I have absolutely no idea how to wax. How much wax do you put on? What is a thin, even coat? How do I know if it's hazy enough? How do I take it off? Do I need to use this polishing thing? After I wax, when should I wax again? What about between waxes?

I just want my car to be clean.

Give your car a good washing, then if you want to wax, do it in the shade. I do mine at night, and you will really only know what a tin coat is when you first start doing it.

OK, this is my area, hence the detailer name.detailer

First. Paste wax works and lasts much longer.
Use a soft applicator, and keep it damp, not wet.
Do it in the shade, garage and make sure the paint is clean dry and COOL.
Do not apply to a hot finish. Do it early in the day.
I prefer carnuba wax, meguires number 26 yellow wax.

Now, wax is shine and protection. Was DOES NOT clean. Polish cleans and shines.

You should use a good polish/cleaner prior to waxing.

Most auto parts stores have a good selection of Meguires or Mothers.

DO NOT use a cleaner wax. Too much of a compromise.

Use the micro fiber towels and turn them often.

Apply thin coats of the polish and wax. Do not apply a lot of pressure. You will scratch the finish.

Any questions??

I can help.

Mark

mark, since you're the "detailer," what do you think of meguiar's paint cleaner? there was a thread in the other cars forum about a guy who used it on his firebird and it looked great, but they were just pictures. i plan on trying it on my dad's truck thats already jacked up before i put it on my car, but it doesn't hurt to ask...





GO PATS!!!

Just watch the "Karate Kid" it'll give you all you need to know about wax on and wax off.





Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

Anything Meguires is good. The paint cleaner is good, just remember, it is a cleaner, you still need to wax.

Meguires stuff is awesome! I may not be a professional like Mark but Meguires always gives me the best results. For stubborn stuff try Meguires BODY SCRUB, this stuff removes oxidation and leaves the paint looking brand new. Hit it with a buffer and some polish and wax and you'll swear its been repainted!

Personaly I like Meguires better then Mothers stuff. But thats just me.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

So...... how about between waxes?

Heres a good questtion. I live in the back country of PA, like way down in Amish country, And i washed my car and waxed it to a great great shine. Took the car to school the next day then to my Tech school and then home and i noticed that my hood and front end was all cover in dirt dust and really killed the shine. Is there anyway to stop the dust from stick to the car???

Good question, static??? Between waxes I like the 3M Paste Wax, easy to apply (soft sponge)and remove( 3M small towels) and it leaves a coat of protection and dirt slips away.

Zeke in between washes and waxes you can use a product bt Meguires called "Quick Shine". You can pick up a similar product at the dealership called "Finish Enhancer".
They bothare designed to gently clean off road grime ( hope your listen Ryan ) and bird dropings and water spots due to a pop up rain shower. Just spray it on your car and wipe dry with a terry cloth towel or micro fiber towel which ever you prefer. Do this and it keeps your car looking just waxed for days if not weeks.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

Oh you know what....... it may be called "Detailers Spray" I'll have to check the name when I egt home tonight as I have it in my garage at home.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

ok now what about clay bars?

a friend of mine used to clay bar his civic, looked and felt great!

what is the purpose, proper technique?

will clay bar work as a prep to waxing?

just some questions now that it is starting to become the time of the year for detailing.



Injection is nice but id rather be BLOWN!

To be honest Goose I've tried the clay bar thing and I never cared for it. Meguires "Body
Scrub" does the exact same thing and takes SO much less work.

All the clay bar does is collect anything thats embeded itself into the paints pores. The Body Scub does the exact same thing and is a liquid that you apply rub in and buff off.
I can finish my whole car in the time it would take to clay bar a hood.

What I would recomend anyone do is this. First wash your car a good 2 times at least.
don't forget your door jams and whhel wells and basicly any part of the car you can see.
After you dry it use the Body Scrub, this will remove any contaminets from the paint and give you the same smooth feel the clay bar did but with much less effort. Then hit it with a good polish of youe choosing since they're basicly all the same. Just make sure if your useing a buffer you don't let the car get dry. Thats when you can burn the paint. If your doing it by hand its not an issue. After you polish it grab your favorit wax and have at it. Make sure you do this in the shade, !!! VERY IMPORTANT !!! Then just apply as many coats as you like.

The Detailer Spray or whatever its called ( I'll post later what its correct name is ) is for once your done and you run threw a puddle or get dirt or bird crap on the car. It genyle removes it and cleanes the surface but will not remove the wax.



Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

for just a quick wipe down, mequires and mothers make something like a quick detailer. spray it on and wipe it off.

for dusting, I prefer something called a KOZAK cloth http://www.kozak.com/faq.htm

I have used one for many many years. I have had black cars and it does not scratch. It is a dry wipe.

California car dusters are ok, but I have never owned one.

For car soap, meguires car wash has chemicals in it that help keep and protect the shine. Also for drying I have been using the absorber for years. make sure you rinse it good.

Also when washing, use a flow instead of a spray, less spotting.

I will answer any detailing questions, no problem. I am not sponsored or get paid for and product plugs I give. I am giving you guys the benifit of my experiances.

I have lived on the north east, (NJ) acid rain central and now live in AZ. So I have a lot of expertise.

Detailing tip: Spray tire dressing in your wheel wells for a finished look.
Also, when washing your ride, do not forget to rinse the wheel wells, underbody and rinse under the hood.

Quick Detailer!! Thank you Mark I couldn't remember that to save my life!

Good disclaimer tho I'm not sponcered by Meguires either its just I've also found them to be the best.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

I use meguires professionally and personally. The number 26 yellow wax is great stuff.

I really think it is the best. Also, check out the meguiars web site. really good information and you can order on line if your local stores do not stock their stuff.

good stuff, real good info, and yea, meguires is the stuff to use man

Mark, what do you think of P21 S? How about Pinnacle?

Ima bump this cause I'm never in here.

I used P21S once. Was not impressed at all. very pricey, and only available at specialty shops. As I recall, pinnacle is very hard to use.

I have used the claybar to get such things as roofing foam (sprayed on at industrial buildings) and over spray paint. works great, but is does peal any finish off the car, wax, polish, contaminants.

i just washed and waxed my car today. I used the crystal (pink color) meguires car wash and then Gold Class meguires liqued wax. Very nice shine and extremly smooth feeling from it. I just made up a make shift garage under my porch and it worked good.

The Meguires Body Scrub will do the same thing the clay bar does and its soooo much easier to use.

Got rain today but this weekend is supposed to be nice and I think my Cavi could use some wax about now. All this talk has got me in the mood to detail my car to pieces!
Just wish I could post some pics to show it off.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.

How long after you wax should u wait before waxing it again??

^^ listening


Ill make a sig someday