Newbie questions...

M

madLex

New member
Hello All,



I have been reading and researching this forum for the past week to find the best combination of detailing products for my newly acquired Lexus IS 300.



I am absolutely new to detailing, haven't used any detailing products or have not even hand-washed my previous car. Everything in a car wash. So excuse me if my questions are too simple and basic.



1. What is WOWO and is there a thread detailing this procedure? No search results.

2. I am interested in JW Prime Acrylic, Collinite 476s, Acrylic Jett Trigger. I know Prime goes first, but does Collinite go next or AJT? I would assume the sealant stays on top.

3. If Collinite goes on the top, which is a good quick booster wax spray to go with it?

4. Any suggestions for products good to apply in the sun. I live in an apt. so no shade. Do the products above work well in mild sun?







Thanks!
 
Click 'learn!' at the top and look over the various steps to detail your car. If you get confused in people's posts of what products they are using look at the Decoder Ring
 
Let me see if I can be of some small service :)



1. WOWO means Wipe On Wipe Off. Basically you apply the product to a section of the paint and buff it off immediately



2. No experience with JW products but wax should always be the last product applied



3. I use Optimum Car Wax



4. I use Collnite #885 Fleetwax and OCW in high humidity and temp (32 to 36 degree celsius) :)
 
If you do go Prime Acrylic then 476, (which will have very nice durability), topping with AJT will not work (bonding issues). You can go Prime Acrylic/AJT/476. Werkstatt's Acrylic Gloss looks great over AJT. For topping 476, you could go with Werkstatt's Carnauba Gloss or FK1 425. You could also go just Prime Acrylic for a while.
 
madLex- Welcome to Autopia!



Yeah, there's a lot to learn; this detailing stuff isn't as simple as many might assume.



The Prime/476S combo oughta be fine with no additions. I'd try to keep things simple and concentrate on technique, especially how to wash the paint without marring it (i.e, instilling scratches and "swirls").



Applying in sun is tough, most of the time it doesn't work out very well (sorry I can't be more positive about that). IIRC some brands like maybe PoorBoy's are supposed to work OK in the sun, but you'd better make sure as I'm not at all certain.
 
Thank you all for the responses, I appreciate it! Great suggestions!



A few follow-ups:



1. Is there a proper explanation for doing WOWO? NO search results or nothing in the Learn section either.

2. I also read that 476S can be hard to apply and remove. 845 (Coll. Insulator Wax) seems to be easier to apply. Can 845 (IW) be used instead of 476s?

3. Is 845 Carnauba or polymer wax? How is the durability? Winters in NYC are awful!!!!

4. Which QD spray can be used for 476s and 845?



The Decoder Ring was very helpful, it cleared up a lot of gray areas for me.
 
Next on line to help: :)



1. Wipe On Wipe Off basically means that you apply the wax/polish/cleaner wax and wipe it off before it dries completely. For example, the Collinite should be applied and wiped off before it dries or else there may be some problems buffing the wax off.



2. 845 can definitely be used instead of 476. 845 (liquid) gives a slightly better shine, relatively less durability (4-5 months), easy to apply/remove. 476 (paste) gives an OK shine, more durable (5-7 months), really not that hard to apply/remove at all as long as you don't let it dry.



3. 845 and 476 are both carnauba waxes. They do not have any cleaner/solvent properties. It protects very nicely (4-5 months ungaraged, 5-7 for 476) and is comparable (maybe even better) than the synthetic/polymer sealants out there. 476 is definitely the way to go during the winter. I know what you mean by the *winters in NYC*. I live on Long Island :)



4. Any QD can be used with the 476 or 845. Anything works fine. Mother's, Meguiars, etc... will not be a problem.



Hope that clears things up for you... I must say you seem to know pretty much considering you are completely new to detailing. You must've read quite a lot! Good job, and welcome to autopia!
 
Thanks mikebai1990 for the compliment. I have done quite a bit of reading here. I live in Queens and am glad you know the winters here.



Ok another questions popped up in the head...



Assuming I use Prime Acrylic and top that with Collinite 476 or 845.



1. Can I re-apply 476 or 845 (after two months) without stripping the old wax and prime?

2. If I want to start with Prime, do I have to strip the 476 and old Prime before doing this?

3. Is there any easier way? This sounds too much work, especially when I dont have my own space to do it.



Any tips on this?
 
I just lightly clay with the Sonus green (Ultra Fine) clay as needed and reapply the wax without stripping. Sometimes you can get away with this for a long time, especially if you reapply the wax frequently. Maybe try rewaxing a panel or two after every wash.



Haven't used the Prime, sorry...
 
Thanks Accumulator!



Now the only question remains is, if I want to reapply Prime, what would be the steps?

I am assuming I would have to strip the 476 or 845 I have on top? Do I?



Also, can 476 be topped by Duragloss Aquawax?
 
You should be able to find shade in a public DIY carwash location. But if it is busy its recommended you wait because you wont be using their services. (or if you local one allows for bucking washing then just wait till they are not busy and to the majority of your car there)
 
This is just generalized info and supposition as I haven't used the products in question, but...



If you keep refreshing the Collinite you won't have to strip it off for a long time.



If you let it go so long that you *do* find you need to start over the Prime oughta cut through/clean off whatever's left on the paint. IIRC it's a rather good cleaner so it oughta clean off the wax same as it'd clean off anything else.



You can always compromise wax with rubbing alcohol, but Collinite is *so* tough that it won't just dissolve it away or anything. You could always get a solvent (PrepSol, 3M Adhesive Remover) and use that or try a paint-safe All-Purpose-Cleaner (APC) like P21S Total Auto Wash. Note that these products (the 3M Adhesive Remover and the P21S TAW) are really handy to have around anyhow.



I can't imagine any reason why AW wouldn't work on Collinite. If I had some AW I'd use it over Collinite with no hesitation.
 
Thank you all for the great answers!



I think I have had enough learning, now it is time to practice!! Will let you know how it goes.
 
Welcome madlex.

It sounds as if you are well on your way.

I can't really add too much as I am new too, but, I think you will be impressed with the Collinite 845 over the Werkstatt products.

Best of luck. :2thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top