Newbie trying to wax

[pHattu]

Hey Guys,

Well, the weekend is coming up and I've got some free time on my hands. I was just going through some old stuff and I stumbled across some Meguiars Cleaner Wax and Meguiars Shine solution I had. I've used the latter on the interior many a times and it does make a small difference ... however, I've never used the wax before. Hell I've never used ANY wax before.

Here's what I need ... suggestions from you guys as to what I should do before waxing? Should I go ahead and Wax with the Meguiars one or will it damage my paint? Is waxing left to pros and I should sit back and rather watch a movie :p? Any precautions to be taken?
My engine is pretty dirty and I'd love to see it cleant ... could I use the Shining solution on the engine?
Will Waxing actually make a noticeable change in the shine of the paint? Which is better polishing or waxing?

Here are a few pics of the car ...

[pHattu]

The Meguiars products too ...

[BUDNUNTA]

What wax you use depends on the condition of your paint. If it has lots of light scratches and swirls start with a cleaner. If you have scratches or not I'd suggest investing in a claybar kit. Undoubtable one of the best paint car innovations to now go main stream(my dad used clay from the art store back in the 70s). It removes all the contaminants on and even some in your paint and makes it extremely smooth. After clay either use a cleaner wax or regular wax(i suggest Zymol even the over the counter forumla is good) of if you like maguires there NXT paste is good to and about the some price as the Zymol.
You can go all out in detailing. thers forums classes everthing. Look around. you'll find tons of information.
The things I suggested are just tips anyone can do easily and show great results.
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1016...8&s=automotive

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1271...8&s=automotive
Pick up both of those(they have them at auto zone/advanced) and follow the instructions and youll be amazed how your paint looks and feels.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in detailing


Hunter

[bimmer2288]

I hate waxing

I can't wax worth crap. I get swirls of cloudiness even though I've gone over it several times. I just let a professional do it for me.

[pHattu]

Hmm, I see.

Well, incase I do not get the claybar kit. Should I just directly try to use the cleaner wax?
I plan to wash my car first with cold water and wax it at night. The thing I am afraid is that ... no matter what I do with the wax, I surely won't mess up my paint right?
Thanks for the links ... but I doubt I get the same brands where I live (Middle East) I will have to settle for a closer alternative ...

A bit off topic, but from the pics posted is there anything I can do to the car to make it look a bit better? Something budget in the range of 700 to 900 $.
Dang, the car drinks a lot of gas. I'd asked a mechanic for a solution once ... but he'd said this being an old bimmer ... there's not much you can do about it.

I've taken care of the interior a lot and its pretty clean. However, I'm only a bit ashamed of the engine ... I've read people paint it over ... but I doubt I have the knowledge to take up such a project ... I guess I should check out some product that specifically cleans the engine...


Thanks!

[DarkWing6]

Don't wax without clay. Clay is very easy to use and definately worth the 30 minutes to do.

Clay will remove any contaminants off of you paint that cause the surface to be rough. If these are not removed previous to polishing or waxing the car you will either pick them up in the pad and grind them into the surface or seal them in leaving you with a finigh that could be better.

[BUDNUNTA]

Tooth brush and simple green will clean the engine bay alot. either way it takes time. There are so many tight places to get into. On the yellow stuff thats all over the place(known as cosmoline) brake cleaner and a wire brush work best but WILL take the paint off.
I think Meguires products are available everywhere if not order them off the web. Griots garage makes good stuff too they have a full line of products clay wax interior stuff too.


HUnter

[DarkWing6]

Use 3M General Purpose Cleaner to remove cosmoline. That and nylon and brass brushes (depending on the surface you are cleaning). If the cosmoline is heavy soak a rag with 3M and let it sit on the area for a few min, then aggitate with appropriate brush.

[JPL]

After you use the all-purpose cleaner saturate you engine bay with armor-all and let it sit in the sun. This will give your engine a nice beautiful shine.

In regards to waxing, I only clay bar about every 3-6 months depending on the condition of my paint and that depends on how many freshly paved roads I've driven on. Freshly paved roads are nice to drive on except for the loose tar that flings up on your car. Waxing is something that takes practice and I don't consider it hard whatsoever as long as you don't do it in the sun and you don't let it sit on your car to long before wiping.

[DarkWing6]

I clay at least every 3 months and usually more often than that. The more you do it the longer your clay lasts and easier and faster it is to clay. Clay is not abrasive, so it is basically a deep clean for your paint.

[JPL]

I clay at least every 3 months and usually more often than that. The more you do it the longer your clay lasts and easier and faster it is to clay. Clay is not abrasive, so it is basically a deep clean for your paint.

it is abrasive. just mildly. thats why you don't clay bar your car without any lubericant (i.e. soapy water). look at the patents the companies like Meguiars have.

[DarkWing6]

it is abrasive. just mildly. thats why you don't clay bar your car without any lubericant (i.e. soapy water). look at the patents the companies like Meguiars have.

It is not. I work for Griot's Garage and work, talk with, and have been trained by the owner, head of R&D, and many other very well informed people. The reason for the lubricant is becasue clay is very sticky. You can run clay all over your car without lubricant and you will just end up with a big sticky mess that you have to remove. No damage unless the car is dirty, but that would be due to the dirt being ground in and not the clay. There are different grades of clay due to how hard or soft the clay is, but it is not abrasive. The harder clays are harder to work with, so they are more so used in body shops for removing overspray etc (what clay was originally designed for). Most clays you find on the market (ie Mothers, Meguires, Griot's, etc) will be relativly soft compared to those used in body shops. Without being bias, Griot's is honestly the easiest to use of any off the shelf/consumer clay. I am honest about whatever products are really better and clay is IMO one of our best products.

[ivo316]

Sorry to ask, but isn't clay a very fine grain dust once you remove all water from it ?

[DarkWing6]

Sorry to ask, but isn't clay a very fine grain dust once you remove all water from it ?

It's more like silly putty. Sticky and pliable.

I do not believe the clay used on cars is actually clay like you would find in the ground. It may have originated there, but it has developed since then.

[pHattu]

Allright guys ... thanks for all your replies.

will surely search for a clay kit available here and get on to doing the job.