Auto Cleaning/Waxing

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by Mindflux

I've seen your chart around, but it seems autogeek has expanded on it with newer products.

http://www.auto-geek.net/charts/wax-...art-master.htm

Also there's been a lot of talk about whether polishing your glass via a PC doesn't cause distortion from the heat buildup. It's not as hard as one would think to warp glass.

There's always a lot of debate in detailing just like there is in cigars. I've polished glass 100 times and never distorted it. It's pretty hard to develop any heat with a PC and a 5"+ pad.

Also, I can't full credit for the chart. Like Autogeek expanded the chart, I expanded it based on one I had found done by someone else.

[kenstogie]

So as my order from Amazon arrives with all the wax n such I went rummaging through that shelf of chemicals many of us seem to have and found the following products. They probably have been sitting there for a decade or so...

-Black majic car wash (smells good)
-Simoniz (has Carnuba wax and a bunch of other stuff I can't pronounce)
-Meguiars cleaner wax

I don't think I will be using any of it.
I was pretty sure there's a reason I never used it.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by kenstogie

So as my order from Amazon arrives with all the wax n such I went rummaging through that shelf of chemicals many of us seem to have and found the following products. They probably have been sitting there for a decade or so...

-Black majic car wash (smells good)
-Simoniz (has Carnuba wax and a bunch of other stuff I can't pronounce)
-Meguiars cleaner wax

I don't think I will be using any of it.
I was pretty sure there's a reason I never used it.
Posted via Mobile Device

What did you pick up from Amazon? Who was the 'real' seller?

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by Mindflux

What did you pick up from Amazon? Who was the 'real' seller?

I bet Autogeek.

Originally Posted by MikeyC

I bet Autogeek.

I'd bet so too. That's a shame if so, they have a 10% off coupon (always) or a free shipping coupon over $95 (always).. so you figure which does you better price wise and use the appropriate code.

They also ship free for 3-6 hours after a two guys garage airs on speed channel all this month.

July 4th weekend I got 20% off my order with a coupon they offered and waited for the free shipping offer to pop up after the show aired on speed channel. So I got 20% off AND free shipping.

[kenstogie]

I got macguiars soap, Klasse sealant and some micro fiber towels. Also I guess I need a clay bar but I am unsure if there's a difference so I haven't gotten that. If it's a new car is it even needed? I would have to check the actual seller.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by kenstogie

I got macguiars soap, Klasse sealant and some micro fiber towels. Also I guess I need a clay bar but I am unsure if there's a difference so I haven't gotten that. If it's a new car is it even needed? I would have to check the actual seller.
Posted via Mobile Device

New cars can benefit from claying to remove any imbedded rail dust on your paint. If you've ever seen little tiny flecks of what look like rust on your cars finish you'll understand what I mean.

You can go down to AutoZone and get a Clay Magic kit for about $17 dollars that has a clay bar and a QD spray or spend about $20 and get the Meguiar's kit with clay, spray and a microfiber towel. (If I remember right).

Both are reasonable deals for OTC. There's also a Mothers clay bar kit you'll find at Target.. again it's in the 15-20 dollar range and is fine.

Split the clay bar up into several pieces and flatten a piece out and start claying your car and using the QD spray as lubricant, turning and kneading the clay to keep the surface of the clay 'clean' every panel or two. When it's too dirty to knead a clean surface out of it chuck that piece, but on a new car that's not very likely.

Keep all of the claybar in a ziploc baggy with a couple squirts of qd spray to keep it from drying out.


Here's a picture of rail dust on a tundra.




Also just to be clear: Claybars can be abrasive and leave tracer marks on your paint! Make sure the car is washed THOROUGHLY and do not apply any downward pressure on the claybar when claying! Make sure to use PLENTY of claybar lubricant. (or a 16oz spray bottle full of tap water with a capful of car wash soap works great for this duty too)

If you get some tracers, don't get too worked up.. you can probably polish them out by hand since you won't have invested in a buffer at this stage. You'll just need something with a mild abrasive action in it like Meguiars Scratch X.

