[Design1314]

Hi, it's summer time and time for me to spend about 2 hrs per weekend on washing my car and put a simple thin layer of wax. I am not too crazy about how long or how good the wax is because I have a jet black car and my drive way is kind of under a tree with lots of daily bird craps.

Things that I need (keep in mind that I want to keep the cost at lowest possible and "shortest time" possible while getting the best quality!)

1. washing tools
2. soap?
3. easiest wax?

I am not looking to detail my car... just a weekly cleaning/simple waxing is enough.. Thanks guys!

[JOYRIIDE1113]

Originally Posted by Design1314

Hi, it's summer time and time for me to spend about 2 hrs per weekend on washing my car and put a simple thin layer of wax. I am not too crazy about how long or how good the wax is because I have a jet black car and my drive way is kind of under a tree with lots of daily bird craps.

Things that I need (keep in mind that I want to keep the cost at lowest possible and "shortest time" possible while getting the best quality!)

1. washing tools
2. soap?
3. easiest wax?

I am not looking to detail my car... just a weekly cleaning/simple waxing is enough.. Thanks guys!

Sheepskin mitt @ Advance Auto = 7.99
Meguiars Gold Class Soap @ Advance Auto = 8.99
Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 @ Advance Auto = 16.99
Meguiars Ultimate Detailer @ Advance Auto = 9.99
Microfiber towels and Waffle Weave drying towels can be bought online at a detailedimage.com = 40-60dollar (initial investment).

[txusa03]

well, if you like my result, here are my basic for keeping my car ext. clean and looking good. Average 2 washes a month and 2-3 waxes a year. I use the same car wash soap for my rims and I never wax my rims. Just remember to wash car in the shade and be gentle with the wash mitten and dry the car right away. I have minor scratches on the paint and very little swirls (could be from not having grit guard). When I see bird crap, I rinse them off right away. The bottom line for me is this is my daily driver so I really don't have time, nor skill, nor money to invest to detail a daily driver. The older the car gets, the less wash it gets

A bucket with grit guard (I don't have grit guard but looking to invest in one)

A sheep skin wash mitten

Microfiber cloth to dry

quick detailer wax (meguiars)

car wash soap(meguiars)

all the items can be found at wal-mart.

[jeveryday]

Meguiars Gold Class Soap
Sheepskin Mit
Meguiars Quick Detail Wax

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by jeveryday

Meguiars Gold Class Soap
Sheepskin Mit
Meguiars Quick Detail Wax

that is exactly what I have been using on my e90 and they are all available at wal-mart! btw, my car has 56K miles.

[haper]

Originally Posted by Design1314

3. easiest wax?

all the suggestions so far are great so i will not add to them. but i have one comment and i don't want to confuse you with all the different products out there.

why are you waxing?

if your answer is to protect the car's finish then i would suggest you look into a sealant and not wax. sealant and wax are similar in that they both protect the car's finish, allow water to bead and provide a shine. the difference is sealant is a synthetic material that usually lasts 2 - 6 months while wax is natural and lasts 2 - 6 weeks.

my second reason for this suggestion is i've found sealant easier to work with then wax. it's a liquid, so you wipe it on, let dry, and wipe off - very easy. wax is a paste so its a bit harder to apply and you usually remove it b4 it dries so it takes a bit more effort to remove.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by haper

my second reason for this suggestion is i've found sealant easier to work with then wax. it's a liquid, so you wipe it on, let dry, and wipe off - very easy. wax is a paste so its a bit harder to apply and you usually remove it b4 it dries so it takes a bit more effort to remove.

do you have a sample sealant that we can purchase off the counter like at a local auto part store? Maybe I will look for it next time I need to buy more wax and maybe I will try the sealant and see how I like it (if it is available at a local store).

[328i]

NXT 2.0 is a sealant, another even better sealant you can get is duragloss 105 at your local car quest.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by 328i

NXT 2.0 is a sealant, another even better sealant you can get is duragloss 105 at your local car quest.

cool, will look for it and read up on the direction next time I shop for car products...

[Design1314]

Originally Posted by JOYRIIDE1113

Sheepskin mitt @ Advance Auto = 7.99
Meguiars Gold Class Soap @ Advance Auto = 8.99
Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 @ Advance Auto = 16.99
Meguiars Ultimate Detailer @ Advance Auto = 9.99
Microfiber towels and Waffle Weave drying towels can be bought online at a detailedimage.com = 40-60dollar (initial investment).

Cool I'll search for advance auto on google if they have an online shop!! price are decent, not so bad! are the Microfiber towels reusable?

[Design1314]

Originally Posted by txusa03

well, if you like my result, here are my basic for keeping my car ext. clean and looking good. Average 2 washes a month and 2-3 waxes a year. I use the same car wash soap for my rims and I never wax my rims. Just remember to wash car in the shade and be gentle with the wash mitten and dry the car right away. I have minor scratches on the paint and very little swirls (could be from not having grit guard). When I see bird crap, I rinse them off right away. The bottom line for me is this is my daily driver so I really don't have time, nor skill, nor money to invest to detail a daily driver. Car was bought in May 05 and that photo was taken on April 08. The older the car gets, the less wash it gets

A bucket with grit guard (I don't have grit guard but looking to invest in one)

A sheep skin wash mitten

Microfiber cloth to dry

quick detailer wax (meguiars)

car wash soap(meguiars)

all the items can be found at wal-mart.

why do you wash under the shade?

