Is it overkill?

[3Fitty]

I have a relatively new car (about 6 weeks old) and I keep it in the garage, pretty much all the time (as I take public transportation to work) and only use it in the evenings and on weekends.

Thus far, my car has NEVER seen the rain or any other inclement weather, but gets dusty by just sitting in the garage. On top of this, my front brakes emit a TON of brake dust which even works its way back onto the body of the car and considering the car is white, you can really see it, even after short drives.

So, here is my question...

I did a full detail on my car two or three weeks ago (not exactly sure but lets use two weeks ago to be on the safe side). I, like many others here, enjoy washing, cleaning, polishing and waxing my car, but want to know if I run the risk of doing more harm than good if I do these things prematurely or too often?

For example, even though my car hasn't been exposed to any rain, snow, sleet, mud (I know there are other non visible elemental contaminants), would it be overkill to wash, clay, clean, polish & wax my car again this weekend?

I'm not looking to create "extra" protection, but really do enjoy spending a day detailing, provided I'm not doing more harm than good. Any thoughts?

[Derrick]

Re: Is it overkill?

You will be fine just try and stay away from using any abrasice polishes or cleaners that often. using something like the DC system is perfectly safe because the paint cleaner does not have any abrasives and the polish is a pure polish. You can also claybar and wash as often as you like considering you are correctly washing the car without installing any new scratches and swirl marks. Hope this helps and i know what you mean about just enjoying detailing your vehicle

[roushstage2]

Re: Is it overkill?

Yeah, a bit.
You only need to clay when you can feel contaminants on the paint that need to be removed. You really only need to clean and polish when there are defects in the paint. If there are light defects, you may be better off using something like M66 to help get rid of the light defects, but not go at your paint a aggressive as using a dedicated cleaner. That being said, wax whenever, won't hurt it.

[3Fitty]

Re: Is it overkill?

Thanks for the answers guys.

I think I wasn't too clear in my question. I don't think I'll clay it every time, I usually clay 2 or 3 times a year, depending upon how the car feels. I guess what I will probably do this weekend is...

1. Wash (NXT)

2. Polish #7

3. Wax x 2 with (NXT) - Now that I think I finally understand what it means to allow the wax to "fully set up", I'm going to put on one coat Saturday and a second coat on Sunday.

I guess what I'm saying is would it be overkill, if I did this process once a month?

[roushstage2]

Re: Is it overkill?

If you have wax on the surface, a pure polish such as M07 won't really take-to the surface. If you want a polish in there, try something like A-12 followed by NXT.

[3Fitty]

Re: Is it overkill?

Perfect, I'll give it a try.

[yalerd]

Re: Is it overkill?

You don't have to to a full detail that often.
Just remember, have the least invasive method when you are washing your car, I think this is the key for maintaining cars, wash method is very important.

Sometimes when you feel or see something you can tackle that section of the surface and that's it but full details are not necessary that often when the car is well maintained.

You have a nice car BTW!

[WrightDetail]

Re: Is it overkill?

Thanks for the answers guys.

I think I wasn't too clear in my question. I don't think I'll clay it every time, I usually clay 2 or 3 times a year, depending upon how the car feels. I guess what I will probably do this weekend is...

1. Wash (NXT)

2. Polish #7

3. Wax x 2 with (NXT) - Now that I think I finally understand what it means to allow the wax to "fully set up", I'm going to put on one coat Saturday and a second coat on Sunday.

I guess what I'm saying is would it be overkill, if I did this process once a month?

Really do not need 2 coats of NXT- thats overkill and waste of product. Especially since it will be garaged mostly and your plan will be waxing each mth. ( when I had my cars in garage in FL, did full wax each 3 mths )

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Is it overkill?

I have a car that gets treated much the same way - garage kept, never sees rain either (which is actually pretty easy to do here in SoCal). Anyway.........

Once it's been fully detailed and you have two nice, thin coats of NXT 2.0 on it you can do the following for routine maintenance several times a week:

Paint: Every other day wipe it down with Ultimate Quik Detailer and a high quality microfiber towel - you may use two or three towels to do this though. I highly recommend the Meguiar's Ultimate Wipes. Do this gently and you won't harm the paint, especially if all you're doing is removing some light surface dust.

