I too would like to know the difference between cleaner wax and regular "polshing wax" or whatever you call it. I read that autogeek site and it didnt mention cleaner wax just carnuba.. Im really confused as to what to do now. Tomorrow will be my HUGE cleaning day, since Im finally finished with exterior mods for awhile I decided I would strip down, clay and wax the car, what do I need to use to accomplish this?

When we bought my car we bought the extra zylon or w/e paint protection thing that they do to it (they put the stuff on the space shuttle, we assumed it was pretty damn good b/c of that) so does that matter when I try to strip it and rewax? Will it strip that coating off? Thanks

 

$200 for a detail? Thats outrageous. Around teh corner from me its 30 bucks. $50 for shampoo, but I hate the smell of those chemical carpet cleaners. I'll just use simple green.

 

I have the same problem with my hood though not that bad. Where I park my car the sprinklers hit it. The water from my sprinklers is straight well water, and has damaged the hood and it looks like something that needs to be buffed out.

Looks like your having a similar problem.

 

http://www.accessconnect.com/meguiarswax.htm
works like a very mild rubbing compound and wax in one. Works great for removing those stubborn bug spots that washing can't.

 

You might want to dry each portion of the car immediately after you wash it. Start with the top and work your way around. Wash the front quarter panel and then dry it when done. Then move to the driver's side door and do the same thing. It will take a long time, but it will eliminate the water spots since the water has no time to evaporate and leave the minerals on your car. I usually do this every time that I know I am going to wax the car cause you don't want to wax over water spots. I also use the Mr Clean system, but only for the filtered water to wash the soap off. I use my own soap and still dry the car with towels. You will probably need to use a claybar to remove the spots that are already there if you waxed over them.

 

Don't wash it in the sun, don't let it air dry...wipe it dry with a clean, soft, cotton cloth.

 

Pour a cup or two of white vinegar into your soapy water bucket

 

vinegar?? seriously? I'm so disturbed right now about my car I just might believe anything!!

 

Sure vinegar will eats up minerals. I was freaked when I took my torch red car home, it got sprinklered by my old mans well water - water so hard you get a concussion in the shower, and left spots. A little vinegar in the wash dramatically reduced it. Polish and elbow grease got the rest out.

Also, I keep a spray bottle of half white vinegar/distilled water and a clean MF towel in my trunk, if I ever get sprinklered, spritz and wipe off.

 

A cleaner/wax is exactly what it says it is. It is a mild paint cleaner combined with wax. A polish is a product that actually helps to bring out the depth and shine of the paint while adding nutrients to it. If you do not want to spend a lot of time detailing and getting the best results possible then you would want to simply clay then apply the Cleaner/Wax. It is an ok product as it helps clean and also applies wax but it will not bring out the shine any more. Polish really allows you to get that deep shiny paint then after polsih you apply either wax or a sealant. The dealership selants will not last forever and honestly are a huge ripoff and easy money for the dealers. It will come off with claybar. I actually use a Sealant and a wax on my vehicles.

What steps you take really do depend on the condition of the paint. My vehicle rarely need deep cleaning and polishing as i keep them in tip top shape most of the time. and I oly need to clay maybe twice a year and polsih once a year. What you need to remeber is polishing does remove clear coat that is how it make the paint look good. You are removing the imperfections.

And yes White Vinegar is ok to use but it does remove wqax as well so if you use it you must then reapply wax. Use a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water.

Richard