Dumb wax questions...

rockford33

rockford33

New member
1. How can you tell when it is time to re-wax? Usually I just know that after it rains, if it isn't beading, it is time for some wax. Usually I try not to let it go that long though....

2. How can you tell if there are bonding problems between a wax and a sealant? I am really interested in the Ibiz wax that supposedly leaves no water spots after a rain since the water just sheets off. I would be more comfortable with a couple of coats of EX underneath though;) . since I don't know the quality of Ibiz yet. How can you tell if the wax isn't working over the sealant?

Thanks,
Neil
 
It's hard to really tell how long a wax lasts. A few things that you can keep an eye on are the slickness of the paint, the beads and the look. Pay attention after a day or two with the wax and remember the characterisitics of the beading, slickness and look. Over time the slickness will get less slick, the beads will spread out and not stand tall and the paint may look a little dull... it's not an exact science though.

Truthfully you can add a sealant and then a wax without proper bond time and probably won't have a problem. Stick with the sealant and wax 24 hours after. There shouldn't be any bonding issues but make sure that your Ibiz stuff doesn't contain any cleaners that'll remove the EX. You can tell if something doesn't bond if you see any streaking that seems to be under the wax you applied... shouldn't be a problem though.
 
the wax never really wears off and would need a good polishing or a whole lot of harsh washes to fully remove, but what most people judge it by is the shine and beading , which is really the loss of oils in the wax. Once the oils start to evaporate and wear off, you loose the beading and shine but not the real protection ;)
 
I usually go by the feel of the car as I am washing it...the slickness of the paint and alos the beading or ease of flow of the water as I rinse.

Just remember carnuba type waxes also have a melting point and while most of us don't live in an area where our temperature gets that hot the hood of a car for example especially on darker color vehicles can get very hot and actually melt so to speak...
 
My tell tale sign is how hard the car is to dry off after a flood rinse (after washing). If it's getting to be more work...I rewax. People have argued beading on this forum and have really beat it to death; however, if my car isn't beading well in a rain storm...then I feel like I need to rewax.
 
Poorboy said:
the wax never really wears off and would need a good polishing or a whole lot of harsh washes to fully remove, but what most people judge it by is the shine and beading , which is really the loss of oils in the wax. Once the oils start to evaporate and wear off, you loose the beading and shine but not the real protection ;)
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That's really interesting. So it's the oils that do the shine and beading? How can you REALLY tell when you have no more protection at all then?
 
try rubbing a spot with a light polish and see if it becomes clearer ..you will be able to see your LSP coming up...waxes and sealants last much longer than most people realize, it's just their clarity and shine that disappear first.
 
Poorboy said:
try rubbing a spot with a light polish and see if it becomes clearer ..you will be able to see your LSP coming up...waxes and sealants last much longer than most people realize, it's just their clarity and shine that disappear first.
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I'm definitely keeping this in mind.
 
Larry A said:
OK then which wax or sealant keeps it clarity and shine the longest.
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that's a loaded question Larry:notme: ..everyone has their favorites and maintenence will play a big part in the answer. Sealants will almost always remain clearer longer than wax, as wax will yellow and fade as time goes by, but the intial look of a carnauba can't be beat IMO and if maintained well, will protect and look just as good if not better than a sealant.
 
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