Is cleaner wax the product I need?

[Solipsist]

Hi everyone,

I've had a good search through many previous topics, but hoping you might be able to answer my question.

My mum's car never gets washed, it's a silver station wagon and is constantly out is the weather. I gave it a good wash today, and intended to put some nxt 2.0 wax on it. However I noticed how dull the paint is, it's no longer shiney, looks more grey than silver!!

So i've been reading up, and I think cleaner wax is the product I need, my mum doesn't have that much money, certainly not alot to spend on products, like claying, as the kit is quite expensive here in Aus. So I was wondering would cleaner wax be a good product for bringing the paint back, or maybe scratch x 2.0? but i'm wondering if I can get away with the cleaner wax as it is cheaper.

I don't want to sound like i'm happy to do a **** job, as I'd really like to do a great job on mum's car, but the financial constraints means there's only so much I can do.

Any ideas on if the cleaner wax would do the trick? or should I spend extra on scratch x and use it for the whole car??

thanks everyone in advance

[akimel]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

Hi! Is ColorX available in Australia? I just looked at the Meguiar's Australia website, and it does appear to be available to you. If it is, that would be the product I would recommend to you, given the described condition of your mother's car. If ColorX is not available, then I would certainly give Cleaner Wax a chance.

Another possibility is Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, followed by two coats of NXT.

Cheers,
Al

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

I would also give a vote for colorx. If it is in the budget. Otherwise the cleaner wax would be a good choice.

[Solipsist]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

Thanks Al and J.A

Yep, I've seen colour x for sale before, just didn't really think of it, because of the names I assumed it was some kind of product for dark coloured cars, oops!

I will have a look at how much it costs here tomorrow, and hopefully mum's budget will allow it, I'd like to make her car look really nice, as my brother has stolen her spot in the carport, so her car is so neglected now

I'm not at all familiar with this product, so I was just wondering, is it safe for a novice to use? can I do any kind of damage with it? is it safe for all kinds of paints?

again, thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it

[02zx9r]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

I have not used colorx (yet) but last tuesday after work I did a friends black Hyundai Santa fe, all he wanted was a wash, wax, vacuum. Nothing more, nothing less. I have the megs cleaner wax in the maroon bottle but for whatever reason I did not want to "waste" it on his truck, so I used the 3M cleaner wax I got at walmart for $5 on clearance.

It did a fabulous job of getting the grime off the truck. It made a definite improvement on the truck that is for sure, nice and glossy. I always used to use mothers cleaner wax by hand but never did it properly I dont think, I would just spread it around like a regular wax, let it haze, and wipe off. I didnt take the time to rub with a litttle passion to get a deep cleaning and it always looked great. Now that I use a PC to apply, I let it do what it is supossed to do, and it worked great.

Point being, cleaner waxes really do have their places *IF* you just want a quick clean up/wax and no real paint correction.

[DarkBlue]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

You can try

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Just get a Cleaner Wax A12 (this is a all-in-one, save $, time and effort)

3 steps you should be good to go. Since cleaner wax is quite mild, you can do 2-layers to get maximum cleaning for neglected finish.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

Thanks Al and J.A

Yep, I've seen colour x for sale before, just didn't really think of it, because of the names I assumed it was some kind of product for dark coloured cars, oops!

I will have a look at how much it costs here tomorrow, and hopefully mum's budget will allow it, I'd like to make her car look really nice, as my brother has stolen her spot in the carport, so her car is so neglected now

I'm not at all familiar with this product, so I was just wondering, is it safe for a novice to use? can I do any kind of damage with it? is it safe for all kinds of paints?

again, thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it

Yes. It is safe for novices. The product description states, "Colorx is the tested and proven one-step system to restore deep color and gloss from your oxidized or contaminated paint finish. Helps remove fine scratches and swirl marks too. Dramatically revive brilliant color and add a long lasting protection that locks in the shine."

So if the buget allows this would take car of mom's car. Good luck.

[CieraSL]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

Another vote for ColorX. You can use that and follow it up with NXT 2.0. Are you going to clay her car as well?

[Alex C.]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

Another one for ColorX. You should clay but if you're not just be sure to have plenty of applicator pads on hand. Your pads will get dirtier quicker than if you would've clayed.

[Bounty]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

You can try

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Just get a Cleaner Wax A12 (this is a all-in-one, save $, time and effort)

3 steps you should be good to go. Since cleaner wax is quite mild, you can do 2-layers to get maximum cleaning for neglected finish.

.....this is a nice bare-bones way to substantially improve the look of the car.

[xantonin]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

He said that the clay kit is out of their budget, you guys.

In that case, I think that Black150's information on using a lot of pads with the cleaner wax is the best suggestion financially.

[Bounty]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

He said that the clay kit is out of their budget, you guys.

In that case, I think that Black150's information on using a lot of pads with the cleaner wax is the best suggestion financially.

Good catch...skipped that part.

The Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit is pretty expensive (comparitvely overseas) but he can find other brands of clay (Clay Magic, Sonus, etc) which are reasonably priced. Without claying, you're leaving a lot of bonded contaminants that will degrade the finish over time and potentially loosen during the washing/waxing process and cause further marring or scratching.

I'd definitely recommend claying but if you simply cannot get it then go with the strongest cleaner/wax available...

[Solipsist]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

Oh wow, thanks everybody! You are all so helpful

I spoke to mum last night, and showed her a thread I found where the person used color x, she was pretty impressed!
So I think we might go for that, the clay kits here are about $50 or more, so with that and the color x (about $25) I don't think the budget will stretch that far, but maybe we can work up to it, and get it next time. I'm slowly building up a collection of products, but mum's retired, and I'm a student, so it normally means only one new product every fortnight

hehe, oh and just so everyone knows, my name is actually Jen...I'm a girl, lol, was funny to read me being referred to as a he,

[Eddie6th]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

Deep crystal 3 step is the Bee's Knees,after claying.Choice of 3rd stage.It's up to you.

[Solipsist]

Re: Is cleaner wax the product I need?

Hi everybody!

Me again! I've just come back from the shops, mum was a bit more free with the budget then I thought, so I got the clay kit, and the color x

She's really excited, the weatherman has said sunny all day tomorrow, so here's hoping for some decent weather, i've taken some before pics, so i'll take photos after every stage, and i'll make a new thread of my first real detail! fingers crossed it goes good