Polishing/Wax question.....

V

Visaliaipa

New member
I just registered and am new to the forum. I live in Visalia Ca and emjoy detailing my cars at this point. I have a full time job thats pays well and don't have any plans in the future of doing it for a living...although that could change. After the short intro here is my question:



Do most of you pros do a polish before a wax or do you just do spot treatment for swirls or minor imperfections? I watched the AutoGeek vids and seems that if you polished the whole car it would take a very lont time. Or would a quick polish or glaze be enough to bring the paint to a good gloss before waxing. I want to do my wife's car and my truck and maybe a friends car.



Hopefully thats not too vague. My wifes car has no swirl marks but has been about a year since I last waxed it. My truck is new so no swirls or anything else and wash them pretty regularly. Thanks for nay input and love the forum. I am looking forward to getting an education....Thanks



:dance
 
Yes, most pros or novelists for that matter, polish the entire car prior to wax. And guess what, some cars get polished twice and some even three times. Polishing can take alot of time and its hard work.
 
Wash.

Clay.

Polish until you are happy with results under strong light (direct sun is best).

Glaze (optional).

Seal. Or. Wax. I prefer sealants UPGP 1000P and so on.



Get a Flex. Screw the PC or it's cousins.



LC pads are great. Get at least 3 orange and at least 2 white.



Use only microfiber towels.



Detailing takes time. Lots of it the first time. Take the time. Enjoy the process.



Read through the forum. Enjoy the tutorials. Take notes. Make lists.



PM me if you want a basic starter sheet in MS Word.
 
Visaliaipa said:
Do most of you .. do a polish before a wax or do you just do spot treatment for swirls or minor imperfections?



... My wifes car has no swirl marks but has been about a year since I last waxed it.
Click to expand...





Welcome to Autopia!



Please don't take this the wrong way, but I'd bet my life your wife's car does have marring/swirls/etc. There's simply no way a vehicle in regular use can have an OK finish if it's been unwaxed for a few months, let alone a year. For that matter, I've only seen a handful *brand new cars in showrooms* that didn't have issues, and that's over the course of a few decades!



Any car that gets used regularly is gonna benefit from a polishing at least once a year.



Polish it up with something quick and easy (like 1Z brand Paint Polish or Meguiar's #80), aiming for "better" instead of "perfect", and then wax it.



But on a vehicle that truly has no marring, oxidation, or other issues, a quick claying and a fresh coat of wax *can* often suffice.



It's just that very few cars are really in that kind of condition; it just takes one careless moment during one wash and the finish isn't flawless any more :( That's leaving aside the way a lot of people touch the paint of their cars in the course of daily use...
 
Accumulator said:
Welcome to Autopia!



Please don't take this the wrong way, but I'd bet my life your wife's car does have marring/swirls/etc. There's simply no way a vehicle in regular use can have an OK finish if it's been unwaxed for a few months, let alone a year.



Polish it up with something quick and easy (like 1Z brand Paint Polish or Meguiar's #80), aiming for "better" instead of "perfect", and then wax it.
Click to expand...



Yeah maybe I over stepped the definition of no swirls. LOL. Lets just say no major blemishes or anything like that. It does say garaged alot.



When you mean Meguiars #80 do you mean the speed glaze #80? I'm assuming that since I looked it up at Auto Detailing Solutions that their products, as far as polishes etc) are done by number.



Again thanks and looks like I need to place an order then get started.....:)
 
Visaliaipa said:
Yeah maybe I over stepped the definition of no swirls. LOL. Lets just say no major blemishes or anything like that. It does say garaged alot.



When you mean Meguiars #80 do you mean the speed glaze #80? I'm assuming that since I looked it up at Auto Detailing Solutions that their products, as far as polishes etc) are done by number.



Again thanks and looks like I need to place an order then get started.....:)
Click to expand...



Yes, he means speed glaze #80. It's a great beginner product as it is easy to use, removes minor imperfections, and adds some nice oils to the paint in one step.



Also, Rick (at ADS) is awesome and if you are like me you will always be looking for a reason to place another order there... :chuckle:
 
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