Daytona Care?

[HemiDreamin']

If the salt accumulation ever stops around here, I will (of course!) want to do everything I can to keep my Charger clean. For now, I will just go to a do-it-yourself car wash, but I have two questions for the future. What do you Daytona owners use for exterior polishing/waxing? Specifically, I would like to know what products are safe to use on all of that flat black (decals, spoiler, etc.) that our cars have. Also, what do you use on the seats--especially the suede? Thanks a lot for your expert advice! If I missed a thread that already answers these questions, please forgive me.

[36 chambers]

yes be very careful with decals as they are not as durable as your painted surface, half my car is vinyl have to wash and carefully wipe of or it scratches very easily

[formerice]

I run my Magnum thru a touchless car wash that does a bottom blast and sprays on a rust inhibitor on the undercarriage. Salt sucks and my state sprays the roads with a liquid salt and calcium chloride that would corrode anything.

[Junior]

I've read that wax will do bad things to the Daytona decals, leaving white crud on them that's hard to remove. I use Zaino, and I tried putting it on top of the decals (because really, what a PITA it would be to polish around the decal edges everytime perfectly), but it doesn't look good either - you can see smudgy areas. It was a hot day and direct sun when I applied the Zaino, and on those hot black decals it dried almost immediately, so I might try doing it again now that it's cooler and cloudier, to see if it goes on more evenly - I don't mind if they get a little bit shinier, rather than flat black, if I can avoid having to be so meticulous every time when coming up to the edges. I thought about masking off the decals, but, uh, no.

As far as the paint, though, I'm really happy with the Zaino. Goes on easy, comes off easy, shines like mad, protects really well. You do have to do more prep work (i.e. clay bar to remove all surface contaminants) because Zaino will show whatever is underneath more than most waxes will.

[BigShowGOMANGO!]

I asked about Zanio over the decals...I have a GomanGo and the Zaino rep said that the decals would not be adversly affected by application. He said they would just shine a bit....I am going to Zaino this Spring.....just hit the 20s here in NY.....i hear that stuff thats hrs to dry in the cold....

[DEICHE]

I might consider having a painter put a good clear coat over the decals.

[Turbobuckeye]

Touchless car wash weekly during the winter months, then combo of Meguiar's Gold Class and Nxt Generation products the rest of the year.

[BurntOrange]

Formula 113 is what I use on my Daytona. I apply it right over the decals.

[CastorTroy418]

hey guys i plan on purchasing the daytona charger this summer and wanted to know whats a safe way to remove the hemi hood decal?

[Junior]

hey guys i plan on purchasing the daytona charger this summer and wanted to know whats a safe way to remove the hemi hood decal?

I've heard folks just ripped them off - usually come off in a couple big pieces... might need to warm them up a bit if you're in a cold area.

[CastorTroy418]

I've heard folks just ripped them off - usually come off in a couple big pieces... might need to warm them up a bit if you're in a cold area.

oh ok thanks

[BigShowGOMANGO!]

UPDATE:: I zaino'ed over everything with amazing results....looks great.....i even claybared the decals to get the grit off...they took the polish and lock with no issues at all....NO ISSUES...THEY LOOK SICK

[Junior]

...I use Zaino, and I tried putting it on top of the decals, but it doesn't look good either - you can see smudgy areas.

Update here, too - I forgot all about this post, and I've gotten past this problem. As long as you don't do it in direct sunlight on a hot day, it's good, and the Z-8 over the top blends everything really well, and looks great!

All's well!