trying to wax my car

[06siracer]

hi guys this is my first thread and i need your help. I'm trying to give me car the best shine and protection possible. I have a pretty good idea what I am doing but every time I feel like I have a grasp on paint care I read something that throws a curve ball at me. Like i was going to clay bar my car and then wax it. i looked at also using a turtle wax nano polish to get the swirl marks out of the paint but I wasn't really sure if of how to use it. I mean do you clay bar, polish, then wax? and how often do you polish? and i just read something that I'd never heard of before. SEALANT?!!! what is sealant and when do you apply it. so if anybody could give me a break down on what kind of paint maintenance I should do and when I should do it I would be greatful.

Just too give you info on my car.
2006 si bought in Feb, 06
has been waxed once by the dealer
have washed it once every 1-2 weeks

[SoCal07Si]

claybar, wax, sealant (sealant = polish).

I'd tell u more, but im no expert. I know what works for me though.

[inyong1988]

Originally Posted by SoCal07Si

claybar, wax, sealant (sealant = polish).

I'd tell u more, but im no expert. I know what works for me though.

the other way around. sealant first.

[SoCal07Si]

sealant before wax?

sealant, seals everything in...no?

[inyong1988]

Originally Posted by SoCal07Si

sealant before wax?

sealant, seals everything in...no?

what detailer said.

Originally Posted by NitrousG35

Reverse steps six and seven. Seal first, then wax. You won't believe how good your car will look after you are done. If you have a dark color, I would highly suggest using Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #7 to bring out depth in the paint. Use before sealant and wax.

[yoshiod9]

sealant and wax do almost the same thing-- protect the paint from uv, road grime, environmental contaminents, etc. sealant seals the paint and tends to last quite a bit longer than wax but usually doesn't provide the deep, wet look that wax provides (wax also has a shorter life span on your car and doesn't protect AS well as a quality sealant.).

what you want to do (if you have these things handy) is this:
wash
claybar
polish/scratch remover (to get rid of scratches/swirls)
sealant (seals the covered scratches in)
wax (for the nice glossy look)

[SoCal07Si]

no detailer said.

Actually, i havent polished a car in a long time.

When I do the Si, I use the Meguiars clay, with the detail spray. wipe that off and hit it with their wax.

Comes out pretty good.

[KSE]

subscribed for info

[SoCal07Si]

this was the next day, after the last wash/claybar...

[Bulli Kid]

Originally Posted by yoshiod9

sealant and wax do almost the same thing-- protect the paint from uv, road grime, environmental contaminents, etc. sealant seals the paint and tends to last quite a bit longer than wax but usually doesn't provide the deep, wet look that wax provides (wax also has a shorter life span on your car and doesn't protect AS well as a quality sealant.).

what you want to do (if you have these things handy) is this:
wash
claybar
polish/scratch remover (to get rid of scratches/swirls)
sealant (seals the covered scratches in)
wax (for the nice glossy look)

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by SoCal07Si

claybar, wax, sealant (sealant = polish).

I'd tell u more, but im no expert. I know what works for me though.

Sealants are not polishes as they have no abrasive action. Sealants are synthetic polymers that give protection to the paint. While they mimic the qualities of a wax, they give greater durability and protection from all the things that can hurt paint. Sealants seal the pores in paint and provide a better surface for waxing.

Wax also gives protection, but generally, with shorter lasting results. I use wax mainly to get the shine I want after sealing. BTW, this is why I did the thread on all the products to use.

[definingmoment]

Originally Posted by SoCal07Si

claybar, wax, sealant (sealant = polish).

I'd tell u more, but im no expert. I know what works for me though.

If sealant = polish then polish/sealant would go before wax, FYI

[06siracer]

ok so just to make sure read this right
i need to
1.wash
2.claybar
3.polish
4.seal
and last
5.wax
what kind of sealant and polish do you guys recommend? and where can you get a good sealant. I work in a parts store and don't see anything that is called a sealer.

[NitrousG35]

Jet Seal: OEM Acura Parts

Wolfgang: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant delivers a deep, wet, liquid shimmer unlike anything you can imagine.

Natty's EXP: Poorboy's EX-P Pure Sealant: Poorboy’s EX-P is revolutionary in the world of paint sealants. poorboys paint sealant, car paint sealant, clear coat

I have all 3 and would recommend any of them. Jet Seal by far has the best protection and durability. Wolfgang might have a slightly better shine.

Check out my thread on detailing: Mother of all detailing threads...Warning 56K!

[06siracer]

thanks for the info that helps alot