[kenstogie]

That's some great info Mindflux. Thanks!
Posted via Mobile Device

[kenstogie]

Just thought I'd mention that big lots has a 5 piece car cleaning kit for 7.00. Includes MF wash mitt, Mf glass towel, MF finishing towel, mf dusting towel and 3x3 foot MF drying towel. Also there is 20pct off coupon on sunday. I bought two and am returning some stuff to Target. A penny saved...
Posted via Mobile Device

[RGD.]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

My plan thus far is to

A- wash with a good soap (Mother's Maguires etc) Dry with 100% cotton

Forget the "good" soap to start with. You are really wanting to strip the car. Use Dawn dish washing soap for the washes until you start to add your polish. The Dawn will do just what it does for your dishes - remove the dirt, wax, oily deposits, etc etc.


Ron

[poker]

Originally Posted by RGD.

Forget the "good" soap to start with. You are really wanting to strip the car. Use Dawn dish washing soap for the washes until you start to add your polish. The Dawn will do just what it does for your dishes - remove the dirt, wax, oily deposits, etc etc.


Ron

I agree with using Dawn as soap. The only thing ya gotta remember is to definetly wax after using it since it definetly will remove all the old wax.

[kenstogie]

It does have the original wax from the dealer (I have only had the car a week) and it's not in bad shape but Wouldn't the new sealant (klasse) adhere to clean paint and thus be better?
Posted via Mobile Device

[kenstogie]

Done. Wow that takes some time.
Wash, rinse. Dry.
Wash with dawn (to strip) rinse, dry.
Clay bar
Wash, rinse, dry.
Wax,( I got some Meguires NXT in the interim) buff, wipe down with a MF cloth, done. Took about 4 hours. I can see where a buffer would come in handy. I also got a telscoping handle eith MF attachement. That helped the washing go quicker. If I am feeling ambitious I throw another coat of wax on tomorrow.
Posted via Mobile Device

[kenstogie]

So here's the result.....

[RGD.]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

Done. Wow that takes some time.
Wash, rinse. Dry.
Wash with dawn (to strip) rinse, dry.
Clay bar
Wash, rinse, dry.
Wax,( I got some Meguires NXT in the interim) buff, wipe down with a MF cloth, done. Took about 4 hours. I can see where a buffer would come in handy. I also got a telscoping handle eith MF attachement. That helped the washing go quicker. If I am feeling ambitious I throw another coat of wax on tomorrow.
Posted via Mobile Device

No polish huh?

Looks good in the picture -

Ron

[kenstogie]

Hey Ron With anew Car does it need to be polished? After the clay it felt like glass and looked good. If so when would you?
Posted via Mobile Device

[RGD.]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

Hey Ron With anew Car does it need to be polished? After the clay it felt like glass and looked good. If so when would you?
Posted via Mobile Device

After you clay and before you wax. Sorry.

Polishing is what shines and brings out the depth. Waxing is like a protective coating if you wish.

Personally I don't wax - just use Zainos polishes.

You've already waxed so wait until you need to reapply then use the Dawn soap to strip, then polish and wax if you wish.


Ron

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by RGD.

After you clay and before you wax. Sorry.

Polishing is what shines and brings out the depth. Waxing is like a protective coating if you wish.

Personally I don't wax - just use Zainos polishes.

You've already waxed so wait until you need to reapply then use the Dawn soap to strip, then polish and wax if you wish.


Ron

To use dish soap on your car or not to is a debate that was pretty dead until Sal Zaino hit the scene. Up until then it was pretty universally agreed that it was a bad idea based on many, many reasons. Personally, I'm against using dish soap on your car but no matter what side of the debate you find yourself on when you polish the car it will remove any wax/sealant you have on your car. So, there's really no need to use dish soap at all if you're polishing.

[kenstogie]

FYI
24" x 12" Microfiber Car Towel are on sale *(use this code MLCK401031072772AL1)
For $.69

At meritline.com. I order from there all the time.
http://www.meritline.com/28x12-micro...x?source=s2010

shipping is included. Delivery can take a week or so but worth the wait considering the price. I think it may be a limit of one.

[T.G]

How NOT to wash your car...


http://www.constructionequip.net/200...blow-of-water/