wax for a new car

[Murr1525]

Re: wax for a new car

If it isnt filthy, you could Quick Detail the panel. Or a splash of water and soap in a bucket for the panel itself. I wouldn't wash the whole car daily, unless you were doing like 1 car wax and panel a week or something.

[brendan1234]

Re: wax for a new car

I will try to do a "panel at a time" since I don't have much time...

since this is my daily driver...it's going to be dirty from driving outside


when I do a "panel at a time" that means I still have to wash it with the car shampoo and dry and everything (on that particular panel)
before i start clay, polish...and wax right?

[brendan1234]

Re: wax for a new car

Yeah, better to do things yourself.



Claying is pretty quick.

What you could do is wash, clay, and use the Cleaner/Wax that comes with the Smooth Surface Clay kit.

Then attack the hard work later, even a panel an evening or something.



In what way? How used, or what they do?

did some research...alot of research tonight...so basically found that polishes are for smoothing out the surface (compound are too but are much more stronger) while waxes are to "seal" everything in...so basically waxes don't smooth out the surface but simply seal everything in AFTER you have polished or compounded the surface

[MikeEast]

Re: wax for a new car

If you are pressed for time, I'd wash it, then clay it before I did anything else. The basis for a good finish is the prep, even if it takes a week or more to do, do it slow, take your time and do it right. It won't hurt it to leave it unfinished.

After the claybar I'd just wax it until you have time to really attack whatever problems you spot. Like Murri said, a panel a night works just fine. The end results are worth it.

Mike

[Murr1525]

Re: wax for a new car

what is the difference between polish and compound?

I have the dc2 (step 2 polish)...do i have still have to buy the ultimate compound?

Different companies call things different terms, which only makes it harder for new people. But we'll go with Meguiars terms here.

Polish will mean oils. So the product is going ot put oils into the paint, keep it drying out, add some gloss, etc.

A compound is a strong cleaning product, meaning removing dirt and swirls if applied right.

So yeah, if you want the swirls out, you will need something stronger then DC2.

[Murr1525]

Re: wax for a new car

this is my first new car...always thought that a "new" car would have great paint (my friend asked me why I needed to wax a new car)

dealer said he would "prep" it for me, which I think he just ran it through an auto wash because the paint was still really dull

Yeah, better to do things yourself.

but the QUESTION is...can i first just put the ultimate wax on for now (to protect it)? does putting on the last step first, mean that I can't go back and do step 1 2 and 3 again the next time I wash and detail my black car?

Claying is pretty quick.

What you could do is wash, clay, and use the Cleaner/Wax that comes with the Smooth Surface Clay kit.

Then attack the hard work later, even a panel an evening or something.

i don't understand how wax...and polishes work..

In what way? How used, or what they do?

[Merlin]

Re: wax for a new car

Just a FYI

A friend of mine just purchased a brand new black Camaro.
Before it got delivered to the dealer he told them DO NOT WASH it.
He proudly brought it to me for a new car wash and wax treatment.
It was COVERED from top to bottom with DISO scratches & swirl marks.
The paint was trashed. It had less than 50 miles on it & he just paid 45k cash!
I held up the Brinkman and you could see his heart sink.

It took two of us all day with two DA machines to polish out the paint.
We used the DA MF cutting pads and D300 followed by Menz PO106.
(nothing against D301 and the DA polishing pads. I've just never used them)
After that I applied 2 coats of #21 and 1 coat of #26. It's now clear and wet.
It's not all about the wax...It's about preparing the paint BEFORE application!

I sure do like seeing the faces when I present glistening polished paint.

[brendan1234]

Re: wax for a new car

what is the difference between polish and compound?

I have the dc2 (step 2 polish)...do i have still have to buy the ultimate compound?

[brendan1234]

Re: wax for a new car

Echo the previous comments - I was just by the local dodge dealer and was complimented several times on my Dakota R/T by salesmen.

I asked each of them to feel (back of the hand, no rings please) the difference between my not-really-done-yet truck and a brand new Challenger nearby. They were impressed at how much nicer the truck was and quite appalled at the condition of the Challenger. It was very rough and dirty feeling, even though one guy said it had been 'prepped just the other day'.

I may go back and rub it in a bit - maybe drum up some business?

Mike

u should def go and work something out with them...but I guess most new car buyers don't understand that they may not be getting the best paint even though the car is new...

so it's probably cheaper for the dealer to "prep" the car by running it through the auto wash next door...

[brendan1234]

Re: wax for a new car

seriously...

this is my first new car...always thought that a "new" car would have great paint (my friend asked me why I needed to wax a new car)

dealer said he would "prep" it for me, which I think he just ran it through an auto wash because the paint was still really dull


BUT...I have a question...

I work full time and go to school at night, so time is not something i have a lot of...

I would like to do the step 1, 2 and 3...and finish off with some ultimate wax
and possibly even the compounding everyone is advising...


but the QUESTION is...can i first just put the ultimate wax on for now (to protect it)? does putting on the last step first, mean that I can't go back and do step 1 2 and 3 again the next time I wash and detail my black car?


i don't understand how wax...and polishes work...

[MikeEast]

Re: wax for a new car

Echo the previous comments - I was just by the local dodge dealer and was complimented several times on my Dakota R/T by salesmen.

I asked each of them to feel (back of the hand, no rings please) the difference between my not-really-done-yet truck and a brand new Challenger nearby. They were impressed at how much nicer the truck was and quite appalled at the condition of the Challenger. It was very rough and dirty feeling, even though one guy said it had been 'prepped just the other day'.

I may go back and rub it in a bit - maybe drum up some business?

Mike

[wifpd4]

Re: wax for a new car

Brendan, I just want to echo what Murr had stated:

...
I would certainly plan on claying and the paint cleaner step if you want it shined back up.

You mention the car

...has been sitting outside for a long time...it was really dusty...

Starting out right means a good thorough washing following recommended procedures and using high quality products like Gold Class or Ultimate Wash and Wax automotive soap. Follow that with a complete clay-barring.

Having a clean and smooth foundation upon which to build the rest of your project is key to the final car's surface appearance. Whether sitting in the sales lot, traveling on a transport trailer or riding in a train car, surface contamination with affect the final outcome. Remove it with a clay bar and proper lubrication.

Take time to view the videos:
http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=134

Good luck and enjoy your black car.

[Murr1525]

Re: wax for a new car

how do i add pictures to this thread?

I only see the thumbnail link

You would want to upload the pic somewhere, your gallery here is good, then get the link and use the "Insert Image" icon (the yellow square with the mountain thingy in it).

[Murr1525]

Re: wax for a new car

Thanks, (I have the 3 step, can I replace the "ultimate compound" with the step 2 polish?)

1. wash - ultimate wash and wax
2. step 1 paint cleaner (but it's new car, so i think i might skip this)
3. step 2 polish
4. wax nxt 2.0 or ult wax

what is UQW?

To remove swirls/scratches/water etching, you have to remove a bit of paint, to level the surface out.

So you would need to use products stronger than the 3-step system, and some effort working them in.

Thats why I was asking above, because it changes the products needed, the amount of work, etc. Using something like the Step 2 Polish and a wax may hide them a little, but thats about it.

I would certainly plan on claying and the paint cleaner step if you want it shined back up.

[brendan1234]

Re: wax for a new car

how do i add pictures to this thread?

I only see the thumbnail link