Waxing For The First Time

Bryan410 · October 4, 2008

Alright. Should be ashamed to say this but I've never waxed a machine before. Its actually not very common for people to do in my area, most people dont even dry their machines after washing them.

Anyway, its soon gonna be time for the road salt and stuff to start goin down so I want some protection for the paint and that and it'll probably be the last wash till the spring.

Lookin for some tips and even step-by-step instructions.

Gonna pick up some turtle wax ice polish, read a lot of good reviews and seems like a good beginners choice.

One thing I would like to know about is clay-bars.

I dont think I ever seen one before besides on the store shelf.

I know it removes dirt and scratches (and i have a few small scratches already)

is it worth it?

what does it involve?

i read a post from this site that the liquid "clay bar" by turtle wax isnt as good as the real thing, but what do you think for a beginner?

thanks

jhoff8487 · October 4, 2008

First of all, where are you from? Is there some secret city in the country where people don't wax or ever dry their cars?

For a beginner, I'd recommend a good wash and dry then a nice cleaner wax. I prefer to use Mothers but really, as long as you're using something it'll be fine(something is better than nothin' in this case). A good finish wax would be nice but not required. You can go ahead and clay bar it if you really want but for the first time you've ever done detailing, I wouldn't recommend it(even though it probably needs it). Put it on, let it haze(only a couple minutes) and buff it back off. Use soft materials to apply and take off and it should feel nice and smooth by the end.

Bryan410 · October 4, 2008

First of all, where are you from? Is there some secret city in the country where people don't wax or ever dry their cars?

For a beginner, I'd recommend a good wash and dry then a nice cleaner wax. I prefer to use Mothers but really, as long as you're using something it'll be fine(something is better than nothin' in this case). A good finish wax would be nice but not required. You can go ahead and clay bar it if you really want but for the first time you've ever done detailing, I wouldn't recommend it(even though it probably needs it). Put it on, let it haze(only a couple minutes) and buff it back off. Use soft materials to apply and take off and it should feel nice and smooth by the end.

lol

im from rural newfoundland.

a lot of dirt roads, dust flying around, and bad weather here.

Would make ya think everyone would wax but it would literally last a day or two in some of the small communities, and the one larger town where i live where you can avoid all that basically everyone is from those smaller places, so i guess we are just use to what we grew up doing. At least with the frost gettin in the ground there isnt any dust too worry about and the snow will soon be keeping it clean all the time.

rjirvine · October 4, 2008

Check out autopia.org for more than you ever wanted to know about detailing cars. I would get 2 wash buckets, a good wool wash mit and a descent soap (I like turtle wax Ice wash. Use a good waffle weave microfiber to dry and then Next I would clay bar it, and put on a good coat of wax. I like P21S carnuba, but it's spendy. I also Like mothers cleaner wax for vehicles that you just want to kep up, not show.....

cev103 · October 5, 2008

Check out autopia.org for more than you ever wanted to know about detailing cars. I would get 2 wash buckets, a good wool wash mit and a descent soap (I like turtle wax Ice wash. Use a good waffle weave microfiber to dry and then Next I would clay bar it, and put on a good coat of wax. I like P21S carnuba, but it's spendy. I also Like mothers cleaner wax for vehicles that you just want to kep up, not show.....

Couldn't agree more w/ his advice (although I'd say use Mothers instead ). But serously, any wax is better than none. I also use 2 wash buckets, one with water for rinsing the wash mitt, and the other for soap.... but I also purchsed the Grit Gaurd to put in the bottom of the bucket w/ soap.

Bryan410 · October 5, 2008

Check out autopia.org for more than you ever wanted to know about detailing cars. I would get 2 wash buckets, a good wool wash mit and a descent soap (I like turtle wax Ice wash. Use a good waffle weave microfiber to dry and then Next I would clay bar it, and put on a good coat of wax. I like P21S carnuba, but it's spendy. I also Like mothers cleaner wax for vehicles that you just want to kep up, not show.....

Couldn't agree more w/ his advice (although I'd say use Mothers instead ). But serously, any wax is better than none. I also use 2 wash buckets, one with water for rinsing the wash mitt, and the other for soap.... but I also purchsed the Grit Gaurd to put in the bottom of the bucket w/ soap.

Well Ive been watching some how-to videos for the clay bar and that and think im gonna give it a try.

Wont be able to do it til the coming weekend though (thanksgiving weekend up here) but will try to post some before/after picks.

I did go ahead and pick up the clay and wax today.

Not much of a selection at crappy-tire this time of the year but I did get Meguiars smooth finish clay bar kit and turtle wax ice. already got everything else for washing. lookin forward to seeing how it turns out.

Bryan410 · October 5, 2008

Check out autopia.org for more than you ever wanted to know about detailing cars. I would get 2 wash buckets, a good wool wash mit and a descent soap (I like turtle wax Ice wash. Use a good waffle weave microfiber to dry and then Next I would clay bar it, and put on a good coat of wax. I like P21S carnuba, but it's spendy. I also Like mothers cleaner wax for vehicles that you just want to kep up, not show.....

