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Giving the car a wash, clay and wax today - 1st timer - need advice first!

2K views 17 replies 6 participants last post by  BMW 840ci 
#1 ·
Hi there
i've cleaned and clayed cars before but NEVER waxed.. and never used several stages like i'm planning to today -- could really do with some advice because while i think the products i'm using are ok, i don't have an endless supply of buffing towels/ chilled distilled water (?!) etc, just a few microfibres and two sponge applicators.

This is my intention:

1) Hose car down gently.
2) USe two bucket method to wash the whole car
3) Leave wet prior to claying, hosing down at times to avoid water spots from drying
4) Clay bar the car panel by panel, then rinse down with running water, after claying whole car and rinsing down, dry whole car with paper towels and clean microfibre towel
5) Apply Dodo Lime Prime Lite (pre wax cleanser) as per instructions, wipe on, wipe off.
6) As a final stage, carefully apply Dodo Supernatural Hybrid following instructions gleaned off t'net, spread thinly panel by panel, leaving it for 5-10 minutes before buffing off using microfibre towels, probably applying a second coat, then buff off again.

THATS IT. Am i missing out any (genuinely) important stages here? Am i missing any seriously important tools, as i don't have specialised drying towels etc? Please let me know if this plan is flawed...thanks... :thumbsup
 
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#2 ·
I also could do with pointers about what to use to apply the supernatural hybrid - i'm planning on using two crappy sponge applicators from Halfords..and then buff off using microfibre towels.. will these do?
thanks.
 
#3 ·
The first time I did it was after I clayed the whole car with Meguiars Smooth Clay - You could see & feel how dirty it was... Just the normal keep it wet and not let it dry...

Wax - I used Collinite 476s Just used a Meguiars Soft micro fibre applicator... Wet it with cold tap water... Make sure I had a generous amount of wax...

I wipe off with Meguiars Supreme Shine Microfibre after it had hazed up lovely...

But I am no expert... Made the BM look very shinny and smooth to the touch - It filled in some of the swirls :)
 
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#4 ·
Does this mean i should use a damp applicator when applying the wax? (bearing in mind i'm using a hybrid wax/ sealant...)
thanks for any further pointers, anyone..
And also, i don't have a supreme shine microfibre, just bog standard ones.. hope these work for buffing off?
 
#5 ·
good afternoon,

yes any mf's are fine for bufifng

to apply your wax, i would get the foam aplictor pad make it damp with cold water .... not wet just damp

put a small amount of wax on pad, apply it pannel by pannel. remember with waxing less is more, dont put too much on

leave it for a while, when it is ready to come off you will know, tak your finger and wipe the wax, if it smudges its not ready if it moves to show clear paint work its ready

buff it off with MF cloth

i would agree with you method apart from:
pre wax cleaner ... after claying and washing its probably not neccassary
drying with paper towels ... why? ive never herd of that and would of thought its too good for the paint work, get a big MF towel or use a few smaller MF cloths
 
#6 ·
Sam1832 -- great reply thanks. really good to know that bog standard MFs are ok for buffing etc. (I'll take care not to use the edges as they look a little rough).
And i'll bear in mind what you say about paper towels, i use them normally to avoid over use of limited number of MFs (I've got 5 new ones today though).
The pre wax cleanser was recommended as it apparently creates a slightly better surface for the wax hybrid to adhere to...must admit i thought it was possibly a case of the hard-sell at the time but hey. Would you recommend NOT using it, or its up to me? As i am happy to give it the full monty..
 
#7 ·
I see this Dodo Supernatural Hybrid is Half Wax and Half Sealant...

Here this link will shed some light! Click HERE!
 
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#8 ·
Thanks again Devil, i've seen that link but funnily enough that was the one prompted this thread as it mentions wiping down with 50% ipa , whatever that is, and it may also mention chilled distilled water which i believe isn't the stuff comes out ma taps.. :eek:)

Its still appreciated you went to trouble and does help starting a job knowing that other forummers are aware/ care, if that doesn;t sound too pathetic :eek:)
 
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#11 ·
..Found out IPA is a kind of beer.. :confused


:D
Lol nice one

IPA is ispohonayl alchol, http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_n...dkw=ipa&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

i take it the 50% they are reccomending using IPA wipes, you can buy it 99% pure as a liquid and it is used for througly degerasing and cleansing

as its alchol and its very pure it evaporates off leaving nothing behind, like a solvent cleaner would

Distled water is used, because it has nothing in (contaminants) unlike the water from your tap, which has chalk, lime and other bits in it

Both of the above are a bit extreme for a weekly/monthly wash and clean i personnaly have never bothered with either mainly cos i cant be arsed. if i was entering a show i would probably do use them but not for a car that is driven

but having said this detailling is all in the prep and it cant be bad if you have the time

I would very much like to see some photos after you have applied the 'super' wax, i use the standard supernatural and its amazing
 
#14 ·
There will be some pictures later today hopefully lads.. hopefully near the bridge by Golborne Rd/ Trellick Towers W9 [good location] as I'm taking the boys skateboarding later i hope..

Not using IPA or distilled water :eek:)

But i am gonna lime juice lite her right now, and then the supernatural hybrid.

thanks for advice yesterday, i only got to finish the drying - just after claying - before it got dark, damned orbit of sun/ seasonal changes.
 
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#17 ·
Really Looking forward to seeing the pictures! :thumbsup
 
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