Do you Wax?

lafors

Just wondering what you all do to clean your cars,
wax,car wash, manual (power hose) car wash, sponge, or filth.

I posted a poll. (I've included an atari jaguar option, even though for the life of me haven't a clue, where or why everyone puts one in!)

Do the waxers think it makes a big difference to wash&wax over just washing?

peasant

Atari Jaguar

...ever tried to wax camouflage paint ?

When I still had a normal car, I waxed twice a year ...spring and autumn kind of a job

PaulKK

Standard car wash

I never wax properly, but i do use simoniz wash and wax shampoo... leaves a nice shine when washed properly and most people think it is waxed!

Fr Dougal

I use a small Karcher power washer to get the car as clean as possible first and then then use a bucket, sponge with Halfords car shampoo, comes in 1L and 2L blue bottles, probably one of the most effective car shampoo's I've used.
Always work from the top down, leaving wheels til last. Use a different sponge on the wheels and a scrubbing brush on the tyres.
Dry with a clean chamois.
Wax or polish. I use polish about 3 times a year. Have used wax in the past. I believe the wax is a better job than polish but also a bit harder to apply and buff off.
Finish off any trims with a trim polsh and spray wheels with a wheel gloss.
Inside, vacuum, clean dash & doors with warm soapy water. Also clean all around the doors. Then use trim spray and polish up dash, doors, centre console etc.

lafors

DIY (Sponge and bucket)

Fr Dougal wrote:

I use a small Karcher power washer to get the car as clean as possible first and then then use a bucket, sponge with Halfords car shampoo, comes in 1L and 2L blue bottles, probably one of the most effective car shampoo's I've used.
Always work from the top down, leaving wheels til last. Use a different sponge on the wheels and a scrubbing brush on the tyres.
Dry with a clean chamois.
Wax or polish. I use polish about 3 times a year. Have used wax in the past. I believe the wax is a better job than polish but also a bit harder to apply and buff off.
Finish off any trims with a trim polsh and spray wheels with a wheel gloss.
Inside, vacuum, clean dash & doors with warm soapy water. Also clean all around the doors. Then use trim spray and polish up dash, doors, centre console etc.

Then it's time to go to bed
That'd take a day!

TomMc

Fr Dougal wrote:

Wax or polish. I use polish about 3 times a year. Have used wax in the past. I believe the wax is a better job than polish but also a bit harder to apply and buff off.

Polish & wax do different jobs (at least the proper ones), they are not the same. Not much point doing one without the other, except for topping up existing protection.

Fey!

Standard car wash

I use a powerhose, then Meguairs wash in lukewarm water applied with a sponge. Wash off, redo. Use Meguairs alloy wheel cleaner for the wheels; leave it on for 30 seconds, then powerwash off. Then an autoglym blade to take the excess water off, and a microfibre cloth to remove the rest of the water. Leave for a few minutes for further drying.

Sometimes I'll clay-bar the car at this stage, but this takes a long time, and isn't always necessary.

Next Meguairs (anyone would swear at this stage that I'm a Meguairs rep!!) spray-on wax, leave on for a couple of minutes, then wipe off. I generally do this panel by panel, as if you leave it too long, it becomes harder to remove.

Then (you guessed it!) Meguairs gold finish.

I use cotton towels to remove the polishes (available cheap in Dunnes!) They will leave some lint, but that'll blow off. A toothbrush is handy for removing wax from hard to reach spots.

For the engine, I use Autoglym engine degreaser and a hard brush, powerhose off (I leave the engine running when powerhosing, and avoid/cover the electrics), then spray on Autoglym vinyl protector, close the bonnet and leave the engine running for 10 minutes, powerhose it lightly again, go for a 10 minute spin to dry it out, then wipe it with a microfibre cloth.

The outside results: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=37403&PN=1&TPN=1 Cheated this time; I supplied the pollishes, someone else did the labour (no time myself at the moment)

Can't find the link for the engine shots at the moment.

