New to the Forum - Quick Question

[cjryan33]

What are the best steps to keep that new car shine besides a weekly wash? Ive heard it is not good or maybe not necessary to wax cars as much as early model cars. I just purchased a 2013 Audi A6. When will this car need its first wax? I was thinking just a wash and maybe using a quick detail mist?


If someone could explain the difference between a quick detailer and quick wax? I have used the Meguires Quick detailing mist in the past and thhought that it was just a light wax.


Thank you for your advice.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to the Forum - Quick Question

Wax is just a sacrificial barrier that the elements can attack and wear off before getting to the paint. So the age/type of paint wont affect the wax. Newer waxes may last longer than older waxes, although the worse the elements the faster they will wear off.

As far as what I would want to do to a car, it would look like this: (assuming no swirls, scratches, etc to fix up)

1. Wash: Gold Class soap, 2 buckets, Grit Guard, good quality towels, mitts, etc.
2. Clay: Smooth Surface Clay kit
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Ult. Wax or Nxt 2.0 are more durable waxes, or any other favorite.

5. Maintain: After future washes, I like to dry while using something like the Ult. Quick Wax or Gold Class Spray Wax.

A quick detailer product is really just like an oil, for lubrication. So lubrication for claying, lubrication for removing some dust, light dirt, bird droppings, etc, so they arent just dragged around dry on the surface and mess the paint up.

A spray wax product will leave some wax behind on the surface. It is generally recomended to use a good liquid/paste wax as a base, and then use the spray wax as a 'booster' to keep extending the life of the base wax.

[cjryan33]

Re: New to the Forum - Quick Question

Thank you for the information. Since the car is only 5 days old, hopefully I should not have to clay the car for awhile. It looks like I will be waxing it next week when I get of shift.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to the Forum - Quick Question

Well, claying is up to you... but if it hasnt been done, wont hurt, esp if you are new to it as well.

[Detailing by M]

Re: New to the Forum - Quick Question

Since the car is only 5 days old, hopefully I should not have to clay the car for awhile.

I love this, your car isn't 5 days old per-say, you have to take into count that it has been sitting in a delivery lot and most likely around alot of diesel exhaust and other fallout and lot's of other unseen stuff.
Put your hand in a sandwich bag or the like and feel your paint.
If it is ruff then you have fallout contamination.

Claying is a cleaning of the surface of the paint. Getting the stuff in the air that has fallen on your car and has bonded to the paint.
The contamination of your paint can happen with in seconds.
So claying is a must if your going to wax it (wax, seal in the dirt if you don't clay)

I spray wax alot of cars and it holds up well due to the fact I clean the paint well before waxing.
No matter what wax you use your only going to leave behind a micro thin layer of the wax.
So use what ever wax will give the results you like.
A good over the counter is NXT or Cleaner Wax.
Get the Meg's Clay kit and a wax of your choice.

wash, clay, wax.
Every car I see, new or old gets a wash, clay and wax.

[cjryan33]

Re: New to the Forum - Quick Question

Thank you for the information. I actually have a Megs clay kit in my garage that I was going to use on my truck before I traded it in. I guess I will have to put it to use.

[BillE]

Re: New to the Forum - Quick Question

Just to maybe help clarify a bit...do a 'baggie test' AFTER you wash your car. Ya don't wanna be rubbing any surface dirt (etc) into that new paint.

Enjoy your new car and WELCOME to MOL!

Bill

[Detailing by M]

^^^^ you can baggie test it dirty.
I do it all the time to show customers what is on there paint.
Your just feeling the paint not buffing it with the bag
Ie: don't grind the baggie into the paint, use common sence