mike2k

The paint on my 6 yearold Silverstone S2k still "looks new", that is what the gas station boys are saying .. kept in the garage, driven in summer only (< 20,000miles), got annual wax and washed whenever dirty, but I think it is time for some loving care, my plan is a follows:
1. Wash with mild dishwashing detergent to remove all wax, dry.
2. Clean further with pre-wax cleaner. (such as Mothers).
3. Polish with Meg #7 or 3M Perfect-it II, or other, not sure which, the paint has very minor scratchs/swirls, but you need to look hard to see them.
4. Wax (I like to use Carnuba over a sealant type)

What do you guys think of the plan, what polish shall I use ?

Thanks,

Mike

wanabe

basics of the plan are good...

need to wax more than once a year, and to choose which polish need more details on your paint. you say its pretty good with minor swirls- if that is the case, a swirl remover is the key. the 3m is the least aggressive of what you mentioned, and it has some filler too- a good choice for polishing beginners.

90crvtec

I would avoid the dishwashing detergent and instead just wash the car with a car soap that has extra suds. Step #2 would then be to clay the entire car and then resume the other list of items that you already have.

What are you using for a sealant? I agree that if you're just waxing the car is needs to be more than once a year. With a quality sealant you can get away with applying it about twice a year, maybe even once a year since your car is garaged and well cared for (minimal exposure to the elements).

Zaino and Klasse are two synthetic sealants that hold up very well, you could probably get away with applying these just one time per year so long as you used multiple coats when you applied them. You could then top them regularly (every 60 days?) with a pure Carnauba wax for the extra depth, shine, and protection.

mike2k

Thanks for your comments ; yes, when washing the car I usualy rinse with water with some emulsified wax, that seems to be OK till next year wax job.
My thinking is that if use a polish then clay bar may be redundant. lots of work too..I'm obviously not much into detailing.
With regards to the sealant, IMHO they look great on the yellow, red, but not on the metalic paint, too much "plastic" looking. Just considering this as an underlay for the real wax. I understand that carnuoba wax may not adhere well to a sealant, any idea how to enhance this ? what about offtheshelf BM Titanium Synt. Liq. Wax, I'm thinking of coating the AL wheels with this.

wanabe

carnauba does fine over synthetics...

in the beginning even the synthetic companies did not think it would work, but we (the detail enthusiasts) have proven them wrong- now its common practice.

and wax over synthetic on the wheels is also good- the wax will not last long on the wheels cause of the heat, but it helps the synthetic

aaron0601

use NSX all the way,
make sure the car is clean before wax.
polish one per 6 months and wax everytime u wash.
this is how i do.