Wax - 3 Step Process

[VR3]

New truck = go all out on the wax job...

And I am impressed.

Cleaner wax, polish, and wax ---

Very impressed.

[audiobliss]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang. Is that a mirror?!

[1996blackmax]

Very nicely done.....I really like the way my car looks after doing this.

[eloplayspolo]

U should never use a cleaner wax on a brand new car, even if it says clear coat safe. Secondly, i dont doubt it looks good, but your pics were taken not in full sunlight, which is when a black car looks the best.

[F1nut]

Wax on, whacks off. :D

Looks great, Trey.





BTW, he's in NC, the sun always shines and it isn't brand new.

[rskarvan]

What name brand cleaner, wax, and polish did you use?
Very nice results on that black Ford P/U.

(I always use the combo-turtle-wax and my results are just good... but, not great).

Thanks.

[VR3]

The truck is 3 years old -- and its the first time its been waxed in 3 years.

Cleaner wax very much needed.

But thanks for insinuating its new ;) - makes me feel like I did a good job! haha

Thanks

I used Meguires -- wanted to use Mothers, but couldnt find it

[Serendipity]

Who's that kid in the picture?

[exalted512]

Now put some nice MT's on that thing and take it mudding.
-Cody

[eloplayspolo]

well good work, it does look new, ha how did your arm feel ?

[Jstas]

Looks nice!

Meguiar's...Mother's...same difference. Some people swear by one, others swear by the other. I use Mother's because it doesn't cost as much as the Meguiar's.

Just wait until you get those stone chips on the front. Be glad your bumper is chromed and not painted like mine! UGH! So frustrating! Black is such a pain to take care of but nothing looks better when it's clean!

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I still like the Zymol cleaner wax the best myself. I actually prefer Zaino the most, but it's a much more involved multi step process

[VR3]

well good work, it does look new, ha how did your arm feel ?

It feels like I did a MASSIVE** work out on the weight machines.

Shoulders totally sore - right arm and hand very tense - hahahah

Took 11 hours to complete + touch up..

But I'm happy with it...

Still didnt get it ALL off after all that scrubbing

[Jstas]

Dude, two words, power buffer.

Get one.

I have one called "Waxmaster" and with all the black paint on my truck (has a 4.5 foot by 6.5 foot swath on the tonneau cover too) I'd die if I had to do the whole truck by hand. Besides, the power buffer gives you a better finish anyway because it can go all day and won't get tired like you will so you get the same speed and buffing capability all day. Makes it much, much easier to get that mirror finish.

[1996blackmax]

I did the Meguiars three step to my car and my wife's car one day. Hand washed both as well.....I told myself I would never do that again. This time I do one car per day.

[eloplayspolo]

DO NOT attempt to power buff your car unless u are experienced, you can burn your paint and leave swirls in it if u dont know exactly what your doing. Dont belive me? ask your loco paint shop or car detailing location.

[Jstas]

DO NOT attempt to power buff your car unless u are experienced, you can burn your paint and leave swirls in it if u dont know exactly what your doing. Dont belive me? ask your loco paint shop or car detailing location.

Geez! You are just full of misinformation aren't you?

This is a power buffer:

http://automotive.hardwarestore.com/85-531-car-buffers/power-buffer-134155.aspx
http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/134155_front500.jpg


It is VERY difficult to burn your paint with such a device if you are using a wax or any kind of paint cleaner. In fact, most of the companies that make the cleaners and wax recommend that you use a power buffer for the best results.


This is a power polisher:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=105&pricetype
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/92600-92699/92623.gif

This WILL damage your paint if you are not careful and do not use the correct technique. It moves much, much faster than the power buffer above.


You should read the posts before you respond. You've been off-base on two of your three posts in this thread. If you are unsure of what you are about to post, you should RESEARCH your post before you hit that submit button.

