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What type of wash/wax service should I get?
- Thread starter YoSteve
- Start date
Hi all. I've read through much of the forum this morning and so far have not been able to find the answers to 2 questions. I'm a complete newbie to car care and in the past have always just gone to regular car washes and never done any sort of waxing, etc... But now I have a nice, new, black, Audi Q5 and would like to take better care of it. That being said, while I understand I should do this all myself if possible, and that going to a car wash/detail center is not always the best idea, I don't really have the ability/inclination to do much of this myself as I live in an apartment building with a crowded, indoor parking garage (and am just not that comfortable doing it myself anyway).
I'm just looking for something that will help keep my new car nice and shiny and help protect it from the elements. I don't need my car looking perfect week-in and week-out, but every few months I'd like to do 'something', preferably on the cheaper side since I will be doing it a few times/year.
I apologize in advance for my long post, and here are my 2 questions:
1. After doing anything to a car in the way of waxing, clear coat protecting, etc... does it then HAVE to be re-applied every x weeks/months or else the car starts looking worse than it had before anything was done? In other words, by doing any of these things to a car, does the car start to look 'dull' as the product wears off? Or does it simply go back to looking 'normal' as if nothing was ever done? I would prefer to do something every few months w/o worrying that the car will look 'bad' if I don't maintain it in between.
2. As noted in #1, whatever I do will most likely (99% certain) be done by someone else. That being the case, I've found a few places near me that have good reviews. However, I'm finding that they offer so many different items (i.e. different types of waxes, polishes, sealants...), that my head is spinning. I'm trying to avoid a full-on professional detailing as that seems unnecessary and expensive since my car is new and in great shape, and isn't really something I'm going to pay for once or twice a year. I've read through many of the recommended items on this forum, but of course those aren't mentioned in most of the places I'm looking at (though some do use Mother's & Meguiars). So I'm looking for your thoughts to see if any of the items listed below are worth doing every few months? I assume that I want to stay away from any of the services that are simply sprayed on during the wash itself, but perhaps the services that are done by hand are ok?
Here are some examples of what I can choose from:
Location #1: independent car wash/detailing center
DELUXE ULTRA EXPERIENCE - $34.95
* Super Express Wax
* Super Express Rain-X
* Super Express Black Magic
* Full Service Wash (not a hand wash)
THE WORKS - $23.15
* RainX
* Triple Foam Polish
* Rim Cleaner
* Tire Shine
* Polysealant
* Undercarriage Wash
* Clear Coat Protectant
* Full Service Wash (not a hand wash)
SHINE-N-PROTECT $16.65
* Clear Coat Protectant
* Polysealant
* Undercarriage Wash
* Full Service Wash (not a hand wash)
EXTERIOR SPECIAL $13.88
* Undercarriage Bath and Rust Inhibitor
* Buff & Polish Wax
* Sealer Wax
* Tire Shine and Rim Cleaner
* Full Service Wash (not a hand wash)
Professional Carnuba Paste Wax $69.95
Keep your new car looking like its just come out of the show room with the highest quality wax available. The wax is applied and buffed by hand, lasting for months to protect your new investment from the elements in the environment. A Full Service Wash is included.
Light Compound & Wax $ 69.95, Some vehicles need a little more than a Simoniz Express Wax. This service provides light compound that will remove those light scratches and swirl marks and increases the gloss of the base coat. Our Simoniz Express Wax is included with this service (a $37.95 value).
Express Polish, $ 44.99
* Protects Clearcoat Finishes
* Delivers a deep, durable shine
* Includes Full Service Car Wash
Location #2: chain of car washes (hand wash available)/detailing center
EXTERIOR DETAIL, $125 (again, this is probably overkill but just listing it for comparison purposes)
Phase One focuses on the exterior and begins with a 100% lambswool hands-only car wash, followed by a thorough cleaning and conditioning of all surfaces on the entire vehicle.
