After 40 years finally figured how to wax...

[RSBob]

the P car.

Despite years of experience waxing cars with the two step or, the three step process, etc, I never really figured it out. Originally, I thought the 'more, the better.' So why use a little when you can use a lot to get a deeper and longer lasting shine? I would spend hours using a cleaner or bar, then paint feeder, and then wax. So I would use lots of elbow grease and really rub each product in with all my might. Then I would have to buff the h-e-double hockey sticks to get the stuff off. To do the whole process would take at least 3 hours and I probably lost a couple of pounds in sweat. Yes the car's finish was deep, shiney, and smooth a silk to the touch - but each time it felt like an upper arm work out.

No matter that the containers all say to 'use sparingly' - I always used quite a bit.

Well, this week if finally dawned on me that the paint is only so deep and it only takes very little to smooth out the finish and to make it shine. Most of what I rubbed on, I rubbed right off.

As a result, I went the other direction, using very minimal product, minimal elbow grease, and saved about 1/2 the time and the shine, depth, and silky finish are all there. I also didn't lose any weight because I kept hydrated with beer.

So learn from my mistake and use VERY little product, and you don't have to rub the finish into tomorrow to get a fantastic finish. As an added bonus, you will save a bit on products over the years you can invest in your 401K or new sway bars.

Cheers!

[bigrubberjeep]

What? That's just crazy talk. Less=More? Who ever thought of that?

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by bigrubberjeep
What? That's just crazy talk. Less=More? Who ever thought of that?

Mies Van deRohe

[bkreigsr]

so, what's the secret???
pure carnuba?
polish + wax combo?
hi-tech unobtanium silicon infused?
did you wax over a clear coar?
Mothers? McGuiers? Turtle? Zymol? Blitz?
Bob, don't leave us hangin'......
Bill K

[PhatRedHead]

Originally posted by RSBob
the P car.

Despite years of experience waxing cars with the two step or, the three step process, etc, I never really figured it out. Originally, I thought the 'more, the better.' So why use a little when you can use a lot to get a deeper and longer lasting shine? I would spend hours using a cleaner or bar, then paint feeder, and then wax. So I would use lots of elbow grease and really rub each product in with all my might. Then I would have to buff the h-e-double hockey sticks to get the stuff off. To do the whole process would take at least 3 hours and I probably lost a couple of pounds in sweat. Yes the car's finish was deep, shiney, and smooth a silk to the touch - but each time it felt like an upper arm work out.

No matter that the containers all say to 'use sparingly' - I always used quite a bit.

Well, this week if finally dawned on me that the paint is only so deep and it only takes very little to smooth out the finish and to make it shine. Most of what I rubbed on, I rubbed right off.

As a result, I went the other direction, using very minimal product, minimal elbow grease, and saved about 1/2 the time and the shine, depth, and silky finish are all there. I also didn't lose any weight because I kept hydrated with beer.

So learn from my mistake and use VERY little product, and you don't have to rub the finish into tomorrow to get a fantastic finish. As an added bonus, you will save a bit on products over the years you can invest in your 401K or new sway bars.

Cheers!

This thread is worthless without pics, c'mon, show the results!!

[sammyg2]

I took my lessons from karate kid. wax on, wax off

[kach22i]

Pre-treat your plastic and rubber trim with 303 Protectant to keep the wax from sticking to it.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by kach22i
Pre-treat your plastic and rubber trim with 303 Protectant to keep the wax from sticking to it.

Excellent!

[charleskieffner]

Originally posted by RSBob
the P car.

Despite years of experience waxing cars with the two step or, the three step process, etc, I never really figured it out. Originally, I thought the 'more, the better.' So why use a little when you can use a lot to get a deeper and longer lasting shine? I would spend hours using a cleaner or bar, then paint feeder, and then wax. So I would use lots of elbow grease and really rub each product in with all my might. Then I would have to buff the h-e-double hockey sticks to get the stuff off. To do the whole process would take at least 3 hours and I probably lost a couple of pounds in sweat. Yes the car's finish was deep, shiney, and smooth a silk to the touch - but each time it felt like an upper arm work out.

No matter that the containers all say to 'use sparingly' - I always used quite a bit.

Well, this week if finally dawned on me that the paint is only so deep and it only takes very little to smooth out the finish and to make it shine. Most of what I rubbed on, I rubbed right off.

As a result, I went the other direction, using very minimal product, minimal elbow grease, and saved about 1/2 the time and the shine, depth, and silky finish are all there. I also didn't lose any weight because I kept hydrated with beer.

So learn from my mistake and use VERY little product, and you don't have to rub the finish into tomorrow to get a fantastic finish. As an added bonus, you will save a bit on products over the years you can invest in your 401K or new sway bars.

Cheers!

keeping HYDRATED WITH BEER IS THE ANSWER! that is a proven scientific fact! there by not allowing nasty paint etching sweat to mar your spotless paint surface!

we have found when its 115+ degrees that having 2 beers, both in cold cups next to project actually allows you more hand action before retiring to pool, and another beer run 5 feet away for 2 more. we also have found that the equation for this is the following.............2 beers= 15 minutes work. 4 beers = 7.5 min. work. 6 beers =3.75min work. 8 beers=1.875 min. work and so on. by the time your done w/a 12 pak you should be finished with (1) mirror! LOL!

[bkreigsr]

after a 12 pack, even my 21" Craftsman push mower with a 6.5hp B&S looks like it just came back from the detailers!

is there a corollary equation for those of us w/o pools?

[charleskieffner]

Originally posted by bkreigsr
after a 12 pack, even my 21" Craftsman push mower with a 6.5hp B&S looks like it just came back from the detailers!

is there a corollary equation for those of us w/o pools?

yes the corollary equation is have girls wearing floss, wax and polish car while you are in lounge chair, and (1) girl chosen purely for her intellectual attributes to deliver (2) or (4) beers on command. this will surely allow you to forget about a pool and all of its upkeep, and focus solely on the perfect wax job!

[carnutzzz]

You could switch to zaino, use even less product, and do the whole procedure far less often.

[ausgezeichnet]

I use the Meguiar's 3 step process a few times a year. I learned it from an old guy that owned a car wash. It really produces a great shine. Remember paint has pores.

1. Clean the dirt and old paint from the pores.
2. Fill the pores with polish (it's the polish that shines not the wax)
3. Wax over the polish to protect the shine.

If your car has a lot of surface swirls, Meguiar's also has a paint scratch remover that works wonders.

[rnln]

Can you show me how.. on my car?

[Ken911]

actually the best way i have found to wax mine there is a strip club in palm beach that will detail your car fo 40$ while you are inside best hand wax Job I have ever seen far better than any place that actually details cars for their main business. they also have great steak dinners.

[ausgezeichnet]

Sure. Frist drive to Lancaster, PA......

[vance]

pjv911:

Hard to get a good hand job for less than $40.

[Palum6o]

I don't know where this thread is going, but I recently attended a Corvette show and a lot of the guys are using Bead X between waxes for a real nice glossy finish. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it even makes glass really shiny without streaking it. It takes very little poduct, only a mist and a microfiber rag to get reaquainted with your p-car between drives.

[curlesw]

Originally posted by kach22i
Pre-treat your plastic and rubber trim with 303 Protectant to keep the wax from sticking to it.

Is this a specific product?

Wayne C.

[randywebb]

yes

Meguairs Rubber Trim will work too. Some waxes won't leave a white residue on the rubber -- incl. Meguiars NXT, and P21s.