The Wash and Wax thread

[kenshinS14sks]

I've heard and read all about mother's and meguiar's, just like sr vs ka-t . . . blah blah blah . . . and i've found the goods and bads of both from countless numbers of threads...but then i came upon this.

Wolfgang Deep Gloss, and Souverän mentioned here ---->http://www.autogeek.net/wg8001.html

anyone use these? is it just like they say and are you drooling over the finished result?

[Jung918]

i have used the carnuba wax from pinnacle. the $40 a can one. my 350z came out superb. But I did an outstanding job on the prep. I really dont see the need for it unless you are going to go to shows or are really anal. I have a porter cable that I used for all the steps.

[s14_legend]

nice and shiny....

[exitspeed]

It seems there is a new thread every week or so about cleaning and detailing your car.

So, lets put all our tips, tricks, and preferred products in one place for easy reference.

For wax I've always used Race Glaze Carnuba wax. When I had new cars I'd wax my cars once a week and it kept it so smooth and clean.

[kenshinS14sks]

so all these questions in my head started when i saw a scruff a couple weeks ago and i've been directed to SO many great places, THANKS guys

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html

http://www.autogeek.net/exteriorcare.html

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/how-to.html

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=68531

these are just some of the places i've spent a few hours reading up, i'd try to summarize the wealth of knowledge i've received from here, but it seems so many places have great tips and tricks...but i guess it comes down to which product you prefer over another . . . but i've learned to stay away from turtle wax

Originally Posted by exitspeed

...When I had new cars I'd wax my cars once a week and it kept it so smooth and clean.

seems a little overdoing it no? haha

[exitspeed]

Originally Posted by kenshinS14sks

seems a little overdoing it no? haha

Indeed. The wax last 3 months. But I was obsessive over keeping my car clean. I'd spend no less then 3 hours a week cleaning my car. Might have been overkill but my paint was smooth all the time.

[PBucch]

You guys are paying too much! try migliore

http://migliorewax.com/

check it out, cheap and so much carnuba its almost super-saturated.

[pink godzila]

1. Wash your car
2. Clay
3. Wax

[exitspeed]

Originally Posted by PBucch

You guys are paying too much! try migliore

http://migliorewax.com/

check it out, cheap and so much carnuba its almost super-saturated.

Race Glaze is only $19.99. It's also easy to remove, which is a nice feature.

[kenshinS14sks]

Originally Posted by exitspeed

Race Glaze is only $19.99. It's also easy to remove, which is a nice feature.

you use the polish / sealant or the wax? where do you get it?

[Ninjabread]

When I used to have a nice interior, I used this stuff for the dash, and all plastic or vinyl trim pieces. It's got UV protection, so your stuff doesn't crack or discolor , and it leaves a nice matte finish (no glossy annoying glare).

[exitspeed]

Originally Posted by kenshinS14sks

you use the polish / sealant or the wax? where do you get it?

Yep. Usually AutoZone carries it. I used to get it at the car wash I worked at when i was a kid.

[kenshinS14sks]

so... the sealant ... or the wax? yep is a very confusing answer to a multiple choice question =I

[LoanShark]

Normally I don't read these wax/wash threads nor do I spend hours on the web looking for the "best" product, tips, best results etc. I'm not that OCD about washing my car. that being said...

A few years back, one of my room mates said that if you wax your car too much, it'll actually damage the factory paint. Retarded? maybe. True? I don't know.

[LongGrain]

1. Wash (whatever)
2. Dry
3. Clay bar (Mothers california clay)
-use either water or quick detail as lube for the clay.
4. Dry
5. Polish (Megs professional hand polish, tan bottle)
-apply with applicator pad, buff with microfiber
6. Glaze (Megs mirror glaze, tan bottle)
-apply with applicator pad, buff with microfiber
7. Wax (Megs Hi-tech yellow wax, tan bottle)
-apply with applicator pad, buff with microfiber

in that order

[exitspeed]

Originally Posted by LoanShark

Normally I don't read these wax/wash threads nor do I spend hours on the web looking for the "best" product, tips, best results etc. I'm not that OCD about washing my car. that being said...

