For a good basic cleaning...

[Mikes06GT]

I have had my 2006 for about 2 years. Car has just over 70k miles. Paint looks good but i feel i can get more out of it. I have never clay barred. I have done meguires polish and wax. So if i take an afternoon, would you guys recommend clay bar, polish then wax? Any recomendations welcome. I do not have a porter cable so this will all be by hand. Also are any cleaners better for silver? I see alot for black and now white cars. Anything for silver?

 

[W3bb3r04]

I would clay, then wax. There is only so much you can do with your hand and IMO isnt worth the time and effort. I would just clay and wax and then buy a PC or Griots to polish over the winter with.

 

[28ONE]

Clay and wax. True polishing is best done by machine, forget trying to polish by hand. Cleaners are cleaners bro! Marketing gimmick imo...

 

[W3bb3r04]

Plus silver will not show swirls much at all.

 

[28ONE]

Plus silver will not show swirls much at all.

+++1

Lets not talk about swirls, I can't imagine trying to polish black without a machine drive myself nuts or I'd have some 20 inch biceps by the time I'm done lol

 

[Mikes06GT]

Ok cool. Thanks for the input. Ill clay and wax tomorrow

 

[Lupo222]

clay, SEAL, then wax. A carnuba on top of a synthetic wax is OMG awesome!

 

[Renesis07]

I just clay & wax 2x/year and it has 'improved' my paint over the 2 years I've had the car (it was pretty swirled when I first bought it). I know how to detail & buff but time, lack of equipment, and space have gotten in the way. Hoping to really polish my car sometime soon.

 

[Mikes06GT]

I did the mothers clay system last night then Poor Boys wax. While at a show a week ago, I heard a guy say when applying wax, use bare hand. The heat from your hand helps with the oils. So for a goof I tried it. I really must say, I think it worked awesome! Annoying on your hands but really seamed to work amazing. I will post up pics nice sun comes out and I roll it out of garage. Has anyone else ever heard of applying that way???

 

[Higgy]

I apply it by hand, literally, just to cut down on time. I found I could wax the car in about half the time using my bare hands instead of a waxing pad. I also find it easier to control around areas that I don't want residue like trim etc, cutting down time on taping.

As for the heat from your hands......I know of a few high end waxes that suggest doing it with the bare had to activate the wax......but not so sure it has any affect on of the shelf product.

I have applied wax this way since my SRT-4 I bought in 04'. I have always used Meguires Gold class. Seems to work best for me and I have tried pretty much anything you can get off the shelf.

I too suggest just a clay, sealant then wax.

 

[Mikes06GT]

Ill give the Meguires gold a try next. Of course on way to show today after detailing the car last night and having it look awesome, something flew up on highway, took a Chunk out bumper and nice ding on hood!!

 

[mrperple]

I have never tried the bare hand method of waxing, but I just bought some Vic's Red and it's their suggested method of applying. Will be trying it soon. Kind of looking forward to it. Sucks about the hood though.

 

[Mikes06GT]

Yeah it worked well I think just messy. And definitely saved time!! Yeah I am pissed about hood and bumper. Actually making me look at changing bumper and hood! I was going to change hood eventually anyway lol