car wax?

[7window]

Just waxed the car. Two weeks later the car is dusty so I rinsed it off with water and wiped it. Do I need to wax it again? How long before I need to wax it again if I keep rinsing it with water when its dusty? I was hoping to dust it off but the morning dew makes the dust stick to the car where dusting it makes it difficult. Any suggestions?

 

[JulesMaximus]

You should use a car wash soap and not just rinse because rinsing doesn't get all the dirt and grit off the paint so when you dry it you will be creating tiny scratches in the clear coat. Car wash soap will act as a lubricant between your car wash mit and the paint, removing the contaminants without scratching the paint.

I generally wax my car twice a year minimum. Maybe 4 times a year if I'm feeling really ambitious.

 

[dud]

Just waxed the car. Two weeks later the car is dusty so I rinsed it off with water and wiped it. Do I need to wax it again? How long before I need to wax it again if I keep rinsing it with water when its dusty? I was hoping to dust it off but the morning dew makes the dust stick to the car where dusting it makes it difficult. Any suggestions?

OP, try doing some research before you ask ...


http://www.autogeek.net/

 

[alexruiz]

I generally wax my car twice a year minimum. Maybe 4 times a year if I'm feeling really ambitious.

Very few waxes / sealants will last 6 months, and none of them are sold OTC. It is not about the product, it is about the process.

I wax my car, at worst, every 2 months, and that is during the winter months. Furthermore, in those months, I make sure it has something strong (Collinite 476S, Collinite 815IW, Finish Kare 1000P or something similar) that will resist the salt and grime. During the summer, sometimes I wax it every weekend, and quick detail it every 2-3 days

OP, I suggest you pay a visit to the autopia forums

 

[Throckmorton]

Very few waxes / sealants will last 6 months, and none of them are sold OTC. It is not about the product, it is about the process.

I wax my car, at worst, every 2 months, and that is during the winter months. Furthermore, in those months, I make sure it has something strong (Collinite 476S, Collinite 815IW, Finish Kare 1000P or something similar) that will resist the salt and grime. During the summer, sometimes I wax it every weekend, and quick detail it every 2-3 days

OP, I suggest you pay a visit to the autopia forums

What a waste of time

 

[alexruiz]

What a waste of time

You are not the one "wasting it", so why complain?

Besides, even the untrained eyes can see the difference, and the compliments the car gets surely feel good. I don't like driving in a moving trash can, but if you do, more power to you

 

[manimal]

I used to wash my cars every weekend with a fresh wax a month.


Now im lucky I have enough time to actually go to a car wash. Luckily I get free hand washes at a friends place near my house.

 

[Miramonti]

OP, try doing some research before you ask ...


http://www.autogeek.net/

This isn't P&N, and it's in the "Social" section for a reason.

Meguiars says 3-4 times a year, one coat. Water and soap won't take the wax off, so if you want to get the dust off once in a while, wash it. One micro-fiber mitt in each hand and it takes 5 minutes for a mild maintenance wash.

On layering wax:

From meguiars FAQ

Meguiar's waxes can be layered, but two things must be tended to when layering waxes. 1) You must use the right waxes ("Layerable" waxes), and 2) You must recognize that at some point, "The Law of Diminishing Returns" takes effect.

Layerable waxes

A Layerable wax, is a wax that the protective ingredients used in the formula (natural and synthetic), are such that the protective layer left behind will not only adhere to the paint, but in subsequent applications, will adhere to itself. It also means that the carrying agents, be they solvent, water or something else, cannot be strong enough or in high enough concentrations to re-liquefy the previously applied layer, thus removing it during your attempt to add another layer.

Layerable waxes are primarily pure waxes, or protectants (as synthetic formulas are referred to) that do not contain chemical cleaners, or solvents that will remove the previous layer.

There is an exception to this rule and that is that it is possible to first apply a cleaner wax, and then apply a pure wax or pure synthetic over it.

The Law of Diminishing Returns
(Thomas Malthus "Essay on the Principle of Population" published in 1798.)

While this theory is generally used to discuss topics as they relate to the areas of economics and politics, it is a model that can also be used to explain in this case, the complex action occurring at the microscopic level on the surface of your car's finish.

The law of diminishing returns as it relates to layering,

A surface, such as an automotive paint, can only hold so much product before all you're doing is removing all subsequent coatings applied to the surface.

