Car Wash, Clay Bar, Wax Recommendations

LSblack00

LSblack00

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Read through a lot of the detailing threads on here and really enjoyed all the useful info, especially from KDLS and pektel.
I think its about time I gave the car a good detailing and was hoping to get input about what clay bars and wax work best. I dont really have a buffer or any fancy equipment, so I am looking for products that will look good with just old fashion elbow grease ;) . I have black paint, if that makes a difference.
Also, what car wash would be best, especially after clay bar-ing a car?
Thanks in advance.
 
I think the best over the counter shampoo is Meguiar's Gold Class. Or if you have a carquest nearby, get Duragloss 901.

Also, use 2 buckets when you wash. One with your soap, and the other just plain water to use as a rinse bucket. Wash top to bottom, and rinse each panel after washing. Make sure you're in the shade, and the surface is cool.

Dry the car with a microfiber drying towel. A good one is the Vroom towel from target. yellow colored with grey stictching I believe.

Claybar: The 2 best ones for over the counter are the blue clay magic from autozone, or the meguiar's smooth surface clay kit from walmart, target, oreilly's, etc. just follow the instructions on either package.

As for wax or sealant, there are a bunch of products available. I normally use a sealant, then top with a wax. A sealant will last a lot longer on a black paint, but may not look as good. Maybe Meguiar's NXT 2.0 would be a good over the counter option for wax. A sealant that's readily available is Duragloss 501. It says marine polish on the bottle, but dont' let that fool you. It's excellent at cleaning up water spots, and will provide decent protection. But you'd want to top it with the meguiar's nxt 2.0.
 
I was looking at the Meguirs NXT at Advanced Auto earlier today and was considering picking it up, so I think I will go ahead and get that.

So it looks like ill pick up Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo, Meguiars Smooth Surface Kit, and NXT 2.0.

Pektel, I know you buy a lot online but is it cheaper to get those three at a local auto parts store? Thanks also.
 
Im using Gold class Wash and Gold Class wax, no sealant yet, and just some microfiber things i had from my kit.

The microfiber applicator pads are total sh-t, if they have sponge type ones, use that. The Gold Class wax comes with a sponge applicator.

I tried a turtle wax before my gold class and it was VERY oily, it left that kind of rainbow finish like gas in water... It also took 1/4 the bottle to do the car... Washed it 3 times that day to get it off and used the gold class!
 
Which one is better, Gold Class wax or NXT 2.0? And are you using wax or paste?
Sorry for the noob ?s.
 
I use both liquid and paste products. Paste waxes generally last longer, but are harder to apply.

I have gold class wax, but haven't used it in a long time.

I have never personally used NXT 2.0, but I've heard decent things about it. I believe they were using the paste.

Remember when applying wax, to apply it as thinly as possible. Less is more applies here.

Yes, I purchase almost all of my stuff online. The products you buy locally are really only cheaper because you don't have to pay shipping.
 
Ok, I have some Gold Class clear coat paste wax that I got from a friend but no applicator pad? Is it better to use a sponge applicator pad, like Cracker said?
 
Yes. That will do a better job at leaving the product on the paintwork, instead of trying to absorb it.
 
The gold class wax I used is the liquid.

I need to find a good sealer before winter comes around...

Pete, want to do some buffing work?
 
On my black LS when doing a full detail:

First: Wash with Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo/Conditioner
Second: Blue Magic Clay Bar
Third: Rewash with the shampoo

Then microfiber dry everything and park it in the garage, turn on some beats and a large fan to keep the air moving

Fourth: Start applying Meguiar's NXT 2.0 Paste Wax (by hand)
Fifth: remove wax with more microfibers
Sixth: sit back and gawk @ your ride


I like the NXT 2.0, it was given to me in a package as a reward for house sitting. They were nice and got me a bunch of microfibers and wax and leather wipes and stuff.

My only complaint about this wax is how long it lasts, I park outside so I am not able to keep the life of the wax for its advertised time. However it looks great when you're done and on the first wash after waxing, it goes extremely smooth! On the second wash, I would say it is usually almost all gone (pending on wheather conditions). We usually get thunderstorms and it rains very heavy @ times and I really think that knocks the wax down alot.

When my NXT 2.0 is used up, I am going to expiriment with other products to get a feel in the market.
 
Thanks Andrizzle. In all the years I have had my LS, I have always struggled to keep it up to my standards, appearance wise. Black is so hard when it comes to hiding imperfections.

Just went and picked up the Wash and Conditioner and the Clay Bar from Wal-Mart and gave her a quick wash using the two-bucket system and she looks great! Really excited about the clay bar, hopefully next week I will get to it!
 
Btw Andrizzle, on your fourth step, you say apply wax by hand... How else would you apply it or am I missing something?
 
Yea, if I could afford a buffer I definitely would utilize that! Then I could add a polishing step!

Until then, this works out for me.
 
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