Hey all. Swedish Car Day is coming up (8/23) at Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, MA and I want to clean and prep my S80. However, other than taking it through an automatic car wash (I have a monthly subscription) and cleaning and conditioning the leather with Lexol, I have never waxed or clayed the exterior. Does anyone have any suggestions for any high-quality and effective waxes and/or clay bars? Also, is it acceptable to wax the car after claying it? Thanks in advance.
Wax/Clay Bar Brand?
stefc93
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
Hey all. Swedish Car Day is coming up (8/23) at Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, MA and I want to clean and prep my S80. However, other than taking it through an automatic car wash (I have a monthly subscription) and cleaning and conditioning the leather with Lexol, I have never waxed or clayed the exterior. Does anyone have any suggestions for any high-quality and effective waxes and/or clay bars? Also, is it acceptable to wax the car after claying it? Thanks in advance.
Joined
·
1,123 Posts
I use Mother's California Gold Clay Kit from Amazon.com. You can find it at most auto parts stores, too. Top rated and comes with two clay bars (more than you need), a bottle of detailing lubricant and a high quality microfiber towel. You can buy all of these separately from a brand like Chemical Guys, but the Mother's kit is complete and works like it should. You could even use your own soap solution, but the lubricant definitely makes the clay glide smoothly so you don't waste time trying to mix the right formula yourself. Pick up a few extra microfiber towels. Definitely wax or seal your car after claying to fill all the "holes" where contaminants are removed by the clay. I currently use Meguiar's Gold Class Carnuba Wax in the bottle because it looks great and lasts, but is easy to apply and buff. If you have any scratches or swirls, you'll need to remove those with a polish first since clay only removes contaminants. It does not smooth the clear coat or paint.
Joined
·
2,095 Posts
The Meg's kit is good, it's what I have used for a while now. I especially like their QD lube that comes with the kit because it's so slick and easy to use. I have tried all the mainstream products available in the local auto stores and think Meg's is the best one out of that bunch. I was a real fan of Clay Magic for a long time, but haven't seen it on the shelves for several years. The Clay Magic Blue (their fine grade) was more aggressive, while the Meg's is more mild. I think you can still find the Clay Magic online, but just buy the bars by themselves (didn't like their QD). You can buy the Meg's QD lube in the store without the clay bar kit. I would not mess around trying to use your wash mix as the lube like blindkarma mentioned. If you've never used a clay bar before, I think the Meg's kit is a good one to start with.
Joined
·
1,123 Posts
I think it is like Coke vs. Pepsi. Every car forum seems to discuss this. One may give you more clay while the other glides easier. I can't remember which is which. Clay Magic held the original patent I believe and everyone else licensed from them. Then the patent expired and now we have more options...
Have you tried both (Meguiar's and Mother's, that is. Lol)? Also, Coke FTW!
Joined
·
1,123 Posts
I have not used Meguiar's clay. I have liked their 3-step waxes and other products for 20 years. I bet their clay is just as good.
+1 Mothers is great. I buy the kit.
Don't laugh, but I've used ordinary modelling clay - the kind you buy by the pound at a hobby store - with great results. Not only does it perform similarly to automotive clay, but the low cost makes it easier to discard as it becomes contaminated. As with any clay, lubrication is important. Soapy water works fine.
I stick with moderately-priced waxes like Maguire's, Mother's, etc. Don't cheap out, but don't make it a religion either. A good car finish is 10% product, 90% elbow grease.
I stick with moderately-priced waxes like Maguire's, Mother's, etc. Don't cheap out, but don't make it a religion either. A good car finish is 10% product, 90% elbow grease.
The longest lasting wax I have used is Collinite #845. Be sure to shake the bottle, maybe put the bottle in warm water or the sun. Apply as thin as possible. Any dirt and swirls in the paint will have to be removed with a polish. I like Meguiar's 205. A sealant will last longer than a wax, although Collinite #845 will last months in Pennsylvania. I use Menzerna Power lock sealant. Lasts 5-6 months. Easiest method to apply polish, wax, sealant is with a dual action buffer, ~ $125 and up. Don't get sucked into a cheap auto parts store buffer. They don't work. I have read the Harbor Freight DA, ~ $70 on sale, is ok, but, I have not tried the HF.
+1. Well said.
I once posted a thread with a review about Meguiars black wax. I also use their white wax on my white SVX. Here's a link.
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showth.../showthread.php?195526-Meguiars-quot-Black-Wax-quot-Review-and-Pics-Ember-Black
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showth.../showthread.php?195526-Meguiars-quot-Black-Wax-quot-Review-and-Pics-Ember-Black
Joined
·
26,743 Posts
I've yet to do the clay bar route but likely will this fall (soon). The wax I use is pinnacle. Made in Miami. I put in on with my fingers very thin. Then I can feel any imperfections and use a shirt to wipe it off. It's got no petroleum crap that dries out paint over time. I used to use the high end small batch zymol back in the day (the japon for my toyota pickup) before they were bought out. Similar stuff, incredible results. I could get clarity and depth like a fresh water lake especially after using the deep cleanse paint cleaner. The paint would squeak like clean teeth. Crazy good stuff but not cheap. Can lasts forever and is so nice to use because it could get on any plastic and not be an issue. Automatic car washes and the like are not in my vocabulary. If I could wax once a month I would but time gets away. Show us your results when you're done!
Joined
·
2,095 Posts
Wax and other similar products will probably be around for years to come, but from everything I read the market is really trending in a big way towards sealants and coatings as the new LSP. With pro detailer versions touting up to 5+ years protection and up to 2 years from their consumer-grade counterparts, products from Optimum, CarPro, Gtechniq, DP, and a host of others are becoming more and more commonplace. As soon as the temps cool off down here I plan on trying one on my S60 as a test mule, then a different one on my S80, then whichever one I like best will go on the passion red S40 which needs a good paint correction.
Just adding a quick post onto this thread to 'revive it' a little... now that's it's Spring (so-to-speak) and folks will be looking to shine up their rides.
I HIGHLY recommend using the Meguiar's Black Wax paste shown in the below link:
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G620...-Paste/dp/B009OBW29S?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02
I shined up my (Ember Black) S80 last night, and this stuff went on and came off like butter! Love it! I applied with a 10" orbital buffer (nothing fancy) and removed it with micro fiber cloths... and again, with ease. I only put a few dime-size dabs on the wax pad while applying. No worrying about the white residue if you get some on any plastic trim or anything either... and gives an awesome shine. Didn't take a pic as it was getting late, but will try to do so after I do a little more work on the bumpers. Got some light scratches to remove, courtesy of the car wash over winter...
Just thought I'd share...
Gregg
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
