[BTM]

I have just recently gotten into wash/wax etc, here is the results of my second time using Meguiar's wax. First washed, then waxed, unfortunately conditions weren't perfect and I was getting water spots and it's a 10 year old car with black paint so you know how that goes. It's an improvement, but really brings out the chips, scratches, and wear on the paint. Maybe after a couple of washes it will look better or maybe it's imperfections standing out but I'll let the pics do the talking.

Materials:



Starting point, before wash







After wash, before wax






Wax complete, still in the shade, paint imperfections not as noticeable






Outside after wax, imperfections stand out (sister did a crappy job washing windows, don't worry I fixed it)







Comments/criticism welcome

Have a good evening, thanks for looking

Brian

[gary88]

Nice work! Would look perfect with dressed tires.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by gary88

Nice work! Would look perfect with dressed tires.

Yea one of my thoughts too...I didn't have any tire stuff though I usually just wash with soap and water

[wazup773]

good work

[TwinPowerF30]

looks great. how about put some dressing on those black rubber mouldings

[BTM]

Originally Posted by weiweiwei

looks great. how about put some dressing on those black rubber mouldings

Thanks. Those moldings were definitely pissing me off, they are actually dark gray and plastic. I obviously didn't wax them but have never encountered them before, what type of product would you apply to help restore them?

[zaxjax]

Black Wow will restore the exterior trim and works great. Did you polish the paint or just wax?

[BTM]

Originally Posted by zaxjax

Black Wow will restore the exterior trim and works great. Did you polish the paint or just wax?

Just did wax. I will need an orbital polisher to deal with the swirl marks.

[Jim D.]

Certainly a job well done and a great start.

Next time try using a Clay Bar, followed by a cleaner and a glaze. I really like the Mothers California Gold Pre-Wax Cleaner and Sealer & Glaze. They recommend you use the Pure Carnauba Wax to finish, but you can use your NXT if you want. Meguiar's has a similar 3-step, but the Mothers is easier to use.

These products can be applied by hand, and can help fill some of the spiderwebbing you might be seeing, and it might get you by until you can invest in a Porter-Cable or have someone correct it for you so that you can more easily maintain it.

While I like Black Wow, it's a tad pricey, and I do like Back-to-Black. Try it on the trim before you clay and wax -- makes it much easier to avoid any polish or wax stains and the time lapse allows it to work before you buff it off after you're done waxing.

[BTM]

Thanks for the input man. Clay is definitely my next "foray" into detailing if you will, what type of clay bar do you use? As for the wax, I have read that Caranuba is good for the best and deepest shine, however with the constant road construction and the amount of salt they throw in the winters here I am willing to lose some for added protection of the synthetic wax.

I couldn't exactly find the answer to my question regarding Black Wow, is it only for black trim? The color of the trim in the pictures is actually pretty close to what it should be, it's a dark gray. Is using Black Wow on non black trim a risky venture?

[TwinPowerF30]

Have a look at this article form detailed image http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...-pearl-part-3/

Scroll down to near the middle and you can see how using something like 303 aerospace or Optimum Protectant Plus looks. There is a comparison picture.

optimum protectant plus on the left, middle untreated, right side 303 aerospace

[BTM]

Thanks for the link, looking at it now