Waxing!

[mr_240sx]

hey guys, its been over 1 year since i waxed my car and i noticed that when im washing my car the paint feels rough, i know its overdue for a nice wax job. now heres my question, what kind of wax do you guys use? what works the best? dont be afraid to share your waxing moments, does and donts. Theres so many kind of waxes that im not sure which one to use. so please enlighten me guys.

Mats

[Ricks15]

Meguires is the best. Gold class

[aznpoopy]

1 year? clay it and then wax it.

[mr_240sx]

what kind of clay? and what exactly does clay do?

[mrmephistopheles]

if your paint feels rough, you need to claybar and polish before you wax.
claybars take up impurities that get into your clearcoat and paint... bits of dirt, sand, sap, tar, etc
Polishing (with a mild cutting compound) gives your paint way more lustre than previous, because it's smoothing out scratches, etc.
waxing protects it all.

[mr_240sx]

ok so now it seems that i need to clay it then polish it before wax, but what kind of clay and polish?

[cheap_sticker05]

+1 for Meguire's Gold Class. That is the best stuff I have ever used. My s14 had rough paint applied it 2 times and it looks like a new paint job. Instant results is all i can say about it.

[aznpoopy]

ok so now it seems that i need to clay it then polish it before wax, but what kind of clay and polish?

go to your local auto store and pick up a claybar kit. i'm sure any brand is fine. i use mothers myself.

[mr_240sx]

so you just rub it on , then let it sit a few minutes until it gets somewhat pasty then rub it off?

[aznpoopy]

for clay?

you spritz the surface with a special lube and then rub the bar of clay over it. when you first start rubbing it will feel like there's alot of resistance. you must keep the surface well lubed. after you do it for a bit it's smooth. then you can move on to the next spot. do it for the whole car.

the clay is a solid bar. it's not like clay in art class... lol.

[crazy9ceguy]

here is what i did, i washed the car, used the mothers clay bar kit, then i used the Klasse All-In-One paint polish, then i used the Klasse Glaze, then finally i waxed the car using some Meguirs wax i beleive.

[2iv0 sx]

yes claybar/polish/wax...

Claying was very tiring for me.. the kit i remember buyin came with the clay and a spray bottle(just soap and water) iirc

just spray an area then rub the clay around that area till its smooth, move on to the next area.

[dct223]

FTL...

go to autoparts store and buy a MOTHERS CLAY BAR KIT.. its about 15 bux, it comes with everything you need and has instructions on how to use it.

[Phlip]

I agree, mothers claybar kit, make sure you keep the surface lubed while you'r clay bar-ing.
... Then, if you're SERIOUS about this, you should be switching to Meguair's products (in my opinion, at least)
Deep Crystal System paint cleaner
Scratch-X to remove light scratches and swirls and such.
Show Car Glaze #7 (polish), but only if your paint is worth it.
Gold Class Carnuba Wax

... if you have spent anything less than your whole day off, then you did not care when you started or the paint was not worth it to you when you started.

[mr_240sx]

trust me.... the paint is definately worth it! house of kolor it wasnt cheap either so i want to keep it in top shape plus i also do a few local shows during the summer and got 2 best of paints so far! so i wanna keep her clean! now the question is.... does it all have to be done one after the other? or can i clay it on friday then polish sat and wax sunday? probably not eh?

[s13coupedude]

Just take it to the $5000 dollar car wash guy. Really though I wish my paint was nice enough to do half that stuff to.

[crazy9ceguy]

do it over a 1 week process, its suicide if u do it all in one day, i would alternate, i would clay bar, polish, glaze the front fender first, instead of claybaring the whole car then polishing the whole car, it would get boring, also for the glaze you have to wait a day so the glaze can harden into a crystal shell, then you can wax it. i would use the Klasse All-in-one polish, it has swirl remover and everything, then use the glaze, then wax, but wash and clay bar first. Here are some few pics of my car after I did all that minus the wax because I was too lazy, I know the body kit doesnt match cuz the body shop who did it sucks, but the rest is original 188,000 mile paint. if you really wanna know more, goto www.autopia.org, you can read all the reviews on the detailing products.

http://www.toysport.com/car1.jpg
http://www.toysport.com/car2.jpg
http://www.toysport.com/car3.jpg
http://www.toysport.com/car4.jpg
http://www.toysport.com/car5.jpg
http://www.toysport.com/car6.jpg
http://www.toysport.com/car7.jpg
http://www.toysport.com/car8.jpg

[monkey7]

I use to use the Meguires gold class stuff, my car would look sweet.

Then I used zaino, oh man, the finish was like glass. But it took me the whole damn day or so. I got lazy and it was costly but it last longer than regular wax.

