Wax on, wax off...

[MGM1979]

Never waxed before - any suggestions/recommendations? :shrug:

[JayCizzo]

You going for the landing strip or the brazalian style???

[MGM1979]

You going for the landing strip or the brazalian style???

want me to de-rep you again?


actually, I was thinking the dorito chip...you know, the "hairy triangle" - although, I'm not one to ever really get "lost"...

[JayCizzo]

want me to de-rep you again?


actually, I was thinking the dorito chip...you know, the "hairy triangle" - although, I'm not one to ever really get "lost"...

LOL :rollinglaugh:

A coworker of mine says the only way to do it is with the clay bar. Not sure what kind of wax he uses. I'll ask him tomorrow.

[philly938]

Meguiars clay bar then follow that with Meguiars NXT TECH WAX. That wax is great, easy on easy off with no white residue...

[MGM1979]

the spray stuff?

[Doc]

you're making me depressed...I haven't washed my car in 6 months.....and you're talking about waxing yours :lol:

[all4glh]

I heard that Turtle Wax ICE product line was pretty good. No matter what wax you use, just make sure you don't do it in direct sunlight.
http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,1

[FunkyStickman]

Do it in stages.
1. Wash (duh)
2. Use a clay bar to remove all the sap and bugs. This takes the longest, but really makes a difference.
3. Use a polish, like 3M rubbing compound (what I use), or Meguiars Swirl Remover. Put on a little bit, rub it in firmly with a microfiber pad. When it starts to run out, wipe it off before it dries, put a little more on, and keep going. This will leave the clearcoat perfectly smooth, no swirls, like glass.
4. Put on a quality carnuba or synthetic wax (NOT the cleaner/wax stuff). Put it on in this coats... if you go too thick, it'll be hard to get off, and you'll wind up with swirl marks again. Make sure you use good microfiber or clean terrycloth towels for everything! Dirty towels = scratches.

The hardest part about doing it this way is it's extremely time consuming. However, you get a truly show-car quality finish. Try it out on a small area, and you'll be amazed.

[Akai oni]

OMFG!

Claybar does nothing for finish... it removes contaminents from the paint making it smooth, there is absolutely NO visual bennefit from claybaring the paint's surface...

Pretty much it's a cheap fix to get tar, overspray, bug guts, ect. off of your paint.

make sure the surface of the paint is REALLY clean, and if you are going to use a clay bar, do it in the shade and make sure the surface of the paint and the surface of the claybar always stays wet for best results, if you let it get too dry the bar will start leaving clay residue on your paint and it's a bitch to get off... just use a spray bottle of glass cleaner or soapy water and spray the hell out of the surface and the clay while using it... most people don't know this but when you use a clay bar there is a certain technique that should be followed... always go against the grain of the paint first... so left to right across the hood, trunk, roof... and up and down across any other body panel, this is called "Cutting" and it will get the grunt of the shit off... next go up and down across the hood, trunk and roof (so... from the front of the car to the back) then left to right across the other body panels. this is called feathering and will ensure you got everything out of the paint...

Also, check your clay bar frequently because if it get's too dirty it WILL cause swirl marks and light scratches... so check the bar, if it look sdirty use another side.

and if you are going to use any type of wax (which you always should after using a claybar as it removes any wax, or type of contaminent from the pant's surface)... use a high end Caranuba wax, preferably from Meguiars, Mothers, ect... Zaino also makes some nice color specific products with agents that bring out the depth and shine in certain colors...

Caranuba Wax is the hardest wax out there once it has set up and hardened itself to the paint's surface, it also usualy lasts about 6 months too.

if you have any questions feel free to PM me... ive been detailing cars for 6 1/2 years and plenty of peope will tell you that i know my shit.

[FunkyStickman]

OMFG!

Claybar does nothing for finish... it removes contaminents from the paint making it smooth, there is absolutely NO visual bennefit from claybaring the paint's surface...

....Except for not having bug guts and sap stuck in the wax, right? That makes a big difference! :werd:

Seriously, Akai's right on the money. You don't really want to wax your car until it's completely clean; soap and a wash mitt just don't get everything off.

Give it a go, and show us pictures when it's done!

[MGM1979]

ok, I forgot to shop for the car wash/wax products this weekend (got caught up in trying to chase a WII down), so I'll stop at Wal Mart, or Pep Boys on my lunch this week and get me a clay bar (are they all the same, or should I look for something specific), and then I like the idea of that spray wax stuff Philly mentioned (I'm semi-lazy...and assuming after going through the clay bar process I'll be tired...)

[philly938]

and then I like the idea of that spray wax stuff Philly mentioned (I'm semi-lazy...and assuming after going through the clay bar process I'll be tired...)

