Maintenance and Upkeep Discussion HHR maintenance tips ranging from oil change intervals to brake pads and everything in between.

Black HHR SS Wax or no wax tips

Old Oct 22, 2009 | 06:22 PM
  #21  
hyperv6's Avatar
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Joined: 07-05-2008
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From: Akron Ohio
Originally Posted by 87silver
yadda, yadda, yadda.

It all depends upon if you have a wife and kids, a hot girlfriend or a good job.

If none of the above, you can spend a weekend on multiprocessing the black finish on your HHR.

I have the former, so I have to put up with a simple wash followed by a Meguire's Carnauba wax shine.

Looks better than many black cars out on the street, but not the top dog next to the avid detailers.

Maybe I'll be able to clay bar in the next life.

I have a hot Wife, kids, no girlfriend, a dog that just wants to play frisbee and a great job. I also have three houses to care for and still have a black HHR that is as clean or cleaner than new.

Some of us like to clean and learned ways to make it easier and lasting.

The truth is once you get it right to maintain it is not hard. Once you let it go to hell it is a all day job and one you learn to hate.

Kind of like mowing the yard. Keep it mowed once a week it is not bad but mow it once a month and it is a lot of work.
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 06:33 PM
  #22  
hyperv6's Avatar
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Joined: 07-05-2008
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From: Akron Ohio
Here is something that has made my job easier. Washing a HHR is a pain due to all the water drips.

Metropolitan Vacuum Air Force motorcycle dryers are designed to dry your bike quickly, while eliminating water spots.






* Sturdy all-steel construction
* 2-stage dual fan
* 10 ft. long, 1.5 in. commercial-strength flexible hose
* Heavy-duty neoprene blower nozzle
* 12 ft. heavy-duty 3-conductor power cord
* EZ change foam filter
* Weighs 8 lbs.

This unit is a blow dryer for motorcycles and cars. I bought the smaller one and it works fine with the HHR. It takes care of 90% of the drips and will remove most of the water without having to wipe it down. It make the wax hold up even longer. A little wipe with detailer after the blower and it is as good as new.

They do make one twice as big but also twice the price.

The unit blows warm air to dry the car. It works much better than compressed air or a leaf blower. It saves me at least a half hour or more.
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 10:21 PM
  #23  
87silver's Avatar
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Joined: 11-15-2008
Posts: 1,599
From: Newburgh, NY
Originally Posted by hyperv6
I have a hot Wife, kids, no girlfriend, a dog that just wants to play frisbee and a great job. I also have three houses to care for and still have a black HHR that is as clean or cleaner than new.

Some of us like to clean and learned ways to make it easier and lasting.

The truth is once you get it right to maintain it is not hard. Once you let it go to hell it is a all day job and one you learn to hate.

Kind of like mowing the yard. Keep it mowed once a week it is not bad but mow it once a month and it is a lot of work.
You are an amazing individual...
Old Oct 23, 2009 | 03:58 AM
  #24  
HHR 'Black Death''s Avatar
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Joined: 06-29-2008
Posts: 166
From: Omaha, NE
Originally Posted by hyperv6
Here is something that has made my job easier. Washing a HHR is a pain due to all the water drips.

Metropolitan Vacuum Air Force motorcycle dryers are designed to dry your bike quickly, while eliminating water spots.






* Sturdy all-steel construction
* 2-stage dual fan
* 10 ft. long, 1.5 in. commercial-strength flexible hose
* Heavy-duty neoprene blower nozzle
* 12 ft. heavy-duty 3-conductor power cord
* EZ change foam filter
* Weighs 8 lbs.

This unit is a blow dryer for motorcycles and cars. I bought the smaller one and it works fine with the HHR. It takes care of 90% of the drips and will remove most of the water without having to wipe it down. It make the wax hold up even longer. A little wipe with detailer after the blower and it is as good as new.

They do make one twice as big but also twice the price.

The unit blows warm air to dry the car. It works much better than compressed air or a leaf blower. It saves me at least a half hour or more.
I usually use a air hose and compressor, but I don't have space for one right now at new place. That little thing looks like a good and portable idea for drying my roof rails til garage is done, and hell it could double as a new leaf blower!
Old Oct 23, 2009 | 05:38 AM
  #25  
hyperv6's Avatar
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Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Originally Posted by HHR 'Black Death'
I usually use a air hose and compressor, but I don't have space for one right now at new place. That little thing looks like a good and portable idea for drying my roof rails til garage is done, and hell it could double as a new leaf blower!
The big key is he warm air over the compresser and or leaf blower. If you are in damp conditions.

Get most of it off wit this thing and get the odd drips with a large mircro fiber towel.

It is small and can hang on the wall but I mounted it to a small moving dolly and let it follow me around. Without the wheels it likes to fall over.
Old Oct 23, 2009 | 05:42 AM
  #26  
hyperv6's Avatar
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Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Originally Posted by 87silver
You are an amazing individual...
I owe it to the practice of full contact Oragami.
Old Oct 23, 2009 | 11:41 PM
  #27  
lazaino's Avatar
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Joined: 03-08-2008
Posts: 303
From: los angeles
For what it's worth, I've been selling Zaino for going on 10 years and I've not yet had an unhappy customer. I tried it ten years ago because I never saw a negative comment about it. Personally, I tried it to prove it didn't work and failed miserably. It's not easy to come by and it's not inexpensive to buy in, but it works really well.

Ira
Old Oct 24, 2009 | 12:25 AM
  #28  
c2vette's Avatar
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Joined: 11-27-2007
Posts: 1,115
From: Austin, Texas
I have a black vintage '55 Rolls Royce, and use the California Duster on it every couple of days, our daughter-in-law has a black 335 BMW, and on my recommendation use the Duster also. Definitely the way to go to keep black looking sharp between detailing days. http://www.calcarduster.com/
Old Oct 24, 2009 | 12:54 AM
  #29  
milwaukee hhr's Avatar
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Joined: 09-01-2009
Posts: 33
From: milwaukee wi
three little words-------------------ICE
Old Oct 24, 2009 | 08:40 AM
  #30  
hyperv6's Avatar
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Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
I have buddies who use Zaino and it looks good and holds up well. But you have to send away for it around here.

On the Dusters be sure to use the California ones as they are the best. There are some generic ones out there and they are just not as good. We sell both at work and I tossed the house brand one and went back to the Califronia Duster. Also get the Dash duster combo with it. That one is very handy.

I have a half unused bottle of Ice. It looks good and is easy to use but is like Armor All. It just does not last near as long.

I have found Ice works well on viynal shutters on the house to keep them from fading.

Ice iis good if you just need a quick clean up and do not care for long term. It also if great on tirm like around the windows.

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