Detailing virgin selection of products

[yellowbelly]

^^^ Its always benificial to go round the whole car looking in all crevices/gaps etc and wipe clean, saves any disappointment later in the week when you notice it

[stealthwolf]

TBH I find it difficult until the wax has fully cured and this can be 24-48 hrs later.

[crashdesk]

As my car is outside 24hrs a day will the rain affect the curing process?

[yellowbelly]

As my car is outside 24hrs a day will the rain affect the curing process?

You don't want to be applying wax in the rain but aslong as you have applied/removed in the dry then you will be fine, its no real bother if it rains shortly after.

[crashdesk]

On another note. I have never waxed before. How long does wax generally last? Do you have to wash off old wax before applying new?

[stealthwolf]

Waxing depends on how the old wax is doing. Most usually need a top up every four or five weeks. You can tell by the beading - if it starts to flatten a bit, it's time for topping up. Provided it's the same wax, a good wash, dry and then can just apply a single coat of wax. Don't need to remove old wax unless you're polishing/applying a new sealant/wax.

[crashdesk]

Perfect. Well, when I say wax I mean sealant. :-)

[stealthwolf]

Sealant will last longer, maybe 3-4 months but as above, look at the beading.

[golf nutter]

i used a clay bar for the first time yesterday.  what a difference that made.  the result just after claying looked like most of my cars have done after a proper polish!  it was a lot smoother also...just washing and claying took 3 hours!  i used valet pro citrus bling which smells wonderful!  certainly had to be careful as a lot of lubrication was needed, found it was easy to use a cloth loaded with the lube and water mix concurrently with the bar.  how often should claying take place, in the reality of busy lives!

[stealthwolf]

Every time you polish - so twice a year is more than fine.

[crashdesk]

Okay, so it's on to claying. I'm by no means a cheap skate but I do like to keep my costs down without compromising too much quality, if any. If I purchase a clay bar, will I have to buy a spray as a lube or can you clay when the shampoo is on the car?

[Boothy]

There is a Bilthamer clay that you can use water for lube but not sure which off the top of my head.

[stealthwolf]

Bilt Hamber Auto clay uses water as lube.

You can use quick detailer as lube if you want. I'm using Dodo Born Slippy. Can buy it in concentrate and dilute down.

Remember, you're not claying more than 2-3 times a year, so you shouldn't need gallons of the stuff.

[golf nutter]

can a quick detailer be used over a final coat of wax or is there no benefit in this?

[Boothy]

can a quick detailer be used over a final coat of wax or is there no benefit in this?

Yep. I use the QD to give it a quick wipe down after the cars been dried off to give that little extra finish. I've just been trialing a QD for a company called Maxolen and although its not suited as a lube, its one of the best products I have ever used for a final wipe down. Really slick wet look finish.

http://www.lokateuk.com/wax.html