Good wax

[MadCow]

I have a white 04 Taco if that matters. I have clayed the whole truck down and I got to thinking this is the perfect time for wax. Well we haven't waxed the truck yet, it's been 4 years without wax . I know by not waxing it we have hurt the paint, right? Well now is the time to wax this Taco. I'm not sure what wax to use either. I'm not sure of the difference between liquid and solid wax, could someone explain the differnce besides one being liquid and the other solid? Also I noticed a lot of numbers being thrown around here, like I used some #80 to get that shine, so on. What products do the numbers reffer to?

[benhui86]

Re: Good wax

if you just want to wax it with minimal effort of going through the whole cleaning/polishing process than i would recommend colorX. it is a all in one product that cleans, as in minor defect removal/prep the finish, as well as protect it like any other wax.

[Murr1525]

Re: Good wax

Have you read these links as well, to kind of get a feel for everything?

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

As for some of your questions:

1. As the links show, claying is just one step of the cleaning process, using a paint cleaner is the other. You would get the best results from doing both steps, and optional polish, before waxing.

2. The liquid and paste waxes are the same, just some people prefer liquid, some prefer paste. The spray waxes are different, they do not protect the same way a liquid/paste wax would. The spray waxes are more for a quick touch up after washing.

3. The numbers are just the product numbers from teh bottles, for instance #80 = Speed Glaze. #80 is just quicker to type, and espeacially when some of the prodcts have real long names. There should be a list of the abbreviations in the top of the Detailing 101 forum.

As mentioned above, if you want to keep things simple, a ColorX is a great cleaner/wax to use. It will clean, polish and wax all in one step, and when topped with a coat of a regular wax, really makes a great quick detail.

So:
1. Wash - Good quality wash, 2 buckets, Grit Guards if possible.
2. Clay
3 .ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt Generation Tech Wax 2.0 is a very popular wax at the moment, and will look good on top of the ColorX.

[Erik Mejia]

Re: Good wax

If you clayed it then I would suggest you use NXT 2.0. The only difference between a paste and a liquid wax is the form. They both work the same and will both provide equal results. You can't beat NXT 2.0, it's amazing.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Good wax

I have a white 04 Taco if that matters. I have clayed the whole truck down and I got to thinking this is the perfect time for wax.

Well we haven't waxed the truck yet, it's been 4 years without wax .

Is this truck a daily driver? If so then the paint gets dirty and contaminated just from repeated exposure to the environment.

Time to do some paint cleaning.

The words Clean and Cleaning as defined by Meguiar's terminology


Words: Clean, Cleaning, Cleaners
Products: Compounds, Paint Cleaners, Cleaner/Polishes and Cleaner/Waxes


If you clayed the paint, that would have stripped any wax off the paint, so if it's been 4 years since you clayed and you never applied any product onto the paint to protect it then you're going to need to clay it and probably use a paint cleaner or a cleaner/wax.

I know by not waxing it we have hurt the paint, right?

If the truck has been used as a daily driver and exposed to the outdoors than you haven't helped it, as far as actual harm goes, hopefully the paint will clean up and be okay by using a paint cleaner or a cleaner/polish. Read the link we added above.

Well now is the time to wax this Taco. I'm not sure what wax to use either. I'm not sure of the difference between liquid and solid wax, could someone explain the difference besides one being liquid and the other solid?

In the Meguiar's line of waxes there is no difference between a liquid or a paste except the form the product is in, so that's why it comes down to personal preference.

What you want is to read this,

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle


Then decide if you want to do multiple steps or one step. Since the truck is white, it's likely a daily driver and the 4 years without wax kind of shows you're not really into detailing cars, you'll likely want to go with a product like ColorX which is a one-step cleaner/wax.

So do this,

Wash
Clay
ColorX

Also I noticed a lot of numbers being thrown around here, like I used some #80 to get that shine, so on. What products do the numbers refer to?

Meguiar's has historically been a supplier to the Professional side car wax industry, that is we make product for use by body shops and car manufactures. This is called our Professional Line. The products come with a part number, (like all products), but the part number is also included on the label as a part of the product name as a way of quickly identifying the product.

Thus the number is a Quik Reference Part Number, if you worked in a body shop it would make sense to you.

[MadCow]

Re: Good wax

Hey guys, thanks for the links and the explanations. I picked up a microfiber and some NXT 2.0 at wally world, I just forgot the colorx. How important do you all think that the colorx is? I might just have to pick some up cause if I'm going to do something I want to do it right!!!