Do the above 3/4 times a year; the rest of the time is a powerhose and sponge job.

lafors

DIY (Sponge and bucket)

Fey! wrote:

I use a powerhose, then Meguairs wash in lukewarm water applied with a sponge. Wash off, redo. Use Meguairs alloy wheel cleaner for the wheels; leave it on for 30 seconds, then powerwash off. Then an autoglym blade to take the excess water off, and a microfibre cloth to remove the rest of the water. Leave for a few minutes for further drying.

Sometimes I'll clay-bar the car at this stage, but this takes a long time, and isn't always necessary.

Next Meguairs (anyone would swear at this stage that I'm a Meguairs rep!!) spray-on wax, leave on for a couple of minutes, then wipe off. I generally do this panel by panel, as if you leave it too long, it becomes harder to remove.

Then (you guessed it!) Meguairs gold finish.

I use cotton towels to remove the polishes (available cheap in Dunnes!) They will leave some lint, but that'll blow off. A toothbrush is handy for removing wax from hard to reach spots.

For the engine, I use Autoglym engine degreaser and a hard brush, powerhose off (I leave the engine running when powerhosing, and avoid/cover the electrics), then spray on Autoglym vinyl protector, close the bonnet and leave the engine running for 10 minutes, powerhose it lightly again, go for a 10 minute spin to dry it out, then wipe it with a microfibre cloth.

The outside results: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=37403&PN=1&TPN=1 Cheated this time; I supplied the pollishes, someone else did the labour (no time myself at the moment)

Can't find the link for the engine shots at the moment.

Do the above 3/4 times a year; the rest of the time is a powerhose and sponge job.

That is quality, now thats what I'm thinking

Tony Danza

I don't, the local kids write wash me on my window.

Fey! wrote:

I use a powerhose, then Meguairs wash in lukewarm water applied with a sponge. Wash off, redo. Use Meguairs alloy wheel cleaner for the wheels; leave it on for 30 seconds, then powerwash off. Then an autoglym blade to take the excess water off, and a microfibre cloth to remove the rest of the water. Leave for a few minutes for further drying.

Sometimes I'll clay-bar the car at this stage, but this takes a long time, and isn't always necessary.

Next Meguairs (anyone would swear at this stage that I'm a Meguairs rep!!) spray-on wax, leave on for a couple of minutes, then wipe off. I generally do this panel by panel, as if you leave it too long, it becomes harder to remove.

Then (you guessed it!) Meguairs gold finish.

I use cotton towels to remove the polishes (available cheap in Dunnes!) They will leave some lint, but that'll blow off. A toothbrush is handy for removing wax from hard to reach spots.

For the engine, I use Autoglym engine degreaser and a hard brush, powerhose off (I leave the engine running when powerhosing, and avoid/cover the electrics), then spray on Autoglym vinyl protector, close the bonnet and leave the engine running for 10 minutes, powerhose it lightly again, go for a 10 minute spin to dry it out, then wipe it with a microfibre cloth.

The outside results: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=37403&PN=1&TPN=1 Cheated this time; I supplied the pollishes, someone else did the labour (no time myself at the moment)

Can't find the link for the engine shots at the moment.

Do the above 3/4 times a year; the rest of the time is a powerhose and sponge job.

I like to keep my car clean, but that's dedication!

prospect

Once a week I try to do the fllowing:

I rinse the car down with an open end hose.

I wash using Meguiars NXT, using the 2 bucket sysem and a deep pile wash mit. Drying I use a leather chamois

I wash panel by panel, drying each as I go along.

I then clean the windows with an autoglym cleaner, and the wiper blades with vinegar on a kitchen towel.

Dashboard and interior gets wiped down with Simoniz wet wipes, and leather with Mr Sheen leather wipes.

Then, I hoover out the car.

Next, I clean the cills, wheels, tyres and inner door frames seperatly.

Nearly done, I check the oil levels, type pressure and top up the windscreen washer.

The final finishing touch is Back-To-Black on the tyres.

Twice a year I will wax, and about once a year I will polish.

yop

Power car hose (the manual brush/hose thingy)

Total crack, back and sack!!

Have not the time, great walk through there Prospects, you like your car, great to see someone take such care

Standard car wash

Wash and wax my motorbike every week or two.

