New Van - What to do with the Roof

[mgmoore7]

Brand New Nissan NV Passenger Van. The last few years, I have stepped up my game with my vehicles care. This one is brand new and want to have it looking great in 10 years. It does not fit in our garage so it will be in the Florida sun all of the time.

I already already have the basic detailers equipment including a random orbit polisher. I have used Collinite 845 for the last few years as a primary protectant and then Megs Spray Wax as a final.

A couple questions:

The dealer says they already put on a protective coating. I have reached out to them to find out exactly what they put on it.
Roof - while I tend to wash and spray wax my vehicles every 3-4 weeks and use Collinite 845 every 6 months, the roof will get neglected more than others due to time and difficulty and of course, it will get the most sun. Any best practice on this? Would a coating, sealant be better?
What is the best practice in general to get the best long term protection for a new car in regard to coatings, sealants, vs a synthetic wax or product like Collinite 845?


I am also keeping in mind that I have a family of 9 and life happens. A wash and spray wax is not possible all of the time every month, sometimes, it might go 2 months.

Also, to make it easier, I think I am going to get a Boars hair brush on a pole. maybe a few of them because I always have kids that want to help. :)

Thanks
Matt

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h197/mgmoore7/FullTruck1stPicture_zps11peg2po.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/user/mgmoore7/media/FullTruck1stPicture_zps11peg2po.jpg.html)

[ronkh57]

Decon - polish - coat it

That will give it the best protection.

[GSKR]

Nice van such a coincidence I'm looking at a used 2015 2500 with 20k mi and for 20k.for the roof use a spray sealant like rupes sealant protection.a phenomenal product and effortless to work with.Its not the same product as meguairs or any others.

[GSKR]

Or like just like ronkh 57 mentioned coat the whole van.

[GSKR]

If you want to coat it professionally pm me.

[natewood70]

I am also keeping in mind that I have a family of 9 and life happens. A wash and spray wax is not possible all of the time every month, sometimes, it might go 2 months.



I would agree with Ronkh57 & GSKR especially after you mentioned this. COAT IT!

Once it's coated the mentality is that of the old oven infomercials... "Just set it... AND FORGET IT" (kinda). If you're going to go two months or longer without applying additional LSP, coating is the way to go in my mind.

[Paul A.]

I couldn't agree more with coating it. Rooves are a pain to not only get to to work it initially but to maintain it as well. I would like to think I've worked it initially and then layed down a looong term, more durable LSP. The FL sun is going to beat the heck out of it with just UV alone.

[mgmoore7]

Ok, so I will coat it. I have the Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating Complete Kit ( Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating Complete Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-paint-coating-kit.html) ) sitting in my cart with the nice 25% off and flat rate shipping today. I like that it can be used to coat other surfaces as well. The paint is just part of it. The plastic trim, chrome, wheels, etc need something too. A few of those items are redundant in the kit to what I have on hand but won't go to waste.

[natewood70]

Ok, so I will coat it. I have the Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating Complete Kit ( Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating Complete Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-paint-coating-kit.html) ) sitting in my cart with the nice 25% off and flat rate shipping today. I like that it can be used to coat other surfaces as well. The paint is just part of it. The plastic trim, chrome, wheels, etc need something too. A few of those items are redundant in the kit to what I have on hand but won't go to waste.

You won't be disappointed with it. I did my wife's car when we got it a few months ago and put it on EVERYTHING.

The car looks great and it cleans up with an unparalleled ease.

[Mike Phillips]

For anyone new to using and applying coatings, here's a step-by-step how-to article that walks you through the process...


Review & How-To: Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Paint Coating (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/96240-review-how-wolfgang-uber-ceramic-paint-coating.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101375




:)

[Mike Moore]

Agreed ^ For the top of a van I would use either Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating or Optimum Gloss-Coat Paint Coating.
Why you ask? Well I dislike doing the roof of a vans and trucks. As time goes on the roof is the most neglected area.

[Rsurfer]

Agreed ^ For the top of a van I would use either Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating or Optimum Gloss-Coat Paint Coating.
Why you ask? Well I dislike doing the roof of a vans and trucks. As time goes on the roof is the most neglected area.

I agree..find a detailer that is authorized to apply either CQuartz Finest or Opticoat Pro. Should give you 3-5 years of protection in case you get to busy or lazy. Another good option is to use Car Pro Hydro 2. After a wash (before drying) spray on Hydro2, rinse, dry and your done..nothing is faster or easier.

[ronkh57]

To expound more on my answer...

There was this guy at detail fest about 4 years ago, just as coatings were becoming popular, I had just gotten my new red Tahoe. Now it was no secret that I was interested in coatings, and no secret that I'm old fat and lazy... So I asked this guy for some advice. He told me pretty much, decon, polish, and coat it. He made more sense when he told me that the roof was the perfect place for me to learn to coat properly too..... Not many people gonna get up on a ladder and look at how good the roof looks... Major point is to protect it.

He gave me a few other points of advice, one of which is, "if it has paint, it gets polished".

I'm not gonna tell you who he is, cuz he keeps beating me at detail fest. :( He really is a wizard when it comes to detailing.
(but he has posted in the thread)

[mgmoore7]

What about the fact that the dealer supposedly already put some sort of coating or sealant on it?

[ronkh57]

What about the fact that the dealer supposedly already put some sort of coating or sealant on it?

:(

Polish off the "coating"

Any type of coating you put on will be 1000 times better than what they did