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DetailingDiscuss how to make your car sparkly clean for car shows, local meets, or any other reason. What products do others use and how do we get them? Get your questions answered in here.
Ok so I probably need to check my man card, but I never have waxed a car before myself. But ever since I have got the Max it has been all hand wash no more of those crap car wash places. I was wondering if you guys can guide me on affordable wax and may some decent tutorial videos you would recommend to watch. I don't have a buffer so this probably will all be done by hand.
From a cost effective standpoint, Duragloss is hard to beat. very good products at reasonable prices. I would start with 105 or 501 with 601 polish bonding agent. You'll also need some applicator pads and nice microfiber towels.
I have a 7th Gen and a 4th Gen and I float between Turtle Wax ICE Spray Wax and Eagle One NanoWax. I also have some Turtle Wax Hard Shell that I use on the hood and trunk as extra protection. Meguiar's YouTube channel has some helpful videos to get you started on waxing your vehicle.
I use Chemical guys products, and they are awesome. Only available on Amazon or their website. For waxing once a month I use their "butter wet wax". It goes on easy and keeps dirt from sticking to the finish. Once a year I use their clay bar system, and depending on which car I'm doing I have several of their polishes and sealers. They have a quick detailed spray called V7 that you can use on all surfaces. For the weekly washes, they have a couple of different washes depending on what you need to do. I have one that has a sealer in it, and one that helps strip waxes. I bought a gallon of each wash and they go a long way. I'll Probably get a couple years out of the car wash I bought. An added plus is all of thief products smell great! I know this sounds like a sales pitch but their stuff works good. They have a lot of videos on their site too- http://www.chemicalguys.com
Interesting to read all the responses that tend to emphasize "its a chore to wax my maxima". Guys, its a PRIVILEGE AND A JOY to caress and touch the fine lines of my 8th gen maxima, whether it is washing or waxing, just like it has been to wash/wax all my past cars
I use to really be into detailing cars. Then i got a life. Just kidding, i still enjoy it. But i try not to get to crazy.
Most off the shelf stuff works well now. Makes it easier then ever.
Lots of microfiber towels and sponges. Wash separately and dont use fabric softener and dry on low heat.
Ive keep trying different soaps and keep coming back to meguiers gold class.
Mothers clay works well. If i need something more aggressive then i use poorboys. If you can get the european hookup then get some clay from europe. They have a different formula and because of some rights issue you cant get it in the usa.
Pro tip-make a wash bucket for claying. Only reason to use clay spray is to empty your wallet.
As far as waxes and sealants go there is not "best." They protect the surface. Some last longer then others. Some are a pain in the *** to use. My personal favorite is mother reflections series. Smells good, easy to apply, easy to take off. They also have what they call top coat which gives you a bit of pop. Not sure how it works but it does. Use a foam pad to apply these products. Gives the best coverage without wasting product.
Griots speed shine is great for wiping a surface. Happy to say its finally availabe in stores.
Griots also makes the best wheel cleaner IMO. its not available in stores but can be bought by the gallon online.
Also poorboys makes a wheel sealant. Haven't looked around in awhile but this is the only product like this im aware of. Its a major pain in the *** but taking the wheels off and applying this to the entire wheel inside and out makes a huge difference. Wheels stay cleaner longer and dont get caked on dirt.
-First - What are your goals?
Determine what you should be aiming for. Typically people wax or seal their cars for a "shine". But in fact these products are created to protect our paint i.e Clearcoat similar to sun screen. Sun screen will make your skin shiny but it's created help reduce the damage from U.V rays.
For a deeper shine Clay bar your car - 1000 of videos on Youtube about this and EVERYTHING we are talking about here.
-Prevention - Is better than a cure
If you live in Arizona your first measure of protecting will be is keeping your car shaded when possible. If this isn't an option use a quality sealant of your choice.
-Sealant over Wax - What's best for your situation
Because wax is made up of some i stress, some natural waxes it will not last long on your paint compared to a sealant.
Because of your weather conditions, stick to a sealant and apply at least once a month (be cause where you live). Sealant is created with silicone and god knows what else to bind to your paint. So the properties allow it to last longer in harsh(er) conditions.
-Products- Purchase what you can afford!
Don't get caught up to much in the brands and what company says who is better blah blah.
For the price, I personally user Meg's 26 sealant. It's inexpensive easy to go on and off.
-Wheels - Same clear is on your wheels that is on your paint.
Typically, a wheel is painted with a base and clear coated with yup... the SAME clear coat that is on your paint. This is FACT!. I've painted wheels and you CANNOT buy wheels specific clear coat.. I'm sure if you look hard enough someone would LOVE to sell you some at an extreme markup.
Like your paint, go ahead and seal your wheels, it takes less time. This is assuming you have painted wheels with CC on it. If you have a special coated wheel like chrome or something I advise you read the instructions on which ever product you buy.
As for cleaning my wheels, after my initial first time of remove break dust, i don't use any "Special" wheels cleaners as my wheels typically stay clean from routine washing and break dust is easy removed with car soap.
-Maintenance - Washes after Wax or Sealant
Do use a quality car soap AFTER you sealed your car with what ever. Most other soaps are in-fact a degreasers and WILL remove the wax from your clear coat. Use dish soap for your FIRST wash then car soap for maintenance washes.
As always SR is on point! I like all this stuff but less time nowadays so had to farm it out. Meg's ultimate lines are great from sealant to QD spray. Just had this baby touched up, clayed, polished and sealed with Menzerna and Sonax products. Power lock is a legit sealer which is my first time with this product.
Last edited by BIGIRISHSTL; 08-17-2016 at 05:36 PM.
WTF, Jizz all lover my hands now IRSH lol.. Car looks AWESOME brother. I was looking really hard at a 335i but my wife may be expecting so we are now looking at a Benz R350. We had one from a friend for 2 weeks and we LOVED it. Odd van yes we know but we really liked it and NO, we're Not getting the R63 lol.
Post some interior shots IRSH! and tells us your thoughts so far about owning that beast.
So far so good... Wasn't aware the expensive cars have ****ty service records. This one has an engine issue that has required crazy stuff comparative to the whole knocking maxima! Look up bmw customer care package and enjoy that read. It's been great to drive, guzzles gas, love the twin turbo V-8. The inside is so well put together and it has 6-7 cameras with that around view and sonar. I can control my wife's seat from my side. The whole seat is elections including the headrest and you can also curve the middle of the back seat, etc ad nauseaum! I'll take some pics and put them up.
The merc r350 is pretty cool. Yes the R63 would be cooler but you do what you can! I'm not driving the Alpina...but I want one!
Last edited by BIGIRISHSTL; 08-18-2016 at 02:57 PM.
My wife would crash a R63 lol.. Beside, the rotors for any 63, E63, C, ect.. starts at $1500 PER rotor not including the pads so F that.
Yeah, BMW and their service is crazy, I don't understand why somethings cost SO much knowing that how it's made isn't that much different than a Honda. I think it's just a Tax to those who want to play have to pay.
I looked up a High pressure steering hose for a BMW I wanted to buy and it was $400 just for one simple looking line...WTF I want **** crazy when I paid $130 for the same line for my 2000 Max..
Keep us posted and if you ever some to GA you know you have to get at me!....
07-07-2016, 08:57 AM
so we are now looking at a Benz R350. We had one from a friend for 2 weeks and we LOVED it. Odd van yes we know but we really liked it and NO, we're Not getting the R63 lol.
