waxing
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waxing
I have a 74 Corvette with original white paint. Should I wax the vehicle every year or not. I gave it a good waxing last year , it's my Second year that I owned it, and had it covered over the winter and it's surface is very slippery still. Should I just use a detailer spray? And wax it every other year or every third year?thank you for any response 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
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From: Spartanburg SC
I have a 74 Corvette with original white paint. Should I wax the vehicle every year or not. I gave it a good waxing last year , it's my Second year that I owned it, and had it covered over the winter and it's surface is very slippery still. Should I just use a detailer spray? And wax it every other year or every third year?thank you for any response
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I'm brainwashed!
White Wax for white cars! Yes I fell for that pitch too since I have a white 74.
I'm not sure if there is anything special in it for white paint but it does shine up nice.
Seems to work just fine on any color.
I'm not sure if there is anything special in it for white paint but it does shine up nice.
Seems to work just fine on any color.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
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From: Spartanburg SC
I didn't get the feeling from the OP that he wanted to spend a lot of time detailing his car. I, on the other hand, enjoy it. I clay, Polish, and wax all my cars multiple times each year. OP can get the biggest bang for his time by doing an AOI cleaner wax once per year.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
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From: Syracuse NY
How often you wax depends on how often you wash. I wash my car about once a week in the summer, and I wax when water no longer beads up on the hood. (usually every 4 washes)
Mcguires gold class all the way. Best wax on the planet. (I worked for a auto store in college and tried EVERY product out there)
Mcguires gold class all the way. Best wax on the planet. (I worked for a auto store in college and tried EVERY product out there)
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Clear Lake Shores Texas
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I also just use polish. I have good results with Adam's "Brilliant Glaze" on both clear coat and non clear coat finishes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
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From: Spartanburg SC
To my knowledge, no automotive producer in the world, nor paint supplier, has produced a paint that can withstand the sun, industrial fallout/pollution. Much less water spots and bird droppings. You have invested too much money in your 69 to ignore the upkeep on a new paint job.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
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From: Sunrise FL
Back to the OP with original paint. I am assuming that it is not clearcoated. The last thing you want to do is remove any paint. I would say a light waxing once a year is perfect. If well taken care of garaged etc, I would just take a California Duster instead of frequent washings!
This is the way I cared for my all original white 73 Firebird
This is the way I cared for my all original white 73 Firebird
Pro
Joined: May 2013
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From: Rapid City South Dakota
To my knowledge, no automotive producer in the world, nor paint supplier, has produced a paint that can withstand the sun, industrial fallout/pollution. Much less water spots and bird droppings. You have invested too much money in your 69 to ignore the upkeep on a new paint job.
I spent a lot of money on the paint job, and it has 4 clear coats over the Daytona yellow paint. I'd like to never do that again.I do know that there are waxes with polishes in them, to save a step so to speak. Polishing is abrasive, and as you move through finer and finer polishes the surface appears smoother. Therefore, one should only polish to restore the surface, and wax should be applied to protect from the elements. I respectfully disagree with polishing every time, you are removing layers.
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 672
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From: Rapid City South Dakota
Back to the OP with original paint. I am assuming that it is not clearcoated. The last thing you want to do is remove any paint. I would say a light waxing once a year is perfect. If well taken care of garaged etc, I would just take a California Duster instead of frequent washings!
This is the way I cared for my all original white 73 Firebird
This is the way I cared for my all original white 73 Firebird
I don't like the California duster (I have one) because I want to float the dirt with water before rubbing it, and rinsing does get some of the dust off so less scratching. I wish it was the best because it is easy, but IMO there is no substitute for the old fashioned methods. I think some of this theory comes from the environmentalists who don't want us "wasting" water.
Last edited by lurch59; May 5, 2015 at 11:03 AM. Reason: clarity and spelling
Pro
Joined: May 2013
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From: Rapid City South Dakota
The old standard was whether water beaded up on the paint when washed, and by that standard my experience is that wax doesn't last a year.
Last edited by lurch59; May 5, 2015 at 12:14 PM. Reason: clarity
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
If it wears the paint (which I doubt), I never noticed. I used this product, a synthetic polymer I believe is a more accurate description, on two black 370Z's I previously owned. I applied two or three applications over a few weekends in the spring and that was it. A quick spray detailer once in a while throughout the summer/fall. The cars always beaded the water like it was just waxed when the suds were hosed off. I just like the fact that with a little effort up front doing the applications it paid off in spades in the long run.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
Well, you've given the only reason that would trump my firm commitment to laziness. I spent a lot of money on the paint job, and it has 4 clear coats over the Daytona yellow paint. I'd like to never do that again.
I do know that there are waxes with polishes in them, to save a step so to speak. Polishing is abrasive, and as you move through finer and finer polishes the surface appears smoother. Therefore, one should only polish to restore the surface, and wax should be applied to protect from the elements. I respectfully disagree with polishing every time, you are removing layers.
I spent a lot of money on the paint job, and it has 4 clear coats over the Daytona yellow paint. I'd like to never do that again.I do know that there are waxes with polishes in them, to save a step so to speak. Polishing is abrasive, and as you move through finer and finer polishes the surface appears smoother. Therefore, one should only polish to restore the surface, and wax should be applied to protect from the elements. I respectfully disagree with polishing every time, you are removing layers.
An excellent and easy way to make a wax job last a year, is use one of the quick spray waxes once per month to boost the yearly wax job. I just spray it on as I'm drying my car after a wash. Then dry it off with a mf towel.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Depends on where you live. If you live in moderate climate, waxing is fine. Maybe a lot of work (depending on brand of wax), but it will protect fine. If you wash the car a lot using a soap, you will lose some wax every time you wash, so you'll need to wax more often.
If you live in hot, sunny climate, you might want to consider a polymer polish, rather than a wax. Wax tends to dry out and start 'checking' under hot, sunny conditions. I found that out when I lived just west of Phoenix, AZ. I converted to polymer polish (Zaino) and have never gone back to wax. Polishing is much easier and lasts longer.
If you live in hot, sunny climate, you might want to consider a polymer polish, rather than a wax. Wax tends to dry out and start 'checking' under hot, sunny conditions. I found that out when I lived just west of Phoenix, AZ. I converted to polymer polish (Zaino) and have never gone back to wax. Polishing is much easier and lasts longer.