and he wasn't going to be able to take his family on vacation this year because of it. The reporterette doing the story thought it was terrible and I'm sure the mindless dolts watching (author excepted) thought so too. Check my math, but if you're going on a vacation and driving, say 1000 miles round trip, getting 22mpg, you're going to be using 45 gallons of fuel for your trip. If it was a year or two ago and fuel was at $3/per instead of $4/per as it is now, it's going to cost you an extra 45 bucks for your vacation. I submit that if $45 makes a difference in a vacation for you, then you couldn't afford to go anyway.

Comments? (...drawing a target on my back as I type...) (())

Ben

Actually, I agree also...even though I said I used 89 octane in my last post. I did this to see if it made a difference....and it didn't (from a short term perspective and a mpg or driving perspective). But back to me actually agreeing with you Ben and Bad. I tell everyone that if you really think about it, an extra $45 is not bad for a 1000 mile trip....and if that stops you from going on a vacation, I would doubt you should have been trying to go on a vacation because you have financial issues you should deal with before going on a vacation. To your point Ben, $45 is not alot to stop a vacation. It would be interesting though if 93 vs. 89 octane really makes a difference and if it did, how long before an issue occurs!

rjt, yep that is what happened, I searched and I must have got the case price...phew!!! I just got my next over $100 shipment in from autopia....JE, I probably got the same look you got from your better half! My eyes are still burning with those lasers I got from my wife and daughter (as they came home from the mall with more shoes!!!!!!...lol).

Hey rjt, is the paintwork cleanser the one that is 8 oz for $129??? Whew, I hope it is good! That is alot of $$ for 8 oz. I had a hard enough time spending $75 for the 12 oz of UPGP. I just don't want to spend that much on something for bug/tar removal. The Quick Detailing Spray worked ok, but I had to go over it a few times.

Hey JE Nunnez, yes, I started this but rjt has gone NUTS!!! DetailDoc is the brains behind this post but rjt is gone CRAZY!!! Whew, rjt, you will be buying your wife a new house if you keep this detailing up. At least I have been keeping it to just the washing/waxing! I have no special vacuums (even though I think I am going to get one). My wife said to me just yesterday that I am spending more time with my car than her..............uh oh, here comes the dog house!!! :chairshot: (gee, I can hear "Who Let The Dogs Out" playing in the background!) LOL

Hey ddoc, it is good to be back. And, now, I have another question. What do you use for to remove bug and tar debris from the front of the car? There are several options; Meguiars, Poor Boy, Dura Gloss...thoughts? Thanks.

I actually just use Sonus 4 in 1 Total Cleaner diluted at a 30:1 ratio and it works great. You spray it on and leave it for a few minutes and it gets rid of that stuff really well. I've heard Meguiars is also good, but I have never tried it.

Thanks ddoc!!! I tried the Ultima Quick Detailer Spray today as I was washing my car! I worked but it wasn't necessarily spray and wash...those darn bugs! Hey rjt, I used the P21-100% today (on my front hood only) and it really looks good! I think it takes off marks and leftover bug marks better than UPGP. Plus, the shine was very good (not as glass like but now I know what ddoc means by saying a deeper shine...it was dark when I finished and didn't take a pic but I could only notice the difference up close). However, on the rest of the car I used the UPGP - man is that easy and leaves a glass like shine! Detail #6 in the books since I have been able to (weather) in March/April (or whenever it was).

Hey SW, sorry for any confusion. My post was referring to the Avalon. And yes, the entry method is very different and it is not a touch screen on the Avalon (as it is on the ES). And, thanks AMF for the clarifications!

lgb, I just got my 08 ES UL in December after 6 months of research (yep, I am anal when spending money on a car). I looked at the Toyota Avalon (along with the Infiniti, BMX, Cadillac, Acura, MB, etc.). The Avalon is a nice car! If you need back seat room and don't care about the Nav systems, Avalon could be a better choice for you. But, as you can tell, I bought a Lexus. I would buy my Lexus again. There are some complaints but just minor. I love the inside, the quiet and the comfort of the ES. I think that the ES has this over the Avalon. Good luck in your decision.

I have started using 89 octane regular and on my last trip (highway and city driving) I got 30 mpg (calculated not car's computer).

