car cleaning ? glaze, polish, wax ... oh my !

[Changster]

hey guys i was wondering about the whole process in cleaning my car

so i wash it and dry it ...
then what order do things go ?

polish, glaze, wax ?
glaze, polish, wax ?

also there sem to be lots of different waxes: cleaner wax, carnauba wax, should i be using both ?

if you could give me a total run down on the order of everything it would be great. thanks !

[Kickus]

Don't use cleaner wax if you're going to glaze and polish

[J328]

It depends on what you're trying to accomplish & how much time you have. I would use a littke compound, than a glaze, than, polish, and use a wax with a lot of carnuba.

[Alex328is]

For exterior:

1- Wash car. Use two different mitts. 1 for upper section of car, and one for rims/lower sections of car. This will help you avoid any scratches.

2- Dry car thoroughly. Use a water blade and chamois. Not everyone has access to an air compressor, but if you do, you can blow dry all the water out of all the crevices in your car...helps dry rims quickly too.

3- Clay the entire car. This will help remove any contaminants from the paint. It will also get the paint as smooth as a baby's ass.

4- Compound car. If your paint is in excellent shape then I would skip this step. This will help eliminate scratches and brings out some shine. Use a machine only if you know how. Remember to tape off mouldings and door handles and window trim. Otherwise you can compound by hand.

5- Polish car. Polishing will bring out the color and make the paint very shiny. Again, if you know how to use a machine properly then go ahead, otherwise go by hand.

6- Glaze car. Using less is better. If you use too much you'll have a hard time getting it off. In addition your paint surface will look like it has a haze on it. Just rub it on with a terry cloth towel, and rub it off with a separate clean rag.

7- Finally, wax the car. Carnauba wax is the best wax. Use circular motions to apply wax, and use circular motions to remove wax. Apply with an wax applicator (sponges covered with terry cloth towel are best) and remove with clean terry cloth towels. Its better to use several thin coats rather than one heavy coat. Put 2 or 3 thin coats of wax on hood, roof, and trunklids.

Thats about all I can think of for now. If anyone has any further questions please feel free to PM me. Hope this helps.

Alex

[hamann99]

If you really want to remove all old wax and sort of stuff, I would recommend some dish washingt soap, very lil is enuf or else might be too concentrated. That will take off all yoru old waxes. I'd recommend using a Mother's clay bar kit. Also I'd recommend using the P21S cleanin kit, heard they're easiest to use and top of the line for form what I heard.

[tripleM]

Originally posted by Changster
hey guys i was wondering about the whole process in cleaning my car

so i wash it and dry it ...
then what order do things go ?

polish, glaze, wax ?
glaze, polish, wax ?

also there sem to be lots of different waxes: cleaner wax, carnauba wax, should i be using both ?

if you could give me a total run down on the order of everything it would be great. thanks !

CAR CARE ONLINE

Basically, I would use a wash/glaze/wax.

Unless you're car hasn't seen a polish & wax in a long time.

Then you should really read these tutorials!

[EVOIIIM3]

Originally posted by Changster
hey guys i was wondering about the whole process in cleaning my car

so i wash it and dry it ...
then what order do things go ?

polish, glaze, wax ?
glaze, polish, wax ?

also there sem to be lots of different waxes: cleaner wax, carnauba wax, should i be using both ?

if you could give me a total run down on the order of everything it would be great. thanks !

Glaze and Wax are the same thing, only differant ways of getting the same reslult. I use Zymol Vintage GLAZE. Anyway you only need to polish evey 6mo. Ploish helps clean the paint and make it shine, the wax/glaze helps protect the paint and keep the polish shine intact.

Don't let the polish dry!!!

[fuschnicken]

I was told that glazes were for older cars (older paint). Don't forget to mask off the moldings! I learned the hard way the first time I polished/waxed. You look like a fool smothering peanut butter on your car.

[Techno Violent]

Wash with an auto wash product, unless you plan to wax - then wash with dish detergent. Clay/cleanse the paint once a year, unless you keep it outside during the day - then clay/clean it 2 or 3 times a year. Then follow-up w/ Zymol (carbon for dark cars). Zymol Carbon does not discolor the mouldings/handles, etc. and leaves a DEEP shine. Others may be cheaper and last a lil longer, but masking mouldings and handles is a PITA! Zymol it 4 times a year.