Quick advice needed!

[Drashnar]

Ok. After a long time since my last post (here), I'm finally ready and able to do my first wax after washing my car. But I don't know what wax to buy/use!

I was thinking about the cleaner wax, but do I get the liquid or the paste if I choose that?

I could also really use the time saver of one of the spray waxes, but the description says its best used when you have a base coat of wax down already. Thoughts? Please help! Times ticking and I really need to do this today or it gets put off for another week!

[mis3]

Re: Quick advice needed!

It all depends on the condition of your car and your expectations.

If you want a show car finish, you will need the full 5-step treatment; ie: Wash-Clay-Clean-Polish-Wax. This will require 5 products.

For me, I only do this full treatment once a year or so. The rest of the time I would simply wash and wax. I would alternate between Cleaner Wax and Ultimate Wax.

Cleaner Wax is an all-in-one product meaning it contains cleaning, polishing agents and wax protection. To start, my suggestion is to use Cleaner Wax in liquid form. You can move on to other products later.

As for spray wax (Ultimate Quick Wax), this should be used between waxes, always after a car wash.

[BillyJack]

Re: Quick advice needed!

Cleaner Wax is an all-in-one product meaning it contains cleaning, polishing agents and wax protection. To start, my suggestion is to use Cleaner Wax in liquid form. You can move on to other products later.
As for spray wax (Ultimate Quick Wax), this should be used between waxes, always after a car wash.

X2. There's lots of products available for a more involved process, but for a quick and easy cleanup, it's hard to beat the old standard Liquid Cleaner Wax.

Bill

[Jarhead0754]

If ur not gonna do anything more than wax then I would say get the cleaner wax. And then maintain after every weekly wash with a spray wax. And a month later do the cleaner again. But I think u need to sit down and think about what u want out of the look of ur car. Basically if u have never done a 5 step process I would suggest doing it. I understand that u might think that this will take just too much of ur time and that partially is true IF u have never done it before. But with everything else the 1st one is the hardest and longest. Once u get that done its not a constant battle where u have to do the same amount of work. It's just maintainence. And when u see the results u will b really impressed.

[Drashnar]

Re: Quick advice needed!

Thanks for the replies!

I ended up getting the Liquid Cleaner Wax. I'm sure my technique will need a little polishing (pun intended :P) but I'm ok with the results which are a massive improvement. When I can afford to get all the products to do the full 5 step process I definitely will, though my back will be screaming at me from all the bending and hunching over (I'm 6'3").

I've never waxed before, so washing is supposed to get easier as long as I keep it up?

And those places/spots that won't seem to come up with a normal wash? I assume that's what claying and then cleaning is for? Followed by polishing?

When I do decide to get into doing the full 5 step process, how viable is it to do by hand? For reference, This today took me around 3 hours, for the just the wash and wax. Granted, I haven't been regularly washing due to time and other issues for awhile (last wash was over a month ago). But I'm just wondering if I'm going to need to buy a buffer or something just to make this whole process easier, or if I really am just that out of shape.

Help and thanks!

[The Guz]

Re: Quick advice needed!

A DA polisher is worth the money. It will save you time and give you better results then doing it by hand.

Don't forget to clay the car to remove surface contaminants and get the surface ready for wax. You could put a coat of a synthetic like NXT 2.0 or ultimate wax to last longer than just the cleaner wax.

Look for the thread about the 5 step process that will have great information for you to research. Junkman on YouTube has some nice videos on how to use a DA.

[mis3]

Re: Quick advice needed!

I do the 5-step by hand and it would take me about about 6 hrs. Then for even coverage, I would wax one more time the next day. Regular wash and wax would take 2 hrs. My car is silver so it is quite easy to maintain.

Glad you are getting good results with Cleaner Wax. For the spots that could not be cleaned, try rubbing them with Cleaner Wax.

[Drashnar]

Re: Quick advice needed!

And today the yard workers come and blow dust/dirt/leaves/grass and everything all over my freshly washed and waxed car. Why do I even try? :'(

[mis3]

Re: Quick advice needed!

And today the yard workers come and blow dust/dirt/leaves/grass and everything all over my freshly washed and waxed car. Why do I even try? :'(

I know. They were times that I would not go out because my car was freshly detailed.

That is where UQW comes in handy. You can just rinse the car (strong water jets, no soap) and dry it with UQW.

[Drashnar]

Re: Quick advice needed!

UQW, or UQD? And if UQW, why that instead of UQD?

[Jarhead0754]

Must b nice to have weather nice enuf to have yard workers out now. I mean we do too but right now we call them snow shovelers.

[Murr1525]

Re: Quick advice needed!

UQW should be used on a clean surface, which it would be after washing. And then the UQW would leave more protection behind than the UQD would.

[mis3]

Re: Quick advice needed!

UQW, or UQD? And if UQW, why that instead of UQD?

Depends where you are.

If you have access to a water hose, I would suggest to hose off the car and then apply UQW. Otherwise, you can see UQD (if no water).

I perfer water and UQW, no risk. I myself use UQD for only spot cleanings, not for the whole car.

[Drashnar]

Re: Quick advice needed!

I can get to a hose. Just to clarify, I apply UQW while the car is still wet, and dry it that way? Or do I dry it then apply and wipe off? I'll be doing this after I pickup my kids from school, so I have an hour or 2 before I get started.

Thanks!

[Drashnar]

Re: Quick advice needed!

And the hose I had lined up fell through. So, looks like I'll have to just wait until my next wash (planned for Saturday). I did end up getting a bottle of UQW though, so I'll probably just use that after the next wash, and hope it's enough after just 1 time of the liquid cleaner wax. Thanks everyone.