[Murr1525]

Re: Good wax

I would say pretty important. Without some kind of cleaning step, you are just applying the wax over the dirt in the pores of the paint.

Whether you used ColorX, or seperate steps like DC 1 & 2, you'll be applying wax over clean paint, which is obviously better.

[MadCow]

Re: Good wax

I would say pretty important. Without some kind of cleaning step, you are just applying the wax over the dirt in the pores of the paint.

Whether you used ColorX, or seperate steps like DC 1 & 2, you'll be applying wax over clean paint, which is obviously better.

So I thought the claying was supposed to remove the dirt and all? Is the colorx an abrasive or something? I would like to know what this stuff actually does!

[ramphonic]

Re: Good wax

ColorX is a strong cleaner wax. You get best results doing a 3 part (cleaner, polish and wax) but for a one step product it works real well.

Clay gets imbedded particles out of the paint (overspray, raildust etc....) Paint cleaners remove dirt.

[Derrick]

Re: Good wax

So I thought the claying was supposed to remove the dirt and all? Is the colorx an abrasive or something? I would like to know what this stuff actually does!

Claying removes all above surface contaminants and a paint cleaner removes below surface defects like stains, oxidation, light swirls and scratches through the use of chemicals like DC 1 or light diminishing abrasives like ColorX. So yes ColorX does have some light diminishing abrasives to help in removing light swirls and scratches.

[MadCow]

Re: Good wax

ohh, wow. Nicely put guys, thanks for the quick responce! So I guess i'm going to get some colorx . How do you apply it? With a foam applicator or just a regular 100% cotton cloth? While i'm out to get the colorx, anything else that I should look into? I have some bad spots on the factory rims of my 04 toyota tacoma. I'm not sure it they are clear coated, I linked to a picture of a truck that looks exactly like mine, except mines a little cleaner . But if you guys would like a close up of the wheels to see what were dealing with here I can provide by tomorrow.

http://www.autobase.com/photos/large/03543638.jpg

[ramphonic]

Re: Good wax

ohh, wow. Nicely put guys, thanks for the quick responce! So I guess i'm going to get some colorx . How do you apply it? With a foam applicator or just a regular 100% cotton cloth? While i'm out to get the colorx, anything else that I should look into? I have some bad spots on the factory rims of my 04 toyota tacoma. I'm not sure it they are clear coated, I linked to a picture of a truck that looks exactly like mine, except mines a little cleaner . But if you guys would like a close up of the wheels to see what were dealing with here I can provide by tomorrow.

http://www.autobase.com/photos/large/03543638.jpg

I would use a terry cloth applicator ones like this http://www.meguiars.com/?specialized...pplicator-Pads

As far as the rims I have the same ones. If they are in the same condition as mine they probably have pitting on the edge near the brakes. Post a pic so we can take a look

[Derrick]

Re: Good wax

How do you apply it? With a foam applicator or just a regular 100% cotton cloth?

Use a foam applicator or a microfiber pad like the one in the link that ramphonic provided. The one in the link is a microfiber pad not a Terry cloth just to clarify and the only time you will want to use a terry cloth is when you are looking to get a little more bite to remove more severe defects that a foam applicator is not able to then remember to go back over it with the foam to remove any light marks made by the terry cloth. Test a little paint cleaner on your rims after they are cleaned of course and if the cloth is still clear afterwords that means you are working on a clear coat. For cleaning rims look into the HotRims line, HotRims All Wheel Cleaner, Chrome Cleaner, and Aluminum Cleaner they all do a great job

[ramphonic]

Re: Good wax

I figured using the microfiber pad because its white and hasn't been maintained. It's gonna need a little finesse.

But it is true that you should always start with a most mild product first and go more aggresive only as necessary.

[MadCow]

Re: Good wax

As far as the rims I have the same ones. If they are in the same condition as mine they probably have pitting on the edge near the brakes. Post a pic so we can take a look

Yeah, if that is your truck in the sig then we have the exact same rims. I'll get a picture of what i'm dealing with, I can't explain it very well.

Derrickg32069, thanks for clarifying that, I've never really known what a terry cloth is, can someone link me to one? I think I will get some hotrims all wheel cleaner. I can take my clay bar and I can run it over the bad spots on the rims and black will show up on the clay bar, and some of the stuff comes off of the rim, but I can't get all of it off. And it takes a while to get just a little off.

Ouch you call my truck not maintained!!! Hahahah it really isn't that bad, i'd say it has been well taken care of for a 4 year old truck.