Marcus.Aurelius

Standard car wash

Wash with Zip Wash & Wax most weeks. Wax twice a year, usually Spring & Autumn

ongarite

Fey! wrote:

I use a powerhose, then Meguairs wash in lukewarm water applied with a sponge. Wash off, redo. Use Meguairs alloy wheel cleaner for the wheels; leave it on for 30 seconds, then powerwash off. Then an autoglym blade to take the excess water off, and a microfibre cloth to remove the rest of the water. Leave for a few minutes for further drying.

Sometimes I'll clay-bar the car at this stage, but this takes a long time, and isn't always necessary.

Next Meguairs (anyone would swear at this stage that I'm a Meguairs rep!!) spray-on wax, leave on for a couple of minutes, then wipe off. I generally do this panel by panel, as if you leave it too long, it becomes harder to remove.

Then (you guessed it!) Meguairs gold finish.

I use cotton towels to remove the polishes (available cheap in Dunnes!) They will leave some lint, but that'll blow off. A toothbrush is handy for removing wax from hard to reach spots.

For the engine, I use Autoglym engine degreaser and a hard brush, powerhose off (I leave the engine running when powerhosing, and avoid/cover the electrics), then spray on Autoglym vinyl protector, close the bonnet and leave the engine running for 10 minutes, powerhose it lightly again, go for a 10 minute spin to dry it out, then wipe it with a microfibre cloth.

The outside results: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=37403&PN=1&TPN=1 Cheated this time; I supplied the pollishes, someone else did the labour (no time myself at the moment)

Can't find the link for the engine shots at the moment.

Do the above 3/4 times a year; the rest of the time is a powerhose and sponge job.

Mind mentioning who did the brill valet job on the car and how much it cost?

Fey!

Standard car wash

ongarite wrote:

Mind mentioning who did the brill valet job on the car and how much it cost?

Maxol Service Station, Westside, Galway (beside Dunnes).

Should have cost about €140. They do a detar/wash/hoover/glass job for about €35-€45, which is brilliant.

Sandwich

Atari Jaguar here too. Some 7800 now and again though, just for a change.

milltown

Standard car wash

I wash the car at least once a fortnight. I don't cover a lot of miles and I'm lucky to have a colour that doesn't show dirt much but looks spanky when clean and shiny.

I'll wax it every second or third wash and clay bar it once or twice a year.

I start with the Meguiar's wheel cleaner, then wash with two buckets and a microfibre wash mitt and cold water from the garden hose to rinse off. Roof first, then windows, boot, bonnet, one side at a time I do mirrors and body down to the waistline. Then the midsection and finally the sills and skirts. Depending on weather I might give the front another go to remove the last of the ex-flies. Rinse the whole thing and dry with microfibre cloths.

Glass polish inside and out and Mr.Sheen for the dash and hard surfaces. Baby wipes for the leather. Considering the presence of cigarettes and a child (never at the same time, I hasten to add) it doesn't get hoovered as often as it probably should.

Now can anyone recommend me something to clean beige door cards and seat backs? You know the hard textured plastic? Junior does like to put his feet up when he's sat in the back!

Results:
http://www.bmwcarclubireland.com/gallery//displayimage.php?pos=-3258

rebel.ranter

Standard car wash

I wash the car every week with Zymol car wash shampoo (the dark green one). To me it seems to be the best, I've tried many different ones. Nice smell of bananas & coconut off it too!! (I'm not kidding!)
I use a normal hose during the summer, occasionally get the KArcher out in the winter. I have a separate bucket for the wheels, sheepswool mit for washing the bodywork, fleecy wheel brush & sponge then for the wheels.
Every 5 or 6 weeks I give them a coat of the Zymol Cleaner Wax (Light Green one), however on the on the Black car I might use Autoglym Ultra Deep Shine. It gives a nice finish without too much hard work.
For the tyres I will use Meguiars Tyre gel. It lasts for ages so it only has to be one every couple of weeks.
Clean wheels & tyres makes a clean car look really clean.
Outside of that I have a barage of other products I use on glass, interior, plastics, etc.
Just bought some of this for the leather: Liquid Leather
Might give it a blast this weekend.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I Chamois dry the car after washing with a proper leather Chamois.