[Design1314]

looks like Meguiars is a famous product

[Design1314]

Originally Posted by haper

all the suggestions so far are great so i will not add to them. but i have one comment and i don't want to confuse you with all the different products out there.

why are you waxing?

if your answer is to protect the car's finish then i would suggest you look into a sealant and not wax. sealant and wax are similar in that they both protect the car's finish, allow water to bead and provide a shine. the difference is sealant is a synthetic material that usually lasts 2 - 6 months while wax is natural and lasts 2 - 6 weeks.

my second reason for this suggestion is i've found sealant easier to work with then wax. it's a liquid, so you wipe it on, let dry, and wipe off - very easy. wax is a paste so its a bit harder to apply and you usually remove it b4 it dries so it takes a bit more effort to remove.

Yup I would like to keep the car shine as the longest as possible... unless the bird crap ruins it lol.... Yes I've heard waxing needs more skills and time! so I would listen to your suggestion: "Sealant". Can you tell us what brand is good and cheap? Thanks!

[Design1314]

Originally Posted by txusa03

do you have a sample sealant that we can purchase off the counter like at a local auto part store? Maybe I will look for it next time I need to buy more wax and maybe I will try the sealant and see how I like it (if it is available at a local store).

+1

[Design1314]

Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 is a Sealant?

[BK]

Originally Posted by Design1314

Cool I'll search for advance auto on google if they have an online shop!! price are decent, not so bad! are the Microfiber towels reusable?

Yes, MF towels are essentially really soft towels made out of a special kind of fiber. You reuse them. Wash them only with other MF towels, use very hot water and low soap, and rinse them thoroughly.

Originally Posted by Design1314

why do you wash under the shade?

To keep the water from drying on your car. A black car gets VERY hot in the sun, and the water starts drying almost immediately. It will leave water spots all over the car.

It's not impossible to wash in the sun -- most of us do it from time to time -- but it is not preferred. You waste a lot of water trying to keep the car from drying out and spotting.

Originally Posted by Design1314

looks like Meguiars is a famous product

Meg's has some very good products you can buy at your local store, or even Wal-Mart.

Originally Posted by Design1314

Yup I would like to keep the car shine as the longest as possible... unless the bird crap ruins it lol.... Yes I've heard waxing needs more skills and time! so I would listen to your suggestion: "Sealant". Can you tell us what brand is good and cheap? Thanks!

See below.

Originally Posted by Design1314

Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 is a Sealant?

This one. Yes, it's a sealant.

I was going to add, but it looks like txusa03 already mentioned, you need to get a wash bucket or two, too. I like using a grit guard, but it's not completely essential.

You won't be polishing the car yourself, so I'd recommend taking it to a good detailer (ask here or at autopia.org for a recommended detailer in your area) for a polish once per year to take out any swirls or etching from bird crap, tree sap, or whatever.

[Design1314]

Cool thanks BK!! now I got all the supplies ready for the summer!

[Design1314]

So I have read through the sticky... but Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 was not mentioned... mostly Zaino.. However, what are the differences between Meguiars and Zaino's sealant? quality and price? If I choose to use Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 what are the steps after I washed and dried my car? Also any important tips?

[haper]

Originally Posted by Design1314

differences between Meguiars and Zaino's sealant? quality and price?

yup, zaino is better but more expensive and i don't believe is available over the counter.

my tip is make sure you have plenty of MF towel available to remove the product. if you can purchase 2 per section of car would be nice, 2 for the top, 2 for each side and 2 for the front and back. use one towel to remove the product and the other to go back over to get the last bit that might be left. if you don't have enough towels you'll end up w/ too much removed product on the towel and as you try removing the product you'll end up smearing it back on.

also, purchase a foam type applicator to apply the product.

[Design1314]

Originally Posted by haper

yup, zaino is better but more expensive and i don't believe is available over the counter.

my tip is make sure you have plenty of MF towel available to remove the product. if you can purchase 2 per section of car would be nice, 2 for the top, 2 for each side and 2 for the front and back. use one towel to remove the product and the other to go back over to get the last bit that might be left. if you don't have enough towels you'll end up w/ too much removed product on the towel and as you try removing the product you'll end up smearing it back on.

also, purchase a foam type applicator to apply the product.

so after washed and dried my car and putting on the Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0... how long should I wait til I whip off the product?
Also the foam applicator you mentioned, is it used to spread out the Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 evenly? Can I use a soft sponge?

[JOYRIIDE1113]

My quick and painless way of applying and removing most products is to apply to the entire hood or (2) panels and then remove before going to the next. After all areas have been applied and removed, I go over the paint one more time with a QD to remove any streaking. I haven't noticed any dimished durabilty doing it this way.

[haper]

Originally Posted by Design1314

so after washed and dried my car and putting on the Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0... how long should I wait til I whip off the product?

i'm not familiar w/ Tech Wax so you'll have to read the directions and follow them. there are two important things, how long you let it dry on your car before buffing it off and how long b4 you can apply another coat. you can also experiment a bit, directions might say to leave it on 30 mins but leaving it on for 90 mins might make it easier to remove.

Originally Posted by Design1314

Also the foam applicator you mentioned, is it used to spread out the Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 evenly? Can I use a soft sponge?

not sure what type of sponge you are talking about here but what you want to avoid is getting the applicator saturated w/ the product. the foam applicators avoid this and only a $2 or so.