Noob - Doubts on Waxing Car

[spielwurfel]

Hello all

While being very enthusiastic of car detailing, I'm still a noob on many subjects. I'm going for my first wax but I have many doubts about what I can/should do (I searched on the forum and internet but couldn't find anything related).

I have my new car that has about 1.900 miles (3.000 Km) and about 1 month of life. I'm buying Meguiars liquid ultimate wax (synthetic) and Meguiars gold class liquid carnauba wax. My doubts are:

- I read on the internet that since synthetic waxes don't give such a good shine as the carnauba wax, it is a good idea to apply a layer of the synthetic wax for protection, let it cure for some hours and then apply a layer of carnauba wax for a good shine. Does this make sense? Can it be done with liquid wax?

- Can/Should I use these same waxes to wax the car glasses?

- I read that the wax can stain rubbers and exterior plastic trim. Is it true? Should I apply tape on these parts to avoid this issue, or this can be avoided being careful on the wax application?

- The lower portion of my car has this rough paint finish (doesn't look so good but it's a dream to clean the dirt). Can/Should I wax this part of the car, at least for protection?

- As I stated above, my car is considerably new and I've been relatively careful with the cleaning of it. Considering this, should I give any pre-wax preparation to the paint and/or clay it?

I have many noob doubts, but I'd would really appreciate if someone could help me with some of them.

Many thanks and kind regards to all of you! =)

 

[Desertnate]

Here are my thoughts...

Hello all

- I read on the internet that since synthetic waxes don't give such a good shine as the carnauba wax, it is a good idea to apply a layer of the synthetic wax for protection, let it cure for some hours and then apply a layer of carnauba wax for a good shine. Does this make sense? Can it be done with liquid wax?

Synthetic waxes produce a very good shine. In fact there are very few waxes today that don't have synthetic ingredients, or may be totally synthetic and you just don't know it. The difference is the type of shine you are after. You can see a difference. The synthetic products typically have a longer lifespan. That is why some people layer the two products. They get the durability of the synthetic products and the look of the carnuaba.

- I read that the wax can stain rubbers and exterior plastic trim. Is it true? Should I apply tape on these parts to avoid this issue, or this can be avoided being careful on the wax application?

Some waxes or sealants can stain the black trim. Others do not. Taping is probably the best way to go to be sure you don't end up with white stains. I've occasionally hit the trim no matter how hard I try not to.

- The lower portion of my car has this rough paint finish (doesn't look so good but it's a dream to clean the dirt). Can/Should I wax this part of the car, at least for protection?

You probably could wax it, but make sure it's really clean first. Honestly, on my personal cars with that material, I don't wax that area. I just do my best to keep it clean.

- As I stated above, my car is considerably new and I've been relatively careful with the cleaning of it. Considering this, should I give any pre-wax preparation to the paint and/or clay it?

I would clay it at the least. You'd be surprised how dirty the paint can get while the car is transported from the factory and it sits on the dealer sales lot. Any further polishing depends on the shape of the paint, how you want it to look, and how much time you have to work on the car.

 

[expdetailing]

- I read on the internet that since synthetic waxes don't give such a good shine as the carnauba wax, it is a good idea to apply a layer of the synthetic wax for protection, let it cure for some hours and then apply a layer of carnauba wax for a good shine. Does this make sense? Can it be done with liquid wax?
I would try it.

- Can/Should I use these same waxes to wax the car glasses?
Yes, you can, however, there may be some added glare.

- I read that the wax can stain rubbers and exterior plastic trim. Is it true? Should I apply tape on these parts to avoid this issue, or this can be avoided being careful on the wax application?
You could try dressing the trim first to minimize any stain transfer. There are waxes that do not stain, for example Liquid Souveran.

- The lower portion of my car has this rough paint finish (doesn't look so good but it's a dream to clean the dirt). Can/Should I wax this part of the car, at least for protection?
Yes, wax every inch of the paint. It's like moisturizer for skin. Maybe, down there, you could try a cleaner wax, or an All-In-One to help decontaminate the paint.

