Wanna make my car shine

[waffles]

So my cars getting a few spots repainted right now, and when I get her back I think i'm gonna have to rewax the car. I figure while I'm waxing it I might as well do a few more things. I searched around a bit but couldn't find any threads that directly answered my questions.

1. whats a good polish? My paint is in pretty good condition.
2. I think i'm gonna go with the meguires claybar kit, any tips?
3. Whats a good wax? My car spends most of it's time outside in the driveway with limited shade. I use the spray on eagle one nanowax after every wash.
4. Should I go with a liquid wax or a paste type wax?
5. How should I strip off the old wax? Is it ok to use dawn? (previous owner waxed it)
6. Any other tips?

I'm just figureing out what I need to order, I've never polished or waxed a car before. Thanks yall :thankyou:

 

[whiteman_01]

Wash
claybar
Polish
Wax.

All Maguires, matt and I did my car at the mn bbq, and it came out great. He also did that car once or twice a year for all of it, and im sure wax at least once a month.

 

[waffles]

Wash
claybar
Polish
Wax.

All Maguires, matt and I did my car at the mn bbq, and it came out great. He also did that car once or twice a year for all of it, and im sure wax at least once a month.

Thanks, do I need to strip off the old wax? Or will the claybar do it?

 

[K-Dawg]

Claybar or dish soap will do it.

You could also use a cleaner wax.

I suggest doing some reading at autogeek.net and autogeekonline.net

 

[waffles]

Claybar or dish soap will do it.

You could also use a cleaner wax.

I suggest doing some reading at autogeek.net and autogeekonline.net

Thanks, lots of info on that site!

 

[waffles]

does this also work as a polish?http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O7PNNM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

or does it just do the same thing a clay kit will?

 

[K-Dawg]

does this also work as a polish?http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O7PNNM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

or does it just do the same thing a clay kit will?

1) Yes.

2) No.

 

[SHOYAY]

It seems every few years some company comes out with a good/great wax etc. Aside from my mechaincal work for years, I've been detailing classic cars, so i have experience there too. First wax i was sold on was Mother's wax. Then came along Zymoil wax. While both are good, I've found a new one that has me so sold, that I dont know if I'll find a better one. It's Turtle Wax Ice. That stuff is awesome. Makes a car shine like nothing else, makes it feel and look like glass, can be put on anytime, sun or shade, warm or cold. Can be put on anything on the car, rubber mouldings, plastic etc. All except for glass itself. It blends in slight scratches and it beads rain like nothing before. It's incredible if you ask me.
I did a personal test with it. i waxed the car, drove it in the rain and when i parked it, it had all that road rain grime was on it. I then used a hose and just hosed it off, did not even wash it, and when it dried, it looked clean and just waxed. Stuff blows me away. Nothing out there any better.

 

[mjhpadi]

So my cars getting a few spots repainted right now, and when I get her back I think i'm gonna have to rewax the car. I figure while I'm waxing it I might as well do a few more things. I searched around a bit but couldn't find any threads that directly answered my questions.

1. whats a good polish? My paint is in pretty good condition.
No matter how good your paint is, it can still benefit from a good clay barring and a paint cleaner. I use Adam's Revive for a paint cleaner, but Meguiar's cleaner works OK, so does Mother's..

2. I think i'm gonna go with the meguires claybar kit, any tips?
Use plenty of detailer with the clay bar, no need to remove the residue, especially if you are going to go over the paint with a cleaner, it will remove the stuff loosened by the clay bar and additional dirt on the paint.


3. Whats a good wax? My car spends most of it's time outside in the driveway with limited shade. I use the spray on eagle one nanowax after every wash.
I really like Adam's Buttery Wax and Adam's Americana Wax, neither is inexpensive but I think both are easy to apply and remove and are long lasting and nothing beats the shine, but Mother's Wax gives pretty darn good results. Even Mother's Cleaner Wax does a nice acceptable job.

4. Should I go with a liquid wax or a paste type wax?
Doesn't really make a difference, depends what you prefer.

5. How should I strip off the old wax? Is it ok to use dawn? (previous owner waxed it)
No need to if you are going to clay bar and clean the paint. I am not a fan of using Dawn on a vehicle finish, only use car wash. However, I do clean my buffer pads, hand applicators, and microfiber towels with Dawn to get the chemicals out before machine washing them.

6. Any other tips?
The is no substitute for hard work to really make a finish look great, it isn't a simple one step process and there is not miracle product that will produce excellent results. I firmly believe that the only way to get a great look is to first wash, then clay bar, then a paint cleaner, followed by either a glaze or a polish, and finally a high quality wax. Lastly, using a Quick Detailer daily and something like Lucas Speed Wax once a week will make all the hard work you've done last longer.
One more piece of advice, nothing works better to remove polishes and waxes better then microfiber towels, get lots and turn them and change to clean ones often, they will make detailing your car much easier and give superior results compared to terry cloth rags or towels.
I'm just figureing out what I need to order, I've never polished or waxed a car before. Thanks yall :thankyou:

I am really sold on Adam's Polishes, he's a great guy and makes great products, they are not inexpensive but he also has a DVD that will explain how to use his detailing kits, products.

 

[mjhpadi]

does this also work as a polish?http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O7PNNM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

or does it just do the same thing a clay kit will?

Mostly no, this is a fine cut polishing compound that will remove very fine scratches and blemishes, but you must use a little care when using anything that is this abrasive. A clay bar is not abrasive and will not remove any blemishes, it just removes surface dirt that is on the paint.

 

[waffles]

Thanks yall, i'll let you guys know how it turns out!