[VR3]

I actually have a buffer -

But I prefer doing hand waxing since when you use a buffer you gotta hand wax certain parts -

I think the best "buffer" Ive seen ----

Is the power ball from mothers... but Ive never used it on my personal vehicles.

[Jstas]

The powerball works good on tough spots but you gotta be careful with it. Being attached to a drill, you are using a similar implement as the polisher above and if your not careful, you can end up damaging the finish.

The powerball works great on chrome or polished wheels though!

[1996blackmax]

As I get older, the idea of using a buffer makes more sense :).

[killerb]

this the best polish on earth! i used it on my grandnational and the paint was DEEP and not a swirl mark anywhere! you wont believe the results.
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-2&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=6

[1996blackmax]

I saw one of those last week on the freeway. That thing was in very nice condition....I sped up and then slowed down some to get a better look at it....the guy probably thought...what the heck is this weirdo doing :).

[shack]

I've used Meguire's 3 step system with a good d/a orbital buffer for many years. Good Stuff. I actually did 3 cars (mine and my 2 daughter's) on a Saturday) without too much trouble. Zaino is a great for a show but is a PIA to do on a regular basis (IMO).

[Serendipity]

Forgot to say, NICE JOB! :)

BTW, did you get my email Trey?

[audiobliss]

Mmmmm, Grand National. I want to own one of those one day!

And I demand to see a pic of yours, killerb!!!

[eloplayspolo]

my dads 30 years in the car business apparently he knows nothing. but no reason getting into an argument, power buff your car away.

[disneyjoe7]

Ok so what's the deal with "Cleaner Wax" over just Wax?

I went with Mequire's just Wax over Mothers Cleaner Wax, good move?


Jstas, I agree with a power buffer I wouldn't do a car without it. Also there's nothing worst to look at then a car that been damaged by someone who didn't use a power polisher correctly.

[eloplayspolo]

more often then not, a cleaner wax, regaurdless of it saying clear coat safe, will remove a slight amount of the clear coat, your car needs cleaner wax when after u use a regular wax on it, u still can feel impurities, i would use a clay bar over a cleaner wax any day of the week, then use a regular wax.

[1996blackmax]

I go with the cleaner, polish, wax.......once in a while I go with the clay bar, cleaner, polish, and then wax. My arms feel great the next day.

[Jstas]

Oh god! Your dad isn't the one responding and just because he has "30 years in the car business" doesn't mean he's an expert in automotive finishes. I don't really care what your dad knows. His knowledge has obviously not transfered to you and that's all that matters because you're the one spouting off on an Internet forum, not your dad.

The use of a power buffer is fine and dandy, nothing wrong with it and only a complete jackass can damage his/her paint with a power buffer. Trust me, I've been using power buffers since about 1987 when my grandfather showed me how to wax a car. I can do some real stupid stuff sometimes and I've yet to damage paint on a car with a power buffer.



disneyjoe, the cleaner wax isn't really a wax. It's usually step 1 in the typical "3 step process" from Meguiar's or Mother's or whomever. It doesn't remove a clear coat because it's not abrasive. Don't listen to what this jackass is saying. The only clear coat the cleaners remove is whatever is oxidized. Yes, paint and clear coats will oxidize. The cleaners use a chemical reaction to remove the oxidation. The oxidation comes from wonderful stuff like car exhaust, acid rain, UV damage and all sorts of fun stuff. I usually do it about once a year and I have yet to hear of or see any kind of damage done to an automotive finish due to the product's usage. If you wax over that oxidation without removing it first, it will cause swirl marks. You can use a clay bar too but unless you have really damaged paint, I find the use of clay bars dubious at best and have yet to find an actual body guy, not somebody's dad with "30 years experience in the car business" who actually endorses or even recommends the usage of a stick of dirt being rubbed all over you car. If it works for you and you like it, fine with me.

