I haven't washed or waxed a vehicle in over 8 years. My previous car had been repainted and the paint was chipping in several spots and any contact with a wash cloth would tear more paint off. So for the past 8 years or so I have used touchless car washes. I no longer have that car and would like to clean and wax my vehicles and need some suggestions. I noticed that O'Reily's has a sale on Turtle wax, Meguiar's, and Armor All products. I already have stuff to dress up the tires but nothing for the body of the vehicle. I would love a wax that can last 4-6 months. I would appreciate any suggestions. I don't intend to clay or buff the vehicle but I do want it to look really nice.
Suggestions detailing car
- Thread starter Capa
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Claying will increase the longevity of the wax you use. I just looked that the O'Reilly's sale ad online and none of those waxes will last 4-6 months... outside. If you have a CarQuest in your area, look for DuraGloss #105 or #501, they will last much longer.
I use Meguire's NXT generation tech wax 2.0(comes in a purple container). It comes in either a liquid or paste form. The paste seems to last a decent amount of time with a great shine. It is hard to find a wax that will last 6 months without reapplication. If your vehicle spends time in a garage then your wax job will probably last 5-6 months. On the other hand, if your car is like mine and sits in the sun most of the time, the wax will last around 3 months. For me though, waxing a car is therapeutic!
With an 8 year old car, the surface of the paint will have oxidation and dirt embedded. You will need to deep clean using a mild cleaner-polish, claybar and then wax. If you only want to do one step then use a cleaner-wax. Make sure the word "cleaner" is part of the name.
A bottle of Duragloss can be ordered from Amazon or www.duragloss.com and be shipped for around $15. Which is still cheaper than lesser variants that you pick up at the store. Great stuff and it LASTS!
They even have a great shampoo that SHEETS the water to help avoid water spots. In between applying the sealants/waxes boost your protection with Aquawax which is a spray sealant.
The difference btwn the #105 and #501 is the ladder has more chemical cleaners in it. It's sold under their marine division.
They even have a great shampoo that SHEETS the water to help avoid water spots. In between applying the sealants/waxes boost your protection with Aquawax which is a spray sealant.
The difference btwn the #105 and #501 is the ladder has more chemical cleaners in it. It's sold under their marine division.
Guys, thanks for the suggestions. It seems most recommended Meguiars.
The plan is to have the two vehicles clayed and buffed in the spring to get rid of all of the salt and junk and then 2-3 times a year to wash it myself without claying or buffing. I called around and it seems $100 is the going rate. Since I'm having it clayed and buffed once a year I'm assuming for those other 2-3 times a year when I want to wash and wax the Meguiars would suffice. Do you all still recommend using a cleaner and then a polish and then a wax for those 2-3 times?
The plan is to have the two vehicles clayed and buffed in the spring to get rid of all of the salt and junk and then 2-3 times a year to wash it myself without claying or buffing. I called around and it seems $100 is the going rate. Since I'm having it clayed and buffed once a year I'm assuming for those other 2-3 times a year when I want to wash and wax the Meguiars would suffice. Do you all still recommend using a cleaner and then a polish and then a wax for those 2-3 times?
Originally Posted By: Capa
Guys, thanks for the suggestions. It seems most recommended Meguiars.
The plan is to have the two vehicles clayed and buffed in the spring to get rid of all of the salt and junk and then 2-3 times a year to wash it myself without claying or buffing. I called around and it seems $100 is the going rate. Since I'm having it clayed and buffed once a year I'm assuming for those other 2-3 times a year when I want to wash and wax the Meguiars would suffice. Do you all still recommend using a cleaner and then a polish and then a wax for those 2-3 times?
If you are paying for a detail once a year and the detailer is using good product, you would not need to do anything but an in between touch-up with a polish or even a spray on wax.
Guys, thanks for the suggestions. It seems most recommended Meguiars.