Wheels: Assuming you have a nice coat of NXT 2.0 on those as well (if you don't, then do it) give them a spray of Quik Wheel Detailer and wipe them down with a microfiber towel also. Good idea to keep a handful of MF towels dedicated to wheels, especially since yours throw so much brake dust. Wait for the wheels to cool after a drive, but you can do this daily.

Windows: Give them a very light spray of NXT Glass Cleaner or even plain water, and wipe with a clean terry cloth towel. Flip the towel to a dry side and wipe again to remove any streaking.

Interior: Again, assuming it's been fully cleaned/dressed, wipe it down with Quik Interior Detailer to remove dust and fingerprints.


I've been able to go a couple months without washing the car using the above practices, and the car always looks great. In fact, it's been over a year since I did the full clay/polish/wax and the paint is still virtually swirl free. Note that I have waxed it several times in the past year and I always wash it before waxing, but the paint still looks great. I will admit it's starting to get where a clay treatment is probably in order, but even that's borderline.

[3Fitty]

Re: Is it overkill?

^^^ Well, my weather is nothing like yours (I'm in Northern NJ) but I like your method. Makes sense.

I did my rims outer areas only, two weeks ago but want to remove them (so I can paint my calipers) and I plan on doing a full wax on the interior of the wheels.

[Silverado12]

Re: Is it overkill?

Just a thought, and I'm not one that usually endorses other company's products, but Wheel Wax works wonders for chrome or aluminum wheels on a car that produces a lot of brake dust. Brake dust puts off a negative charge whereas the surface of your wheels have a positive charge, thus dust clings to the surface of the wheels. The wax contains an antistatic element that breaks up the magnetic effect and thus repels brake dust from building up on your wheels. All I can say is the stuff works. I never use a detail spray on my chrome wheels and they always look like I just washed them. It lasts for about six weeks on a daily driver and the shine is incredible. It is the only non-Meguiars product in my cabinet.

[Erik Mejia]

Re: Is it overkill?

If you're gonna paint your calipers ,then may I also suggest you replace your brake pads for low dusting ones. Good luck with your detailing.

[3Fitty]

Re: Is it overkill?

If you're gonna paint your calipers ,then may I also suggest you replace your brake pads for low dusting ones. Good luck with your detailing.

Well, Lexus offers the low dusting (ceramic????) pads as a warranty replacement up to 25,000 miles (I only have about 300 miles). It is one of their TSIB warranty replacements. The problem is I've discussed it with others who have made the change and they all pretty much say they change results in less braking ability. Although most say it is not to significant, they all say it is present.

So, I'm faced with the difficult question of safety vs. vanity. Sure, my wheels will be easier to maintain with the new pads, but are they really worth the trouble? Also, since they are offered "free", doesn't it make sense to get some wear out of the current pads and replace them after a year or two?

I really don't mind cleaning my wheels often (right now, I do so at least 3 times a week).

[3Fitty]

Re: Is it overkill?

Just a thought, and I'm not one that usually endorses other company's products, but Wheel Wax works wonders for chrome or aluminum wheels on a car that produces a lot of brake dust.

@ Silverado12,

Like you, I'm pretty much a complete Meguiars guy and I once made a topic about this question. Do you know how "wheel wax" compares to "poor boys wheel sealant"? They seem to be the two leaders in this area. Anyone ever seen a comparison?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Is it overkill?

Just to address the ceramic pad issue for a moment:

The brake dust on my Crossfire was absolutely rediculous - clean the wheels, drive to the gas station and they were filthy. Typical Mercedes brake dust. I put ceramic pads on all four corners when the car had about 4,000 miles on it and then a few weeks later was hot lapping the road course at California Speedway. Braking was not an issue, even at the end of the main straight where I'd stand on the brake pedal at 125mph to negotiate a 35mph left hand corner. I even spooked a guy in a Porsche 911 who was tailing me and almost ran into me. I talked to him later and he said he was shocked at how quickly my car could stop.

I'm fine with ceramic pads from a performance standpoint, but best of all I have almost zero dust now.