Polishes/wax

[SS8_Gohan]

i wouldnt use anything but meguiars

hope you're joking...

firstly - what is the difference between a pre wax cleaner and a polish - are they the same thing? some online shops mention pre wax cleaner and i figure they are similar.

second - whats the go with layering waxes - especially ahrd and soft?

third - is their a kind of sealant (wax etc) that is bit longer lasting? all the carnauba waxes seem to say re-apply every 2-3 months and re polish every 6...is this to do with the synthetic vs carnauba???

1) Pre-wax cleaners generally speaking including chemical cleaners, as opposed to physical abrasives, ie, you're not removing any clear, you are just cleaning the clear as best as possible, to prepare it for a wax. Lime Prime is a great pre-wax cleaner. No abrasives, just a great cleaner to make sure all polish residue and what not are gone, and you're left the best possible surface to apply the wax.

Polishes generally fall under chemical cleaners or physical abrasives, usually the later. But there are some AIO products (all-in-one) that can both chemical cleaners and abrasives, a 1 step product. Can work well in some cases (can help with water marks, hence the chemical cleaners) but in terms of cutting power, it's very low.

So basically, it would be wash - clay - wash - polish - wash - pre-wax cleaner - wax. Again, Lime Prime (made by Dodo) would be one of the top choices here. Lime Prime is probably best applied with a machine and the finest polishing pad you have.

2). A couple things. You can't layer waxes too quickly, as all waxes have a curing time, some faster than others. It's ideal if you can organise for the car to be in full sun after a wax application, as this will help not only with curing, but the look as well. Generally speaking, you'd want to give it at least a full 24 hours and make sure the car shampoo you are using is pH neutral, so as not to strip the wax you just put on.

There are "hard" and "soft" waxes, but both can be layered as far as i know.

3) Synthetics do generally last longer, with a trade off in look to the carnauba, but some high end carnauba's can last a long time. I had Zymol Royale on my car which held out for about 5 months, but this is the THE best wax you can get at $18,000 a tub. But generally speaking, a synthetic will provide better protection for longer. Zaino's Z2 Pro would be a great synthetic to lay down as a base.

The best thing really is to get the car's paint in as best condition as possible, then put down say 2-3 layers of Z2 Pro and THEN layer some carnauba ontop. This is probably the best combo you'll get as you'll get the better protection from bird droppings/water marks, etc from the sealant but you'll yield a better, deeper, look to the car with layering a carnauba ontop. Plenty of protection, and good looks from that combo.

In terms of re-polishing, that won't as much to do with the synthetic/sealant as it will your washing process. If you're pedantic about your washing process, then you might be able to get away with just topping up the wax periodically and polish once a year.

hope that helps

[Basti]

after reading that, a question comes to mind. is it wrong to carnuba and THEN put the layers of sealant on? will it have the same effect or will only the top layer really affect the depth/shine

[R31Heaven]

Sealant and then Wax not the other way round. as some sealants will not adhere to wax. and the idea is the sealant gives you your shine and the Wax gives you the Depth.

[cobrAA]

is carnuba wax the best product to shine a black car?

[R31Heaven]

is carnuba wax the best product to shine a black car?

Yes & no! there are some great sealants out there like Zaino Z2 and Duragloss 105 with 3 layers and good prep work before hand will give you a great shine. With Waxes they tend to give you the depth in Metalic paints. I use both I put 3 layers of sealant (Z2) and have 3 layers of Wax. The sealant gives me 12 months of paint protection and the Wax adds the bling. Also remember the Preperation is the key factor to a shiny car, if you paint is faded or heavily swirled you will not get as good of a result as if you done paint correction or cleaned your paint with a polish prior to laying down you LSP the only exception to this is if you use a Glaze (Megs#7, PB Black hole, Chemical Guys EZ Creme)prior to the laying down of the Sealant/Wax as they have fillers and will fill minor maring and swirls. Just to add to this Sealants tend to give better result on light coloured cars than Wax. So if you are only going to use one product I would go Silver and whites (Sealant ) Blacks blues, red (Wax). Also be aware Wax brands have different life spans on your car as an Example Megs NXT expect 2 months, Collinite & SwissVax 4-6 months. This is not and issue if you clean and LSP your car regulary.