That is to say, after the first, second and in some cases a third application/coating, any more product applied to the surface is merely removed when you wipe the excess off after waiting for the product to cure.

At this point you've reached a plateau (or limit), as to how much wax (natural or synthetic) a surface can hold. Once you reach this plateau, all further applications of wax simply become excess that will be removed (and thus wasted), during wipe-off because it has nowhere to attach and layer.

Of course, this all depends upon your definition of the word "Layer".

If your definition of the word layer follows that of Webster's Dictionary:

2 a: One thickness, course, or fold, laid or lying over or under another

Then yes, you can layer to a certain point. For example, you can add multiple layers of layerable waxes until the limit to how much a given surface of an automotive paint can hold before each additional application is simply removed, or replaces a previously applied layer.

You cannot layer to the point of developing a measurable film-build without negatively affecting, or diminishing to some degree, the shine, optical clarity, gloss, reflectivity, depth of color etc. This is especially true if the product you're applying is not clear (in and of itself) to start with.

If your definition of the word "layer" follows that of definition used by some on the Internet,

Layer 1: To continually build a greater level of protection with each additional application, or layer, of a wax or protectant. (Natural or synthetic)

Layer 2: To continually increase shine, optical clarity, gloss, reflectivity, depth of color without end and/or after a plateau, or point of maximum potential has been achieved.

Then no, you cannot layer a wax, synthetic, natural, or otherwise.

 

[Throckmorton]

You are not the one "wasting it", so why complain?

Besides, even the untrained eyes can see the difference, and the compliments the car gets surely feel good. I don't like driving in a moving trash can, but if you do, more power to you

You spend more time "detailing" the car than enjoying it. Washing and waxing every weekend is bad enough (the wax lasts months anyway), but quick detailer every few days is way way over the top.

 

[BUTCH1]

Used Zaino for awhile, good stuff, and layer-able too. I ran out and didn't want to wait so I bought a bottle of Nu-finish and it works well, only average on the shine but very durable (3-4 months) and the price is good too..

 

[chin311]

i typically do it when florida starts to slightly cool off, (sept-oct), then maybe once in jan/feb just because its nice out, then in April before the hell weather begins.

 

[Mandres]

My rule of thumb is to re-wax when the water no longer beads up on the paint. I've been using the same can of Collinite 476 for the last couple years and I typically re-apply every 4 months or so.

 

[dud]

This isn't P&N, and it's in the "Social" section for a reason.

Meguiars says 3-4 times a year, one coat. Water and soap won't take the wax off, so if you want to get the dust off once in a while, wash it. One micro-fiber mitt in each hand and it takes 5 minutes for a mild maintenance wash.

On layering wax:

From meguiars FAQ

And this is why I referred the OP to a site where he/she might be able to answer their own question.

Sometime you should depend on yourself ...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Very few waxes / sealants will last 6 months, and none of them are sold OTC. It is not about the product, it is about the process.

I wax my car, at worst, every 2 months, and that is during the winter months. Furthermore, in those months, I make sure it has something strong (Collinite 476S, Collinite 815IW, Finish Kare 1000P or something similar) that will resist the salt and grime. During the summer, sometimes I wax it every weekend, and quick detail it every 2-3 days

OP, I suggest you pay a visit to the autopia forums

My car is 8 years old and the paint still looks good. When it was new (I am the original owner) I waxed it more often but now I just don't give a crap. 4-6 months for me is about all I am willing to invest of my time. I haven't even washed my car in the last few weeks.

Still looks pretty good if you ask me.

I like Meguiars waxes and polishes. Been using them for decades.

 

[soccerballtux]

Just waxed the car. Two weeks later the car is dusty so I rinsed it off with water and wiped it. Do I need to wax it again? How long before I need to wax it again if I keep rinsing it with water when its dusty? I was hoping to dust it off but the morning dew makes the dust stick to the car where dusting it makes it difficult. Any suggestions?

Use menzerna power lock sealant. It doesn't look quite like wax but it's lasting me a hell of a lot longer than gold class wax was. Water still beads up and rolls off even 3-4 weeks later, taking whatever dust and such has accumulated with it. Should last a good 3 months.

Given how long it takes to wax, and how after only 2 weeks it looks like it needs another waxing, I'll be sticking with this menzerna for quite a while.

