The Official "Ask a Detailer Thread"!

[jkingaround]

It's a wax by a company called Granitize. My friend uses it on his car and I got a gallon for very cheap.

[girlyFA5]

Originally Posted by jkingaround

i'm not going to use dish washing detergent on my car.. there has to be a specific product made for removing old wax, because yes, it is better wax.

dawn soap is the safest to use on the car for removing old wax if you are starting with a fresh coat so its not bad. Youre not going to wash your car with dawn everytime so its ok. Other than that getting wax remover probably would be it but it does the exact same thing o.o

[jkingaround]

Originally Posted by girlyFA5

dawn soap is the safest to use on the car for removing old wax if you are starting with a fresh coat so its not bad. Youre not going to wash your car with dawn everytime so its ok. Other than that getting wax remover probably would be it but it does the exact same thing o.o

despite the same result, i'd much rather pay extra knowing that it's meant for that specific purpose. however, is removing the wax needed? or can i just wax on top of the old stuff?

[girlyFA5]

Originally Posted by jkingaround

despite the same result, i'd much rather pay extra knowing that it's meant for that specific purpose. however, is removing the wax needed? or can i just wax on top of the old stuff?

The wax overtime begins to wear off so its best to put on a fresh coat all on its own so that it has the best gloss and protection. Unless the wax layering is put on 2 days apart, I'd stay start with a fresh coat. Might as well invest the extra time no?

[jkingaround]

yes, but i can't figure out what the correct product to buy in order to strip off the old wax.. NOT dish soap. lol.

[girlyFA5]

The thing I'm debating on is like ok so the paint cleaner gets rid of wax but it's done after the claying. And I want the clay to work its best as possible so do I remove the later of wax with dawn soap so that the car is bare then wash again with actual car shampoo to condition the paint? Or should I just wash with car shampoo and clay it?But if I clay it after just washing with car shampoo it's still gunna have that layer of wax so will it rly work as efficiently? Using meguiars clay kit btw

[jkingaround]

i have no idea about clay.

[girlyFA5]

Originally Posted by jkingaround

yes, but i can't figure out what the correct product to buy in order to strip off the old wax.. NOT dish soap. lol.

Paint cleaners remove old wax as well as deformities in paint like swirls and minor scratches so it's a + I'd say use that. Can't rly find anything else that only removes wax. Cept for dawn ><

[Misha]

Originally Posted by jkingaround

yes, but i can't figure out what the correct product to buy in order to strip off the old wax.. NOT dish soap. lol.

get citrus based car soap. only going to get it online since over the counter products are not designed to strip wax off, thats way overhead for regular ppl. one i use is chemical guys citrus wash clear, or citrus wash and gloss. depending in what concentration you use it can be used for stripping wax or regular maintenance wash.

you can also get some zep citrus and add a little into regular car soap to strip wax off. clay will strip wax off as well.

you asked about not stripping wax and putting new layer on, if its same wax then sure you can do that, if its different wax then chances are its not going to bond well becouse waxes are made differently with different ingridients, think of it as if you would paint car without doing proper prep. its not going to last in long run if at all

Originally Posted by girlyFA5

The thing I'm debating on is like ok so the paint cleaner gets rid of wax but it's done after the claying. And I want the clay to work its best as possible so do I remove the later of wax with dawn soap so that the car is bare then wash again with actual car shampoo to condition the paint? Or should I just wash with car shampoo and clay it?But if I clay it after just washing with car shampoo it's still gunna have that layer of wax so will it rly work as efficiently? Using meguiars clay kit btw

no need to remove wax before claying, it will do it in same step without side effects (except for marring maybe, but it will happen anyway thanks to our soft honda paint). washing with regular car soap after dawn will just ensure that you remove dawn so it wouldnt interfer with wax bonding

steps,
wash the car
clay
wash again
after this wax will be removed

Originally Posted by girlyFA5

Paint cleaners remove old wax as well as deformities in paint like swirls and minor scratches so it's a + I'd say use that. Can't rly find anything else that only removes wax. Cept for dawn ><

paint cleaners remove swirls and scratches? its like saying clay removed scratches lol. wherever you got that info, stop using that sourse as usefull information, this is wrong

paint cleaners are made to remove oils from paint surface to prep it for whatever, some will add gloss agents

[jkingaround]

it's a different wax and i'm only going to do this once. there's gotta be a no water solution since i dont have a good place to actually wash my car (i quick detail and wax).