 

[JimShey]

Noob here also. But let me take a crack on this one from what I now understand. Basically synthetics last longer than carnaubas. But synthetics has a different shine than carnauba. You can apply synthetic first, buff and let it dry. Just read the label for the drying time. if nothing on the label best to wait 12 hours after you apply the next layer..

read this link bro. it will help you
Carnauba Car Wax vs. Paint Sealants, carnauba wax reviews, paint sealant reviews

 

[JimShey]

Btw, don't forget to prep your paint before any sealant or waxes...

I too will detail my daily car next moth. just waiting for some more materials to arrive...

Good luck to us bro...

 

[CaveRacing]

I'll give my comments and suggestions. Some of these may echo what has already been posted.

- I read on the internet that since synthetic waxes don't give such a good shine as the carnauba wax, it is a good idea to apply a layer of the synthetic wax for protection, let it cure for some hours and then apply a layer of carnauba wax for a good shine. Does this make sense? Can it be done with liquid wax?

I use a very mild polish and then top with a wax - Collinite 845 to be exact. You'll get differing opinions on this, but I would rather use a mild polish (Mothers Pure Polish) or even just a glaze (Mothers Micro-Polishing Glaze) before wax. There are a ton of products, so these are just examples.

- Can/Should I use these same waxes to wax the car glasses?

I don't wax the glass on my vehicles unless it is just the spray wax that I'm using as a drying aid.

- I read that the wax can stain rubbers and exterior plastic trim. Is it true? Should I apply tape on these parts to avoid this issue, or this can be avoided being careful on the wax application?

I agree with the other suggestion on this. When in doubt, tape it. I have found that Collinite 845 does not stain trim. Of course, your experience may differ, so use precaution.

- The lower portion of my car has this rough paint finish (doesn't look so good but it's a dream to clean the dirt). Can/Should I wax this part of the car, at least for protection?

I have this on one of my vehicles and I do wax it. It is actually a much larger area that is covered with the chip resistant texture like that. It gets polished and waxed. It's painted...it gets protection.

- As I stated above, my car is considerably new and I've been relatively careful with the cleaning of it. Considering this, should I give any pre-wax preparation to the paint and/or clay it?

Absolutely clay. I recently switched to the Nanoskin Autoscrub sponge (fine grade) from using a clay. I do prefer the Autoscrub, but you can use either.

Many thanks and kind regards to all of you! =)

Good luck and let us know the results! :xyxthumbs:

 

[spielwurfel]

Thanks all for the answer. I concluded that:

- I'll buy both waxes, use the synthetic wax, look at the result and decide wheter apply the carnauba layer or not.

- I won't wax the glass. Is there any recommended protection for it?

- According with Meguiars, the synthetic wax doesn't stain the trim. But there's no word about the carnauba wax.

- I'll wax the lower portion of my car. Protection is protection.

- I didn't want to, but I'll clay my car.

What should I use to prepare the paint of my car prior to any wax or sealant?

Many thanks guys! I'll show the results here when I finish the job =)

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

After the paint is clean, clay it, the re-wash it(preferably a wash with no gloss enhancers). Once dry, apply your the sealant.

 

[Loach]

I think Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax will do fine by itself. I most likely largely wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Gold Class and ULW, especially if the test was done blind by someone else and applied one on one side of the hood, and had the choice to either apply that same wax again on the other side or use the different wax, and I then have to observe and see if I could pick each one out. Instead of Gold Class, I would honestly purchase some Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax, and after applying ULW, use UQW as a maintenance product in between washes.

 

[Zubair]

If you new to waxing, get Collinite 845, beautiful shine,easy to use, awesome price, very durable and no need for a sealant.

 

[damaged442]

If you new to waxing, get Collinite 845, beautiful shine,easy to use, awesome price, very durable and no need for a sealant.

X2 for this. All of what Zubair said...

Plus, it doesn't stain trim.

 

[The Guz]

Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid will not stain trim. The paste version will. Gold class will stain trim.

