Car Wash\Wax Frequency\Rinse Off

AngelNismo

Hey guys a few questions:

1. Are the Car Washes with the machines bad for the car? Some people swear by hand wash only.
2. How often do you wax your car? Mine is a weekend car only and I park outside.
3. I assume everytime you wash your car, whether by yourself or a car wash that the previous coat of wax comes off, so I guess is it without saying that after every wash you should re-wax?
4. If I simply throw water over the car to remove dust or spray burst bird poop with water, will that remove a coat of wax?

Thanks!

Chuck33079

Washing the car with the right soap will not remove a good coat of wax.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

JARblue

1. The chemicals they use on them are usually much harsher than the stuff most of us use to take care of our paint. I use them only as a pre-rinse when I know I'm going to hand wash the car. And I usually try to buy the cheapest one that has the undercarriage wash - the fewer chemicals the better.

2. I try to wax every few months, but it's actually been a long time since my last wax (well over 6 months). It's my DD and has a garage, so not really the same. If yours is a weekend car and sits outside, it's really more of personal preference. Some people wax every couple of weeks.

3. You should clay before you wax. This removes any remaining residue from the previous wax job as well as lots of contaminants embedded in the clear coat. If you car has been recently waxed and is still very clean, you can use some quick detailer and then spray wax without having to wash and clay first.

4. Nope, but I DO NOT recommend plain water. You want something with lots of lubricity to protect the paint. Using water to wipe off bird $hit or dust is just going to scratch up your paint. Use a quick detailer.

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AngelNismo

So for #4 if I have bird poop or dust on my car you recommend using something such as:
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1442...s=car+detailer ?


And for #3 after using the detailer I can use this:
Amazon.com: Meguiar's G17516 Ultimate Quik Wax - 15.2 oz.: Automotive ?

That's so interesting I would think using regular ole water was the safest way to go lol.

Chuck33079

Stop what you're doing and go to youtube. Watch all of the Junkman's videos on how to take care of your car's paint. Do this before you buy anything.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

AngelNismo

Is it Junkman2000?

Chuck33079

Yep. Grab a frosty beverage and start watching. You've got some homework to do. The more you watch, the less you'll have to fix with a polisher later.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

JARblue

You will learn grasshopper

Junkman will learn you good

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SouthArk370Z

IIRC, Junkman2008 on this site.

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Z Ninja

#1 - I wouldn't recommend using automatic car washes for a couple of reasons. First, you're likely going to get lots of swirl marks in your paint, and it will stick out on black paint like my Z! Second, the soaps tend to be harsh and will strip off your wax. Last, it just doesn't work as well as doing it by hand because of spots that are missed in hard to reach areas. Not to mention, the car wash won't be liable for anything bad that happens!

#2 - How often you wax your car will depend on a couple of things. The type of wax you used, environmental factors, as well as, how often you wash your car. If you use natural carnuba, which a lot of classic car enthusiasts like best for that warm look, it will need to be done monthly. If you use a synthetic wax, like Meguiar's NXT Generation 2.0, about every six months. I use a hybrid was, which is part natural, part synthetic and it lasts about six months (Blackfire BlackIce for black cars). You can usually tell when your wax is shot because the water won't sheet off very well any longer and dirt is harder to get off than usual.

#3 - No, you'll never strip off your wax if you use the correct soap. Dish Soap will strip your wax, which some people use on purpose if they're getting ready to re-wax the car. Specifically formulated car wash soap will not strip your wax because it's gentle.

#4 - Just spraying the car with water won't strip your wax. It's very important that you have a coat of wax on your car so that bird poop and other contaminants don't adhere to your paint. It also makes taking those off a lot easier. Usually squirting bird poop with an exterior detail spray works well for spot cleaning and wipe away with a soft micro-fiber towel.

It's very important that you prepare your paint surface properly before you wax. There are numerous videos available that go through various techniques. I like JunkMan's videos and I also enjoy the ones from Ammo NYC, who is a professional detailer that likes to share good information. Do a keyword search on both those terms on YouTube.

Proper washing and waxing of your car does require some serious attention to detail if you want to avoid damaging your paint. Through watching many of these videos, I've learned a lot of valuable information on how to keep the car looking it's best.

Hope this helps. but I've only barely scratched the surface (pun).
Also, read the Sticky posts at the top of this forum to get started as well.

vtec to vvel

1. machine wash can damage your car. in fact, on the nismo models, there's even a warning sticker on the rear spoiler that machine wash could damage the car.
2. if water doesn't bead off of my car, then i wax. usually about once every 2 months for me.
3. no, water and soap shouldn't wash away the wax coating immediately. too much waxing can do more damage than good.
4. again, water won't immediately wash away wax.

Smashley

pls explain

MagmaRed370z

I never take my Z thru a carwash. I wash it by hand all the time. Mine is a DD so I usually check the weather and if its sunny 3+ days in a row, I'll wash it.

kenchan

yep, also check out the waterless washes. i use the griot's one and it is VERY GOOD.

i wash my dd in the spring once to wash off salt.. rest of the summer i just use that these days. no hose needed.

vtec to vvel

most waxes contain mild abrasives.