* Complete Engine Cleaning
* Meguiar's 3 Step Polishing Process
* Compound
* Glaze
* 2 Coats of Meguiar's Hand Wax
* Bug and Tar Removed
* Chrome and Trim Polished and Dressed
* Tires Shined
* Wheel Shield
Express Polish - $49.99
* Delivers Deep Durable Simoniz Shine
* Protects Clearcoat Finishes
* Money Back Guarantee
* Includes FREE Full Service Wash, Wheel Brite & Tire Shine
Location #3: independent hand wash/detailing center
Mini Detail - Exterior......$125.00, Exterior Compound / Polish & Hand Wax
Location #4: independent hand wash/detailing center
QUICK WAX: High Quality liquid Carnuaba wax, applied by hand. Provides shine and protection from the elements. Includes the Full Service Wash. $84.99
IMPERIAL WAX: The best wax for dark / bright colored cars. This hard wax has a built in glaze that greatly reduces small scratches and swirls common to darker cars. Superior gloss and protection. Starting @ $79.99
MOTHERS HARD WAX,The ULTIMATE: 100% Pure Brazillian Paste Wax. Offers unparralelled protection and beauty. This is the best. Recommended for special cars. Full Service Wash included. Starting @ $84.99
MACHINE BUFF & WAX: Recommended for Finishes that need extra work. Greatly reduces oxidation scratches and swirls . Starting @ $99.99 & up.
GLAZE & WAX: For darkcolored cars.Eliminates swirl marks. This two step process gives professional results. Starting at $89.99 & up.
I'm just looking for something that will help keep my new car nice and shiny and help protect it from the elements. I don't need my car looking perfect week-in and week-out, but every few months I'd like to do 'something', preferably on the cheaper side since I will be doing it a few times/year.
I apologize in advance for my long post, and here are my 2 questions:
1. After doing anything to a car in the way of waxing, clear coat protecting, etc... does it then HAVE to be re-applied every x weeks/months or else the car starts looking worse than it had before anything was done? In other words, by doing any of these things to a car, does the car start to look 'dull' as the product wears off? Or does it simply go back to looking 'normal' as if nothing was ever done? I would prefer to do something every few months w/o worrying that the car will look 'bad' if I don't maintain it in between.
2. As noted in #1, whatever I do will most likely (99% certain) be done by someone else. That being the case, I've found a few places near me that have good reviews. However, I'm finding that they offer so many different items (i.e. different types of waxes, polishes, sealants...), that my head is spinning. I'm trying to avoid a full-on professional detailing as that seems unnecessary and expensive since my car is new and in great shape, and isn't really something I'm going to pay for once or twice a year. I've read through many of the recommended items on this forum, but of course those aren't mentioned in most of the places I'm looking at (though some do use Mother's & Meguiars). So I'm looking for your thoughts to see if any of the items listed below are worth doing every few months? I assume that I want to stay away from any of the services that are simply sprayed on during the wash itself, but perhaps the services that are done by hand are ok?
Here are some examples of what I can choose from:
Location #1: independent car wash/detailing center
DELUXE ULTRA EXPERIENCE - $34.95
* Super Express Wax
* Super Express Rain-X
* Super Express Black Magic
* Full Service Wash (not a hand wash)
THE WORKS - $23.15
* RainX
* Triple Foam Polish
* Rim Cleaner
* Tire Shine
* Polysealant
* Undercarriage Wash
* Clear Coat Protectant
* Full Service Wash (not a hand wash)
SHINE-N-PROTECT $16.65
* Clear Coat Protectant
* Polysealant
* Undercarriage Wash
* Full Service Wash (not a hand wash)
EXTERIOR SPECIAL $13.88
* Undercarriage Bath and Rust Inhibitor
* Buff & Polish Wax
* Sealer Wax
* Tire Shine and Rim Cleaner
* Full Service Wash (not a hand wash)
Professional Carnuba Paste Wax $69.95
Keep your new car looking like its just come out of the show room with the highest quality wax available. The wax is applied and buffed by hand, lasting for months to protect your new investment from the elements in the environment. A Full Service Wash is included.
