Hey all,

I have waxed the car a few times, but am not sure I'm doing it right so I'd like to ask a few questions. I'm using satin gloss which is supposed to work best in sunlight and heat.

Now is it best to wax in the shade or sun?

After waxing do you let it sit in the sun until it gets hard, or wipe it off right away after the car is done?

Any other tips/ suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

05

 

Wax in the shade, and let it sit in the shade for at least 15 minutes, and you can let it sit as long as you want as long as it is able to be wiped off in a powdery substance by finger. Then you can rub it all off with a damp soft towel.

There are some waxes that say you can wax the car in the sunlight such as NuFinish, but I would still suggest to do it in the shade. That is always the best.

 

I have never had nothing but bad luck waxing/polishing in direct sunlight. The best polish I have ever used is Zaino. It goes on and off pretty easy and if you follow the directions the results are amazing. Zaino seems a bit expensive but it a little does go a long way.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

 

So pretty much you I may as well do it my garage.

 

even though some waxes state you can use them in direct sunlight, it is never a good idea to apply wax on a hot surface. Park the car in the shade (garage preferred) and let it cool off. Only apply wax on a clean surface or you will be scratching the paint.

Apply the wax. On the top of the car, apply it in a front to back motion. On the sides, apply it in an top to bottom motion. Remember this, if you apply it in a circular motion, if you use a dirty rag to apply it or have dirt on the car, say hello to swirl marks

Allow the wax to sit for approx 30 minutes. To do a test, using your finger, slide it along the wax. It should leave a clean surface. If the wax underneath is still a bit wet,wait longer. Now to remove the wax, only use clean towels. Either 100% cotton or micro fibre. Do not use damp (or wet) cloths to remove it. Just use the same motion to remove the wax that you used to apply it.

I am not going to get into the "which wax is better" debate. There are plenty of topics on that already. I have used lots of different brands and they all have pros and cons.

 

I washed, claybarred and waxed the car (Meguiars) a couple weeks ago. Since it hasn't been in the rain or mud since, it just has a little road dust on it. Can I just dust it off with a microfiber cloth, or will that scratch through the wax into the clearcoat?

If I do wash it with a car wash solution, should I then apply another coat of wax, or will the one coat last me for a while? Can you wait several weeks between wax applications and still have it look decent, or should you strip all the old wax off first before reapplying?

Thanx in advance...

 

I wouldn't recommend using any type of cloth to wipe off the dust on painted surfaces. There is something called the Caifornia Duster. I don't have alot of experience with The Cal Duster, maybe someone here could comment on how well they work. If you use car soap you should be fine with your wax. Other soaps especially dish soap will strip the wax off of the car. A good way of telling how well your wax is holding up is how well water beads up on the car when you wash or when it rains. Waxes and polishes not only make your car look good, they also protect your paint. Play it safe, when in doubt, take the time and throw on a coat of wax.

 

The California Duster is fine for a little bit of dust for the few days after washing my car stays clean - but not dirt.

As far as I am concerned, washing car in sunlight=bad. Waxing in sunlight=bad. Washing or waxing in the shade on a car still too hot to touch=bad.

Washing and waxing in the shade on a normal tempurature surface=good.

 

It's never a good idea to "dust" your car. All dirt is somewhat abrasive, plus, if you have driven it at all, it will have some brake dust on it which is highly abrasive. Wash it using Meguiars Gold Class shampoo, dry it, and lightly buff with a microfiber polishing towel and it will look like you just waxed it.

 

Good info. I think I'll stay away from the dusting route for now.

 

I've been thinking of trying either Meguires NXT tech wax or Gold Class wax. I'm leaning towards the Gold Class. Anyone use these products? Which is best for giving that "smooth as glass" showroom shine?