Washing/Detailing/Cleaning

[Jethro41]

Originally Posted by Androo

Obviously wax doesn't last forever... like i said my car is always garaged, hardly sees the sun only on weekends, even then i hardly park it in the sun.

You also don't have to wax the car so often, it depends on the condition of the paint and what your cars exposed to. The quality of car shampoo is also important.

I'm not that fussed about waxing, once a year will do for me for the above reasons. Everyone is different.

But i realise like anything, it doesn't last a year, it may not even last half or a quarter of a year.

You're right its horses for courses...up here in the tropical north I've taken to waxing once every three months... and I use the same interval for the car as well ..

[Androo]

Originally Posted by Jethro41

You're right its horses for courses...up here in the tropical north I've taken to waxing once every three months... and I use the same interval for the car as well ..

LOL, everyones definition of dirty is different. My mates definition is covered in crap/dust/rims are black.. mine......... 1 month no matter what, It's dirty!

[Jethro41]

Originally Posted by Androo

LOL, everyones definition of dirty is different. My mates definition is covered in crap/dust/rims are black.. mine......... 1 month no matter what, It's dirty!

Kinda the same for me mate... 2 weeks... she's dirty no matter what...my neighbour reckons I'll end washing the paint of her.

She's off for a "top to toe" professional detail Monday week.. I might post up some pics when she's done.

[G-rig]

Originally Posted by Androo

Obviously wax doesn't last forever... like i said my car is always garaged, hardly sees the sun only on weekends, even then i hardly park it in the sun.

Greg, I took it to VW a month ago and the guy thought i had it waxed a few weeks ago. It's surprisingly still rather smooth!

Yeah probably helps if you car isn't as exposed to the elements as much.

[Blue.:R32]

1.25 week

[G-rig]

^ looks pretty good, was that just detailed?

can anyone suggest some good spray on sealant as i'm using the Crystal Mist quick detailing spray for after washes, but want to know if there's something better that would last longer etc?

[Blue.:R32]

yup.. that was my weekend right there.. wash, clay, cleanse, wax. Despite the dust storm. Each to their own but personally i'd claybar my car every six months. Depends on what wax/sealant you use. Sealant would laster longer, and carnauba wax a lot less. I'd top up the wax maybe every few months.

I read on one of the detailing forums that spray on wax/ sealant is kind of an oxymoron, because the wax/ sealant molecules are not designed to mix with a liquid carrier. So while a QD after wash will give a gloss and smooth finish, it doesn't tend to last. Whereas a proper sealant applied and allowed to cure on the paint will last a lot longer.

Anyway, this may help http://waxit.com.au/products.asp?cat=40

[DRMAT]

Try OCW spray on wax.... many on DA forum swear by it.

[G-rig]

Cheers will give that stuff a go next time!

[Pharkus]

Car got caught, twice, in the rain and hail down here over the weekend. Everyone keeps reassuring me that the hail in Melbourne never gets big enough to cause any issues. Nothing I can do about it now, wiped the car down and seems to be no damage.

I'll know later on when I receive my new wax and detail the car after it's service in October.

[DRMAT]

Generally thats true... i recall a car broker i know with a Porsche had trouble once due to the extremely thin panels that ended up with some very fine dents from heavy hail but nothing that would affect a 'normal' vehicle.

[Pharkus]

In other news, Swissvax have just released Nano Express. Going to use this as my quick detailer in between waxes.

[benno]

Guys,
I want some advice on removing swirl marks.

I've tried Autoglym Deep Shine but not no real improvement. And a chemical paint cleaner also didn't make much difference.

So I think I need to step up to an abrasive polish.

I'm thinking about this stuff:
http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/pr...fine_renovator

And then the Autoglym Deep Shine after that, and then some carnauba wax.

What do you guys reckon?

[Blue.:R32]

Are you doing the polishing by machine? It's a waste of time doing it by hand imho. You won't get any swirl mark off, just end up with a sore arm. If my car has lots of swirl/ scratches, I'd just get a professional to machine polish it and then look after it from then on.

[benno]

By hand, although I saw a reasonably priced buffer from Mint (about $200ish).

Has anyone seen those dirt cheap buffers at supercheap? Thouhts? The buffing pads are bloody huge though and I reckon would soak up a ton of product before you even got any on the car.

[TG.20T]

Seach detailingworld.co.uk for Dave kg - he has swirl mark removing product reviews - by hand and by machine. Should cover everything you're looking for in an answer.

[TG.20T]

http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...oval-hand.html

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28

try those. Sorry if they don't come up as links i'm on the touchy.

[benough]

Originally Posted by DRMAT

Wax doesn't last forever man, and definitely not for 12 months. Elements, washing, sun all degrade and remove wax. Something like P21S will last for four, maybe six weeks if its been layered before there is a noticable difference in beading.

I too have my car garaged day and night but I got the pain protector put on (zaino) as well as that I use the duragloss spray on wax every month.

After the dust storm, i just hosed it and drove away. No water marks and the good looked great.

Also the paint still feels super smooth.

I think upkeep is the key. The spray on wax stuff really is great.

[benno]

Larry, thanks mate - if I wasn't saving up to go OS soon I'd just get you to do it I think!