Maintaining Wax/Sealant Coating on Vehicle

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1flyfisher

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I washed and waxed in Oct and put on a coating of KAIO and KSG. A few weeks later I rinsed the vehicle(it was just dusty) and did a light low suds wash and applied another coating of KSG. Now it is starting to snow and rain and I want to maintain that wax coating as long as possible. The vehicle (A DD that is parked outside 24/7/365) is starting to get the usual accumulation of road grime which is pretty light at this point but I want to get it off of there at some point in between snow/rain storms.
I was think of just doing a pressure rinse which is all it really needs. Maybe some light soap suds in select areas.

What is the best procedure/wash technique for maintaining the wax coating?
Will a wash with shampoo like Griots or Meg's Gold Class strip off the KAIO/KSG?
 
I've had pretty good luck with a rinseless wash like DP Rinseless Wash & Gloss, to remove pretty heavy accumulation of dirt, then a QD or spray-on wax for a little boost.

Winter-friendly in my un-heated garage. Total process takes ~20 minutes.
 
You can either do a regular 2BM wash with your regular car shampoo, or you can do a ONR wash using the 2BM. Most car shampoos will not strip off your LSP if you use the recommended dilution ratio.

If you just want to maintain the LSP, use a spray wax while the car is still wet and dry as normal. Or dry first, and then apply the spray wax.

Good luck.
 
what's lsp?
and....you don't think a wash with car wash soap/shampoo will remove some of the wax?>

I always use the manufacturers recommended amount of shampoo. But I would think that soap suds being rubbed around on the vehicle with a wash mitt(I have MF and Sheepskin) would take at least some of the wax or sealant off.

bmw5541 said:
You can either do a regular 2BM wash with your regular car shampoo, or you can do a ONR wash using the 2BM. Most car shampoos will not strip off your LSP if you use the recommended dilution ratio.

If you just want to maintain the LSP, use a spray wax while the car is still wet and dry as normal. Or dry first, and then apply the spray wax.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
 
1flyfisher said:
what's lsp?
and....you don't think a wash with car wash soap/shampoo will remove some of the wax?>

I always use the manufacturers recommended amount of shampoo. But I would think that soap suds being rubbed around on the vehicle with a wash mitt(I have MF and Sheepskin) would take at least some of the wax or sealant off.
Click to expand...

As stated above lsp = last step process aka wax or sealant.
Most of the car washes available will not strip off the wax if you use the recommended amounts. Some car shampoos even have some amount of carnauba in them

The reason so many people use Dawn to wash their cars when doing paint correction, is because that will strip off the lsp, as most car shampoos will not.
 
I have Griot's shampoo which I am finishing off and jug of Meg's Gold class shampoo up next. I guess I'll do some light rinses here and there and then when the real nasty road grime starts up I'll go with the 2BM. Maybe if the weather isn't too bad and I can catch a warm day I can get another coat of KSG on.


bmw5541 said:
As stated above lsp = last step process aka wax or sealant.
Most of the car washes available will not strip off the wax if you use the recommended amounts. Some car shampoos even have some amount of carnauba in them

The reason so many people use Dawn to wash their cars when doing paint correction, is because that will strip off the lsp, as most car shampoos will not.
Click to expand...
 
Good advice all round -- your wax/sealant is not going to go away with a light wash or using a spray on wash type product. One of my cars is same situ--24/7 outside, and it is sealed, waxed and well taken care of even in winter. If it gets really grimy, and there is no way to prevent that on sloppy days, then it gets quickly wet down with 2-3 buckets of warm water and then into the shop for a topical detailer to give some support to the seal/wax job. I try not to let that grime build up too long though. I am NOT a user of commercial wash-a-terias, but if it gets a good salt coating simply due to things as they are, I will stop by a commercial washer, and lightly spray off the coating and spray underneath. A quick wipe down and then back to garage for some spray on wash [I really like the Griots for this--works great] and that topical.

Oh, I also use both Mequires and Griots washing fluids and have fuond the Megs [for me] takes more of the topical off quicker than does the Griots..both used as directed. Not sure why, as I have been a Megs user for years, until trying the GG's and found the GG's just allowed wax to last a bit longer, IMHO....but good luck on all this...just do not let winter get you down--the car CAN stay nice.:props:
 
1flyfisher said:
You don't think a wash with car wash soap/shampoo will remove some of the wax?>

I always use the manufacturers recommended amount of shampoo. But I would think that soap suds being rubbed around on the vehicle with a wash mitt(I have MF and Sheepskin) would take at least some of the wax or sealant off.
Click to expand...

IMO the "light suds wash" (if that means a smaller amount of soap than normal) or worrying that the "suds" are stripping your LSP logic is flawed and absolutely counter-productive to your intention of preserving your wax.

With a gentile auto bath shampoo like Griot's Garage Car Wash or Meguiars Gold Class there are not harsh detergents that will wash away your LSP. These soaps are full of lubricants and conditioners intended to be used on a waxed car (read the product descriptions from the links).