But now I just use the Meguires nxt, its not bad and it last longer than the gold class in my opinion. But I mix in the gold class polish.

This is what I do:
1) I wash my car with dawn soap to get rid of the exsisting wax and other debris. If needed, the clay bar.
2) use some#2 meguires fine cut
3) polish
4) nxt wax

I like the results. Having a nice polisher (porter cable) helps for using fine cut, polish, for applying the crap. Just watch out and don't ruin your paint.

I use to look at this site for some tips:
http://autopia-carcare.com/how-to.html

[Juujai]

i prefer a wax remover rather than ghetto dawn soap but whatever works. yeah zaino all the way. zaino everything, car wash = meguiars gold class. always use microfiber

[S13SilviaGirl]

trust me.... the paint is definately worth it! house of kolor it wasnt cheap either so i want to keep it in top shape plus i also do a few local shows during the summer and got 2 best of paints so far! so i wanna keep her clean! now the question is.... does it all have to be done one after the other? or can i clay it on friday then polish sat and wax sunday? probably not eh?


You in ontario ca? if you are there used to be a guy in redlands that did outstandingdetail work, and he was reasonable...I will see if I can dig up his shop name for you.

[sncs14]

I wash it with mild dish soap. Then I use the Meguires Gold three step: paint cleaner, polish, wax.

[exitspeed]

Like said above clay bar...then wax.

I prefer Race Glaze (nothing to do with the name). I used to use it when i worked at a car wash in my younger days. I prefer it over other brands. Goes on easy and comes off easy and will make you paint finish feel soft.


Thinking about this thread...I'm probably wrong but this is the first "wax" related thread I've seen on here in the last 3 years...

[m072514]

summers coming soon, its been nice out for like a month... i just wish i had a day off to do all this... ahh i wanna give my baby a good rub...

...eeww. you know what i mean.

question: what kind of washing cloths / sponges / brushes / whatever do you guys prefer when washing your car?

[axiomatik]

car care basics from motor trend:

http://www.motortrend.com/features/car_care/112_0105_car_exterior_make_over/index.html

and you shouldn't use dish soap when washing your car. since dish soap is designed to cut through greae and oil, it will strip the wax right off your car.

[MELLO*SOS]

+1 for wash, clay, wash again, polish, wax. You'll be impressed with the outcome.

But just remember: the bar of clay is like a bar of soap in prison.... If you drop it, yer fucked. :hahano:


question: what kind of washing cloths / sponges / brushes / whatever do you guys prefer when washing your car?

I use a big ass sponge, like 8x6x4. I have a bristle brush to use on the SSR mesh because it's a real PITA to get all the brake dust off. Dry using chamois and/or microfiber towels. I also use a curved stiff bristle brush to clean the tires with.



Now for my question:

What kind of wheel cleaners do you guys use? I have the SSR mesh wheels that have been repainted, and I know to avoid the cleaners with acid in them... But every one of these "just spray it on and wash off with hose.. OMG, LOOK HOW CLEAN IT GETS!" type brands I have used are completely worthless. There is just as much brake dust and grime after the rinse off as before the spray on....

[2iv0 sx]

Now for my question:

What kind of wheel cleaners do you guys use? I have the SSR mesh wheels that have been repainted, and I know to avoid the cleaners with acid in them... But every one of these "just spray it on and wash off with hose.. OMG, LOOK HOW CLEAN IT GETS!" type brands I have used are completely worthless. There is just as much brake dust and grime after the rinse off as before the spray on....

I would like to know also. I have some riken mesh that needs a good cleaning.. soap and water doesnt seem to work in between the mesh

[MELLO*SOS]

^^ I got a brush very similar to this one that seems to help get into the nooks and crannies:

http://www.autoexpressions.com.au/images/lo/6335-lo.jpg

Cause you're right, the sponge is useless when it comes to getting into the mesh areas.

[kingsol]

i'm a zaino only lover.
i've tried mothers and a few other carnuba waxes before, but nothing comes close. i wash my car almost every week, trying my fair share of products.
detailing my car twice every year (right before winter and right before summer), spending two full days each time, i'd hate if the product didn't measure up to work.
zaino only.
and micro fiber towels too.

[statik]

and you shouldn't use dish soap when washing your car. since dish soap is designed to cut through greae and oil, it will strip the wax right off your car.

thats the entire point of using dish soap, it strips off the old wax before you put on a fresh coat...

[mrmephistopheles]

all these folks preaching zaino probably haven't tried S100.
Its what I use.

