^ nice thread fart!

 

What's the big deal? Once something is written people seem to get crucified if they ever ask a question that has already been answered. Why don't we write an encyclopedia and shut down the forum ?? !!!

 

I'll keep on topic. I have not waxed mine yet. Two weeks ago, on the way to Deal's Gap, a fellow Dragonslayer met me on the way. one of the first things he asked was what kind of wax I use. None, so far.

I do have my choice of a quality wax sitting in the garage for the day I take on this task and I'll likely take care of that before winter. As many here, mine stays in the garage if it's not being driven. Several years ago I got a newsletter from a place that services Saabs. In one issue was a blurb about waxing cars. In summary, it said one does not need to wax new car finishes-until one does wax it the first time - once wax is applied, then it will always have to be waxed. Keeping the environmental pollutants off of it is the key - get it clean right away after rain, snow, etc. I know many would argue against that and I'm in no way saying it's the way to go. It worked very well for the 91 Protege I bought new. I do believe there is a time where it is a good idea to do it and as I said I'll likely do it for the first time about early November as I'll be driving it this winter in the snow and salt and other gunk that winter brings.l

 

Cheeze it - it's the Re-post Police!!!

 

I had a friend who subscribed to the same idea and he never waxed his car. I was always trying to convince him otherwise, but to no avail. His car was a bright yellow.

Funny thing is, about 3 years later he says "yep, still looks pretty damn good, huh! And it has NEVER been waxed!" Well, my other friend and I look at the paint and start laughing our asses off! The paint was very hazy, had obvious oxidation going on, and there was virtually no depth to the paint at all. But he "thought" it looked great!

The statement that once a car is waxed it always needs wax is pure crap. Paint needs protection. Period.

 

That's exactly the kind of sentimentality I'm talking about when I make fun of the re-post Police. That's not what I meant to do here. Thing is, there have been like three off-topic posts in the last 24 hours where the author says they're only doing it because they don't want the post to be missed by people who don't frequent this forum or that. WHY HAVE FORUMS, THEN???

I was careful to tell the original author that his thread was cool, just misplaced. He was HARDLY crucified. Little emotional, maybe?

 

Dude, is it that big of a deal? Obviously, if someone doesn't wax his/her car, he/she is not going to visit the "Show and Shine" forum! Why would I post this question in that forum, when it is likely that 99% of the posters there absolutely DO wax their cars. I wanted a sampling of typical forum-goers, not only those who really care about washing and waxing.

 

Youguys shouldnt knock the original poster. I completelyunderstand his mentality - being the lazy bastard that I am. Iveowned my car for a year - its been waxed once. And YES I did it by hand -- and when I say by hand I mean it: I opened up my wallet BY HAND and paid the men for their stunning (turtle)wax job. The shine probablyonly lasted 3 weeks but I dont care. Itcame out beautiful especially the stock rims and waswell worth it. Honestly w/my Titanium just a regular hand wash is enough to make it lookgorgeous. Thatmay be the reason why I only waxed it once. But the hell if youll ever see me doing that **** myself.

 

To each his own. I actually enjoy handwashing, etc. Just picked up my claybar today. Actually looking forward to washing, claybaring in the garage on a cool evening tonight and putting a fresh coat of wax on. I bought some Mother's back to black for all exterior black parts. Anyone used this product? Its suppose to shine up the molded plastic. Nothing like getting this car looking gorgeous and driving it around after all the work. Then of course you have to come home and get the damn bugs off the front

 

For me, the joy is in the job. In my work, most things I'm working on take anywhere from 6 months to two years to see fruition (I am in sales and marketing for a technology company). Therefore, any little job that has a beginning, a middle, an end, and spectacular results in the same two or three hours is a real treat for me. That's why I love waxing my car. A litttle sweat, some serious "one on one" time with the beast, and great end results, all within a few hours.

 

I guess I misunderstood your point. No offense ........ It's all good !!!

 

Well, I finally waxed the car yesterday, and it looks fantastic! First, I used the clay bar, which really did smooth out the surface of the paint. Next, I started to polish the car, using Meguiar's Show Car Glaze, but I was a bit disappointed. I did a section of the car, and for the life of me I could not see ANY difference between the area I polished and the rest of the car. I tried looking from every angle and in different lighting, and in my opinion the polish did absolutely nothing. Is there something I'm missing about polishing? I decided it was definitely not worth my time to apply polish to the entire car. Maybe in a couple of years when the paint starts to fade it will be worthwhile... definitely not now.

