To wax or not wax

[lukesr]

I'm sure i read somewhere i wasn't supposed to wax my Tam, but that just sounds wrong to me. What wax do you lot use? What gives the best finish etc?

[targarama]

Maybe it was saying don't wax the roof?

Any wax works. Everyone has a favourite.

[madbadger]

Sounds odd advice, to me. Did someone lazy tell you that?

I use Mothers. The main thing is to have a decent Carnuba wax.

Lots of info in this thread:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=2&f=13&t=239401&h=0

Edited by madbadger on Monday 10th July 17:33

[maxx-waxx]

Always apply wax to your vehicles paint. Would recommend on average to do around 4-6 times per year.
Your car’s finish is under assault. Radiant and ultraviolet energy, acid rain, salt, pollution, insect fluids and bird droppings wage a constant war on your car’s finish. Waxing provides an easily renewable, transparent barrier between the finish and a hostile environment.

Carnauba waxes vs synthetic (polymer) waxes:

Both types of products have advantages and disadvantages. Here are some things to consider:

Carnauba Waxes:

Advantages:

* A darker, deeper, more lustrous shine.
* Best carnauba waxes produce a liquid, "wet-looking" surface.
* Carnauba waxes tend to hide minor swirls.
* Carnauba waxes bead water (tells user when to re-wax surface).

Disadvantages:

* Limited durability (Carnauba starts to melt at 70 degrees C).
re-wax in 90 days.
* Some carnauba waxes harder to apply. (Require more effort to buff off).
* Some carnauba waxes create chalky- white residues and stain trim moldings.
* Low surface adhesion - can be removed by car washes and detergents.
* More prone to water spots.
* Can cloud and/or streak on dark color cars.
* Can be difficult to apply by machine.


Polymer Waxes:

Advantages:

* Longer lasting. (Should last six months or longer)
* Easy to apply.
* Very bright shine.
* Stronger surface adhesion resists detergents.
* Usually easy to apply by machine.
* Most synthetic waxes sheet water which reduces water spots.

Disadvantages:

* Bright shine is often referred to as lacking depth.
* Tends to highlight or amplify minor swirls and paint imperfections.
* Sheeting does not give a visual clue of when to recoat.
* Can have long cure times between coats.


maxx-waxx

Edited by maxx-waxx on Monday 10th July 20:01

[jasperj]

maxx-waxx said:

Always apply wax to your vehicles paint. Would recommend on average to do around 4-6 times per year.
Your car’s finish is under assault. Radiant and ultraviolet energy, acid rain, salt, pollution, insect fluids and bird droppings wage a constant war on your car’s finish. Waxing provides an easily renewable, transparent barrier between the finish and a hostile environment.

maxx-waxx

I assume 10-12 is okay?

[maxx-waxx]

jasperj said:

maxx-waxx said:

Always apply wax to your vehicles paint. Would recommend on average to do around 4-6 times per year.
Your car’s finish is under assault. Radiant and ultraviolet energy, acid rain, salt, pollution, insect fluids and bird droppings wage a constant war on your car’s finish. Waxing provides an easily renewable, transparent barrier between the finish and a hostile environment.

maxx-waxx

I assume 10-12 is okay?

Adequate

[jasperj]

maxx-waxx said:

jasperj said:

maxx-waxx said:

Always apply wax to your vehicles paint. Would recommend on average to do around 4-6 times per year.
Your car’s finish is under assault. Radiant and ultraviolet energy, acid rain, salt, pollution, insect fluids and bird droppings wage a constant war on your car’s finish. Waxing provides an easily renewable, transparent barrier between the finish and a hostile environment.

maxx-waxx

I assume 10-12 is okay?

Adequate

Thanks.. I'm well on target

Quick question, do you recommed max applications of the Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, (twice a year?).

[maxx-waxx]

jasperj said:

Quick question, do you recommed max applications of the Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, (twice a year?).

The paint cleaner has a very mild abbasiveness but yes 2-3 times per year is about right.

[targarama]

oops. My cars only get waxed a couple of times a year. Must try harder.

[maddog-uk]

i am addicted to pampering mine!! I treat the leather 2-3 times a year as well! Its like owning a new car every 4months!

[GR1FF1F]

Had to wait for the temperature to reach 65F before I could coat the Sag with Zymol Cornuba wax, but have to say I'm really pleased with the result. As a bonus, washing now takes about 10 minutes. Tepid water only and most of it turns into great big blobs which then roll off on their own - seriously it's like the special effects in Terminator 2. Insects, of which I seem to accumulate a huge number, just slide off with the sponge; no more elbow grease and leathering to lift them off.

So in answer to the question, waxxxxxx

[steve11]

GR1FF1F said:

Had to wait for the temperature to reach 65F before I could coat the Sag with Zymol Cornuba wax

....and the sun to go in

[t40ora]

maxx-waxx said:

jasperj said:

Quick question, do you recommed max applications of the Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, (twice a year?).

The paint cleaner has a very mild abbasiveness but yes 2-3 times per year is about right.

Nick (until I upgrade to Mothers) I'm using the Meguiars Paint Cleanser more frequently. Not especially happy with the finish from the factory, so trying to get more luster. As it's new paint, will it be OK to deep cleanse a couple of more times or am I doing damage?

[GR1FF1F]

steve11 said:

GR1FF1F said:

Had to wait for the temperature to reach 65F before I could coat the Sag with Zymol Cornuba wax

....and the sun to go in

Damn, so that's why I lost a stone doing it. Gotta admit it was hard work - had to keep thinking about the end result to drive me on. I even did it exactly per the instructions, warming the wax in the palm of the hand and applying without a cloth. You really get to know your car that way.

[lundinoir]

Any suggestions on an easy and quick wax? After spending days at a time waxing my Tuscan with Zymol I can't be bothered with my Tamora. I'd rather be driving it. So a wax that can be applied in a matter of an hour or two would be ideal but I've yet to find it...

[ncc]

lundinoir - P21S Carnuba Concours wax goes on quickly, leaves a very good finish, is a reasonable price and a tub seems to last ages (2 years and still loads left). Does seem to need more frequent reapplication than some others, but seeing as it only takes me half an hour or so to wax all of the Tam, thats not a big deal.