[beavis360]

I used Zymol wax the last time I waxed, my car was a mirror untill it rained 3 days later.
http://xs78.xs.to/pics/06176/Photo_041106_002.jpg
http://xs78.xs.to/pics/06176/Photo_041106_004.jpg

[S14DB]

One key thing it to keep up with the cleaning. I like Mothers schedule:

Wash Weekly
Intensive Detailing: Jambs, under-hood, emblems, etc. Monthly
Paint: Pre-wax cleaner/polish Bi-annual
Paint: Sealer/glaze Every 8-12 weeks
Paint: Wax Every 8-12 weeks
Trim Weekly
Apply correct preservative, protectant, clean cracks Monthly
Wheels Bi-weekly
Bead to hub, polish wheel & lugs Every 2-3 months
Tires Monthly
Full dress, scrub bead to tread Monthly
Glass: Clean Weekly
Polish, clean along seals Monthly
Interior: Vacuum Weekly
Clean stains, vacuum trunk, etc. Monthly
Leather: Condition Monthly
Thoroughly clean leather surface and recondition Every 2-3 months

[Nizzan4u2nv]

Im gonna try s100 or zaino next. Ive tried all the off the shelf stuff like zymol, meguiars gold class, mothers 3 phase set, turtle paste, etc. Now i just use the new turtle liquid wax. Goes on easy and comes off even easier but its still only mediocre.

[Jonnie Fraz]

I use these guys Top Of The Line (www.topoftheline.com/). I have both there "Top Of The Line One Step cleaner and polish and I have their Light Cut to remove water spots. Their Clay Bar (www.topoftheline.com/claysapovrem.html) is awsome, it pulls all kinds of crud off your paint. As for wax I use their Trade Secret (www.topoftheline.com/toltradcarwa.html) This wax is nuts.
My buddy is a detailer and he told me by detailing products from a reputable supplier. Ask your detailer where he gets his stuff you can bet it is not Wal Mart.

[theicecreamdan]

One key thing it to keep up with the cleaning. I like Mothers schedule:

Wash Weekly
Intensive Detailing: Jambs, under-hood, emblems, etc. Monthly
Paint: Pre-wax cleaner/polish Bi-annual
Paint: Sealer/glaze Every 8-12 weeks
Paint: Wax Every 8-12 weeks
Trim Weekly
Apply correct preservative, protectant, clean cracks Monthly
Wheels Bi-weekly
Bead to hub, polish wheel & lugs Every 2-3 months
Tires Monthly
Full dress, scrub bead to tread Monthly
Glass: Clean Weekly
Polish, clean along seals Monthly
Interior: Vacuum Weekly
Clean stains, vacuum trunk, etc. Monthly
Leather: Condition Monthly
Thoroughly clean leather surface and recondition Every 2-3 months

I rubbed some dirt off my wheels once on my current car...

[ThatGuy]

www.griotsgarage.com

I don't have paint worthy of waxing, but I have been fan of their products for a little while now.

[ranisron]

I can't even remember the last time when I waxed the car... Wait, it was back in last fall.

What are you guys' opinions on 3M products? I know its mass produced...

[240sxhed]

my vote goes to Zaino Clay bar and multi (9 i think) layer process, or Gold Class cuz its much more afordable than the Zaino stuff.

[exitspeed]

Wax it like this or forget about it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkmZveqyU5E

[Jung918]

check out www.autopia.org

[WERDdabuilder]

i get lazy and my paint isnt good enough to have a very detailed wax job, so i just use meguiars spray wax. does its job. i gotta do clay soon.

hard water spots > my paint.

[mr_240sx]

well guys i went out today to the local parts store and bought over $100 worth of paint related goodies!

got the meguirs 3 step paint detailer ( paint cleaner, polish and wax) and also got the meguirs clay kit and some meguirs gold car wash soap and a good 'ol shammie! Anyways i spent a good 3 hours tonight just claying and waxing my back bumper, tail lights filler and my hatch..... but holy crap, thats wha ti call a 3 hours worth of waxing! the spots that i waxed look a million times better then the rest of the car... im hoping to finsh the car either tomorrow night or tuesday ngiht! ill post up some pics after im all done. im surprised how it lookes like a red tinted mirror!

[MELLO*SOS]

So what kind of wheel cleaning liquids are you guys using?

[ThatGuy]

So what kind of wheel cleaning liquids are you guys using?

Simple Green and hose water for my 15s.:keke: Not sure what I'll use to clean my new wheels. What do you guys suggest for polished aluminum?:naughty:

[mr_240sx]

Simple Green and hose water for my 15s.:keke: Not sure what I'll use to clean my new wheels. What do you guys suggest for polished aluminum?:naughty:


i would say use some aluminum polish and it will make them look a million times better!! eheheh


i have used "never dull" on various aluminum parts and ive been 100% satisfied... it even takes off surface rust!

[ALTRNTV]

Wax it like this or forget about it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkmZveqyU5E

:aw:

Crazy auto detailer.