Edited January 28, 2009 by R31Heaven

[mosoto]

http://www.detailparadise.com.au/

and here's the most anal detailing on one car you'll ever see

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=81391

[SS8_Gohan]

detailaddiction.com.au/forums, easily the best local detail forum, if not one of the best worldwide

[DECIM8]

Anyone use Aqua Wax from Auto Glym? Friend recently used it on his S15 and ive detailed his car several times, sealant, wax and show shine quick detailling products. Nothing has made the S15 look like this and all you do it apply when dry!

Wondering if black cars have similar effects? Anyone?

[bloodsword27]

i use Auto Glym radiant wax 12. very happy with its results

[NateR31]

Anyone use Aqua Wax from Auto Glym? Friend recently used it on his S15 and ive detailed his car several times, sealant, wax and show shine quick detailling products. Nothing has made the S15 look like this and all you do it apply when dry!

Wondering if black cars have similar effects? Anyone?

auto glym is ok, but it has alot of sillicone in it, which is good and bad, good it will hide swirl marks and make light scratches look a lil better, bad i never used to use it in the workshop as the sillicone would find its way to the paint shop and screw with them, but for normal people doing it in your drive way its top notch stuff

[DECIM8]

Yes, but I asked about aqua wax.. you apply when wet.. Silicone only applies to spray painters... haha

[JGTC]

Hey there, I've just spent $100 on 3 products,

1. Meguiars NXT Carwash

2. Meguiars Quik Clay Kit

3. Meguiars NXT Tech Wax

I have some existing products such as Meguiars paint cleaner and Soft wash and Quik Detailer

I'm just a budding enthusiast, so what i wanna ask is,

Can you look after your car decently for under $250?

This would include;

1. Carwash

2. Clay

3. Paint cleaner (is this necessary?)

4. Polish

5. Sealant

6. Wax

On this budget what brands/products are best?

I know there are some insane routines out there, but essentially can you get away with a wash, clay, wash, paint cleaner, wax?

I'm going to be sorry for asking, but what is the importance of a good polish? *runs and hides*

So for the mediocre enthusiast, can you spend under $250 for good results?

Thanks in advance,

Danny

Edited March 6, 2009 by squareznboxez

[Unix26]

i want to know what stores can you buy all these detailing products from, accept from online, like supercheap auto? what other stores would sell auto clay? and whats the best range to use that you can buy from a retail store

[R31Heaven]

Can you look after your car decently for under $250?

This would include;

1. Carwash

2. Clay

3. Paint cleaner (is this necessary?)

4. Polish

5. Sealant

6. Wax

On this budget what brands/products are best?

I know there are some insane routines out there, but essentially can you get away with a wash, clay, wash, paint cleaner, wax?

I'm going to be sorry for asking, but what is the importance of a good polish? *runs and hides*

So for the mediocre enthusiast, can you spend under $250 for good results?

In one word Yes!

You have a pretty good idea already with that list of steps, The paint Cleaning and polishing is the most important part of the processe as it is the part that actualy gives you the shine, there are two types of polish, abrasive and non- abrasive,. Abrase has cutters in it and are used to remove imperfection such as scratches and swirl marks. Non is used to remove surface contanaments or light oxidation and to finish or give a lustre to your paint. The Sealant & wax only enhance it, so dont skimp on that bit. If you dont have a polisher to get out all the Swirl marks go for somthing like Autoglym Super resin polish or a Glaze as it has good filling properties to hide them. If your cars a light colour either Silver or white only use a sealant as a Wax will not make it any noticably better. With Megs polishes they dont last long 2-3 months if lucky. were somthing like Zaino Z2 ($48) or Durgloss 105 ($25) will give you 12 months protection. and to keep it shiney never use a DIY brush take a Bucket with Shampoo and a Megs Lambs wool mitt.

Edited March 6, 2009 by R31Heaven

[R31Heaven]

i want to know what stores can you buy all these detailing products from, accept from online, like supercheap auto? what other stores would sell auto clay? and whats the best range to use that you can buy from a retail store

You cant, Anything you get from either Supercheap and Autobarn are made for the mass market and are not very durable, (but if you wax you car every month it not a problem). and are average to good, comparing them to some of the boutique brands . If I was to pick some from these shops I would say in order. Autoglym, Mothers and Megs. I buy from online as they have the better products and it is very easy to purchase, I also dont follow one brand, I have several as they tend to have excellant ones and half average ones in their ranges, its taken a long time and a lot of money to find out . If you feel like looking at a few reputable ones I use, here are some links. Also quick list of what I use. and ones I want to try, they very in price to not bad to selling a lung.

