Got several questions..

[Jliao]

These may sound dumb, but I need help~

1. What's the difference between Waxing and Polishing?

2. I read somewhere about using the swirl remover. Do you apply the swirl remover after you wash the car, use swirl remover, then wax the car? or wash the car, apply wax, then use swirl remover?

3. What do you guys use to dry the car after it's washed?

4. I've noticed water spots on my windows (haven't wash the car in a while). What do I use to remove them nice and clean so it won't stay on the windows?

Sorry for all these long/dumb questions, hopefully you guys can help me out~

Thanks!

 

[chuyler1]

I use RainX on all my windows which is the equivalent to waxing them. It leaves a haze on your window until the first time it rains though. You can get rid of this by rinsing the windows after you do it.

 

[PA_MP3_Man]

From what I've read and heard. A wax is a more durable protectant for you paint, while a polish will give it more shine but won't last as long as a wax.

I don't have any idea about the swirl remover.

For drying my car I just use a chamois. I use it on windows and all and it does pretty good at keeping streaks and spots off of it. If you use the rainX stuff it really works well. I just bought the presoaked wipes, and they go on easy, wait about 2 or 3 minutes and then wipe the stuff off with a dry clothe towel. I buy the ones from walmart in the 6 packs. They do really well at cleaning windows. And for buffing out wax. But you hardly need your wipers on if you use rainX. It's good stuff.

 

[ArkosP5]

1) RainX comes in a windshield wiper fluid
2) From what I understand, vinegar and a newspaper are best for your windows (and probably cheapest)
3) I believe a polish you're actually polishing the paint surface itself, while waxing deposits a coat of wax on top of everything.

 

[t3ase]

1) RainX comes in a windshield wiper fluid
2) From what I understand, vinegar and a newspaper are best for your windows (and probably cheapest)
3) I believe a polish you're actually polishing the paint surface itself, while waxing deposits a coat of wax on top of everything.

I second the part about the newspaper. I used to work in a club here in Austin that has mirrors on all of the walls. No matter what we used to keep streaks from appearing, newspaper always did the job the best. I'm not sure as to how it'd work on normal see through glass (Looking from both ways instead of just one way), but it should still work.

 

[REMillers]

Polishes typically prepare the paint to be waxed. A Polish can remove the old wax, though a wax-cleaner is perfered. Although the term is constantly used by many companies to also describe that which protects the paint. In fact some polishes do contain a degree of protectant. But for the normal term, a polish just prepares the paint. Think of it as a paint conditioner, then the wax is used to seal that conditioner.

The wax is what is actually described as "sealing" the paint once it has been throughly cleaned.

A polish can be used to help remove swirls.

Clean the car as you normally would, then apply a wax remover, polish, wax.

I normally just dry the car with a chamoi, then start with the removal, polish, wax.
And in between washing use a spray on detailer.

Windows newspaper works the best for cleaning. Never tired vinger before.

 

[REMillers]

Here's a few pics of my P5 after a small cleaning. Just a wash, small polish, and little wax.

Link 1


Link 2, I love the glare from the sun in the foglight openings

 

[ghetto waggon]

Anyone use microfiber cloths to wash the car? I hear sponges collect dirt and scratch........true?

 

[Protege5 kid]

3. What do you guys use to dry the car after it's washed?

I use a Water Blade and soft towels... I'd suggest a water blade to anyone who washes there car by hand..it cuts down the drying time by 80%

4. I've noticed water spots on my windows (haven't wash the car in a while). What do I use to remove them nice and clean so it won't stay on the windows?

windex and newspaper...well i never use newspaper cause i hate the feeling of web newspaper on my hands...but newspaper is supposed to be the best for not leaving any streaks and suc... Could i have said newspaper any more?...LOL

 

[Logan]

I've used microfibre clothes on my old honda, works GREAT.
no waterspots at all, they just suck up dirt once they are a bit moist.
I'm more inclined to use these on the interior though, where miniscule scratches wont matter like they do on paint.

 

[PA_MP3_Man]

hmm, i was wondering about that water blade. It seems like it should work well but was always afraid to use it. I hate using the chamois so I think I'll have to pick one up. You've sold me.

 

[Jliao]

Thanks for all the info! Greatly appreciated...

One last question, what are you guys suggest me use for polish and wax?

Thanks~

 

[ZackyFarms]

i got the water blade, its got a really soft medical grade plastic and works pretty good. but what i do is get off the majority with a bunch of quick wipes with the water blade and then go over the detailed spots with a chamois, it works great and is pretty fast. Dont expect the water blade to do all the work though, its cant do fine details or edge unless you take some care and slow down, itsl ike better for larger, consistant surfaces like hood, doors, windows, roofs. NOT for areas like front p5 bumper foglight section, side view mirrors, blah blah blah

u get the point, hope it helps

 

[uclap5]

i second the water blade. soooo much faster. followed with soft cloth/ chamois.

I need to pick up some rainx... even though it doesnt rain much in socal, but lately its more than usual.

 

[REMillers]

For my car come this spring:

Zaino Bros'

Or the Meguiars wax and polishs work pretty well.

 

[chuyler1]

Thanks for all the info! Greatly appreciated...

One last question, what are you guys suggest me use for polish and wax?

Thanks~

Don't use polish on a new car. My 87 cougar suffered from the 'never been washed' syndrome when I got it. The hood, roof and trunk were flat black while the sides were glossy.

In this case I used compound polish once to give it a glossy texture then I put several coats of wax over it, and kept waxing it on a regular basis. The flat color never came back but if you looked at it from the wrong angle, you could notice a little cloudiness in the paint.

Your car has a clearcoat which does not need to be polished...Stick with regular wax and you will be fine.

 

[REMillers]

chuyler1 is pretty much right on the polish thing. It doesnt need to be done all the time. I only did it cause I completely removed all the wax etc that the dealer put on. Cause I hate that crap they use. It was a pain getting the excess off of the roof rack. Grrrrr.
I even told them not to clean the car since it just rolled off the truck. But nope they did anyways. Oh well its all good now.