First time wash/polish/wax

konsol · 03-09-2010, 01:19 PM

So I'm a complete beginner when it comes to wash/polish/wax but I learn quick so I'm not too worried. Anyways I read the zaino thread but had already ordered up some Meguiars products so I tried to adapt that process to what I already have. This will be my first wash/polish/wax on the car, had it about a week and a half now.

So currently I've ordered:
Meguiars NXT Generation Car Wash
Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax
Meguiars NXT Generation Cockpit Shine
Meguiars NXT Generation Glass Cleaner

I'll need (used Meguiars just for consistency):
Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit
Meguiars SCRATCHX 2.0
Meguiars Deep Crystal System Polish
Meguiars NXT Generation Speed Detailer
Dawn unscented liquid soap

Process:
-wash with unscented dawn
-scratchx 2.0
-lubricate/claybar kit
-polish/remove polish
-Tech wax/remove
-Maintain with speed detailer

Can anyone point out if I'm missing anything or if the process I've got is not correct? Also, I want to clear bra it asap, should i do it before or after this whole process?

JJ-NISMO · 03-09-2010, 02:06 PM

I would definitely clay the car prior to the clear bra, but you may want to hold off on adding any wax. I had a clear bra put on a couple days after buying my car and they washed and clayed the car prior to installing it. They try to have a clean and bare surface to put the film on. Afterwards you can wash, wax, and bar like normal.

konsol · 03-09-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ-NISMO

I would definitely clay the car prior to the clear bra, but you may want to hold off on adding any wax. I had a clear bra put on a couple days after buying my car and they washed and clayed the car prior to installing it. They try to have a clean and bare surface to put the film on. Afterwards you can wash, wax, and bar like normal.

does it look to you like I'm missing any products / steps?

Meridian69 · 03-09-2010, 02:33 PM

I am not really sure why you would need the Dawn soap. The clay bar and Scratch X should remove any old wax/sealant on the car.

konsol · 03-09-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meridian69

I am not really sure why you would need the Dawn soap. The clay bar and Scratch X should remove any old wax/sealant on the car.

I was basing that part on the zaino thread that called for it, but if it's not necessary then I'm glad I don't have to use it. Thanks.

Meridian69 · 03-09-2010, 03:14 PM

Check out the Autopia site for great info on detailing your ride.

Autopia - Autopia Home

JJ-NISMO · 03-09-2010, 05:26 PM

I recently used Zaino on my Z and did Dawn the car. The car was new and I think that using Dawn once, and only once, prior to the clay bar, etc. may be a nice way to completely strip it of any dealer applied sealants.

After the dawn wash, I used the clay bar, then washed it with car wash and then used a polish followed by two coats of wax. The results were great. In my mind, using the dawn once gives you a clean pallate to work with and allows you to seal the paint without having anything under your was coats.

JJ-NISMO · 03-09-2010, 05:27 PM

I would also make sure that you have 100% cotton (very soft) towels, soft applicators, etc. You may want to to look into some tire detailer and leather care as well.

kenchan · 03-09-2010, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by konsol

does it look to you like I'm missing any products / steps?

might want to get 2 large buckets (5gallons minimum) put a gritguard at the bottom, use 2 bucket method.

and when you're drying your car, use compressed air or blower (leaf blower, i use a shopvac in blower mode) to get most of the water out of the nooks, then blot dry the car.

first step for detailing is prevention ( as in preventing swirls).

zmyride · 03-09-2010, 09:14 PM

I thought you're not supposed to use dishwashing soap to wash car.

Why are you guys using Dawn liquid soap?

kenchan · 03-09-2010, 09:21 PM

using dawn dish soap is like a zaino thing.

i use griot's PaintPrep before changing waxes like between polymer and carnauba.

