New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

[bigworm36]

So I have a black 2008 Jeep Liberty with only 1000 miles. I live in Arizona where it is sunny pretty much every day. My main goal is to protect the paint from the UV rays of the sun, but i also want the paint to stay in the best condition i can keep it in. My car sits outside all day in the sun while im at work. See I have read through the forums and came up with this process.

1. for washing i plan on using Gold Class car wash
2. I dont think i need any prep or cleaning since the car is new
3. Then i plan on using Gold Class liquid wax and apply it with an applicator pad and remove it with a microfiber.
-Does this seem like a good process?

I have 2 more questions

The one question is how often should this be done? I was thinking every 3-4 months

When applying and removing the wax should it be in a circular motion?

Sorry for all the questions but I just dont want to ruin the new paint. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Markus Kleis]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

First of all, welcome to MOL!

As for your routine...

1.) Sounds good. The Meguiar's microfiber wash mitt, and the TWO bucket method each with a Grit Guard is also highly recommended (1 bucket of clean water to rinse the mitt after each time you touch the car, and one with soap and water).

2.) Actually, even brand new cars can often need a good clay bar treatment. Rail dust and fallout have plenty of chances to settle onto the vehicles before, during, or after transport. Heck, I've seen white cars at dealerships that had so much buildup that they literally had a tan tinge to them.

I would highly suggest a clay bar treatment, at the very least, you will be sure that your surface is truly prepped which will aid in the wax lasting the longest, and looking its best.

3.) Sounds good.

4.) It really depends on what you want, and what the vehicle faces. Garaged cars can typically go longer between waxing. Your taste can also vary, as some will want a "freshly waxed" look and feel all the time and wax once a month- other 3-4 months might be fine. (Personally, I do it about once a month).

5.) Circular is good, but it isn't the end of the world if you have to use other motions in certain spots.

Let us know how it turns out!

[Murr1525]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

I agree.... if you want to keep it simple, I would do this:

1. Wash - Good, see above

2. Clay - See above

3. Cleaner/Wax - I will be the supporter of using a cleaner/wax to make sure the paint is clean, and it will take care of the first recomended coat of wax. The Consumer Line Cleaner/Wax (red bottle) or ColorX (my favorite) are good options.

4. Wax - Gold Class is a good looking wax

5. After future washes, I would use either the Ultimate Quick Detailer or Ultimate Quick Wax to bring back that fresh look.

[Nappers]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

See above

FWIW, I clayed my Neon when it was new and you would not believe how much gunk I got off of it. Dodge tends to rail their cars and I had overspray on my car bad! The finish was rough to the touch even!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

With the others. You have a good process there. I would give serious consideration to claying. I am still amazed at what one pulls of the paint when claying. In the past year I have done a few cars that were brand new. The "gunk" that was removed was amazing.

Then As Murr stated, after claying you should use a good cleaner wax to clean the paint. You could then apply a coat of Gold Classwax. (this was the combo that got me started here.) You will be surprised at how great your new car looks.


Welcome to mol.

[Mikejl]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

Most definitely . Purchase a Smooth Surface Clay Kit. After you wash your Jeep, run your fingers across the paint. You will probably feel some roughness on the surface.

I bought my TCH last July and got the same advice from here. I was surprised to find out my brand new car need to be clayed.

Mike

[tguil]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

A black vehicle sitting out all day in the Arizona sun is going to need frequent waxing -- at least once every two months.

Tom

[Andy M.]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

Welcome to MOL!

Andy M.

[bigworm36]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

Wow!! thankyou for all of the information! I will be followering your suggestions once i can get everything together. Probably going to order it all online if i cant get this stuff at the store and do it next weekend.

What is grit guard? I have seen it many places but cannot seem to figure out what it is.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

A black vehicle sitting out all day in the Arizona sun is going to need frequent waxing -- at least once every two months.

Tom

Tguil is right. You would probably get better durability if you used NXT 2.0. Waxes break down much more quickly on a black vehicle that sits out in the sun all day. I doubt there would be much wax left at all after sitting in the sun 2 months. I believe that Megs states that NXT is the most durable of all their waxes. It looks fantastic on black!

[bigworm36]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

Ok guys went to auto zone and got the following

1. Gold class car wash
2. Smooth surface clay kit
3. Color x
4. Gold class wax

So if i do it in the above order should i be good to go? and is color x applied and removed like wax is. Unless I hear otherwise i will be doing this tommorrow so ill let you guys know how it turns out!!!!

[Markus Kleis]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

Ok guys went to auto zone and got the following

1. Gold class car wash
2. Smooth surface clay kit
3. Color x
4. Gold class wax

So if i do it in the above order should i be good to go? and is color x applied and removed like wax is. Unless I hear otherwise i will be doing this tommorrow so ill let you guys know how it turns out!!!!

Yup, yup, and yup. Let us know how it goes

[Murr1525]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

You will probably have to order the Grit Guard online, it is just a device that sits in your water buckets to keep the grit/sand separated, so it doesnt come back up onto your wash mitt.

You can do a search how the How to Wash Your Car Showcar Style video to see more about it. I dont have the link with me at the moment, but you can check other posts i have made as well.

[akimel]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

Here Mike Phillip's video on car washing:

[bigworm36]

Re: New to waxing and want to see if this process will work

Thanks alot that was a great video. ill let you guys know how it goes later tommorrow.