Some wax/sealent advice

[ffpmme]

So I am needing to wax/polish/detail my car. I have a 00 limited metalic blue that I just bought. The finish is in not bad shape, but I would like the car to last a while so I need to protect it.

Any thoughts on waxes. What have people used?

I am thinking about the Zymol, but since it is outside in Chicago, I think I need synthetic. With that I was thinking about Turtle Wax ICE.

I have always used Meguires in the past. I was thinking that route but I would have to use some compound or polish then the synthetic wax. Sine I am doing this for the first time I am thinking it is going to be a long process.

1) wash (meguiars gold class)
2) clay (Mothers or Meguairs)
3) re-wash
4) polish (Meguairs Ultimate polish)
5) sealant ( Meguairs liquid wax)
6) optional wax (meguairs gold class carnauba)

No I like the mothers 3 step system, but I am not sure where I can use a synthetic in there since carnauba wax only lasts for about 6 -8 weeks as I have been told, and going into winter now I want the best protections I can get.

I am staying with one brad becasue that is what I know, but if you have suggestions please let me know. I have been told to try the Klasse sealent then use a wax over that to give it a great look. But Klasse is Acrylic protection. I guess I am thinking I am going to cove my car in a clear headlight housing or something. Has anybody used it?


Am I missing a step?

 

[Varsity]

Well, being in Chicago, I understand your pain. I don't know much about systems or polishes, but from my experience, I usually wash my truck every couple of months, and wax it with Nu-Finish every other wash or so. Nu-Finish is incredible stuff, as I haven't waxed since possibly April and it's still beading great. I save the clay bar for the springtime. It's done amazing for me so far, as I get tons of compliments on my truck's condition for being 12 years old. Dunno if that helps you at all or not, but it's all I got.

 

[Joe Dirt]

ICE will not last very long, especially if parked outside. Meg's Ultimate Wax lasts better, but I top my UW with Meg's M16, if you can find it.

 

[ffpmme]

Thanks for the info Joe, I was wondering if anybody has used the UW and how it lasted. I will look into it?

Have you ever tried or heard anything about the Klasse? They have a all in one, and put a wax over that I think that may be a good idea.

 

[UtahX]

Klasse is very nice, but checkout Jeff's Werkstatt much better/easier product to use. Your steps are good, but the wax at the end is just a sacraficial lamb, you really do not need it. I put it on my self just to give the paint a warmer feel/glow. Claying should be done once a year if you have alot of junk on the paint, I usually do it every other year and in the spring after a hard winter.

 

[Joe Dirt]

No, you don't need the top wax, but I like the look. The M16 seems to last longer in the winter than the UW, so I top with it.

 

[ffpmme]

any recommendations on clay's? Never used one, it sound rather easy to use, lots of lube!!!! But any brand better then another?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Nah, I've used both Mothers and Meg's clay. Use Quik Detailer, not Ultimate Quik Detailer if you happen to have them both at some point, the Ultimate is too slick for claying... If you get the Megs kit, it will come with the correct one.

There are different grades (aggressiveness) of clay. The kits in the stores will come with mild, you can get more aggressive ones on sites like THIS

If a car is really in need, I'll use the medium Meg's clay. I had to use that on my Explorer when I got it since it had some red overspray on it from the previous owner...

As an aside, check out the Meguiars online forums- the factory techs are on there all the time, and the info on that site is incredible. I've been detailing for 25+ years and still learn stuff all the time.

Meguiars Online


Here are a couple of good reads on clay, and the vid from the first one:





http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?42524-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-Series-Claying

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?55105-Clay-Bar-101

 

[Flounder]

Klasse is very nice, but checkout Jeff's Werkstatt much better/easier product to use. Your steps are good, but the wax at the end is just a sacraficial lamb, you really do not need it. I put it on my self just to give the paint a warmer feel/glow. Claying should be done once a year if you have alot of junk on the paint, I usually do it every other year and in the spring after a hard winter.

Werkstat! I'm surprised there's another user here.