StealthZ · 03-09-2010, 10:02 PM

look at the meguiars line of m-105 and m-205 polishes, by far some of the best and work really well and fast, make sure you use a good ratio for the dawn soap, I recommend a good car wash shampoo like CG CITRUS, will clean perfectly and remove anything that is there safely.
But have at it and TAKE your time... don't be too anxious to see the end results, as they will be awesome when your done.
Try a forum like autogeek.net for further searching and more in depth detailing discussions.

03-09-2010, 01:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
konsol Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: moorpark Posts: 22 Drives: accord Rep Power: 15	First time wash/polish/wax So I'm a complete beginner when it comes to wash/polish/wax but I learn quick so I'm not too worried. Anyways I read the zaino thread but had already ordered up some Meguiars products so I tried to adapt that process to what I already have. This will be my first wash/polish/wax on the car, had it about a week and a half now. So currently I've ordered: Meguiars NXT Generation Car Wash Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax Meguiars NXT Generation Cockpit Shine Meguiars NXT Generation Glass Cleaner I'll need (used Meguiars just for consistency): Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit Meguiars SCRATCHX 2.0 Meguiars Deep Crystal System Polish Meguiars NXT Generation Speed Detailer Dawn unscented liquid soap Process: -wash with unscented dawn -scratchx 2.0 -lubricate/claybar kit -polish/remove polish -Tech wax/remove -Maintain with speed detailer Can anyone point out if I'm missing anything or if the process I've got is not correct? Also, I want to clear bra it asap, should i do it before or after this whole process?

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03-09-2010, 02:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
JJ-NISMO Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 276 Drives: 09 NISMO 370Z PG Rep Power: 242	I would definitely clay the car prior to the clear bra, but you may want to hold off on adding any wax. I had a clear bra put on a couple days after buying my car and they washed and clayed the car prior to installing it. They try to have a clean and bare surface to put the film on. Afterwards you can wash, wax, and bar like normal.

03-09-2010, 02:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Meridian69 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 31 Drives: 09 370z Plat/Per 6M Rep Power: 16	I am not really sure why you would need the Dawn soap. The clay bar and Scratch X should remove any old wax/sealant on the car.

03-09-2010, 03:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Meridian69 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 31 Drives: 09 370z Plat/Per 6M Rep Power: 16	Check out the Autopia site for great info on detailing your ride. Autopia - Autopia Home

03-09-2010, 05:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
JJ-NISMO Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 276 Drives: 09 NISMO 370Z PG Rep Power: 242	I recently used Zaino on my Z and did Dawn the car. The car was new and I think that using Dawn once, and only once, prior to the clay bar, etc. may be a nice way to completely strip it of any dealer applied sealants. After the dawn wash, I used the clay bar, then washed it with car wash and then used a polish followed by two coats of wax. The results were great. In my mind, using the dawn once gives you a clean pallate to work with and allows you to seal the paint without having anything under your was coats.

03-09-2010, 05:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
JJ-NISMO Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 276 Drives: 09 NISMO 370Z PG Rep Power: 242	I would also make sure that you have 100% cotton (very soft) towels, soft applicators, etc. You may want to to look into some tire detailer and leather care as well.

03-09-2010, 09:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
zmyride Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 631 Drives: 10 Black Sports 7AT Rep Power: 16	I thought you're not supposed to use dishwashing soap to wash car. Why are you guys using Dawn liquid soap?

03-09-2010, 09:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	using dawn dish soap is like a zaino thing. i use griot's PaintPrep before changing waxes like between polymer and carnauba.

03-09-2010, 10:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
StealthZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 356 Drives: '14 GTR Premium Rep Power: 17	look at the meguiars line of m-105 and m-205 polishes, by far some of the best and work really well and fast, make sure you use a good ratio for the dawn soap, I recommend a good car wash shampoo like CG CITRUS, will clean perfectly and remove anything that is there safely. But have at it and TAKE your time... don't be too anxious to see the end results, as they will be awesome when your done. Try a forum like autogeek.net for further searching and more in depth detailing discussions.