Current Washing Procedures

[razo137]

Well Hi,
I've been a lurker for a while and ever since i bought my car in October of last year, i've been using Meguiar's products on her. I have a few quick questions ... on how to possibly improve/change the way i wash her and would like your guys' input.

I guess I should list what i do and what i use first before...

1) Wash - Weekly
Gold Class™ Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner

2) Clay - Twice a Year
Smooth Surface™ Clay Kit
3) Wax - Every 6 weeks
Gold Class™ Liquid Wax
4) Misc - Weekly (when i wash her)
Ultimate Quik Detailer®
Gold Class™ All Wheel® Cleaner
Gold Class™ Rich Leather Spray
Gold Class™ Vinyl/Rubber Protectant


And now to the questions
1) Should I use a dedicated Tire cleaner/shiner? I just wash and use the Vinyl/Rubber thing on it now
2) Do I need to do two coats of the Wax? I currently do one coat and wait ~10 min before i wipe it off.
3) I heard that using one layer of the Gold Class Liquid Wax first then a top coat of the Nxt Tech Wax 2.0 would be great for my car. Any thought?

Heres' a quick night shot of her recently.


Thanks!

[TimG]

Re: Current Washing Procedures

Hi.

Nice looking scooby there.

Anyhow on to your question,

And now to the questions
1) Should I use a dedicated Tire cleaner/shiner? I just wash and use the Vinyl/Rubber thing on it now
2) Do I need to do two coats of the Wax? I currently do one coat and wait ~10 min before i wipe it off.
3) I heard that using one layer of the Gold Class Liquid Wax first then a top coat of the Nxt Tech Wax 2.0 would be great for my car. Any thought?

1. The GC Vinyl/Rubber Protectant can be used but not sure for the durability. If you're into shinny tires then go for the dedicated tire dressings (Endurance/NXT/Hot Shine)

2. 2 coat of wax is just to ensure proper coverage on all the paint surface. Read more on layering ( What's the deal with "Layering?" )

3. I believe if you want to layer, its supposed to be sealant topped with a carnauba wax (wax on top sealant as base)

Hope this helps


Tim

[Murr1525]

Re: Current Washing Procedures

1. Wash - Remember to use 2 buckets, Grit Guards, and of course good quality towels/sponges.

2. Clay - good

3. I would tend to use a cleaner/wax to clean and polish the paint some, before putting on my final coat of wax. I like ColorX, but the regular Cleaner/Wax would be fine to.

4. Wax - Then a coat of a good wax like Gold Class, etc, would finish it off nicely, and give the recomended two coats.


Questions:

1. I would recomend a jug of APC.. it works good for tires, wheelwells, seats, carpets, floormats.... sinks, countertops, lawn furniture, shoes... Then as mentioned above, a product like Nxt Insane Shine, Endurance, even All Season Dressing, would likely be better.

2. As mentioned above, yes, it is a good idea. And the ColorX or Cleaner/Wax would help with that.

3. If you are going to go to Nxt 2.0, I would just go with 2 coats of it. Or ColorX and Nxt 2.0.

[retrofinisher]

Re: Current Washing Procedures

Hints for washing- (2 buckets/ separate sponges)

A. Hose overall surfaces to get the big stuff off and metal cool
B. wash from top down with sudsy cash wash water
C. Wash area below "trim" at the "splash zone" (separate sponge)
D. detail trim and rubber
E. Clean wheel well lips (separate sponge)
F. tire cleaner
G. Mist and towel with detailer spray..

If you drop a sponge or towel clean thoroughly or use a clean one

[TimG]

Re: Current Washing Procedures

Just incase you miss this.

How to Wash Your Car (Showcar style!)



Tim

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Current Washing Procedures

Your plan sounds pretty good.

1. I would use Hot Shine or Endurance Gel.

2. 2 Thin coats are better then i coat. Even coverage, will not miss any areas etc.

3.I think the Gold Class topped with NXT 2.0 would be a great combo. Or you could go with 2 coats of GC, or 2 of the NXT.

[RacerX88]

Re: Current Washing Procedures

Only thing I would add would be Quick Wax to your weekly routine. I find that QD is good for getting me to my next wash. Quick Wax is better at getting me to my next wax.

[razo137]

Re: Current Washing Procedures

Thanks for everyone's responses.

1) So is it GC before NXT or NXT before GC? i'm confused now.

2) How often would you do the QW

3) Can i use GC or Ultimate QD on my rims? I heard waxing rims will help keep the brake dusts off.

[RacerX88]

Re: Current Washing Procedures

2) How often would you do the QW

I use the QW after every wash that I am not going to wax. I use the squeak test to verify I still have a good coat of wax.
Right now I wash the cars weekly but, that's based on a number of environmental variables... like the tree that is currently leaving small drops of sap all over the Cav