Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

[kjchen69]

hello everyone, I am new to this forum! Well, I have been reading in here for at least more than a week and this place totally changed me about car washing/cleaning/waxing...etc...! It really helps me a lot and I really thankful for everyone's experienced posting here.
long story short, just got my 2010 Nissan Altima coupe last month, I'm in los angeles, living in an apartment without a garage, so my car is parking on the driveway day & night without covered. I got all the stuff from meguiar's (by the way, all products are amazing!!!) my questions and what's bothering me are:
1. after drying the car, when I start to apply either polish or wax, the dust will already cover the surface, I can tell from the applied pads that full of dust and that's a so bad sign, means I might scratching the paint, even I did it very gentle or lightly wipe it before I applied wax or polish.
2. after applied wax, I need it has to wait at least 10-20 mins but since it's not doing in the garage, it will full of dust again and to wipe off the wax, now since I know better, it's kind of like suicide to me >_<.
so can anyone help me or any comment or suggestion for me that: how do you deal with the car detailing when don't have a garage or proper space to do so?
I did some search before I post my question here and this is my first post, sorry if it's too long and if I posted to the wrong place, but I'll really love to hear from all of you, thank you all so much!

K.J

[Murr1525]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

Removing wax with a little dust on it shouldnt be too bad.

But, between something like cleaning and polishing, or between coats of wax, you may need to use something like a Quick Detailer for a quick wipe of the area.

[mako20C]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

if able another tip would try to do it as early in the morning or evening as the wind settles down and the traffic so not as much dust is in the air.

[Fly Bye]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

hello everyone

1. after drying the car, when I start to apply either polish or wax, the dust will already cover the surface,

2. after applied wax, I need it has to wait at least 10-20 mins but...

I would recommend doing only small sections at a time. This will allow you to apply & remove quicker than if you were to do larger sections at a time. I see that you are from S. California... the temps are typically much warmer than in N. California. This means that the wax will dry in considerably less time. By doing small sections at a time, this will also insure good, even & thorough coverage. If you are seeing dust in between sections of waxing, take a fresh, clean micro fiber, & glide it across the finish. The dust is most likely very, very, very small, & if you are careful, gliding a clean, fresh MF across your vehicles paint finish, 99 times out of a 100, will not instill scratches/swirls.

I agree with the comment about very small amounts of dust not causing any harm. I would still gently glide a MF across the paint finish.

Right now it is 72 degrees in S. Cal right now. It should not take very long for a small section of wax to dry. If you are really concerned, look for a quicker drying wax, but in S. Cal, I really wouldn't trip.



Enjoy your car care products

[Fly Bye]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?




Btw...


72 degrees is actually cool for LA

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

I know this will not stop the dust. But how about getting yourself, one of those east up canopies. They would allow you to wash and wax your vehicle in the shade. Then store it away when not using it.

As for the dust. You are resigned to doing a section at a time, it seems. Use a lot of quik detailer before waxing.

[kjchen69]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

thank you all for all the useful info and advise, really apperciated them!
just let you all know, the car is brand new, well, about a month now, it's parking on the driveway, not on the traffic street though. I only got to wash it twice and really wax it with NXT 2.0 once last week (by the way, 2.0 rocks!!). I also do wash after 4pm under the shade, the building covers the car just fine which is good for me for washing.
I actually got QD for the daily uses but now i know I'll use it first before wax and i did wax small section at a time already but since it need some time to be wiped off, trust me, one minute later after applied the wax, the car will already has dust on it, so I just try as gentle as possible.

now comes to my 2nd questions if you guys can still kindly help me out or give me some guide line:
that is I want to do 2nd coat of 2.0, but since the car is parking outside, the next day, it got foggy water and it will dry with some dust spot on it, the case like this, can i just use QD and then apply the 2nd cost of 2.0 wax on it?

thank you all

K.J

[Murr1525]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

Yes, applying wax, letting it sit for 12hours or so, then QDing and applying a second coat is quite common.

[akimel]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

This may be a situation where a California Duster might prove helpful. If used improperly, a California Duster can damage the finish; but if used only to remove light dust and if used in accordance with the Junkman's instructions, then careful and gentle employment of this tool might just solve your problem.

[kjchen69]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

oh, thank you so much akimel, that's what I need, a visual guide and it really is all about the technique and I am again learning more from this forum and from you guys.
now I got all the ideas and what's dos and what's don'ts
thank you so much!

K.J

[Fly Bye]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

the Junkman's instructions,

Very cool, but he's exaggerating a bit

[kjchen69]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

can i still use the meguiar paint sealant without garaged or covered space though? it takes longer time to sit before wipe off and once the sealant is on, I can't clean the dust on it any more, that's ok also? or i should just stick with NTX 2.0?

thank you
K.J

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

K.J., we deleted you duplicate posts, just so you know.

As for which wax to use when forced to work outside and you're concerned about drying time - you might want to look at M20 Polymer Sealant. It has light cleaning ability and offers a nice mix of synthetic and carnauba. It dries very quickly, offers fantastic shine and protection, and goes on and wipes off effortlessly.

[kjchen69]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

I was just wondering why my posts kept failing to be posting on it! so sorry if I caused any trouble or problem!
thank you Michael for the M20 advise! I've looked into it and decided to give it a try this weekend, just one last one, I know I dont have to or need to but can i still top it with nxt 2.0 and the best to do so is still to wait at least 12 hours?
thank you again!

K.J

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Don't have a garage, how to wax properly?

You most definitely can apply a coat of NXT over M20 if you so desire. While a 12 hour wait would be optimal, you don't have to wait that long if it's really inconvenient.