Couldn't agree more w/ his advice (although I'd say use Mothers instead ). But serously, any wax is better than none. I also use 2 wash buckets, one with water for rinsing the wash mitt, and the other for soap.... but I also purchsed the Grit Gaurd to put in the bottom of the bucket w/ soap.

Well Ive been watching some how-to videos for the clay bar and that and think im gonna give it a try.

Wont be able to do it til the coming weekend though (thanksgiving weekend up here) but will try to post some before/after picks.

I did go ahead and pick up the clay and wax today.

Not much of a selection at crappy-tire this time of the year but I did get Meguiars smooth finish clay bar kit and turtle wax ice. already got everything else for washing. lookin forward to seeing how it turns out.

By the way, how long should this take??

Im not worried about spending an entire day at it, but would like to know so i can determine how long i should spend at it. I mean like i dont want to go over the whole thing in hour and think its all done and I dont want to spend 12 hours at it and find out i got the paint taken off (if thats possible by hand)

stupid question i know, just wondering

by the way, its crew cab with that chrome-mesh style front grill that takes forever to clean...

rjirvine · October 5, 2008

I would say about 45 mins to wash/dry, 90 mins to claybar, and 2hrs to wax? (Give or take 3 hours, lol). The claybar takes some getting used to. Keep the surface wet, but not saturated with the clay lube...you'll get the "feel" of the clay when you can feel it working, and not just gliding over the surface. It doesn't take much pressure. Use back and forth motions (linear not curcular) as much as possible. Knead the clay every so often to get a good surface. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT DROP IT!! If you do, throw it away...you'll never be able to get all of the grit out of the clay. You can use your other hand to glide over the surface behind the clay and help you feel anything you might miss. Youre gonna be surprised how much crap comes off with the clay.

After Claying, I wash again and dry. Now the surface is ready for the wax. Use up and down motions when applying to the sides, front to back on hood as much as possible when both applying wax and buffing. This will help eliminate "swirls" and if you should cause some minor scratch, the way the lights reflects will help hide it.

Tomorrow morning, when you wake up and your arm aches, you're gonna say "Crap, I think I need to work out more"

omegafiler · October 5, 2008

It'll probably take longer than usual the first time you do this, especially if you go through all of the suggested steps. More so if ya do it by hand. If you read up on the how-to instructional sites and make sure you have all of the necessary materials, it'll save you lots of time.

Each wax product usually has their own instructions as to how to apply/remove their product, but they're normally all about the same. Obviously you'll want to do this in the shade, on a cool surface, and out of direct sun-light. But here is how I do it.

1. Wash with good carwash soap (if it's in the kitcken, keep it away from the vehicle). Use this opportunity to wash everything, wheel wells, wheels/tires, bed, etc. Work from top to bottom. Always use a clean wash mitt. 2 buckets is a good idea, in particular if it's quite dirty.

2. Clay Bar. Easy process, follow instructions with the clay.

3. Polish. Apply with orbital buffer or by hand. One section at a time. Remove once it has had time to haze, but don't let it sit too long.

4. Wax. Normally same as above, although with some of the newer stuff you can do the entire vehicle all at once.

5. Take pictures and post on the site. Enjoy!

I'd also suggest another helpful site such as autogeek.net. They have great how-to instructions including videos from some of the wax manufactures that go through the entire process.

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html

tramz · October 6, 2008

Couldn't agree more and like everyones advise. But I think its also a matter of experience, what your comfortable with, and your preferences. I think waxing for the first has no bearing on what brand you use, wax-on wax-off, to me its the same. I like a paste wax, prefer Mother's brand. A good wash and wax for now and in the spring - claybar. It only hursts if you do nothing. Whatever you decide and makes you comfortable, is always right, no matter who has differences of opinions.

Bryan410 · October 11, 2008

Well it was some pretty miserable weather yesterday and today, but at least it wasn't raining today.

Got it all done, took a while, but wasn't that bad.

Was covered in the usual mud before I started.

Was pretty dull out when I took the pics combined with my awesome camera skills don't make for the greatest shots, looks better in person.

Also had to resize them a bit...

Silverado4x4 · October 11, 2008

You will be suprized on how good it stays clean with a good coat of wax on it.

VMax2007 · October 11, 2008

I spent all day washing and waxing too. Except my truck is still dirty.

My boat spent the week getting it's annual maintenance and winterizing, brought it home today and cleaned her up good, waxed it and treated all of the vinyl. It's ready for hibernation now.

Truck is getting professionally detailed (with paint sealant) on Nov 7th.

Bryan410 · October 11, 2008

I spent all day washing and waxing too. Except my truck is still dirty.

My boat spent the week getting it's annual maintenance and winterizing, brought it home today and cleaned her up good, waxed it and treated all of the vinyl. It's ready for hibernation now.

Truck is getting professionally detailed (with paint sealant) on Nov 7th.

Our boat is already stored away for the winter. Think the last time i was out was the last week in august.

But thats just up the pond/lake. Can still go out in speed boat out the bay until the ice comes