need some wax/polish/clay advice

[seth]

Hi all,

I need to ask what is probably the dumbest question, but the last time I waxed a car was 1987.

I have 4k on my 06 qc and i want to wax & polish it for the first time. I wash it myself weekly and use meguiar's car soap.

I have a buffing wheel, but never used it on a car.

What are the proper steps for wax/polish/clay and what should I use to get the car perfect?

I am not looking to spend 12 hours doing it, but want something that looks good.

Thanks

 

[Dave T(BADVENM)]

Use Dawn soap to wash the truck, that will remove the wax thats on there.
Then, mix a little car soap with water in the spray bottle (dont use dawn soap).

Spray the mixture over a small area and lightly apply the clay bar over it, when you've done that use a dry clean towel to wipe off the residue and water.
Complete this over the entire vehicle, you dont need to rub hard, just lightly apply the clay bar...no circular motions!!

When your done with the clay bar process, wash the car/truck with a non dawn soap to ensure all the clay bar stuff and dirt is off before waxing.

Now, take the back of your hand and feel the difference before and after the clay bar, its pretty incredible!

Apply your wax or finishes per instructions.

I've never used a buffing machine for fear I'd do something to the truck I couldnt fix.

 

[Annu Kumar]

Got My First Wax done at The Hand Car Wash On My Qc also. It sparkles now:rock:

 

[Black1]

Use Dawn soap to wash the truck, that will remove the wax thats on there.
Then, mix a little car soap with water in the spray bottle (dont use dawn soap).

Spray the mixture over a small area and lightly apply the clay bar over it, when you've done that use a dry clean towel to wipe off the residue and water.
Complete this over the entire vehicle, you dont need to rub hard, just lightly apply the clay bar...no circular motions!!

When your done with the clay bar process, wash the car/truck with a non dawn soap to ensure all the clay bar stuff and dirt is off before waxing.

Now, take the back of your hand and feel the difference before and after the clay bar, its pretty incredible!

Apply your wax or finishes per instructions.

I've never used a buffing machine for fear I'd do something to the truck I couldnt fix.

+1

 

[05viper qb]

I use zaino wax it is better then what you can bey in the store check out this web site befor you go and get it at the auto store
www.zainostore.com

 

[wheredwhogo?]

get the porter cable setup...let me find the link...

 

[wheredwhogo?]

here ya go....hope this helps..

http://www.vtcoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12713&highlight=porter+cable

 

[Black1]

I use zaino wax it is better then what you can bey in the store check out this web site befor you go and get it at the auto store
www.zainostore.com

He said he DIDN'T want to spend 12 hours on it.

 

[seth]

I know it sounds silly, but should i be waxing or polishing? It seems like right now wash the truck then claybar is the one thing everyone agrees on. Now after claybar, rewash.

But after that?

 

[wheredwhogo?]

I know it sounds silly, but should i be waxing or polishing? It seems like right now wash the truck then claybar is the one thing everyone agrees on. Now after claybar, rewash.

But after that?

http://www.vtcoa.com/forums/showthre...t=porter+cable

cant go wrong!! :rock:

 

[Black1]

I know it sounds silly, but should i be waxing or polishing? It seems like right now wash the truck then claybar is the one thing everyone agrees on. Now after claybar, rewash.

But after that?

That depends.... After you clay-bar it, check out the paint. :dontknow: Does it have swirl marks in it? How's the gloss (deep enough)? ......... It all depends on how far you want to go. You could apply a coat of "cleaner wax" (like Meguires or Griot's), then apply a "top coat" (maybe something like Meg. NXT or ICE).

It all depends. :dontknow:

 

[Black1]

http://www.vtcoa.com/forums/showthre...t=porter+cable

cant go wrong!! :rock:

^^^^ Yep, take a look at that thing! The P.C. Orbital is a great tool, to cover all that real estate a little quicker. :rock:

 

[devildog02]

Hi all,

I need to ask what is probably the dumbest question, but the last time I waxed a car was 1987.

I have 4k on my 06 qc and i want to wax & polish it for the first time. I wash it myself weekly and use meguiar's car soap.

I have a buffing wheel, but never used it on a car.

What are the proper steps for wax/polish/clay and what should I use to get the car perfect?

I am not looking to spend 12 hours doing it, but want something that looks good.

Thanks

hey seth, i just did mine for the first time sunday clay bar! i used the mothers, california gold paint saving system! $15.00 at wal-fart! all i had to do was wash and dry, then use the spray lube/and clay bar, in a back and forth motion over a 2 foot section and go to town! then when done wash and dry again, then i used the wax provided, it turned out great!!! took me 4.5-5 hours!! but it was well worth it!

 

[NBT]

Ok, here goes my detailing advice...take it with a grain of salt...

Two buckets.... first...

Rims and Rubber.... spray them down... Weslkey's Bleach White on the rubber...simple green on the metal... Dawn soap concentration/ water, and a good brush for the rubber, wheel well liners, and wash mit for the rim's ( I do these first.) Dump all the H2O after, and the wash mit goes in the washer.

Rinse entire vehicle from top to bottom.... Wash with Dawn if your stripping her down for clay. I begin washing from top to the top of the cladding, and do not do the tailgate, or rear bumber. Rinse... then hit the cladding, and the rear of the vehicle. Rinse... Dump all soap from bucket and clean.

Then I get outy the Clay Bar
In the clean bucket mix a car soap/water solution (bit heavier on the soap... get another clean microfiber wash mit......clean wash mit, or spray bottle...then begin claying.. following the same order as washing. (Note: if at any time you drop your clay on the ground... pitch it, and get a new piece). I do sections at a time, and after claying an area rinse, then brief wash with the mit, then move on.

Dry when complete.

Then I get out the porter cable... and use a product called Optium Polish...
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/optimumpolish.html
....it removes 1500 scratches and lighter @ 1000 - 1400 rpm with a Wool Buffing Pad, or 2000 and lighter scratches with a light cutting foam pad at the same rpm as previously stated. Same order as washing...top to bottom...front to back.

Remove after haze... then Get out your wax of choice (I use McGuires NXT) and apply with new finishing pad on the Porter Cable...same order as washing....remove.:star:

Before I remove the NXT, I use the ICE on all plastic...and remove all waxes with microfiber towels. This reduced the likelyhood of the ICS streaking the paint finish, as it's on "over" the NXT. I also dress the tires at this time in case of overspray... again...if I get it on the paint...it is still on top of the NXT...and when removing the wax...does not streak at all.

Good luck... hope it helps.

 

[Black1]

(^^^^^^ Copied.... pasted to word file... saved under "Kenny is THEE SHIT") :rock: :burnout:

 

[Silverback]

(^^^^^^ Copied.... pasted to word file... saved under "Kenny is THEE SHIT") :rock: :burnout:

You paying Royalties to Ken?:dontknow:

 

[seth]

Thanks, great answer.

 

[seth]

I just bought the porter cable. Any recommendations on brand/type of pads necessary? Also any preference on clay bar?

 

[Silverback]

I just bought the porter cable. Any recommendations on brand/type of pads necessary? Also any preference on clay bar?

I would go with Griots Clay Bar.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/index.jsp

I have used Zainos, and Mequires, and in my opinion I prefer Griots. It's softer, so the crap it picks out of the paint is suspended in the bar better. Once again, that's my opinion

They also have all the pads you will ever need for your buffer.

 

[Cowboy-Up]

i went had mine wet sanded and buffed out , looks better than when i got it.