wax every week? disadvantes?
Best advice I ever got for maintaining a car was to get it clean & stay off it, meaning don't wash/wax more than necessary. No matter how careful you are, every time you wash or wax, you're introducing new scratches, however small they might be. Get a good claybar/polish/protect system down, then just use a car duster and some quick detail spray to keep it clean until it needs a wash again. My 2 cents.
My car is 7 yrs old and people ask all the time if it's been repainted because the paint looks so good. It's got 81K on it too.
My car is 7 yrs old and people ask all the time if it's been repainted because the paint looks so good. It's got 81K on it too.
I wash mine 1-2 times a week and from my experience the best way to not get swirls or scratches is to use a squegee(however you spell it) to dry instead of a towel. If you thoroughly wash it and make sure there is no dirt on the car you are good to go. Just my opinion.. Everybody has thier own way.
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Launching!
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in reply to going to do-it-yourself-carwash->
i never use the brushes... just high pressure hose for me.
Originally Posted by gun4hire
how do you know the guy before you didn't just finish scrubbing mud/oil off his truck with that same brush? I only use these places as a LAST RESORT. 
i never use the brushes... just high pressure hose for me.
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Launching!
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Originally Posted by shudog
Best advice I ever got for maintaining a car was to get it clean & stay off it, meaning don't wash/wax more than necessary. No matter how careful you are, every time you wash or wax, you're introducing new scratches, however small they might be. Get a good claybar/polish/protect system down, then just use a car duster and some quick detail spray to keep it clean until it needs a wash again. My 2 cents.
My car is 7 yrs old and people ask all the time if it's been repainted because the paint looks so good. It's got 81K on it too.
My car is 7 yrs old and people ask all the time if it's been repainted because the paint looks so good. It's got 81K on it too.
if you use an old fashioned carnauba wax it is pretty much gone in 4 weeks. modern sealants are more durable. most products have abrasives and overuse over long periods of time *could* thin the paint.
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Holland Twp/Milford, New Jersey
Originally Posted by wannafbody
most products have abrasives and overuse over long periods of time *could* thin the paint.
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Originally Posted by lbls1
My carnauba wax finishes last from April to April, and that's on the ungaraged dd and the garaged camaro.
Originally Posted by vipert/a
how do u apply things(wax,polish etc,) on your car anyway? circular motion? and w/ what?
For application, use the foam applicator that comes with the product, or buy a foam applicator, or a good HIGH QUALITY microfiber applicator. stay away from the cheapo wally world type terry applicators ..
Meg's makes good foam and microfiber applicators that you can purchase at most pepe boys, or other stores like that ..
Launching!
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From: Jamaica, NYC
Originally Posted by wannafbody
April 1 - April 30th of the same year- NO way a carnauba lasts a whole year outside 24/7. If you believe that I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.
Originally Posted by vipert/a
NICE!! -claybar/polish/protect system- out of those three should i pick one out? can you name some brands just to give me an idea. and w/ the car duster when should i use it? thanks!
Protect/seal with any number of products. Again, I like Zaino for my Camaro, but use 3M for my Jeep, and I've read good things about the NXT wax also.
After you have your paint smooth, clean, shiny, & protected, use the car duster whenever it's dirty/dusty between washes. Then use a microfiber towel and some quick detailing spray from any supplier, Meguiars/Mothers/3M/Zaino whatever. You'll save time with this method and keep your car looking nicer. No need to wash & dry so frequently.
Try this website for more ideas http://www.autopia.org/
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From: Holland Twp/Milford, New Jersey
Originally Posted by lbls1
If you are applying by hand, it is better to do it in a linear fashion (up and down short strokes). Circular motions have been notorious for producing swirls.
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Launching!
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Originally Posted by sdm1234
the circular motion is used so that every imperfection from every direction is masked. short, linear strokes won't produce as many swirls, but won't do as good of a job either.
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Launching!
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Originally Posted by shudog
Get yourself a claybar from wherever. I have the Zaino bar. Get some polish from wherever. I used to use Zaino Z5 on my car when it was daily driven, but now I haven't polished it in years. I use Meguiars polish (part of their 3-step system) on my daily driven Jeep.
Protect/seal with any number of products. Again, I like Zaino for my Camaro, but use 3M for my Jeep, and I've read good things about the NXT wax also.
After you have your paint smooth, clean, shiny, & protected, use the car duster whenever it's dirty/dusty between washes. Then use a microfiber towel and some quick detailing spray from any supplier, Meguiars/Mothers/3M/Zaino whatever. You'll save time with this method and keep your car looking nicer. No need to wash & dry so frequently.
Try this website for more ideas http://www.autopia.org/
Protect/seal with any number of products. Again, I like Zaino for my Camaro, but use 3M for my Jeep, and I've read good things about the NXT wax also.
After you have your paint smooth, clean, shiny, & protected, use the car duster whenever it's dirty/dusty between washes. Then use a microfiber towel and some quick detailing spray from any supplier, Meguiars/Mothers/3M/Zaino whatever. You'll save time with this method and keep your car looking nicer. No need to wash & dry so frequently.
Try this website for more ideas http://www.autopia.org/
sounds good. thanks!
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Jamaica, NYC
Originally Posted by sdm1234
the circular motion is used so that every imperfection from every direction is masked. short, linear strokes won't produce as many swirls, but won't do as good of a job either.
It would be a good idea to visit a good detailing forum such as Autopia.org, and see what the majority of professional detailers would say on this subject, as well as asking a few detailers in person.
7.) Your wax does not last 6 months on a car. Seriously, it doesnt. You'll be lucky if your wax lasts a month, two at most. Add some durability chemicals and it might still look good for 3. Wax breaks down immediately in the hot sun. It melts at 95(c). Check the temperature of your cars hood (especially if you live in vegas!). The reason you *think* it still looks good 6 months later is because of all the *other* chemicals in the wax that aid in gloss, color, clarity, reflection, scratch filling, and leveling. Additionally, as most everyone quick details a car, almost every QD contains a small amount of carnauba to keep things fresh again.
I post this for no other reason than education. I dont really want to sell you raw carnauba, but if you really do want some why the heck not. There's just so much misinformation that goes out there, the record can be set straight by educated professionals and consumers knowing the facts. If you learned something, neat, pass it on. Have fun.
this was posted by a person who actually manufactures and sells caranauba wax
I post this for no other reason than education. I dont really want to sell you raw carnauba, but if you really do want some why the heck not. There's just so much misinformation that goes out there, the record can be set straight by educated professionals and consumers knowing the facts. If you learned something, neat, pass it on. Have fun.
this was posted by a person who actually manufactures and sells caranauba wax