NOT WAXING

[grbr95]

I have two cars, both sit in the garage almost every day, all day. They rarely get used. I drive my beater back and forth to work.
Before I had a garage, I use to keep my vehicles waxed at least twice a year. If I keep my vehicls garaged most days, only taking them out periodically for a trip, will not waxing them cause the clear coat to deminish any sooner?

 

[Black03L]

I don't think it will 'diminish' the paint but IMO you should wax/polish a vehicles paint at least once a year to introduce polishing oils back into the paint and add a wax to protect it. It not scientific just my .02

 

[bretfraz]

IMO, the key to cars like this is to keep them clean. It's not as important to have wax or some kind of protective coating on the paint. The cars simply are not being exposed to the elements so there is not a great need for a coat of wax.

In this environment you can use a quick detail spray and a couple microfiber towels to spruce up the cars. 10-15 mins. per car and you're done. Wash them only when they get dirty or before long storage.

 

[Max_Tl]

quote:

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Originally posted by Black03L:
... to introduce polishing oils back into the paint and add a wax to protect it....

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good point black03l, there are other issues to consider as well - despite the cars being garaged (I'm assuming your cars are near factory new), a factory paint finish is far from ideal ie: under microcopic analysis or shine factor - the paint has peaks/valleys and even dust in it's finish.

it's up to you what product wether over the counter vrs online finishing products to use, this thread is not the place to debate that.

IMHO, clay bar to start may be an option, dependent on paint condition then a 'sealant' type finish once or twice yearly should do.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Colt:
You can't "feed" paint with oils.
It's a myth.
Waxes and sealants lay on top of paint,not penetrating paint.
Waxes or sealants should be applied to the finish to shine and keeping it from oxidizing.

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I think the "feed the paint" belief continues because if you put a waxy/oily polish on a car with abused paint it fills the dried looking micro irregularities in the paint and makes it look healthy again. You can get much the same effect by wiping the paint with kerosene, although it doesn't last as long.

Some of the best looking paint jobs I have seen have been maintained with Zaino or other modern polymer finish for years. A good Zaino job uses less than 1 oz of material per coat, so there isn't lot of feeding going on there. I suspect, but don't know, that Zaino's direct competition is about the same.

 

[Colt]

quote:

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Originally posted by XS650:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Colt:
You can't "feed" paint with oils.
It's a myth.
Waxes and sealants lay on top of paint,not penetrating paint.
Waxes or sealants should be applied to the finish to shine and keeping it from oxidizing.

---

I think the "feed the paint" belief continues because if you put a waxy/oily polish on a car with abused paint it fills the dried looking micro irregularities in the paint and makes it look healthy again. You can get much the same effect by wiping the paint with kerosene, although it doesn't last as long.

Some of the best looking paint jobs I have seen have been maintained with Zaino or other modern polymer finish for years. A good Zaino job uses less than 1 oz of material per coat, so there isn't lot of feeding going on there. I suspect, but don't know, that Zaino's direct competition is about the same.

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True.
I just Zaino'd my Explorer and Toyota this weekend.
Quick and easy.
Been using Zaino for 7 years.
Fantastic stuff!

 

[grbr95]

Well look.. my best friend whose cars sit outside year round has to wax his vehicles twice a year, sometimes 3 and he is CONSTANTLY hand washing them. I run mine through an automatic car wash and never wax them, they sit most of the time and my Chevy Lumina is 11 years old now. Whenever I have the car at the tire shop for rotations, the guys can't beleive that it's a 1995. It's imaculate..and I don't wax it. I religously keep it clean however.
My other vehicles is a very sleak and sexy Dodge Grand Caravan. To he!! if I'm going to bust my @ss waxing that big boat. Same thing there, I keep it clean, and they sit.

 

[Colt]

quote:

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Originally posted by grbr95:
Well look.. my best friend whose cars sit outside year round has to wax his vehicles twice a year, sometimes 3 and he is CONSTANTLY hand washing them. I run mine through an automatic car wash and never wax them, they sit most of the time and my Chevy Lumina is 11 years old now. Whenever I have the car at the tire shop for rotations, the guys can't beleive that it's a 1995. It's imaculate..and I don't wax it. I religously keep it clean however.
My other vehicles is a very sleak and sexy Dodge Grand Caravan. To he!! if I'm going to bust my @ss waxing that big boat. Same thing there, I keep it clean, and they sit.

