I just picked up some Turtle wax ICE and Meguires Smooth Surface Clay kit. It's been a while since I have had I gave a shhit about waxing, so have a couple questions...


I got the clay, the wax... shouldn't there be a third step, a sealer? I used to use 3M on my Grand National and I thought there were 2-3 steps..

How long should I expect a wax to last? I want some protection from the sun... Shouldn't the factory clear coat do this job?? I have read here and there about waxing monthly... no way...


This is just an old thread I found in my search talking about ICE.. Anyone else use it?

https://mustangforums.com/m_1424436/mpage_2/key_/tm.htm

 

how long has it been since you've waxed your car? there might be some oxidation you need to deal with before waxing. you might be lucky to see six weeks out of turtle wax ice. if you don't like to wax often then you should invest in a sealant or some collonite wax. factory clear coat by its self will not hold up to natures elements forever, it too needs protection.

 

Before the wax I am going to use the Meguirs clay "smooth surface". I just bought the car in May, although the paint is near perfect in condition / shine, I will assume it's been a whillllllleee since the last wax job.

What sealant then?

 

optimum opti-seal would be a good sealant for you. you just spray it on, wipe it in and thats it. you dont even have to wipe it off. takes about 10 minutes to do the whole car, and it lasts a good while, too. another one would be poorboy's PWS (poish with sealant). that'd be a good one because the polish would clean your paint and the sealant, cuz well, it'd seal it in. even after you clay there will still be stuff left behind that the polish will take care of.

 

That sounds easy with the optimum opti-seal...

Is there anything over the counter I can pick up locally similar? I used to use something from 3M, but I can't remember what the heck it was called. I checked the Meguire's products that autozone had on the shelf and none seems to say sealant /sealer..

I want to do the clay, the wax, and the sealer

 

The Optimum Opti-seal is very easily applied, even easier with a Porter cable. Depending on the current state of your paint, I'd suggest you do a bit a polishing before you get to the actual wax/sealant. I don't know much about over-the-counter waxes and sealant, but the Meguiars NXT gets lots of rave from a lot of people (I'd still take the Wet Obsession over it any day though.)