Tips & Tricks
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3000GTs and Stealths, unlike most cars, have a few certain areas that need special attention in order to keep them looking their best. These are just some of the tricks I have come across to help you with those tricky areas, and I have found to be most usefull!
TIP #1: The Base of the Hatch Window
The grey area towards the bottom of the hatch window is one of the hardest things I've come across in detailing to keep looking new. It's a flat, laquered finish that is VERY sensitive to what is applied to it. Anything too greasy, it will smear. Anything too thick, it will streak. The best thing I've found to use is any kind of furniture polish with a soft, cotton cloth. Clean the area first while washing the car, and when it is completely dry, spray on some furniture polish such as Pledge, and buff it off with a soft cotton cloth. Make sure you do this in the shade, or it will dry and haze too quickly, possibly staining the area permanently. Try it - it works!!
TIP #2: The Hatch's Windshield Wiper Cover
Many people complain that the plastic piece covering the base of the hatch windshield wiper turns dull, and doesn't match the rest of the assembly. This is notorious on pretty much everybody's 3000GT or Stealth. One quick fix is to simply paint it! Get yourself a can of flat black exterior paint, such as Rustoleum. Take the piece off, and spray it a few coats, waiting for each coat to dry before applying the next. It'll never fade again, and will look better than it did new!
TIP #3: Fake Plastic Triangles
(quarter panels)
The black plastic "fake" windows on the 91-98 3000GT's seem to give a lot of people a problem. It's a tricky area because it's a high gloss plastic finish which can scratch, peel, and fade very easilly if not properly taken care of. One trick i've learned in keeping it shining like new, as well as preventing any peeling or fading is to apply a straight Carnauba based wax to it (No cleaners - only a wax. Mother's California Gold Paste Wax is a good choice). Use only a 100% cotton cloth, with very light circular strokes.to apply it, as well to buff it off. Make sure you also do it in the shade in order for it to haze properly. I do mine once every 3 months or so, and I have had no signs of peeling or fading. In fact, I believe they shine better than new ones!
TIP# 4: Chrome Tips
Most 3000GT's and Stealths come equipped with chrome tips. If you don't generally clean them, they'll have so much carbon build up, you'll hardly be able to tell they were ever chrome! An easy fix is to polish them with any chrome polish found in any auto parts store. If your having trouble removing the residue even with polishing, try using a wheel cleaner first such as Castrol's wheel cleaner. It'll loosen up the residue enough so you'll be able to polish them back to brilliance.
TIP# 5: Foggy Windows
This is generally a problem with most import cars. It's mainly caused by "out-gassing" of the compounds that make up the dashboard. They seep out, and stick to the inside of your windshield in particular, causing streaks, fog, and an overall unsightly appearance. By keeping the inside of the windshield clean with frequent washings using the techniques found on my detailing page, this should help a substantial amount. Other things to keep in mind are the following:
Greasy, thick protectants such as Armor All tend to make the windows worse. If you're going to condition the dashboard, use something that won't evaporate in the sun, or clog the pores of the dash. I recommend Lexol's Leather Conditioner or their Vinyl Conditioner. They're more flexible, and will let the dash breath better.
Don't use Fox X!!! This stuff is the worst! It'll work great for about 3 days, but once it starts to break down, it'll cause you more of a headache getting it off, than it did putting it on.
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