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There's clean and there's shiny clean.
Wax and sealants produce shine.
Obviously you're happy with clean.
If that works for you,great.

 

[Russell]

IMO, the key point is the vehicles are kept clean. That keeps most of the contaminants off the paint.

 

[Propflux01]

OZONE!!!!!

 

[Colt]

You can't "feed" paint with oils.
It's a myth.
Waxes and sealants lay on top of paint,not penetrating paint.
Waxes or sealants should be applied to the finish to shine and keeping it from oxidizing.

 

[martyi]

Basically, you have a showroom-like vehicle condition, except you can't control heat, humidity, etc. On light colored vehicles I would apply Klasse AIO (one coat) followed by three coats of Klasse Sealant Glaze (12 hours between coats of the SG). Once a year is all that is required.

Dust the car often and periodically give it a booster of either Wolfgang's Spritz or Menzerna's High Gloss Acrylic Shield. I understand Duragloss Aquawax is polymer based and may be a good, lower cost alternative to the Menzerna and Wolfgang. It should be applied like a QD (dry) rather than between rinse and drying as stated in the instructions.

You need never wax unless the color is dark. In that case, a coat of good carnuba wax over the SG might provide more depth but should be considered for appearance purposes only. However, no wax on earth compares to a sealant in terms of durability.

 

[grbr95]

Both my vehicles are white, which is one reason they look exceptionally clean compared to my friends dark red and green cars he has.

 

[grbr95]

I feel that waxes and sealants are a waste of time and money and effort spent on somethng that is continually dirty, and is the furthest thing from an investment. Cars are just that, a rip off and a waste of money. Unless you have a vintage vehicle that gains value, it is such a crock to spend time and effort on something that rolls down a dirty street and gets a coat of dust on it the second you are finished washing it. I say run it through an automatic car wash, keep it clean, and don't break a sweat over your car. Wax your house. It gains value. Keep that clean.

 

[m2200b]

You need a sealant or wax on to protect the cars from the car washes.

You may want to try dry and wax as a better product to put on after its wet than the car washes use.

 

[Colt]

quote:

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Originally posted by grbr95:
I feel that waxes and sealants are a waste of time and money and effort spent on somethng that is continually dirty, and is the furthest thing from an investment. Cars are just that, a rip off and a waste of money. Unless you have a vintage vehicle that gains value, it is such a crock to spend time and effort on something that rolls down a dirty street and gets a coat of dust on it the second you are finished washing it. I say run it through an automatic car wash, keep it clean, and don't break a sweat over your car. Wax your house. It gains value. Keep that clean.

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Yes vehicles depreciate but I take pride in keeping my vehicles super clean.
My vehicles look much better both inside and out than when they were new shine wise.
I'm so anal I won't go to a carwash.
I've never seen a vehicle that was REALLY clean after going through a carwash.
Maybe clean enough for you but not me.
"Different strokes for different folks"

 

[VaderSS]

I feel that waxes and sealants act as sacrificial layers, protecting the paint.

 

[HOndaGuy]

Wax em once every 6 months or just once a year. Thats all you need!!!!!!!!!

 

[jmacmaster]

A wax or sealant is not going to protect a car from car washes. The car washs use soaps that are so strong that they strip off any wax or sealant on them.

I bought a new dark gray Dodge pickup in 1991. In 2002 I gave it to one of my sons. During the 11 years I had it I only waxed it once. Before giving it to my son I washed it and gave it a coat of Maguiars Scratch-X, followed by a coat of Maguiars Gold Class liquid wax. The paint job looked like new. I was real surprised.

Since for quite a while all vehicles come from the factory with a coat of clearcoat over the paint, I don't see how any wax, polish, cleaner, or anything else can possible penetrate the clear coat and get at the paint. I'm with the guys that think that the best thing to do is keep the vehicle clean by washing it when needed. A paint cleaner will remove anything that washing won't, and a wax will make the vehicle shine more, but neither actually touches the paint.

 

[ShortBuSX]

I didnt think too many companys actually used "clearcoat" anymore on factory paint jobs.