What To Do?

cagle520 · January 29, 2009

I purchased my first NEW chevy truck in July of 2008 and I wash it at the first sign of dirt/dust. I have owned pos's in the past and just ran them through the car wash but this truck means alot to me and I have more respect for it since the payments are coming out of my pocket. I have heard about people waxing twice a month if not more. I figured that waxing your vehicle makes it easier to keep clean and makes for a nice shine. I have only waxed my truck once and I paid a local car cleaning place to do it becasue I have heard that its hard to wax a truck thats BLACK and not have massive swirl marks and stuff. I want to do it myself because spending 80 bucks for a car cleaning place to do a wax job is kinda crazy. How often do I need to wax? What kind of prep work should I do? What wax do I use? What the heck is clay bar? I need some serious wax guidance. Please help. I want to keep my truck looking good and lasting a loonnnnnnnng time. Thanks in advance!

BuckFeverZ · January 29, 2009

I usually wax mine 3 times a year. Once in the spring, once in the summer, and once in the fall before it starts snowing. I'm not as 'fussy' as some guys, I usually just wash it and then wax it and be done with it.

If you want to a real good job, you can wash it, clay bar it, use a cleaner wax, then a polish, and then top that off with a high quality wax. I use Meguiars Gold Class paste wax and think its easy to apply and remove.

VMax2007 · January 29, 2009

Nice truck, but....

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BuckFeverZ · January 29, 2009

Nice truck, but....

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And you're a moderator?

VMax2007 · January 29, 2009

Yeah, so STFU before I ban your ass.

Blake · January 29, 2009

Pwnt

MarkD · January 29, 2009

Nice truck, but....

9. Signatures may contain images, but may not be any larger than 700x200. If your signature is larger than the allotted size given, you will be requested by a moderator to resize your image. Please also keep text signatures under 5 lines. Failing to append with a moderator will result in the removal of your signature.

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And you're a moderator?

nah, just a sig nazi!

cagle520 · January 29, 2009

A simple pm wouldve been fine... now I have a hijacked thread! Anywho. Any kind of tools needed to do a good wax job? Or just do it the old fashioned way?

norsemanberg · January 29, 2009

I think the best way is a soft cotton cloth and a bunch of elbow grease.

Spurshot · January 29, 2009

I hate waxing! That said, I paid the local "auto spa" to clay, buff and wax my truck within a week or two of buying it. I didn't know what they used to wax it and wanted long protection (so I don't have to do it often, did I mention I hate waxing?) so I waxed it the next wash a week later with Meguires NXT Gen Tech 2 wax. Some of the guys here have had good luck with that wax. It's new to me, so I don't know. Looks good afterward. I used a Meguires "Quick Detailer" spray tonight after washing. Looks much nicer than just the wash.

Clay is a literally a piece of clay that is used with some type of lubricant and rubbed across the finish to remove that imbedded grit that is in most paint after setting outside for months. It's a real pain in the ass, IMO. But, it does a great job of getting the crap outta the paint. Then you have to polish the paint with a polish and use a wax or go right to a one step wax. Some of the really hardcore paint conservators won't use a one step wax due to the abrasives and other options that give better shines (much more work usually).

pennzoil29 · January 29, 2009

A simple pm wouldve been fine... now I have a hijacked thread! Anywho. Any kind of tools needed to do a good wax job? Or just do it the old fashioned way?

Welcome to the funny farm.

I like to use Meguiar's.

FNG · January 29, 2009

Go to the Mequiars website. They have some pretty solid tutorials on how to get through wash, claybar, polish and wax.

JoshRDavis.84 · January 30, 2009

Go to the Mequiars website. They have some pretty solid tutorials on how to get through wash, claybar, polish and wax.

+1

Meguairs.com

I usually wax it once a month during the good weather. What I do is as follows:

1. Wash with a quality car wash, not dish soap. I use a quality lambs wool mitt.

2. Dry with quality microfiber towels.

3. Clay bar using Meguairs Smooth Surface Kit.

4. Wax with Meguairs Cleaner Wax or ColorX. Apply with quality foam applicator and remove with quality microfiber.

cagle520 · January 30, 2009

Thanks guys. Once all the salt gets cleared from the bridges here in dfw I'll have to get busy. My wife once asked when we were dating..."Where do I buy elbow grease?" So everytime I hear someone say elbow grease I tend to crack up.

Spurshot · February 5, 2009

Go to the Mequiars website. They have some pretty solid tutorials on how to get through wash, claybar, polish and wax.

Went there. Joined. Those guys are INtense on this waxing stuff. They clay cars that never have seen daylight.

I think if you are satisfied with the work you got from that detailer, $80 is well worth it. Crap, spending an entire weekend to clay, buff and wax vs. the $80 is a no brainer to me, and I'd bet you likely will get a better job for the $80. I paid $150 for a clay, buff and wax.