The plan is to have the two vehicles clayed and buffed in the spring to get rid of all of the salt and junk and then 2-3 times a year to wash it myself without claying or buffing. I called around and it seems $100 is the going rate. Since I'm having it clayed and buffed once a year I'm assuming for those other 2-3 times a year when I want to wash and wax the Meguiars would suffice. Do you all still recommend using a cleaner and then a polish and then a wax for those 2-3 times?
If you are paying for a detail once a year and the detailer is using good product, you would not need to do anything but an in between touch-up with a polish or even a spray on wax.
An update: as noted earlier, I went ahead and paid someone to detail both of my cars for $100 a pop. The price included washing, claying, dressing the tires, and wax and buff. I was impressed with the work and was intending to have them do my cars twice a year...but then I started to think. That would end up costing me $400 a year and I noticed that I could get a dual action orbital buffer with some pads and wax and polish for around $200.
So I ended up getting the Griot's DA orbital buffer (with the 25 ft cord)that came with two pads, a wax, polish, speedshine, clay, DVD and a detailer's manual for $215. I was very happy with the purchase but after reading the manual I realized that I didn't have any microfiber towels nor any microfiber mitts, plus I wanted a bag for all of the items and a special multi-pattern nozzle with a car wash dispenser. So I spent another $100 and as soon as I got the second package I decided to finally do some correction on my van.
I was just going to focus on the hood of the van. It had acquired a lot of scratches from the previous owner probably caused by automatic car washes. I went over the hood twice with Griot's light polisher and it created a great shine but only diminished the scratches a little. So the third time I mainly focused on the two small areas where the scratches are concentrated and added some extra pressure to the buffer. The polishing pad started to disintegrate. When I inspected it, part of the center was missing. I called Griot's and they sent me a free replacement. But from reading several detailing forums I noticed that most detailers recommend using 2-4 pads per vehicle and so I ordered 6 more polishing pads and two finishing pads all from Lake Country (their Smart CCS pads). I also ended up ordering two bottles of Duragloss 501 from them (again spending around $100).
Meguiar's sent me some Ultimate Compound for free via mail and just two days ago I got to test it on the hood of the van and the trunk of my GS400 (also tested the new LC pads). Ultimate Compound definitely has more cut than Griot's Polish 3 and greatly lessened the scratches on both the van and the GS400. Afterwards I added some Duragloss. I really like UC and it is readily available and inexpensive and so it is going to be my go to polisher when I need to remove some large to medium defects. I feel that the Griot's polish 3 gave the cars more pop than UC despite the fact that it doesn't correct as well.
I just ordered 2 bottles of Collinite 845 for about $30. I am very pleased and happy with all of my purchases. I never imagined that after my initial purchase of the dual action orbital buffer that I would just go on and on accumulating more and more stuff and spend nearly $500. But in retrospect, I do not at all regret my decision and look very forward to detailing my own cars for years to come.
So I ended up getting the Griot's DA orbital buffer (with the 25 ft cord)that came with two pads, a wax, polish, speedshine, clay, DVD and a detailer's manual for $215. I was very happy with the purchase but after reading the manual I realized that I didn't have any microfiber towels nor any microfiber mitts, plus I wanted a bag for all of the items and a special multi-pattern nozzle with a car wash dispenser. So I spent another $100 and as soon as I got the second package I decided to finally do some correction on my van.
I was just going to focus on the hood of the van. It had acquired a lot of scratches from the previous owner probably caused by automatic car washes. I went over the hood twice with Griot's light polisher and it created a great shine but only diminished the scratches a little. So the third time I mainly focused on the two small areas where the scratches are concentrated and added some extra pressure to the buffer. The polishing pad started to disintegrate. When I inspected it, part of the center was missing. I called Griot's and they sent me a free replacement. But from reading several detailing forums I noticed that most detailers recommend using 2-4 pads per vehicle and so I ordered 6 more polishing pads and two finishing pads all from Lake Country (their Smart CCS pads). I also ended up ordering two bottles of Duragloss 501 from them (again spending around $100).
