I'm using Meguiar's Ultimate Wash & Wax. What should I use as the base wax?



About a week ago (about a week and a half after using it) I ended up in a flooded yard...think "swamp" in which I sank almost 2 inches in my shoes It was grass, it stormed, roads turned into small creeks... you get the idea

I didn't want to tear up the grass, so gently tried to get out with 4LO, then let a buddy grab a chain and tug a bit with his F250. I was half on solid, half in the swamp.

The Ex ended up with mud and grass splattered on the side, then matching a few days later splashing through the mud holes (aka Pennsylvania potholes) on the driver's side.

I was quite disappointed with all the rain we've been having that it didn't rinse off...not even a little bit

I sprayed with a hose today, very little mud came off. Water still beaded nicely.

Ended up with a complete wash again. My daughter and I go over everything at least twice- microfiber on the paint and chrome, synthetic sponge on the plastic.

Looks good again, but reading closely, this stuff is for quick washes and maintenance BETWEEN waxes

So what should I be using as the base wax?

My pain is in pretty good shape. A few scratches, a nick here and there, and a zipper-scratch from leaning against door to close in the winter with a metal zipper

I don't mind taking occasional time and effort to do a job "right" but not looking for a weekly wax job by any means.

I've read about using clay bars and how keeping the paint very smooth will help keep it clean, etc, but haven't gotten that far. Not sure I will

Tips for a good, low maintenance, affordable shine that sheds water and dirt?

Oh, and this is only the second time I've used this current stuff. Maybe it's like a lawn, it takes a couple of good maintenance passes before it really starts looking good?

I appreciate any input. Wash-n-Wax isn't my forte

 

By the way, for all you Kalifornia folks fighting the tubleweeds, I AM FOR HIRE!

The first time I tried to wash my Ex with Meguiar's Cleaner Wax, I got most of one side done and it rained. The next time with the Carnuba stuff, it rained within the hour.

I didn't even get my first post asking about the Wash & Wax we just did...and it's raining AGAIN!

I'm not cheap, but my "rain making abilities" can be had

The upside would be my Ex would eventually give Michael's a run for its money, all that washing and waxing. Haha!

 

Most of the places that I let touch my cars have there own blend of waxes...

But you really need to get over your fears and Clay or have someone do it.
From there a good quality compound is in order, one good coat of wax finished with a light coat of carnauba...

There really are no shortcuts if you do this, all you will need is a very light coat of wax or a finish wax every so often (monthly or sooner for me).

You will notice after the process is done, the future wax is very easy to do. (Always use very light coats).

 

Thanks, Michael. It sounds like I need to read up on clay bars

 

I don't think wax takes scrapes outta paint.
I go offroading in the brush too much.

 

You sir would need to add wet sanding to the list

 

Yup, clay is the first step, gets all the crud out of the paint, then just a light coat of wax, preferably carnuba to seal it up.

 

Thanks, Guys!

Picked up one of these tonight.




Going to take it on our camping trip. Maybe I can try it out on a spot

You guys make a lot of work for me, LOL

 

Lol, the end results will be worth it to you.

 

I think my scrapes are down to bare metal. I can't catch a finger nail, but they don't look black. They're almost white or grey... Maybe I'm just down to primer.

And I'm not wet sanding every weekend. Figure I'll just plastidip the truck.

 

Thats the one I use, Im sure there are better more expensive clays out there, but as a kit for the price, its a good value

 

This should keep her nice and shiny; PLUS it's on sale...


OR

 

When that spray bottle runs dry, just refill it with some car wash concentrate and water. It only serves as a lubricant for the clay bar.
You will be amazed at how smooooth the clay makes your paint! Do half of your hood first then drag your hand across the hood from the unclayed side to the clayed side, amazing!

 

I would clay the paint. Then Buff/polish it. Then apply a synthetic sealant(no one wants to be waxing these behemoths on the regular I'm sure.)

If you want a cheaper sealant, I like Collinite 845 a lot, easy to apply and great durability. Works on glass/plastic/rubber so no worrying about cleaning up a mess.

If you want the ultimate in protection, you can go with something called Optimum Opti Coat. Optimum Paint Coating
This will pretty much seal your paint for years to come and form onto a rock hard shell.

I cannot stress enough the need for a proper claying/decontamination + correction of the paint before you start applying high quality waxes or sealants to the paint.

 

Go to this guys youtube channel he's one of the best. - https://www.youtube.com/user/AMMONYCdotcom/featured

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