 

[soccerballtux]

You spend more time "detailing" the car than enjoying it. Washing and waxing every weekend is bad enough (the wax lasts months anyway), but quick detailer every few days is way way over the top.

it most definitely does not last 3 months lol
mine looks like crap after about a week or the 1st rain, whichever comes first, very frustrating. This sealant, however, makes it easy enough to keep it looking shiny.

 

[manimal]

My car is 8 years old and the paint still looks good. When it was new (I am the original owner) I waxed it more often but now I just don't give a crap. 4-6 months for me is about all I am willing to invest of my time. I haven't even washed my car in the last few weeks.

Still looks pretty good if you ask me.

I like Meguiars waxes and polishes. Been using them for decades.

Your Car still looks very clean. Take care of a tool and it takes care of you I was taught at an early age.



Some of us were using meguires in the 70-80s!


I do like me some synthetics now though

 

[Miramonti]

And this is why I referred the OP to a site where he/she might be able to answer their own question.

Sometime you should depend on yourself ...

And we'll just leave it to you to determine when those times are for everyone, thanks.

On a serious note, I've gotten into my cars lately, first time in years, and doing research on all the questions I've had is seriously mind-exploding. Thank goodness for forums to ask questions, get different experiences, and discuss specifics.

 

[alexruiz]

You spend more time "detailing" the car than enjoying it. Washing and waxing every weekend is bad enough (the wax lasts months anyway), but quick detailer every few days is way way over the top.

Not really. After you have the process nailed down, it is fairly fast. I can wash, dry, wash the tires and wheels, wax the paint, clean the glass and dress the tires in one hour. Time well spent! Furthermore, the 10 minutes of quick detailing every 2-3 days allow me to keep the shine "fresh" and spend less time during the next wash. In some instances, instead of a full blown wax, I'll use a booster wax or a quick detailer after the wash.

I drive the car more than 90 minutes a week; knowing it is clean and shiny, and that someone will see it and make the comment about how nice it looks are enough rewards. We spend more than those 90 mins every week here on anandtech

Winter prep and spring cleaning are full blown details, and those indeed are one day events, but those are what allow me to have "1 hour only" sessions with the car every week.

 

[Throckmorton]

it most definitely does not last 3 months lol
mine looks like crap after about a week or the 1st rain, whichever comes first, very frustrating. This sealant, however, makes it easy enough to keep it looking shiny.

What wax do you use? I don't remember when my NuFinish stopped beading but it lasted a very long time.

I used to use Meguiar's NXT but it only lasted a month or so.

 

[alexruiz]

it most definitely does not last 3 months lol
mine looks like crap after about a week or the 1st rain, whichever comes first, very frustrating. This sealant, however, makes it easy enough to keep it looking shiny.

What are you using that is tanking after one wash? What color is the car so we can recommend something?

 

[Throckmorton]

Not really. After you have the process nailed down, it is fairly fast. I can wash, dry, wash the tires and wheels, wax the paint, clean the glass and dress the tires in one hour. Time well spent! Furthermore, the 10 minutes of quick detailing every 2-3 days allow me to keep the shine "fresh" and spend less time during the next wash. In some instances, instead of a full blown wax, I'll use a booster wax or a quick detailer after the wash.

I drive the car more than 90 minutes a week; knowing it is clean and shiny, and that someone will see it and make the comment about how nice it looks are enough rewards. We spend more than those 90 mins every week here on anandtech

Winter prep and spring cleaning are full blown details, and those indeed are one day events, but those are what allow me to have "1 hour only" sessions with the car every week.

An hour, really??

It takes me at least an hour to wash, another hour to wax. Of course I drive a Jeep that sees some offroading so I wash it thoroughly to make sure there's no dirt left to scratch the paint.

 

[Howard]

An hour, really??

It takes me at least an hour to wash, another hour to wax. Of course I drive a Jeep that sees some offroading so I wash it thoroughly to make sure there's no dirt left to scratch the paint.

Get a rotary or a PC to speed up the waxing.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Get a rotary or a PC to speed up the waxing.

Porter Cable 7424 FTW. I made an investment and bought one the other week. what a great machine. My theory is it should last a long time, as compared to the $45 Simonez that broke after polishing two panels.

 

[7window]

Maxima does look good.

I was told that beading really is not an indicator thats the reason for posting this topic here. I am using collinite and nxt right now. It seems the nxt bead after 3 weeks but the pop is gone. Pop meaning when you first wax it. The collonite I was told should last 6 months but I wonder if it really last that long