Meguiar's sent me some Ultimate Compound for free via mail and just two days ago I got to test it on the hood of the van and the trunk of my GS400 (also tested the new LC pads). Ultimate Compound definitely has more cut than Griot's Polish 3 and greatly lessened the scratches on both the van and the GS400. Afterwards I added some Duragloss. I really like UC and it is readily available and inexpensive and so it is going to be my go to polisher when I need to remove some large to medium defects. I feel that the Griot's polish 3 gave the cars more pop than UC despite the fact that it doesn't correct as well.
I just ordered 2 bottles of Collinite 845 for about $30. I am very pleased and happy with all of my purchases. I never imagined that after my initial purchase of the dual action orbital buffer that I would just go on and on accumulating more and more stuff and spend nearly $500. But in retrospect, I do not at all regret my decision and look very forward to detailing my own cars for years to come.
Originally Posted By: Capa
I never imagined that after my initial purchase of the dual action orbital buffer that I would just go on and on accumulating more and more stuff and spend nearly $500. But in retrospect, I do not at all regret my decision and look very forward to detailing my own cars for years to come
Thank you for supporting our retail economy and local vendors in dire times...and enjoy all those future details.
I never imagined that after my initial purchase of the dual action orbital buffer that I would just go on and on accumulating more and more stuff and spend nearly $500. But in retrospect, I do not at all regret my decision and look very forward to detailing my own cars for years to come
Thank you for supporting our retail economy and local vendors in dire times...and enjoy all those future details.
Not sure if you were being slightly sarcastic but I feel really good about my purchases and, despite the fact that I spent more than I had anticipated, I know that I made a smart economic choice. I have enough wax and sealant to last me 3-4 years for my two vehicles. I am really happy with the dual action orbital buffer which, by the way, has a life-time warranty. As I polish or wax my car with the buffer it almost feels therapeutic---a feeling I've never associated with an oil change
Reguardless of which products you buy/use, the whole point about detailing is that it's good therapy and great staisfaction of keeping your vehicles tip/top
Sound like you've got the detailing bug now. It's quite addictive as well. Good choice on the GG DA.
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Originally Posted By: kkreit01
Sound like you've got the detailing bug now. It's quite addictive as well. Good choice on the GG DA.
Definitely contracted the detailing bug and, yes, it is so therapeutic! I will admit, though, that I've just done one or two panels at a time and never the entire vehicle. I get the feeling that that wouldn't be such good therapy.
I'm serious about my purchases being a very good economic choice. I've noticed that a lot of detailers will charge upwards of $400 to make corrections on a vehicle and both of my vehicles were in need of some correction. I did buy some Ultimate Compound today but that should be it in regards to purchases for a while (I hope).
Sound like you've got the detailing bug now. It's quite addictive as well. Good choice on the GG DA.
Definitely contracted the detailing bug and, yes, it is so therapeutic! I will admit, though, that I've just done one or two panels at a time and never the entire vehicle. I get the feeling that that wouldn't be such good therapy.
I'm serious about my purchases being a very good economic choice. I've noticed that a lot of detailers will charge upwards of $400 to make corrections on a vehicle and both of my vehicles were in need of some correction. I did buy some Ultimate Compound today but that should be it in regards to purchases for a while (I hope).
I like Meguier's or Mother's paste wax. I clay bar our cars but just once a year is enough. I wax them maybe two other times a year.
I like Armor All or Meguier's car wash soap. Use tar remover on the sides before you wax. Westley's Bleach-White on the tires followed by Armor All.
Bon-Ami cleanser is good for getting road grit off the glass, use only that because other cleansers will scratch the glass. Twice a year is enough. Rinse it, dry it, and follow that with Rain-X.
I wax the headlights too. Keeps the oxidation off the plastic lenses. I've never had a car get cloudy headlights.
I like Armor All or Meguier's car wash soap. Use tar remover on the sides before you wax. Westley's Bleach-White on the tires followed by Armor All.
Bon-Ami cleanser is good for getting road grit off the glass, use only that because other cleansers will scratch the glass. Twice a year is enough. Rinse it, dry it, and follow that with Rain-X.
I wax the headlights too. Keeps the oxidation off the plastic lenses. I've never had a car get cloudy headlights.
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