waxing my p38

[jorjio_k]

Polishing is to use an abrasive agent usually suspended in some kind of fluid compound to help it go on smoothly. You can get polish in different grades. Usually "hard" polish, like hard wax has more / bigger abrasive agents and is for getting through the top layer of scratches and oxidised paint. It'll normally say that its recommended for older cars or heavily contaminated paint. Usually you have to follow it up with a finer grade however you should really only need to polish once or twice a year because you are effectively taking a layer of paint off when you do this. Once you've polished you need to protect the paint again and that's why wax. This is basically a clear coat that is supposed to be water repellent and protects your paint from acids that could be in tree sap, bird droppings and acid rain. Claying falls in between, basically the clay bar is rubbed on the paint work and it "lifts" impurities and holds it in the clay. you then turn the bar over or mould some clean fresh clay to the surface and keep going. Its surprisingly effective but not available everywhere.

Jorjio where in Lebanon are you? I know Beirut a little. If you're by the sea a wax coat is a good idea as it protects your paint from the salt in the air a little.

So must to wash,then liquid polish,then wax.is that the way 2 go?i am in kessrouan area mount lebanon,with an altitude of 500 meters above sea level,so in the mountain area...

 

[v8hotrodboy]

So must to wash,then liquid polish,then wax.is that the way 2 go?i am in kessrouan area mount lebanon,with an altitude of 500 meters above sea level,so in the mountain area...

I would say so, but do try the clay bar after washing as it will make polishing and waxing easier and the results will be alot better. Google "clay bar" and see if you can get it where you live, its good stuff.

 

[MikeV8SE]

Personally, I would 'clay' the car first, before washing it (unless it's filthy!) - the idea is that it picks all the dirt up off the paintwork, and then you wash it to get rid of any residue. Need to be careful claying a car though, need to keep the clay warm and keep rotating it and folding it in to avoid scratching the paintwork. Also, use plenty of warm water - I tend to fill a bucket up with warm water, then add some car wash liquid - so don't put the car wash liquid in first, you don't want any bubbles! This provides lubrication for the clay, helping it to glide over the surface, picking up the dirt as it goes. Try youtube for an insturctional video.

Similarly, I would only polish by hand if you have not polished before - using a rotary polisher can easily burn or flatten the paintwork if you're not careful!

Then once you have clayed, washed and polished the car you can apply the wax. Again, you can smear it on by hand if you like, rubbing it into the paintwork, and then buff with a soft microfibre cloth.

Have fun!

 

[wammers]

Personally, I would 'clay' the car first, before washing it (unless it's filthy!) - the idea is that it picks all the dirt up off the paintwork, and then you wash it to get rid of any residue. Need to be careful claying a car though, need to keep the clay warm and keep rotating it and folding it in to avoid scratching the paintwork. Also, use plenty of warm water - I tend to fill a bucket up with warm water, then add some car wash liquid - so don't put the car wash liquid in first, you don't want any bubbles! This provides lubrication for the clay, helping it to glide over the surface, picking up the dirt as it goes. Try youtube for an insturctional video.

Similarly, I would only polish by hand if you have not polished before - using a rotary polisher can easily burn or flatten the paintwork if you're not careful!

Then once you have clayed, washed and polished the car you can apply the wax. Again, you can smear it on by hand if you like, rubbing it into the paintwork, and then buff with a soft microfibre cloth.

Have fun!

Looks like a lot of money for what looks to be essentially plasticine and could be lubed with a mixture of washing up liquid and water. It is just a very fine abrasive that rubs off and collects debris. Plasticine would do the same job. And it's a lot cheaper.

 

[Bromsgrove Defender]

Need to be careful claying a car though, need to keep the clay warm and keep rotating it and folding it in to avoid scratching the paintwork. Also, use plenty of warm water - I tend to fill a bucket up with warm water, then add some car wash liquid - so don't put the car wash liquid in first, you don't want any bubbles! This provides lubrication for the clay, helping it to glide over the surface, picking up the dirt as it goes. Try youtube for an instructional video.

Have fun!

Or watch the film "Ghost"

 

[MikeV8SE]

Looks like a lot of money for what looks to be essentially plasticine and could be lubed with a mixture of washing up liquid and water. It is just a very fine abrasive that rubs off and collects debris. Plasticine would do the same job. And it's a lot cheaper.

Not really - the clay stuff isn't expensive, and adding a bit of car wash liquid to a bucket of water isn't expensive!

Wouldn't use washing up liquid - salt in it is bad for paintwork!

 

[classic kev]

Swissvax gets my vote, its' not as expensive as it looks because it lasts so long, I've used all sorts over the years and I find this is the best but it will take a whole day to do. If you want a really good finish, remove all old wax/polish and then clay the car, then apply your wax.

 

[wammers]

Not really - the clay stuff isn't expensive, and adding a bit of car wash liquid to a bucket of water isn't expensive!

Wouldn't use washing up liquid - salt in it is bad for paintwork!

I hardly think the amount of salt in the quantity of washing up liquid required is of any consiquence to the paintwork. And you can get a pound block of industrial molding clay for about a quid. Anyway a quick rinse with the steam cleaner works for me.

 

[MikeV8SE]

I hardly think the amount of salt in the quantity of washing up liquid required is of any consiquence to the paintwork. And you can get a pound block of industrial molding clay for about a quid. Anyway a quick rinse with the steam cleaner works for me.

I agree! I don't bother valeting the RR - I only gave it a polish as the paintwork was so dulled from having sat for 4 years! For £9, the local Polish lads do a great job cleaning it up, which is fine by me at this time of year!

However, my 'daily driver' is a very mint 330Ci and that has been clayed, polished and waxed and looks great

 

[jorjio_k]

cheers all.i tried searching 4 the clay thing,couldn't find it.guess i will go 4 the other option.as 4 googling wow there is alot of good methods to wax.i will watch the movie karate kid with the wax on wax off style with mr miagiy lol better than ghost i reckon,in that way i will b more in the waxing enthusiastic mood.god bless u.

 

[MikeV8SE]

Here's a video on how to clay a car properly!

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI"]YouTube - How to Clay Bar[/nomedia]

Enjoy!