Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

[Czilla9000]

Hi,

I recently bought a brand new car (2016, white Mazda Miata).

Paint is in like new condition, except for some light spider webbing and light swirl marks. Not sure if they came dealer installed or if I recently installed them.

So, I want to correct them and protect my car. I don't have a machine, so I'd be doing this by hand. The consensus seems to be that White Wax would be the best for me, but I worry about making things worse - I'm new to car detailing. Therefore I'm wondering if I should start out with something safer like Cleaner Wax and see if that works, and maybe top it with Gold Class. Or should I do SwirlX and top with Gold Class?

Also, how I am I supposed to know with White Wax or Cleaner Wax how long to let it sit before buffing off? What's a normal time?

[Mr. Slick]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

You can try ultimate compound for the scratches. Wax typically dries in about 30 minutes. You can tell if it's ready to be buffed if you drag your finger on the paint. if it removes wax, it's ready. If it leaves a smear it's not ready.

[Czilla9000]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

You can try ultimate compound for the scratches. Wax typically dries in about 30 minutes. You can tell if it's ready to be buffed if you drag your finger on the paint. if it removes wax, it's ready. If it leaves a smear it's not ready.

Worried I'll mess up the paint.

If I got brave and used UC on my brand new car, would I follow it up immediately with a wax (like gold class) or some other product?

[davey g-force]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

You shouldn't have any problems with UC, but if you're worried, by all means you could try something milder on a test spot and see if that works.

Yes, if you use a polish / compound like UC or SwirlX, you will need to wax afterwards. If you end up going with Cleaner Wax or White Wax, you don't need to wax afterwards, but you can if you want.

What products do you already have at hand?

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

If you were to use White Wax, you only need to let it haze up for a few min. [5min. or so] before wiping. Some people treat it like a normal compound when applying it with a polisher and wipe it off immediately after they're done buffing.

If you decide to go with a polish such as Swirl X, apply Ultimate Wax afterwards. Same goes for Ultimate Compound.

If you're feeling uncertain about diving in and trying to correct the light swirls on your new vehicle [which is totally understandable] you can skip the compound/swirl removers for now and go straight to Ultimate Wax. The sooner the better, since your car's new and you want to keep it protected.

Another thing to keep in mind is how difficult it is to even see swirls in white paint. You really have to try to see them in most cases.

[Pmanilruben]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

from experience the white wax does remove or cover up swirl marks to a larger extend.

[Czilla9000]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

You shouldn't have any problems with UC, but if you're worried, by all means you could try something milder on a test spot and see if that works.

Yes, if you use a polish / compound like UC or SwirlX, you will need to wax afterwards. If you end up going with Cleaner Wax or White Wax, you don't need to wax afterwards, but you can if you want.

What products do you already have at hand?

Thanks - so UC and SwirlX would qualify as abrasive polishes? i.e., I wouldn't need to follow up with another polish to fix hazing or anything....I could go straight to any wax or sealant afterword?

Basically, if I follow the instructions on the UC bottle I shouldn't have any problems applying/correcting by hand?

[BillyJack]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

IMO, White Wax sounds like a good solution to try. Here's a thread from the past about its capabilities: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...Dc17ZJQiMwp.97

Bill

[Czilla9000]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

IMO, White Wax sounds like a good solution to try. Here's a thread from the past about its capabilities: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...Dc17ZJQiMwp.97

Bill

Thanks - I saw that thread, but I'd be doing this by hand though.

Would any correction from White Wax be permanent because of the SMAT abrasives?

Also, is it safe to repeatedly use White Wax on a car many times a year, or would it be better to switch to a pure wax like Gold Class or Ultimate after correcting with White Wax?

[Czilla9000]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

IMO, White Wax sounds like a good solution to try. Here's a thread from the past about its capabilities: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...Dc17ZJQiMwp.97

Bill

Thanks, I'd be working by hand though.

Is White Wax safe to repeatedly use throughout the year.....or would I use it once to correct and then never again (i.e, switch to a pure wax).

[BillyJack]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

Thanks - I saw that thread, but I'd be doing this by hand though.

Would any correction from White Wax be permanent because of the SMAT abrasives?

Also, is it safe to repeatedly use White Wax on a car many times a year, or would it be better to switch to a pure wax like Gold Class or Ultimate after correcting with White Wax?

1) The beauty of SMAT abrasives is that they don't require the lengthy polishing cycles necessary to utilize the diminishing properties of a DAT abrasive, so working by had can achieve equal results, just taking a longer time to do so. Any correction you achieve will be permanent.
2) The frequency question was addressed in the past. IIRC, using White Wax every month or so doesn't significantly reduce the paint film thickness enough to be an issue. Personally, I'd use it to get the finish in acceptable condition, then maintain it with either GC or UW, going back to White Wax a few times a year, whenever any deep cleaning or correction was necessary.

Bill

[Czilla9000]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

I decided to try to Cleaner Wax first.

I don't think it removed any swirls (but again they weren't too visible to begin with) but I have a bigger problem on my hands - I marred a spot of paint on hood. I assume it was while claybaring. :-(

(Basically, there is a streak on my hood that is lighter than the rest of the car paint).

Is there anyway I can correct this by hand? :-(

[Czilla9000]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

Actually, is what I described what is meant by detailing people as "paint marring"? It's not a scratch, it's that there is a small streak of white paint (my car is white) that is lighter than the rest of the hood. Did I cause that while claying (I thought I used plenty of lube) and can I fix that by myself (by hand)?

Sorry for the multiple posts....I wish there was an edit function (that didn't expire).

The frustrating thing is my efforts to make my car look better just end up causing more problems than they solve. Maybe I'll go back to using Wax-As-U-Dry and call it a day. (Not blaming Meguiars, this just might not be for me.)

[C8N]

Re: Confused about detailing new car (White Wax vs. Cleaner Wax)

clay can potentially lead to marring if your paint is soft.
Should be an easy fix. Try some UP. If that doesn't work, move up to UC. Just make sure you use the correct applicator.