As far as what to do, the cleaner wax should not be done as a single step. It removes all old wax and any oxidation. Most of the oxidation removed is old wax but there is some oxidized paint in there too. Whether you like it or not and whether you use a cleaner or not, your paint will wear and fade as time goes by. Putting on your tinfoil hat and freaking out over the microns worth of paint that gets removed in the cleaning process is totally unreasonable. If you don't re-wax the car afterwards, the paint is exposed to the elements and unprotected. You don't always need step two because it's usually just a sealer or a glaze that is polymer based and not even a wax. It's used to hide swirl marks and fill in imperfections in the paint. When you do wax, it adds depth to the shine because there are fewer imperfections visible in the paint after use to draw your eye. Always use a wax. I prefer carnauba based waxes. They work just fine, aren't damaging to the environment and application is simple and real hard to screw up.




Oh an eloplayspolo, I personally have about 18-20 years experience "in the car business". That's me, not my dad, me. That's hard earned experience too from actually doing the work myself. I've done everything from run a parts counter to fixing diesel trucks and other heavy equipment. If there was a certification test for the work I was doing, I passed it with flying colors. That includes those ASE and SAE certifications that are quite difficult pass. I still work part time as a diesel mechanic and I am even an active participant on a racing crew. I'm also college educated with a background in engineering and a B.S. in Information Systems. I know cars and computers inside and out and I have many actual connections and friends in both industries that can and will help me out if I need it. If you really want to throw down experience points, I'm game but trust me, unless you can get your dad to start posting for you, you should just shut your mouth, sit down and listen, you might learn something. I assure you, everything I post about automotive topics is accurate. If I don't know for sure or I am completely unsure, I know where to find the answers and I have numerous professional level resources available to me to get the correct answer. I will not steer anyone wrong intentionally and I will not sit idly by while some kid riding his dad's coat-tails comes in here and tries to "educate" anyone with incorrect information.

[eloplayspolo]

30 years in the car business including being in the guniess book of world records, i have worked for him in the service department since i was 10 years old, i know exactly what im talking about, and u learn things from what people tell u and show u. ho ahead and power buff a black car and let someone with no experience use it and see if u have swirls in the paint, no matter what the paint is. to say u CANT mess up a car with a power buffer is sooo wrong its not even funny, i may not know as much as mac does about car stereos, but as far as waxing a car, i know about as much as u can working at major car dealerships as a lot man for about 9 years, look it up on the net and u will find people who mess up paint with one. as far as cleaner wax being a 3 step process, not true at all, unless u think, #1 wash car, #2 put cleaner wax on and take off, and #3 put a regular polish on it, as a 3 step process, just like your shampoo bottle says , wash twice if needed, u really dont need to wash twice if u do it right the first time, just like u dont need to apply some kind of cheap spray called showtime to a car after u use a cleaner wax on it.

Dont turn these forums into an argument, if u have a problem with what i say, PM me and say hey, i think your mistaken, but dont run your mouth off with, for the most part, dumb opinions.

[POLKOROLLA]

can't we all just get along and agree to disagree, as far as that goes, i am the only one that makes my car payment, therefore i use whatever i want on it. for me that is a real nice heavy grit sandpaper. to get that real deep down, bare metal, clean that you just cant get with paint

[1996blackmax]

That reminds me...One of my friends had a neighbor who tried cleaning his car with either one of those dishwashing sponges with a rough side, or some rough cleaning pad. Needless to say his paint on his brand new car was not looking very nice afterwards.....

[Jstas]

i have worked for him in the service department since i was 10 years old...i know about as much as u can working at major car dealerships as a lot man for about 9 years

Oh, you're a lot boy. That explains alot. Lets see, you've been working for you dad since you were 10 and you've been doing it 9 years so that must make you 19, huh? Yep, you know it all.


As for this: "30 years in the car business including being in the guniess book of world records". For what and prove it. Oh and if you are going to use it as a reference and point of argument, you should at least spell Guinness correctly.