Spray wax?? What spray wax did I mention? :shrug: The NXT wax is still the good ol liquid wax. Wax on and wax off no spraying...

[MGM1979]

Spray wax?? What spray wax did I mention? :shrug: The NXT wax is still the good ol liquid wax. Wax on and wax off no spraying...

they have that NXT wax in a spray bottle...:shrug:

[edmaister]

that nxt stuff is the shizz

[Ryhn]

you're making me depressed...I haven't washed my car in 6 months.....and you're talking about waxing yours :lol:

+999999999

[mrphoto103]

you're making me depressed...I haven't washed my car in 6 months.....and you're talking about waxing yours :lol:

that is shameful lol

i like the ice liquid clay bar and then the ice wax. For really getting it good though, do an actual claybar then wax and buffer.

[Doc]

I picked this up the other day....
Sonus SFX Ultimate Detailing Machine by Porter Cable Car Polisher Kit

Kit includes:
Ultimate Detailing Machine Car Polisher by Porter Cable (110 volt)
Sonus SFX-1, SFX-2 and SFX-3 6" Foam Polishing Pads (1 each)
Sonus SFX-1, SFX-2 and SFX-3 Car Polishes (8 ounces each)
Sonus Microfiber Buffing Bonnets and Polishing Towels (2 each)
Ultimate Detailing Machine 4.75" Velcro Backing Plate
1-Year Replacement Warranty (applies to polisher)


source (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-udmsfx-kit.html)

I got a 15% coupon :D code=c15150

[cameronzero]

hmmm...

so, when i flat black certain parts of my car, could/should i still wax it?

[bc3tech]

hmmm...

so, when i flat black certain parts of my car, could/should i still wax it?
personally i've always assumed that flat blacking something means there's no clearcoat - in which case i'd say "no" - however if flat blacking means that there's just a "matte" kind a clearcoat, then yes. it'll just make it look a little less dull, but still helps to clean up the surface - buffing / clarbarring i would think would still be in at least.

[cameronzero]

personally i've always assumed that flat blacking something means there's no clearcoat - in which case i'd say "no" - however if flat blacking means that there's just a "matte" kind a clearcoat, then yes. it'll just make it look a little less dull, but still helps to clean up the surface - buffing / clarbarring i would think would still be in at least.

thats how i was gonna do it, flat black with a clearcoat, but i dont think it'll turn out the way i want, so i might just leave the clear coat off, but wouldn't a layer of wax help with dirt and water?

[bc3tech]

thats how i was gonna do it, flat black with a clearcoat, but i dont think it'll turn out the way i want, so i might just leave the clear coat off, but wouldn't a layer of wax help with dirt and water?
yeah but it'd be a routine thing to be doing, depending on the weather where you're at. if things are bad (winter, etc) then you'd be doing it weekly to keep it fresh so the color coat doesn't get marred.

[Cat Ion]

thats how i was gonna do it, flat black with a clearcoat, but i dont think it'll turn out the way i want, so i might just leave the clear coat off, but wouldn't a layer of wax help with dirt and water?

No you want to use a gloss black and a matte clearcoat. Flat paint will be rough to the touch. Gloss will lay down smooth and then use a matte clear to dull it down. That way the finish is still smooth with no reflection to it.

[bc3tech]

No you want to use a gloss black and a matte clearcoat. Flat paint will be rough to the touch. Gloss will lay down smooth and then use a matte clear to dull it down. That way the finish is still smooth with no reflection to it.
matte clearcoat - din't know there was such a thing, but yeah that sounds perfect

[Cat Ion]

Yah, I had a buddy with an R32 Vdub that he had custom painted the pearlescent grey color (hard to describe). But it was intended to maintain a matte finish. That's how they shot it on the car was all the layers of grey gloss and pearl additive followed up with a matte clear. That's how I also paint my military airplane model kits. Gloss coat first, decals, next, clear matte last. That keeps the decals from yellowing and rolling up when they age.

[cameronzero]

Yah, I had a buddy with an R32 Vdub that he had custom painted the pearlescent grey color (hard to describe). But it was intended to maintain a matte finish. That's how they shot it on the car was all the layers of grey gloss and pearl additive followed up with a matte clear. That's how I also paint my military airplane model kits. Gloss coat first, decals, next, clear matte last. That keeps the decals from yellowing and rolling up when they age.

can honestly say i'v never heard nor seen matte clearcoat... i'll have a look, when did you find it?

[Cat Ion]

can honestly say i'v never heard nor seen matte clearcoat... i'll have a look, when did you find it?

Who me? The matte clear I have is for scale models. I got it at a scale model store. My buddy's R32 was custom painted by someone in Tucson. Don't know who did it though.

[cameronzero]

ok... so that might be a stretch to do... so how about i flat/matte black with a clearcoat... will it come out closer to a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish?