Kid-jdm-teggy

I just finished waxing my car with Meguiars gold class carnauba plus. How do I go about washing and drying it when it gets dirty? Should I wash with water or automotive car wash soap. Will the turtle wax car wash soap remove the wax? And lastly, how do I dry? People say microfiber will absorb the wax, is this true?

98civdx

What are you currently using?


using microfiber definitely will NOT absorb the wax. That's the first time I've ever heard that.

I perfer using my microfiber towel to dry my car to a chamois.

Kid-jdm-teggy

This is the first time I waxed a car and just confused on how to wash it without stripping the wax.

98civdx

Any quality car soap. Just make sure you don't use too much. Read the bottle and see how many ounces per gallon.

Meguiars good and cheap.

0Autogeek.net

Pick up a QUALITY car soap. Keep the saying in mind "you get what you pay for" when you make your purchase.

GoLowDrew

I think the OP is overthinking this. Wash it as you normally do. The wax will come off. That's kind of how it goes. If you want that perfect shine you just did, you have to wax it again. That's pretty much the cycle.

I would say, the 1st or 2nd time washing, the wax will be good. By the 3rd time, it may be time to wax again.

Kid-jdm-teggy

How come people say the wax stays on for 2 or so months? It took me 3hrs to wax it by hand for it to come off after 3 wash, that seems pointless cause I wash my car every week.

GoLowDrew

That's why I don't wash my car that often. I used to spend 2 days waxing (and clay) my car. The old days.

I don't mean it comes off. Let's say after you wax it, the shine is 100%. 1st wash is 90%. 2nd wash is 85%. Still looks good, and beads water. But if you are a perfectionist (like I was), I would wax it again to get back to 100%.

Kid-jdm-teggy

Thanks, I thought you meant it completely gone after 3 wash. Looks like less car washing and just more rinsing and drying?

mkperks

Why not just wash with water to maximize the wax life?

1998GsRIntegra

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

That should help clear things up a bit for you. Whole lot of misinformation in this thread. You'll scratch the hell out of your car if you just rinse and dry it on a weekly basis.

TypeRfit

iTrader: (6)

Oh snap, when did we get AutoGeek in here. Very nice.

OP, read through this thread, it may help you out in the future as well.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/detailing-130/paint-maintenance-3164041/

C_Rock77

Umm...because that's a BAD idea. When you don't know WTF you're talking about, just don't reply....seriously.

Quality car washes are formulated to NOT strip wax. That's one of the main purposes of them. If you WANT to strip wax, you could just wash with something like Dawn (but doing this every time you wash can harm the paint). I still don't like doing this b/c quality washes are also formulated for added lubricity (to allow the mitt to glide across the paint & reduce marring) That's a big reason why you need a wash. Not to mention, if water did such a great job, your car would be clean after every rainstorm.

If you're just starting out with detailing and you don't want to take the leap yet of ordering car wash online, I'd recommend either Meguiars Gold Class or NXT (if you can find it) as the 2 washes you can buy readily off the shelf. There are others I like better, but if you need something RIGHT NOW, they do the job pretty well.

UtzChips

How come I haven't heard anything about Adam's?

UtzChips

I take it you don't own a buffer? Polishing the car is the correct way to bring out the shine. A quality sealant will last months.

1HGEJ2

iTrader: (1)

hi
im using only meguiars.
shampoo
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEGUIARS-NXT-GENERATION-TECH-WAX-2-0-18-Oz-Bottle-Liquid-/111246069984?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19e6c850e0&vxp=mtrmicrofiber wash mitt
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Meguiars-Microfiber-Wash-Mitt-X3002-/140824572801?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20c9cc7381&vxp=mtrand here the video after 6 washes!!! i had waxing it 1x times.
wax meguiars nr.16

2000ekhatch04

I recommend using Microfiber towels

UtzChips

I just got my Flex & spent several hours [started at 10am stopped at 6:30 pm with numerous breaks] today just correcting the paint on the trunk lid!
That's right - nuttin' but the trunk lid!
There is absolutely nothing on the paint now because my final step was to wipe it down with isopropyl alcohol & bottled water. 1 part alcohol to 10 parts water.
There is absolutely nothing on the paint & it's reflects like a mirror. I can see the grain in the wood on the ceiling of the garage on the trunk.
I won't be putting anything but a sealant on it.

DaveSi677

Wax/sealant will last a decent amount of time.

Also wax and sealant do not make your paint shine unless they some sort of polish in them. Again wax or sealant do not make your car shine it protect the shine of your car and your paint. Polish make it shine!

Meguiars soap should be what you are looking for as it's good and cheap. Also a good wash glove would be great and some microfiber towels to dry. That is all that is needed.