first time waxing...need help

[Don]

Re: first time waxing...need help

HagFan:
The 'cleaners' in cleaner waxes are for dirt & contaminates that the wash doesn't/can't remove and the cleaners in the LSP - Last Step Product (finishing waxes) aren't capable of removing. Mike Phillips wrote an article about "hidden" dirt build up on the surface of a car's paint, I would post it now, but I wanted to ask him first. The point of the article is that although you don't have to use a cleaner every time you wax your car, you should still have a 'cleaning step' in your routine at least a couple of times a year.

talex26:
Yes, I would do both. Even though the car is brand new, odds are very good that it has sat outside where it has collected fallout from the exhaust and brakes of passing cars, if it was transported by train there is the dreaded 'rail dust' (dust created by the steel wheels of the train rubbing against the steel rails) among all the other other things out there. So to get off to the best start possible, I would do a complete Meguiars 5-Step Paint Care

[talex26]

Re: first time waxing...need help

Yes, I would do both. Even though the car is brand new, odds are very good that it has sat outside where it has collected fallout from the exhaust and brakes of passing cars, if it was transported by train there is the dreaded 'rail dust' (dust created by the steel wheels of the train rubbing against the steel rails) among all the other other things out there. So to get off to the best start possible, I would do a complete Meguiars 5-Step Paint Care

Thanks Don. I see what you mean about the rail dust and all. I'll pickup a Meg's clay Kit tomorrow.

What would you recommend for the cleaner? I know the Clay Kit comes with Meg's Cleaner Wax. Would that get the job done on my new finish? If not what would you recommend that's available OTC?

And what would be your recommend for an OTC Meg's polish?

Thanks again.

[Don]

Re: first time waxing...need help

You could use the Deep Crystal (DC) #1 Paint Cleaner and the DC #2 Polish, both in the purple bottles. Both are readily available at almost any parts store, or you could use Meguiars Cleaner Wax or Color-X. Both are 1-Step products that clean, polish and protect and are also available at any parts store. Of the two, I believe Color-X is the stronger, but still totally safe for paint.

[talex26]

Re: first time waxing...need help

You could use the Deep Crystal (DC) #1 Paint Cleaner and the DC #2 Polish, both in the purple bottles. Both are readily available at almost any parts store, or you could use Meguiars Cleaner Wax or Color-X. Both are 1-Step products that clean, polish and protect and are also available at any parts store. Of the two, I believe Color-X is the stronger, but still totally safe for paint.

Thanks again Don, what a great help you've been. The Smooth Clay Kit comes with the Meguiars Cleaner Wax so I think I will go with that. Maybe next time around I'll try the Deep Crystal system and compare the results.

[Don]

Re: first time waxing...need help

Mike gave me his official Okey-Dokey to post a link to his article on "A Lesson From White Paint." Mike states in the article that even though he's discussing white paint, the accumulation of dirt and grime that washing won't remove applies to all colors. An extrememly informative article.

A Lesson From White Paint