[jng34c]

QUOTE (shinigami @ Jul 11 2010, 08:16 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=340852

hi,
I just got a 2011 sonata gls iridescent silver blue, and it's been about a week, and i think it's time to give it a cleaning.
I have never owned a car of my own before, and I would like some product recommendations and how to approach cleaning this new car. thanks!

i would like to know what everyone uses to clean their car + wax.

Go to Walmart and buy some Meguiars products. If you haven't done much for your car yet, then you'll need to give it a pretty good cleaning. Although it is new, you should definitely clay bar it before applying any wax. Go to meguiars.com and check out their forums because you'll find out all kinds of important information there. Remember to wash your car in the shade otherwise you're going to end up with spots on your paint finish. Wash it twice, actually. Get it as clean as possible, getting the undersides of the trim and bumpers etc. Once it is washed, dry it really REALLY well. Then use some of Meguiars ultimate quick detailer to pick up any other dirt you missed, then get out the clay bar kit you can buy at Walmart and claybar all painted surfaces and even windows... yes, the windows. If you have any questions on how to use these products, there are very helpful videos and walkthroughs on the meguiars website that can help out tremendously. After you clay bar, apply wax in two thin coats, letting the first dry about an hour before wiping it off. Again, use the help on meguiars.com. Those forums and users are a huge help to people just learning how to properly detail a car. Set aside about 6-8 hours for this. If you want to do it right, it's going to take a while, especially if you don't have a dual action polisher and are doing this by hand... like I do. Anyways, good luck and like I said, VISIT THE FORUMS.

Now, if you're leaning towards some more expensives paint protection products like Zaino, and you're willing to spend more cash, check that out. There are countless resources online with professional help and walkthroughs... also check out http://www.adamspolishes.com/

 

[jng34c]

They're correct about DAWN soap. It is okay to use only if you want to take off any coats of wax you have on already. Actually, if you continue use of DAWN regularly with only one coat of wax, you will eventually degrade the finish of the clearcoat and begin damaging the paint job underneath. If you do use DAWN, make sure that you do a second wash with a good carwash detergent which contains conditioners which will prevent the clear coat and paint job from drying out and being ruined.

 

[jng34c]

QUOTE (sailpowerd @ Jul 12 2010, 01:36 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=341088

I purchased Meguiars NXT TECH WAX for my Pearl White SE. In researching at Meguiars site I discovered that they recomend that you wait 12 hours before applying a second thin coat of NXT. Also they emphasized that you should insure that the waxed surface does not encounter any water for 12 hours after the first application. So no rain no sprinkling system water and no second coat or wax. This no doubt, does not apply to every wax, but something to consider.

Do you mean apply the first coat of wax, wipe off, wait 12 hours, then apply second coat?

 

[jng34c]

QUOTE (shinigami @ Jul 12 2010, 07:33 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=341212

alright, what's the best way to clean + wax my car without water?? i live at an apartment and i park my car in the parking lot.
and are gas station car washes safe to use?

Errr... I'm not sure about the washing without water. It's pretty essential if you ask me, but maybe someone else can chime in. Personally, I'd take it to a friends place and pay him for the use of the water... but that's me. Auto car washes at gas stations etc are okay for your car, but won't get you the good results you'd get from a hand washing. Make sure it's touchless, though, because if it isn't, you're going to end up with mad swirl marks!

 

[jng34c]

Clay bars will not leave swirl marks unless the bar picks up a lot of debris and you're not folding it over for a clean section. You shouldn't experience much of any issues as long as you clean the car well before you clay bar. Oh, and you don't have to follow the circle method with waxing and clay barring... some folks just apply in the direction the wind hits the car. Also, CLAY BAR THE WINDOWS. Yes, it seems strange to some, but clay bar them really well and this gets a lot of that caked on grit that keeps water from sheeting properly. I don't recommend Rain-X. I don't like it. I just clean the windows with Invisible Glass really well, then clay bar along with the rest of the car, and THEN apply a thin coat of wax just like with the rest of the car. This does the trick and you don't have to worry about all the smearing that rain-x causes.

 

[jng34c]

QUOTE (shinigami @ Jul 16 2010, 08:56 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=342199

so rain-x is known to leave residue on the glass? it feels like every time i clean the windows and only minutes later, i can see the swirl shaped residue on the windows..
should i clay bar the windows with car cleaning substance (meguiar's quik detailer) or a glass cleaning substance?

I don't know if it's known for this... but I've never liked it myself. When you clay bar, if you're using the Meguiars clay bar kit you can buy at Walmart, just use the quick detailer spray it comes with. Definitely do not use glass cleaner. The quick detailer spray is a great lubricant, won't smear when you wipe it off and cleans the paint job well... plus it smells good!