Waxing car

[hemophobic]

I know this isn't really money saving but what do I need to wax my car?
Which types of cloth and what is a good wax?
Thanks

[Bowdyjan18]

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php

[flang]

I always use autoglem and a shammy.
I wax my 1993 BMW every couple of months and it still looks new. Wax resists and allows the water to run off quicker resulting in less rust.

[Armengar]

Old cotton work shirts make a good streak free finish too.

[savemoney]

I use a micro fibre cloth and another to buff

Make sure you do it on a dull day as polish can get hard quickly particularly on hot days, today is a good day for it as its dull where I am although it may well rain

[foreign correspondent]

collinite is very good! I used the top one here (476s) http://www.colliniteautomotive.com/products.htm#super476s

it is detergent proof and so each waxing lasts a year! Its about £15 but is enough to wax your car for about the next 20 years at once a year!!

[anewman]

collinite is very good! I used the top one here (476s) http://www.colliniteautomotive.com/products.htm#super476s

it is detergent proof and so each waxing lasts a year! Its about £15 but is enough to wax your car for about the next 20 years at once a year!!
I stupidly bought the big tin as I thought it would be better value for money. I think it will probably last me forever lol. Less is more with this stuff.

[DUTR]

collinite is very good! I used the top one here (476s) http://www.colliniteautomotive.com/products.htm#super476s

it is detergent proof and so each waxing lasts a year! Its about £15 but is enough to wax your car for about the next 20 years at once a year!!

I doubt a coat of this last more than 3 months on a car that is used daily.:rolleyes:

[Hintza]

A cloudy day or in the evening (when cooler) will also make your life a bit easier.

[JasonLVC]

Don't use old cotton shirts or that banadage like material that comes on a roll.....if you have a car less than 3 years old.

Modern cars with their water based paint finishes and top coats are very 'weak' and easily scratched when you use something like an old shirt - you might as well polish your car with sandpaper. Some cars handle it better than others (if you have a VW/Seat/Audi/Skoda - just looking at your car will be enough to scratch it to death - whereas French and Ford cars have much tougher top coats imho).

Microfibre cloth is the way to go (and can be washed/reused), the softer the better.

Before you wax, you need to polish - otherwise you are just going to 'seal in' the dirt. So wash the car, then apply a polish - Autoglym Super Resin is excellent for an off-the shelf product but also try Meguiers products and my favourite, Zymol Cleaners Polish (all from Halfords).

Once polished and the top oxidisation has been removed, then wax it. As others have said, preferably in cool/non-direct sun as otherwise it is harder to get off.

I always find once you've put wax on, a light spray of water from a spritzer and a final wipe adds an extra layer of gloss (a bit like spit and shine, so to speak, on your shoes).

Car detailing is always a personal thing, there's no right or wrong way or product but some processes and products are easier than others.

[pault123]

Asda sell a microfibre cloth for about a £1 in the cleaning section :money::money::money:

[foreign correspondent]

I doubt a coat of this last more than 3 months on a car that is used daily.:rolleyes:

I will let you know how it fares on mine then - I know my brother has used it on his car and is very impressed with the results - I think he did his more than six months ago and it is still going strong. :rolleyes:

[inmypocketnottheirs]

Also consider what you wash the car with after you have waxed it. personally I always use Autoglym Super Resin polish, then a coat of Extra Gloss Protection. I only then use Autoglym shampoo so as not to break down the polish too quickly.

[pault123]

I too can vouch for autogylm superresin polish, very nice results and lasts ages.

I don't use anything else on top of this, I just wash it with autogylm bodyshampoo conditioner, which is kind to the wax, prevents rust and brings it back to gleaming :T

[westv]

Wax on. Wax off. :D

[flyingscotno1]

I'd go with Autoglym Super Resin Polish too. Helps my finish out- I use Halfords/Turtle Wax shampoo as I don't see much difference with them- except the Turtle Wax beads better.

[leosayer]

In my experience Carnauba-based waxes make rainwater 'bead' on the paintwork much longer than all the bog standard turtlewax/autoglym products.

If that's important to you, then look on the detailingworld website.

[shere1]

Collinite is very good wax. I used 845 as my winter wax in autumn 2008 and it is still beading the water reasonably well. It beats all the other wax you can buy in terms of being durable.