Lastly, I will not PM you about issues I have with your statements when your statements have the potential to misguide someone with less experience and knowledge than you. If you think I am wrong, prove it. So far all you have done is tell me I am stupid, I have dumb opinions and then offer your own opinions as rebuttal. Maybe you should stop riding your dad's jock and get some knowledge of your own in your own brain instead of throwing your dad's accomplishments at us as proof of your validity and reasons for us to take you seriously. If you want to prove me wrong, the Internet is at your finger tips and you can find all of the info you need there. Well, I think it will be difficult because I'm not actually wrong.

For edification purposes, since you seem to know more than everyone else and we're all slobbering fools apparently, here is some info for each of the 3-step process products from both Mother's and Meguiar's. I've used both on several cars and trucks for years and I have had no problems. Not even with a power buffer. I take care of my vehicles so I have yet to need a power polisher to do any kind of compounding work to the paint.

Mother's
http://www.mothers.com/products/

Meguiar's
http://www.meguiars.com/estore/

Whether you think the products from these companies suck or not is really not an issue because you have yet to state why they suck. You have only gone on a childish rant because your expertise was questioned (and still is) and now your dad's is being questioned too. You can't make the statements you have made laced with glaring inaccuracies, especially on the difference between a polisher and a buffer, and expect not to be called on it.

[eloplayspolo]

im 19 and your what? 30 something, but your still the one acting childish and correcting my spelling on the internet, u know what, > WHITE FLAG < you win.

[audiobliss]

Woohoo! And there's another exciting round of Internet Arguing. Thanks ladies and gentlemen for participating! Be sure to stick around for the next episode...

[Jstas]

Yeah, sure, I'm acting childish. I called you on your BS. You told me I was a big dummy head and then told me how great you and your dad are. Now I asked you to prove it. This should be easy if everything is as great as you say it is, shouldn't it? But no, instead of stepping up and backing up your posturing, you'll call me childish and give up.

Whatever dude. Come in here with a chip on your shoulder, I don't care, there will be others to bust you down. Come in here with a hidden agenda to up a post count to spam the board, I don't care, there will be others to bust you down at that too. But don't come in here running off at the mouth trying to play yourself up to be some kind of expert about things that could potentially harm other members or their property because I'll be the first one to call shenanigans.




Sorry for ruining your thread here Trey. The truck looks awesome! You did a great job with it!

BTW, here are some shots of my truck and Jamie's truck (a guy in my local Lightning Owners Club chapter) Both trucks (his red with Weld Rodlites, mine the black one with black rally wheels behind it) have been cleaned multiple times with the Mother's 3-step process. Mine is all black and you won't see any swirl marks in my black paint. I'm the only owner and I've used a power buffer since it was new. I'd post better shots of mine but I don't have any online right now. Sorry.

http://www.nloc.net/photopost/data/2209/medium/IMG_2380.JPG

http://www.nloc.net/photopost/data/2209/medium/IMG_2381.JPG

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q59/69clark/Lightnings011.jpg

[eloplayspolo]

just had to see if u are still going, yep.

[killerb]

here is a pic of the gn. i took this the day i bought it. all original with 13,000 miles.

[audiobliss]

How many miles are on it now? Stock? 1/4-mile times? 'Cause if memory serves, I don't think it's still stock.

And I'm hoping you didn't get rid of it.

[killerb]

i had 2 grandnationals, one stock and one 500 h.p. version. this one was the stock one. i also had a dark blue metallic turbo limited regal. sorry to say i sold them all.

[1996blackmax]

.............. :(

[shack]

http://www.music-t-shirt.co.uk/acatalog/Wax.jpg

[POLKOROLLA]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lzqI7wvZvU
grand national dyno video

[disneyjoe7]

Well one can't argue about the Buick Grand National with the Turbo V6....

Funny I'm impressed about the power of that engine, but.... I'm just not a fan of that 3.8L / 231 GM V6 ever, never was.

[VR3]

This has been an interesting thread -

Lots of useful info though.

Thanks for all the comments.