Polishes abrasive - Menzerna range

polishes non abrasive - PoorBoys

Glazes - Chemical guys EZ Creme & Megs #7

Sealants Zaino Z2, Duragloss 111 &105 & Poorboys EX-P

Waxes Dodo Juice Blue Velvet (6 months), Collinite 915 (12 months), Poorboys & Nattys Blue (Cheap but not durable 2-3 months)

Wish list

Wax - Dodojuice Supernatural, Swissvax Concourse & Chemical Guys 50/50

Waxit

CarCare

Chemical Guys

Edited March 6, 2009 by R31Heaven

[JGTC]

Thanks a heap! there is hope for us mere mortals!

Cheers mate,

Danny

[Unix26]

Im new at detailing cars, all i have ever done is used car was solution with a sponge and a shammy, but now i want to takee more care of my car, but i also do not want to buy products off the internet, i can buy them from auto barn but i have no idea what products are decent from them. all i know about waxing is it makes your car look shiny but its hard work and can leave swirls?? but whats the difference between waxing and a cut and polish? i would really appreciate if someone could explain to me the best way to do it all, like wash the car with a grease remover? ( for cars ofcoarse ) then clay the car then wash it with greasse remover again? then cut and polish then wax it? please help

[R31Heaven]

Basicly Cut & polish is (best I can put it)

1. Cut - An abrasive polish that removes Clear coat or paint to remove imperfections in the paint ei: Swirls and scratches, it is removed after correction is done, no protective properties what so ever. There are different grades from corse to fine for the final shine (Bling).

2. Polish Is an Paint cleaner it removes mild grime and contanamant from you paint to leave a lustre, no protective qualities what so ever and is buffed off after the process (Unless its an All in one, another story)

3. Sealant/Wax Has no correction properties what so ever, but has paint protection, puts a layer on your paint. Can contain oils and other chemicals go protect your paint from UV, Bird poo to a point, you still need to remove it as soon as possible. and other airborne contanimants. I would say a sacraficial layer. Also enhances the shine you have put on your Car in the Cut & Polish process. Its basicly protects all the work you have done in the previous Polishing process

Process I use every twelve months only

1. Wash with good Auto Shampoo PH Neutral a bucket & Lambswool mitt ( Do not use your DIY Brush Aaaaaarh)

2. Clar Bar

3. Correction or Cut & polish to the old, I use varying Abrasive polishes depending on work needed. to get shine.

4. Wash

5. Sealant/Wax

I cant emphasise the importance of the polish process as this! adds the shine to your car not the wax/sealant, wich enhances the paint thst has just been polished to a high shine, If you have a faded car, no Wax Sealant will give you a show car shine.

Edited March 7, 2009 by R31Heaven

[Unix26]

Basicly Cut & polish is (best I can put it)

1. Cut - An abrasive polish that removes Clear coat or paint to remove imperfections in the paint ei: Swirls and scratches, it is removed after correction is done, no protective properties what so ever. There are different grades from corse to fine for the final shine (Bling).

2. Polish Is an Paint cleaner it removes mild grime and contanamant from you paint to leave a lustre, no protective qualities what so ever and is buffed off after the process (Unless its an All in one, another story)

3. Sealant/Wax Has no correction properties what so ever, but has paint protection, puts a layer on your paint. Can contain oils and other chemicals go protect your paint from UV, Bird poo to a point, you still need to remove it as soon as possible. and other airborne contanimants. I would say a sacraficial layer. Also enhances the shine you have put on your Car in the Cut & Polish process. Its basicly protects all the work you have done in the previous Polishing process

Process I use every twelve months only

1. Wash with good Auto Shampoo PH Neutral a bucket & Lambswool mitt ( Do not use your DIY Brush Aaaaaarh)

2. Clar Bar

3. Correction or Cut & polish to the old, I use varying Abrasive polishes depending on work needed. to get shine.

4. Wash

5. Sealant/Wax

I cant emphasise the importance of the polish process as this! adds the shine to your car not the wax/sealant, wich enhances the paint thst has just been polished to a high shine, If you have a faded car, no Wax Sealant will give you a show car shine.

thanks so much for your help, I'm just a bit scared about the cut and polish lol but I'll get it

[R31Heaven]

If you ever purchase a polisher go for the Megs G220 RO they are a nice beginner unit, they are fool proof, may take longer than a rotary, but skill factor required is low. Dont be scared and go for it.