Rep Power: 482

Okay. I'm a lazy fool. I haven't waxed my car since the day I've had it. I have pretty religiously washed the car at least once a month (even in the freezing cold weather) so it still looks pretty good. I think it's about time for a wax job. I have a few concerns on this though.

1) What should I do to prep the car for a wax job after a year? I know that I hafta wash, but should I use a clay bar too for a CYOA kinda thing?
2) Should I apply 1 thicker coat of wax or a few thinner coats and what would be the best to wax with? I'm thinking some sort of Meguiars?

I'd really like to hear what civicdude has to say about this, seeing as how he's been a man in the business. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] Thanks for the help.

/taz757

 
Rep Power: 0

Clay bar is a great idea, makes the paint smoother and removes all the bonded crap on your car...as for waxing, do the Meguiar's swirl remover, then # 26 Glaze (tan bottle), then Gold Class wax...you should be impressed with the results, will look just as good as the day you left the showroom...


2Hottie

 
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^like he said but I like the 3m swirl remover for dark colored cars much better than the meg's equivalent. Also, definately get the meg's glaze in the tan bottle. That is some awesome stuff!

 
Rep Power: 397

Hey Taz...Just checked out your pics on your members page. So your car is white....After a year of rain, and dirt and just washing the paint, The car must have some pretty grounded in dirt. Your first step would be to wash the whole car with a Quality Car soap, some sudsy water and mic in about 4oz of Simple Green. The simple green will help loosen some of the stubborn dirt that regualr car soap cant. After you wash the car down the first time, Hose it off to remove all the surface dirt.

The next step will be to clay the car. You are going to take the soapy wash mitt and go over the fender with it, After you do this you can go over the fender with a piece of clay. Put it in the palm of your hand and rub the paint till you cannot feel anymore dirt...The surface must be smooth. After you finish the fender, soap down the door and do the same...and then on to each panel. You can even do the glass. After you complete the whole car, Rewash the car with the soapy sponge. This will remove any clay that might of been left on the car.

Dry the car down with a Chamois. Do not use a towel or a terry towel because you will get the surface linty...and you are at risk for causeing swirl marks to the paint.

Now you have a choice. You need to clean the paint of the particles of dirt that the clay hasnt removed. You can use either Mothers Paint Cleaner or Meguires Body Scrub. Either product will do the job. Read the directions and goto work. Instead of applying the product in a circular motion, remember to Apply it in a back and forth or side to side motion. Circular motion cause swirl marks.

After you clean the paint, you want to nurish the paint. I usually use Meguires #7 Show car Glaze. Apply the product to the entire car, in a cool shady area. Apply it in back and forth or side to side motions. Let the product sit on the car for 30 minutes. You need to let the oils in the glaze penetrate the cars surface. It needs to replenish the gloss that the paint cleaner removed from the paint. After the 30 minutes you can wipe the product off.

Last step is to wax the paint. I recommend Mothers Carnuba, or Meguiras Gold, or Gliptone Creme, or KIt wax. After you wipe the wax off, Go over the whole car with a Micro Fiber towel, to remove all the excess wax.

You are now finished cleaning and waxing your paint....

Tips to remember:
Always use a different Sponge or wash mitt on the wheels than on your paint. You dont want to risk scrathing your cars finish with any of the dirt from the rims and tires.
Always use the palm of your hand when claying the car, Do not use your finger tips.
Dont use towels or terry towels to dry the car off. Use either a chamois, or a California water blade and a chamois.
Never use the Chamois on the door jambs, always use a different towel to wipe out the jambs.
Always use a seperate Applicator and Seperate terry towels to apply and wipe off different products. Never use the same applicator or towels on the paint. You will get a chemical reaction that is a pain to remove.
Scott