WATER, on the other hand, is the UNIVERSAL SOLVENT. I know wax, by nature, is water resistant but the soap is there to provide lubrication as to be gentile to the surface. I honestly think that, in the long run, just doing a pressure rinse is harder on your LSP than a full 2BM wash. This is because the nasty chemicals, oils, grime etc. are not removed from the paint surface. JUST USE THE SOAP AND WASH THE CAR!

For additional safety add a cap full or two Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine or DP Rinseless Wash & Gloss to your regular wash solution. When your done apply your favorite Quick Detailer, liquid wax or my favorite, use Finish Kare 425 while you dry with a Supreme Guzzler

JUST MY $0.02 :dblthumb2:
 
A4 1.8tqm said:
IMO the "light suds wash" (if that means a smaller amount of soap than normal) or worrying that the "suds" are stripping your LSP logic is flawed and absolutely counter-productive to your intention of preserving your wax.

With a gentile auto bath shampoo like Griot's Garage Car Wash or Meguiars Gold Class there are not harsh detergents that will wash away your LSP. These soaps are full of lubricants and conditioners intended to be used on a waxed car (read the product descriptions from the links).

WATER, on the other hand, is the UNIVERSAL SOLVENT. I know wax, by nature, is water resistant but the soap is there to provide lubrication as to be gentile to the surface. I honestly think that, in the long run, just doing a pressure rinse is harder on your LSP than a full 2BM wash. This is because the nasty chemicals, oils, grime etc. are not removed from the paint surface. JUST USE THE SOAP AND WASH THE CAR!

For additional safety add a cap full or two Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine or DP Rinseless Wash & Gloss to your regular wash solution. When your done apply your favorite Quick Detailer, liquid wax or my favorite, use Finish Kare 425 while you dry with a Supreme Guzzler

JUST MY $0.02 :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Pretty tough to argue with.

This is why it's very important to use a quality "CAR WASH" when washing your vehicle. These are formulated to dissolve and float contaminants from the surface finish while not affecting the protective sealant or wax.
 
Be gentle in how you "touch" the paint...

Just the act of moving a wash mitt, sponge or brush over a waxed surface can have the effect of removing microscopic particles of the coating, so don't scrub the paint, be gentle to it. I think I covered this in a car wash video I made years ago...


Because online detailing enthusiasts tend to be very DO I tend to position ideas in extremes to drive home points... here's an example...

Does washing your car add more wax?

If the answer is no... what's the opposite of add?

Answer: Remove.


So touch the paint gently and use the highest quality product you can obtain, including your wash mitt, your soap and your drying towels.


:)
 
I think you are right. I went and did a quick rinse and it was essentially useless. It got the bulk of the dirt off but there was still too much dirt left behind.
I will just do a 2 bucket wash with the manufacturers recommended amount of shampoo. I don't think it would be beneficial to use less shampoo either as that just has me rubbing around the dirt with less shampoo/lubricant on my wash mitt.


A4 1.8tqm said:
IMO the "light suds wash" (if that means a smaller amount of soap than normal) or worrying that the "suds" are stripping your LSP logic is flawed and absolutely counter-productive to your intention of preserving your wax.

With a gentile auto bath shampoo like Griot's Garage Car Wash or Meguiars Gold Class there are not harsh detergents that will wash away your LSP. These soaps are full of lubricants and conditioners intended to be used on a waxed car (read the product descriptions from the links).

WATER, on the other hand, is the UNIVERSAL SOLVENT. I know wax, by nature, is water resistant but the soap is there to provide lubrication as to be gentile to the surface. I honestly think that, in the long run, just doing a pressure rinse is harder on your LSP than a full 2BM wash. This is because the nasty chemicals, oils, grime etc. are not removed from the paint surface. JUST USE THE SOAP AND WASH THE CAR!

For additional safety add a cap full or two Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine or DP Rinseless Wash & Gloss to your regular wash solution. When your done apply your favorite Quick Detailer, liquid wax or my favorite, use Finish Kare 425 while you dry with a Supreme Guzzler

JUST MY $0.02 :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...
 
Yeah I think this is good advice also. I will do a 2 bucket with light but adequate pressure with my wash mitt.
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Be gentle in how you "touch" the paint...

Just the act of moving a wash mitt, sponge or brush over a waxed surface can have the effect of removing microscopic particles of the coating, so don't scrub the paint, be gentle to it. I think I covered this in a car wash video I made years ago...


Because online detailing enthusiasts tend to be very DO I tend to position ideas in extremes to drive home points... here's an example...

Does washing your car add more wax?

If the answer is no... what's the opposite of add?

Answer: Remove.


So touch the paint gently and use the highest quality product you can obtain, including your wash mitt, your soap and your drying towels.


:)
Click to expand...
 
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