Something definitely is wrong; unless the 08 ES' are better than the 07s. I just got 30 mpg (calculated not from the cars computer) in highway and city. 13-15 doesn't sound right unless you are in NYC with alot of stopping/starting and sitting in traffic. rjt is right about checking the tires....but if that doesn't work, take it in to the shop!!!! You may need a tune up! Good luck and let us know what happens.

Hey ddoc, it is good to be back. And, now, I have another question. What do you use for to remove bug and tar debris from the front of the car? There are several options; Meguiars, Poor Boy, Dura Gloss...thoughts? Thanks.

Thanks TOGWT! Great writeup...does this apply to perforated leather also? On the Zaino product, I don't know but I just bought the Sonus products from autopia-carcare.com (no, I don't own stock or not paid by them..just use this site alot). I will post once I get them and try them out.

mburnickas, great pics!!! Hey I have been on alot of business travel and missed postings! Hey JE, thanks for contributing! This posting has sure helped me (since I am the dufus that started this thing...but now I am still a dufus but love the way my car looks after a detail)!!!!! Hey rjt, I started to use the P21-100% wax (started on side mirrors), but it was late, knew I couldn't get a full wax and buff in so I went back to the old UPGP and nothing beats the ease of application and the result you get!!! I am still amazed. I just bought some additional supplies and I am trying the SONUS rim cleaner vs. the Pinnacle...just to see (I ran out of the Pinnacle already after just 4 details)!

I just got a ES350 and as a former BMW owner I will say I miss my BMW. Bimmers just drive better. The Lexus though is much nicer on the inside than any BMW I ever had (and is the major reason I purchased it). I also agree that bimmers are not for long driving trips, my back would kill after any trip longer than 50miles. I dont think Lexus has converted me but my wife has fallen in love with it.

Hey beergut, from a purely driving enthusiast, your are right. When I chose the ES over the BMW (and to almost equal the space and engine, etc, I had to go to a 5 Series), I chose comfort and value (read lesser price for the features) over the driving around corners, etc. The BMW can take corners better than any other car I drove (and I test drove Cadillacs, Infinitis, Acuras, Mercedes). Wow what a feeling. However, I just didn't want to go that way....but you have a great point. In the end it is really what you like; cornering or comfort on longer trips! I am also hoping that the reliability is better in the Lexus. I had mixed messages on that; some BMW owners told me good things, others told me not so good things....?

I don't know for sure but it is definitely a different NAV system. One of the reasons why I did not buy an Avalon and did buy an ES is the Nav system. Can't see how the DVD would be the same but maybe the maps are...? Not sure about the Camry.

Garaged at home; outside when at work!

My experience after 4 details now, the Ultima Paint Guard Plus is great! I too had the streaks but very easy to buff out. The finish on my car looked like glass (the entire car looked like the Panoramic roof but better). And, I was shocked how easy it was. The only trouble was I always felt that I didn't have enough on the applicator, but I really did (it streaked because I had too much). And, on my wife's car, I only did the UPGP once a few weeks ago. And, to back up what rjt said, I just used a hose to spray off the pollen and stuff from the tree over the car. When it dried, it almost (now I said almost) looked like I spent a few hours washing it. Wow, it really is great. I still haven't used the P21s-100 since the UPGP is just too easy and a great result. The old days of spending hours waxing and buffing a car and sweating for those hours are gone with UPGP. And, I believe the results with UPGP is better than when I spent hours waxing a car in the old days. Isn't technology wonderful!!!!! Thanks again ddoc!

hahaha hey jgt new lex the guy who posted this (from 2007) sounds like me!

" I just finished detailing my car. After all the swirl marks and scratches (inside and out) from the idiots at the car wash, I decided to invest on some detailing products and do everything myself. I bought everything from autopia and used mostly Sonus products. I love this stuff,.........

I just had to post this here ... that was from DDOC in 2007.. hahahaha so in 2 years maybe we will be responding to newbies like us know!

Lol! That was my first post in this forum. I have significantly increased my arsenal since then and improved my techniques, all thanks to autopia and detailing about 20 cars now.

Soooo ddoc, you mean there is hope for us (rjt and me)! Still, we can never be as great as da man...ddoc!