A few years back, one of my room mates said that if you wax your car too much, it'll actually damage the factory paint. Retarded? maybe. True? I don't know.

Retarded.

If you have your car BUFFED to much it will have ill effects. When the car is buffed it actually takes down some of the clear. Obviously the clear is finite. Just waxing however does not remove clear and is adding a protective sealer on the clear.

[kenshinS14sks]

^^^ i concur, the worst thing that can happen with too much waxing is just that...too much wax build up leading to less glimmer and shine in which case you just ... wash the wax off, a novel idea =)

[40daws]

^Sealants last longer(depending on brand) but have less "depth",wax looks better but last half as long.

[LukeDogg316]

I use Meguirs clay bar
Meguirs cleaner wax.
meguirs gold class
and cherry finishing was polish

The last product, I bought at a commercial car detail shop.
Its a plain looking bottle thats pink. The good thing about is that has antistatic properties

[LoanShark]

Originally Posted by exitspeed

Retarded.

If you have your car BUFFED to much it will have ill effects. When the car is buffed it actually takes down some of the clear. Obviously the clear is finite. Just waxing however does not remove clear and is adding a protective sealer on the clear.

yeah I thought so. When he said it, I gave him this look and kept waxing the car.

[kensreliableb18b]

Originally Posted by 40daws

^Sealants last longer(depending on brand) but have less "depth",wax looks better but last half as long.

true. a solution to this is you can hit the car with a sealant first for protection purposes, and then go ahead and add the wax on top of it to achieve the depth.

i like menzerna's fmj (full molecular jacket)

[bboyoracle]

Anyone have experience with five star shine? Never wax your car again?

http://www.5starshine.com/

[kenshinS14sks]

hmmmmmm anyone use the 5star shine?

[DrtyRat]

So I'm searching for a good detail thread and came upon this one. My car desparately(sp?) to be detailed. It still has the original paint ('93 coupe) and of course the paint is faded and some cracks, so I knw it won't come out perfect. With that being said, the car satf for a long time and has actually developed some mold on the body, so I was wondering if a clay bar would tale that out, or do I need to try a wet sand to take it out. When I do finally do it, I'm fully expecting it to take about 6 hrs, but I just want to take th proper steps to make it turn out as good as possible. Car will be painted next year, but I've got to have it be presentable until then.

[ThatGuy]

Not that I've been able to wax my car in the last 5 or so years...

But still, since we're bumping an old thread, let me add this link to it.

Car Care, Detail Supplies, Garage Organization, Car Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789

[Touge Noob S13]

Awsome a detailing thread. I usually compeltly detail my car about two times a year. Wax every three months or so. If you are going to compeltly detail your car I suggest stripping all the old wax off the car before starting. Here is what I do:

1. After washing and cleansing the paint of old wax I clay bar the car. The clay bars at auto part store do the job pretty well, I like the clay magic bar.
2. If your finish is a bit beat a good polish will do wonders for old paint. I use Meguiars Mirror Glaze #81 hand polish on my car's old paint but I suggest using a less "gritty" polish for a car with a newer finish.
3. Once you have polished the car move on to using a sealent. I use Klasse high gloss sealant glaze. Glaze gives the paint a "candy" look to it and provides another layer of protection. After appyling I let it sit overnight and apply another coat the next day. More coats= longer lasting and better protection.
4. Finally comes the waxing. I usually apply two to three coats of wax on my car. Like the sealent more coats= longer lasting and better protection. Waxing gives the car that "deep" and "warm" look to it. There are many waxes to choose from, the ones you listed (wolfgang and souverän) are baller waxes. I like Meguiars Mirror Glaze #26 wax, easily available and gives great results. Investigate which wax would suit the color of your car, some waxes often work better on darker colored cars while others on lighter colored cars.

[DrtyRat]

Thanks for the advice, seems like good advice. I guess the real question/issue for me is the mold. Any advice on how to handle that?