 

[spielwurfel]

Thanks again for all the feedback!

I'll look for Colinite 845, I'm really in doubt of which product to use. I'd like to pick it up correctly. I live in Brazil, and with the dollar at the rate it is now from brazilian reais, it's very expensive to buy any of these products in here. I'm travelling to the USA and will take advantage of it to buy all this stuff there. So I'd like to get the best product for me there.

Another question! The Meguiars liquid wax comes in a 16 oz. bottle. I have a Golf. How long would this bottle last? It is enough for only one application? Or it can last for more than one?

Thanks to all of you!

 

[Desertnate]

Thanks again for all the feedback!

I'll look for Colinite 845, I'm really in doubt of which product to use. I'd like to pick it up correctly. I live in Brazil, and with the dollar at the rate it is now from brazilian reais, it's very expensive to buy any of these products in here. I'm travelling to the USA and will take advantage of it to buy all this stuff there. So I'd like to get the best product for me there.

Another question! The Meguiars liquid wax comes in a 16 oz. bottle. I have a Golf. How long would this bottle last? It is enough for only one application? Or it can last for more than one?

Thanks to all of you!

You will probably use no more than 2oz for a Golf. I own a version of the Golf also and a car that size really doesn't use much product, no matter what you're doing.

The last time I really measured it, a 4oz bottle of product on a car that size lasted two applications.

 

[spielwurfel]

That's very good to know Desertnate! Thanks! =)

 

[CaveRacing]

I agree. Collinite 845 all the way. The product is fantastic and SO easy to use.

If you do use it, make sure the bottle is room temp or warmer. When the bottle gets cool or cold, the product gets too thick to use. It needs to be liquid thin. I usually sit my bottle in some hot water (or run the hot water from the faucet over the bottle for a little bit) to get it in liquid form. Shake shake shake. You're good to go.

And you apply it thin thin thin.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...e-845-definitive-how-guide-legendary-wax.html

 

[The Guz]

Thanks again for all the feedback!

I'll look for Colinite 845, I'm really in doubt of which product to use. I'd like to pick it up correctly. I live in Brazil, and with the dollar at the rate it is now from brazilian reais, it's very expensive to buy any of these products in here. I'm travelling to the USA and will take advantage of it to buy all this stuff there. So I'd like to get the best product for me there.

Another question! The Meguiars liquid wax comes in a 16 oz. bottle. I have a Golf. How long would this bottle last? It is enough for only one application? Or it can last for more than one?

Thanks to all of you!

It wll last you awhile. Just remember to apply it thin.

 

[damaged442]

It wll last you awhile. Just remember to apply it thin.

Again, discussing Collinite 845, I waxed my vehicles a total of 12 times, four of those times were on my 70s Oldsmobiles (clearly more real estate than a normal vehicle). I still had 1/3 of my bottle left that I gave to a neighbor of mine to try. He has a Cadillac DTS and a Nissan Altima. He has waxed each of them twice and still has some left.

 

[Nomadsto]

Here's my regimen for what it's worth. So if I were doing a new car first thing I would do is buy a PC DA. Then I'd wash, dry, iron-x, Rinse, dry, and decontaminate with the auto scrub wash mitt. Then I'd do a two-step polish with a white pad and light swirl remover like M205. Then a black pad with a fine finishing polish from Optimum or Menzera. Then I'd apply a nano glass coating (like Detailers Pride or Garry Dean's Infinite Diamond Shield) to the entire vehicle even those lower panels and let that cure, per the instructions. Then I would use a wipe on walk away polymer spray sealant (like Wolfgangs spray sealant or Gary Dean's Juice Boost) for the gloss and slickness. With this combo you get fantastic gloss, durability, marring and scratch resistance, and super hydrophobia. My cars stay cleaner longer and have eye-popping shine. Good luck. P.S. Glass, Wheels, and trim too.

 

[spielwurfel]

Hmm I'm such a fan o Meguiars, but everybody is giving so much recommendations to Collinite that I think I'll try. Is it synthetic? How long does it last, more or less? =)