Confused on cleaners

[carltj]

My manual for the Milan Mercury Hybrid suggests using Motorcraft "Custom Bright Metal Cleaner" as part of the detailing array to keep the vehicle looking its best. OK. I get this. As I wait delivery (no dealers actually have any of this stuff in stock), I read in this forum and others that much of the "chrome" may be actually clearcoat painted. The cleaner arrives, and I read on the directions that the cleaner cannot be allowed to contact clear coated and painted surfaces. So, is the only surface I can use this on the exhaust pipes? What are folks using to clean/polish the wheels, grill, and trunk trim?

[bbf2530]

My manual for the Milan Mercury Hybrid suggests using Motorcraft "Custom Bright Metal Cleaner" as part of the detailing array to keep the vehicle looking its best. OK. I get this. As I wait delivery (no dealers actually have any of this stuff in stock), I read in this forum and others that much of the "chrome" may be actually clearcoat painted. The cleaner arrives, and I read on the directions that the cleaner cannot be allowed to contact clear coated and painted surfaces. So, is the only surface I can use this on the exhaust pipes? What are folks using to clean/polish the wheels, grill, and trunk trim?

 

Hi carltj. :D Yes, about the only thing you need that "Bright Metal Cleaner" for is the exhaust tips. Except for the wheels, none of those pieces (grill, trunk, belt-line moldings etc.) are even metal or "bright metal". They are plastic or "chromed plastic". All that is needed to clean them and keep them looking new is to wash them with a good automotive soap and water, then give them a good coat of wax and buffing when you wax the rest of the car.

 

The story is the same with the wheels. The polished/machined aluminum wheels are clearcoated aluminum and so are the painted aluminum wheels. The steel wheels on the SE have plastic covers. So the same cleaning regimen applies with all the wheels versions: Wash with a good quality car wash soap and water, then wax with a good quality car wax. I use Meguiar's "Cleaner Wax" for my wheels (and Meguiar's Gold Class for my paint finish), but there are many other good waxes out there.

 

Hope this information helps.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited May 16, 2010 by bbf2530

[carltj]

[Hello beerchug,

Thanks so much for taking the time to give a succinct highly informative response to my question, fully sufficent to clarify my confusion.. The metal cleaner goes back to Ford. I will continue to use my Meguiar's Tech Wax every six months or so. I will use the Motorcraft Bug and Tar for bug and tar with a quick after rinse and dry.

Best regards,

Carl

[bbf2530]

[Hello beerchug,

Thanks so much for taking the time to give a succinct highly informative response to my question, fully sufficent to clarify my confusion.. The metal cleaner goes back to Ford. I will continue to use my Meguiar's Tech Wax every six months or so. I will use the Motorcraft Bug and Tar for bug and tar with a quick after rinse and dry.

Best regards,

Carl

 

 

Hi Carl. :D You are very welcome.

 

Just as an amusing anecdote: :hysterical: My screen name is actually bbf2530. "beerchug" is the name of a pair of toasting smileys (e.g. :beerchug: ), which should have, but it seems did not, appear properly on your computer screen. Happens once in a while. But it's okay, since it gives one or two of our other helpful/longtime forum members a good laugh when people accidentally call me "beerchug".:hysterical:

 

And I forgot to wish you the best of luck with your new Milan Hybrid before, so...best of luck with your new Milan Hybrid Carl! :shift:

Edited May 16, 2010 by bbf2530

[drolds1]

I've used Wheelwax on my chromed, painted and polished wheels for years with excellent results. It's designed specifically for wheels. Since I've been using it regularly, I've never needed dedicated wheel cleaning chemicals. The dirt and brake dust just wash off with regular car wash soap.

 

There's a similar product, DP Wheel Glaze, which I'm trying right now and it seems to work pretty well also. Bear in mind that any wax or sealant that you put on your wheels is subject to very harsh conditions and will deteriorate faster than what you use on the paint , so you have to keep it up.

 

Either product also works well on the exhaust tips. WD-40 is a nice, easy and inexpensive solution for your exhaust tips as well. It cleans off the road gunk and leaves a shine.

 

 

Whatever you choose to do, good luck with your new Milan. Enjoy it. :)