Light Compound & Wax $ 69.95, Some vehicles need a little more than a Simoniz Express Wax. This service provides light compound that will remove those light scratches and swirl marks and increases the gloss of the base coat. Our Simoniz Express Wax is included with this service (a $37.95 value).
Express Polish, $ 44.99
* Protects Clearcoat Finishes
* Delivers a deep, durable shine
* Includes Full Service Car Wash
Location #2: chain of car washes (hand wash available)/detailing center
EXTERIOR DETAIL, $125 (again, this is probably overkill but just listing it for comparison purposes)
Phase One focuses on the exterior and begins with a 100% lambswool hands-only car wash, followed by a thorough cleaning and conditioning of all surfaces on the entire vehicle.
* Complete Engine Cleaning
* Meguiar's 3 Step Polishing Process
* Compound
* Glaze
* 2 Coats of Meguiar's Hand Wax
* Bug and Tar Removed
* Chrome and Trim Polished and Dressed
* Tires Shined
* Wheel Shield
Express Polish - $49.99
* Delivers Deep Durable Simoniz Shine
* Protects Clearcoat Finishes
* Money Back Guarantee
* Includes FREE Full Service Wash, Wheel Brite & Tire Shine
Location #3: independent hand wash/detailing center
Mini Detail - Exterior......$125.00, Exterior Compound / Polish & Hand Wax
Location #4: independent hand wash/detailing center
QUICK WAX: High Quality liquid Carnuaba wax, applied by hand. Provides shine and protection from the elements. Includes the Full Service Wash. $84.99
IMPERIAL WAX: The best wax for dark / bright colored cars. This hard wax has a built in glaze that greatly reduces small scratches and swirls common to darker cars. Superior gloss and protection. Starting @ $79.99
MOTHERS HARD WAX,The ULTIMATE: 100% Pure Brazillian Paste Wax. Offers unparralelled protection and beauty. This is the best. Recommended for special cars. Full Service Wash included. Starting @ $84.99
MACHINE BUFF & WAX: Recommended for Finishes that need extra work. Greatly reduces oxidation scratches and swirls . Starting @ $99.99 & up.
GLAZE & WAX: For darkcolored cars.Eliminates swirl marks. This two step process gives professional results. Starting at $89.99 & up.
imported_Flash Gordon
New member
Personally they all sound like hi volume hack shops. If I had to choose one, I suppose it would be #2
I believe you would be better off finding a 1 man show operation. Give them a quiz on what products they use and there process. If someone starts mentioning Compounding the car, that would scare me away personally
If you would provide your location maybe we could direct you to someone who could feel your needs. If you were to get on a regular schedule with an independant detailer I'm sure they would be able to give you a little break on the price
Wash Weekly/Bi-Weekly, Wax Monthly/Bi-Monthly and Correct once a year
Welcome to TruthInDetailiing. Hope to see you around :rockon:
I believe you would be better off finding a 1 man show operation. Give them a quiz on what products they use and there process. If someone starts mentioning Compounding the car, that would scare me away personally
If you would provide your location maybe we could direct you to someone who could feel your needs. If you were to get on a regular schedule with an independant detailer I'm sure they would be able to give you a little break on the price
Wash Weekly/Bi-Weekly, Wax Monthly/Bi-Monthly and Correct once a year
Welcome to TruthInDetailiing. Hope to see you around :rockon:
Personally they all sound like hi volume hack shops. If I had to choose one, I suppose it would be #2
I believe you would be better off finding a 1 man show operation. Give them a quiz on what products they use and there process. If someone starts mentioning Compounding the car, that would scare me away personally
If you would provide your location maybe we could direct you to someone who could feel your needs. If you were to get on a regular schedule with an independant detailer I'm sure they would be able to give you a little break on the price
Wash Weekly/Bi-Weekly, Wax Monthly/Bi-Monthly and Correct once a year
Welcome to TruthInDetailiing. Hope to see you around :rockon:
Thanks for the info! I'm in the White Plains, NY area.