markd

Since the summer, when I purchased my 8, I've cleaned and detailed my car once every few weeks to keep her shiny and new looking. Lately, though, due to the colder weather and also due to the fact that my time is extremely limited b/c I am studying for the February bar exam, I've had little to no time to clean my car. I polished/waxed her either around Thanksgiving or Christmas (can't remember off-hand) but have only been able to soap wash since then. When I did wax her, I used two coats of NXT Tech and one coat of this cheap Prestone sealant wax, which actually pleasantly surprised me with its durability b/c the water STILL beads on my paint even after several rainy periods.

Two questions here:

1) Knowing that I want to minimize my detailing time as much as possible right now, if after I wash my car my paint is still very smooth, do you think it's obligatory that I clay my car since I haven't detailed it in so long, or do you think it's safe to bypass the clay bar/re-wash steps for now?

2) As I've posted before, I've read that Meg's #16 is a good winter wax, and I plan on buying a bottle for today. Since I haven't detailed my car in so long, though, should I re-polish/re-wax before topping with the #16? In the interest of expediency and my lack of available free time, I was intending only to apply the #16 without re-polishing or re-layering the NXT.

I guess my two questions boil down to one: Where can I bend the rules in the interest of time and still achieve results in the areas of scratch-avoidance, acceptable shine and very good durability?

PUR NRG

Try visiting the automotive detailing forum on roadfly. Lots of detailed knowledge there.
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Shower tubes

quack_p

You let your car go 3 weeks without clay?! Your negligence disgusts me. Just kidding.

Seriously, I've had my car since the end of September, and I've only clayed it once. It still feels smooth to me. Every 3 weeks seems rather often. I say you study for the bar, and give the clay a rest. Otherwise, you'll have the shiniest car at the unemployment office.

Good luck.

StewC625

Wow - detailing/waxing monthly? You must not have children ...

I only clay bar about once or twice a year. If twice a year, spring and fall. If annually, sort of mid-summer.

I got my -8 in late July, and I clayed in late September. I waxed it the day I got it home (******* dealer didn't wax it for me), using Malms pure Carnauba Wax only.

In September, I polished the entire car using Malms Superfine Polish, then waxed again with the Malms wax. Prior to doing that, I clay barred it using the Griot's Garage clay bar kit.

I use a Wen 10" orbital polisher to wax my car, using a terry cloth bonnet for polishing and a foam bonnet for wax application.

I agree with MarkD that Mequiars #16 is a good "in between" wax, however, I usually use Malms Pure Carnauba instead. Another good option is Meguiars #26 - it's essentially #16 in a liquid which makes it far easier to use on an orbital polisher (and for that matter just about all instances ...)

Pkskull77

Don't wash your car at all, spend all your spare time studying for the bar, pass it, and pay someone to detail for you. Is this your first time taking the bar? Here in Jersey if your sitting in Feb, that means you failed in July.

In my opinion you should clay sparingly, as it is a very time consuming process. Wait till the end of the winter, and put a long weekend aside to give the car a claying, cleaning, and waxing.

markd

Hahaha, good point :D And, no, Stew, I do not have children (at least none tht I know of :p ), otherwise, I'd be getting them to wash my car for me!

Right now, I'm only using detailing products that are available over the counter, so no Malms for me. I did get my hands on some Meg's #16 Professional Paste Wax yesterday, and that stuff is great. Up til now, I've been using only NXT, which would explain the frequent detailing since it only lasts 4-6 weeks by my measurements.

Last night, I just did a quick soap wash and then one coat of #16--I've never used a paste wax before, so I wasn't sure how to apply it. At first, I did one half of the car, but it was so difficult to remove. Then I changed gears and went one panel at a time, letting it sit for a minute or two, and then wiping off. I'm confused, though--what does "let dry to a haze" mean? Does that mean let it dry completely or let it haze up just a little and then wipe off, even if it's still a little wet? My car is sheeny shiny now, but I can't tell if it's due to the wax or perhaps that I merely wiped the surface clean. Any input would be appreciated.

On that note, back to studying for me. Thanks for all your help and support!