So How CLEAN Does The Car Need to be to Wax?

H

H2290

New member
I just washed my car yesterday and have thought about really getting into detailing it. Put after I had done my best I still noticed small bits of yellow on the hood that seem to be really stuck on there.



So the question is . . . how clean does the car need to be to wax? Is there something else I should be doing before wax? Or should I be combing over the car with a fine tooth comb before waxing?



Thanks a lot! First Post!



 
Okay, so I should be claying before a wax job then? I assume that is to ensure it is extremely clean before adding the layer of wax. Thanks for the help.



AND, what if you do wax over some dirt (small and minor)? Is that an issue or anything?
 
H2290- Welcome to Autopia!



Yeah, you oughta get the paint as clean as you can and claying is a good way to do it.



If you wax over dirt the potential problem is that the dirt won't stay put- if a speck of something gets knocked loose and sticks to your wax applicator, it might scratch your paint. Other than that, the only problem would be a slightly less-than-swell appearance. I bet everyone here has accidentally waxed over a bit of dirt, it happens and as long as the dirt doesn't cause any scratches it's not a big deal.
 
Okay, seeing as this will be the first time I have really waxed the car and I have had it for about 8 months I will go ahead and take the time to clay and polish it before a good coat of wax.



I know this is crazy and you will say SEARCH, but you guys recommend any good first time wax?
 
You've polished your shoes in the past. Or at least I'll presume you have. You wipe them down and slather on the Kiwi, buff, and you're done. The shoes look better than they did a few minutes earlier. Not a spiffy military shine, but good enough.



At the far end is that military shine. Where you carefully wash the shoe, with a tooth brush, to scrub out every nook and crany. Then there's the multiple layers of wax. The spit shining. The carefull brushing and cloth buffing. It's a lot more work, and the results show it.



Same for a car.
 
Hey, I hate admitting when I don't know something just as much as the next guy but these acronyms are killing me. LOL, I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Is there a FAQ or Acronym Index I missed somewhere?
 
H2290 said:
..these acronyms are killing me... Is there a FAQ or Acronym Index I missed somewhere?
Click to expand...



Go to the Autopia.org home page, look around the upper right-hand quadrant of the screen for the "Info" box, click on the "secret decoder ring".



My $0.02 on which wax to use is to get something with some cleaning ability. Meguiar's Color-X or even just Meguiar's or Mother's Cleaner waxes. Just keep it off black trim. You can always put a "straight" (i.e., non-cleaner) wax over top of it for better looks and durability.
 
Wow, I thought he might have been joking about a decoder ring until the next post had the link. Thanks guys.
 
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