[girlyFA5]

Originally Posted by Misha

get citrus based car soap. only going to get it online since over the counter products are not designed to strip wax off, thats way overhead for regular ppl. one i use is chemical guys citrus wash clear, or citrus wash and gloss. depending in what concentration you use it can be used for stripping wax or regular maintenance wash.

you can also get some zep citrus and add a little into regular car soap to strip wax off. clay will strip wax off as well.

you asked about not stripping wax and putting new layer on, if its same wax then sure you can do that, if its different wax then chances are its not going to bond well becouse waxes are made differently with different ingridients, think of it as if you would paint car without doing proper prep. its not going to last in long run if at all



no need to remove wax before claying, it will do it in same step without side effects (except for marring maybe, but it will happen anyway thanks to our soft honda paint). washing with regular car soap after dawn will just ensure that you remove dawn so it wouldnt interfer with wax bonding

steps,
wash the car
clay
wash again
after this wax will be removed




paint cleaners remove swirls and scratches? its like saying clay removed scratches lol. wherever you got that info, stop using that sourse as usefull information, this is wrong

paint cleaners are made to remove oils from paint surface to prep it for whatever, some will add gloss agents

I got it from the meguiars website the 5 step clean cycle actually o.o They classified Swirl X, Scratch X, and Ultimate Compound as a paint cleaner that follows the claying process which do specifically that; remove swirls and scratches and other defects in the paint before protecting the paint with a polish and coat of wax. I think this is a pretty reliable source o.o http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...-Cycle-Updated

[Misha]

Originally Posted by girlyFA5

I got it from the meguiars website the 5 step clean cycle actually o.o They classified Swirl X, Scratch X, and Ultimate Compound as a paint cleaner that follows the claying process which do specifically that; remove swirls and scratches and other defects in the paint before protecting the paint with a polish and coat of wax. I think this is a pretty reliable source o.o Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle - Updated!

ok swirlx scratchx and compound are abrasive polishes. they can call them whatever they want and probably it makes sence for ppl who dont know much about detailing so thats where you getting it confused.
cleaner in detailing term is something that you use after you compounded or polished paint to remove polishing oils to prep surface for protection application (wax, sealant or nano or ceramic coatings)


this is so other ppl dont get it confused, becouse if you go to store and see paint cleaner (p21S for example) you will think it removes swirls and scratches but it doesnt.

hope you see what i mean here

[jkingaround]

if paint cleaner doesn't remove swirls and scratches what does it do?

[chienchien]

anyone know what to use to clean my si interior? seats and stuff u know

[Misha]

Originally Posted by jkingaround

if paint cleaner doesn't remove swirls and scratches what does it do?

it removes polishing oils and sometimes if aggressive enough can remove wax
P21S Paintwork Cleanser - 350 ml | Detailed Image

swirls are small scratches. to remove them you need to level the paint with some kind of polish. there are products that will fill those swirls and make them go away for a little but they will come back. that product is called glaze. other names are used by different companies as well

[Misha]

Originally Posted by chienchien

anyone know what to use to clean my si interior? seats and stuff u know

are your seats made of alkantara? i forget what si interior is like

[maximus20895]

Yes, it's Alcantara.

Here you go:

Alcantara

Alcantara Cleaning? - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

[jkingaround]

just wondering if i can use wax on my new wheels? they are going to be powdercoated and I want to protect them, and keep them clean. Is there a specific wax i should use or will normal car wax work?

[Misha]

Originally Posted by jkingaround

just wondering if i can use wax on my new wheels? they are going to be powdercoated and I want to protect them, and keep them clean. Is there a specific wax i should use or will normal car wax work?

cheap and great wax for wheels is collinite 476. or collinite 845.
you can get wheel specific waxes as well but it might not be worth it.
i put ceramic coating on my wheels and now i dont have to worry about reapplying wax every couple month. so far its on for 10 month and still holding up

[jkingaround]

Can i just use any wax?