re-waxing
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 411
From: Mt. Sinai NY
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 171
From: Missouri
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
I'm not a car show guy. I just like to enjoy my sparkling ride. I wash, dry, wax. I claybarred once, and may make it a spring tradition. The barely noticeable swirl marks are usually taken off with a hand polishing. That may be a spring tradition too.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,277
Likes: 8,553
From: Rochester, NY
Yes must do the baggie test, clay bar and etc. etc. My goodness how thoughtless just to wash, dry and wax.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,599
Likes: 962
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
As I said in my original reply, is it comes down to what you are looking for.
There are those that feel that a quick wash once a week and a coat of wax ever six months is all that is needed. Then there are those that do the complete detail.
I for one do the complete detail twice a year sometime 3 times a year. Nothing worst then seeing a car in the sun that appears to be well kept, until you get close ans see all of teh swirls and fine scratches.
Oh and mine is not a garage queen. You will find it at the mall, Walgreens and yes even Home Depot and Lowes. But it gets the full treatment when it needs it.
There are those that feel that a quick wash once a week and a coat of wax ever six months is all that is needed. Then there are those that do the complete detail.
I for one do the complete detail twice a year sometime 3 times a year. Nothing worst then seeing a car in the sun that appears to be well kept, until you get close ans see all of teh swirls and fine scratches.
Oh and mine is not a garage queen. You will find it at the mall, Walgreens and yes even Home Depot and Lowes. But it gets the full treatment when it needs it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
In various auto detailing seminars I've attended not one of them recommended Dawn for a cars finish - it's too harsh and can damage the clear coat. Use a soap formulated for cars with the right chemicals and pH. If you want to strip the wax use a solution of 50% alcohol and 50% water. 
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 171
From: Missouri
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
In various auto detailing seminars I've attended not one of them recommended Dawn for a cars finish - it's too harsh and can damage the clear coat. Use a soap formulated for cars with the right chemicals and pH. If you want to strip the wax use a solution of 50% alcohol and 50% water.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,253
Likes: 4,363
From: Chirper Island
All you have to do is look at the clay bar after you think the car is clean and see what was left. 
but when I wash my other cars I use Meguires.....
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Perry NY
If you like protecting your paint only every couple of years, move to a coating and protect it for years to come.
http://www.autogeek.net/car-paint-gl...-coatings.html
http://www.autogeek.net/car-paint-gl...-coatings.html
Do you recommend blue Dawn to strip off old wax first or some other product? I assume using a clay bar too?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Might as well do the job right than half ***, at least with my vette.
Now I will admit my 200,000 mile 96 4Runner gets your treatment. It has been clayed twice. Sits outside and when washed and waxed looks great for its vintage. Paint though is rough for sure with close inspection.
The vette is my toy so I keep it up top shelf.
Like a new car with every drive.
Really not hard but I still stand on use of a cleaner wax over just pure carnuba for occasional waxing....once a year kind of thing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 927
From: Alaska
Claying is one of those things that once you do it and realize how easy it was to remove all the stuff sticking to the paint you will do it prior to waxing any car again.
A clay bar is inexpensive and you can clay an entire Corvette easily under an hour.
The only people who don't clay bar are those who have not tried it.
A clay bar is inexpensive and you can clay an entire Corvette easily under an hour.
The only people who don't clay bar are those who have not tried it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,653
From: Down south in Dixie
BTW, I have used a clay bar when the mood strikes. It does work, and cleans the paint making it smooth as a babies buttocks. It is a simple procedure, and doesn't take much time to do a Corvette.
Last edited by Rebel Yell; Jun 26, 2014 at 03:13 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 927
From: Alaska
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 303
Likes: 14
From: Illinois
Hot bird poop
Since you guys have many opinions...
Last weekend a birdie dropped its load and a small amount hit my door. I wiped it off and tried to use the quick detailer sprays by mothers. The paint looks a shade lighter where the poop was. Besides 7 1/2 shot for the bird. What do you guys recommend?
Last weekend a birdie dropped its load and a small amount hit my door. I wiped it off and tried to use the quick detailer sprays by mothers. The paint looks a shade lighter where the poop was. Besides 7 1/2 shot for the bird. What do you guys recommend?