Waxing your car

clangnuts

Interesting thread. I recently polished my brand new car, but have subsequently discovered that most polish has a slight cutting action, so was completely unnecessary for a new car. I now understand the difference between Polish and Wax. Polish restores paintwork. Wax protects and hardens. I'm just waiting for the right weather to wash and Wax my new car.

BOWFER

clangnuts said:

Interesting thread. I recently polished my brand new car, but have subsequently discovered that most polish has a slight cutting action, so was completely unnecessary for a new car. I now understand the difference between Polish and Wax. Polish restores paintwork. Wax protects and hardens. I'm just waiting for the right weather to wash and Wax my new car.

Yup, that's it
If the paintwork is already in good nick, straight to a wax or sealant (I tend to err towards the latter these days as you can literally spray the whole car, glass and plastics and all).

thegentleway

clangnuts said:

Polish restores paintwork. Wax protects and hardens.

Polish does not restore paintwork; it removes a bit of lacquer.
Wax does protect the paintwork but does not harden it.

JustAnotherSaver

Years ago I was looking in to getting in to detailing. Just for myself really. I was considering buying a machine polisher and all the equipment.
But I saw how much it was going to cost, not only time but also my pocket.

I get why people do it. When done right the results are amazing. But there's that cost issue.

So I wash my car regular and hoover it out regular too. From a reasonable few strides it looks decent enough. Up close you'll see plenty of swirl marks but it's not a shoe car, it's a daily car. 

neilmcl

thegentleway said:

clangnuts said:

Polish restores paintwork. Wax protects and hardens.

Polish does not restore paintwork; it removes a bit of lacquer.
Wax does protect the paintwork but does not harden it.

We know what was meant, it restores the paint finish.

Biggus_Dickus

thegentleway said:

clangnuts said:

Polish restores paintwork. Wax protects and hardens.

Polish does not restore paintwork; it removes a bit of lacquer.
Wax does protect the paintwork but does not harden it.

Is that or good thing or a bad thing?

Biggus_Dickus

BOWFER said:

Biggus_Dickus said:

BOWFER said:

I use Tardis neat with no ill effect.
When I say neat, it's poured onto a rag and then wiped over the tar.
Much tidier than a spray bottle.

No need for expensive stuff like that;...a damp Brillo pad and plenty of elbow grease will do the job,...no probs!

A fag lighter held over the tar spots also works.

All MSE threads/posts are supposed to be about ‘money saving’ and that little gem is the ‘Money saving tip of the week’, imo.

50p for a cheap lighter and the jobs a good’un.... Amazing! 

BOWFER

Biggus_Dickus said:

BOWFER said:

Biggus_Dickus said:

BOWFER said:

I use Tardis neat with no ill effect.
When I say neat, it's poured onto a rag and then wiped over the tar.
Much tidier than a spray bottle.

No need for expensive stuff like that;...a damp Brillo pad and plenty of elbow grease will do the job,...no probs!

A fag lighter held over the tar spots also works.

All MSE threads/posts are supposed to be about ‘money saving’ and that little gem is the ‘Money saving tip of the week’, imo.

50p for a cheap lighter and the jobs a good’un.... Amazing! 

Can't wait for photos of people trying it

lincroft1710

In 50 yrs of car ownership, I've never waxed any of my cars

Arsenal2019

clangnuts said:

Interesting thread. I recently polished my brand new car, but have subsequently discovered that most polish has a slight cutting action, so was completely unnecessary for a new car. I now understand the difference between Polish and Wax. Polish restores paintwork. Wax protects and hardens. I'm just waiting for the right weather to wash and Wax my new car.

That’s a good way of putting it!! Thanks