I used Meguiar's NXT wax, and I was very pleased. It was extremely easy to apply and take off. I didn't have to apply a lot of pressure to create a really brilliant shine. A single coat of wax left the car looking fantastic, and it gave the titanium color a darker hue that I really like. Overall, the waxing job was much easier than I had anticipated, and actually somewhat sastifying. I could see myself applying the NXT wax every 2-3 months... it was that easy.

 

The show car glaze doesn't make a gigantic difference on new paint ... it isn't an "aha" ... more just one additional step that incremenatlly helps the shine. If you're happy with the results, then you're good to go!

 

Yeah, polishing is to remove imperfections from the paint. You shouldn't have too many imperfections with a new car.

NXT is very easy to apply and remove. Unfortunately, it doesn't last well at all, and you will need to re-wax at least every other month to maintain protection on the car.

 

That's fine--it will be much easier for me to find an hour or so every couple of months to apply the NXT than it will be to find a full day for a multi-step Zaino detailing process, even if it is only required twice per year, as some people claim.

 

Really?

6 times per year vs. 2 times per year. Do you really think Zaino is 3x more difficult to use than NXT?

The only time Zaino is "multi-step" is the FIRST time that you use it (assuming proper maintenance). After that, it's pretty much as easy to use as NXT.

I don't have anything against NXT other than the fact it doesn't last. Looks good (though not as good as Zaino IMO), and is easy to use.

 

OK guys, forgive me. You must understand I'm coming from a 91 Corsica that I inherited from my grandfather to a brand-spanking-new black RX8 I picked up 3 days ago. I must ask, what is a clay bar?

As well, I'm sure you guys understand, is it normal to be ridiculously paranoid about my RX8? It starts to rain, I get upset. I had to park on the road when I came back from lunch and I couldn't work until a parking spot opened up in front of my window. My wife thinks I'm crazy because I don't talk to her anymore, I just spend all my time perusing this forum.

I need help.

 

I had the same question too about what the heck is a Clay Bar. I noticed one on the shelf next to where you buy car polishes and waxes at a local car parts store. Its about 12 inches long with a cloth like thing over what feels like a brick!! It picks up the road junk accumulated and tree sap and other particles on the car finish we can't see real well. I already waxed my RX after I saw the clay bar. So now I guess I start over again? Mine has a coat of NXT on it.

 

Yes, if you clay the car, you will definitely need to re-wax afterwards.

I just clayed my brand new 8, and was surprised at how much smoother the paint was when I was done.

 

I am not happy with the "orange peel" painting Mazda did so anything we can do to smooth the finish is a good thing. I could never bring myself to color sand the finish and I don't want to put out $8,000 for a paint job either. Clay bar and then wax should do wonders for the most of us. Course 20 coats of clear would be fanstastic. Talking about our shiny cars. I hate to park the car near any other car or truck. I stay away from malls and grocery stores with this car. Would faint if I came back to the car and saw a door ding!!! Never felt like this with any other cars or trucks I have had. Geesh., see what the car does to us?

 

So I'm not the only one who's wife thinks he's a paranoid freak?

 

Well, I hate to tell you this but the Clay Bar will not make any difference in the appearance of the Orange Peel.

And if you use a highly reflective product like Zaino, it could actually make the Orange Peel look worse!

Orange peel is something you are going to have to learn to live with, unless you wet sand (not recommended) or have the car repainted (not close to being worth it).

 

That's what I am doing. Living with the paint the way Mazda did it. Don't want to put out big major bucks to make it perfect. Once I do that, along comes someone whose on a cell phone perhaps and smacks into the RX nice paint job!! I doubt if a repair shop will paint it the same anyway. So its not worth it unless one wants to keep the car on blocks for a car show now and then. Nope! not me. The car is made to drive and enjoy.

 

Bump, i just used a cheesecloth i got from pepboys, that thing is the bomb i love that thing! but it if you can. Took of the wax like nothin. I thought you all should know.

 

I've posted a lot in Show and Shine -- but oddly enough, I have yet to wax the car. Been too cold.