Recently, I started the Mequires 3 step system...  Well, I actually started with the Clay Bar, but then never got any of the coats of wax on before I took my 1,000 mile trip recently.

I agree. The clay bar will remove any small stuff that you picked up on the 1000 mile trip.

  I agree...clay the car again before polishing and waxing.  Claying the car removes any pollutants, acid rain or other contaminants the car picked up.  Use a quick detailer regularly to keep it clean after waxing. 

There's lots of good products on the market...Meguiar's is as good as it gets for over the counter stuff.  Great quality stuff and you can find it most anywhere.

Thanks.  Mequires is what I use.

The clay bar and the 3 step system is what I use and I like the results.

Once you've given the car a good clay, you can usually keep up with it by "spot" claying the areas that pick up the most junk.  Surprisingly I've found it's usually the vertical panels (like doors and fenders) that need it, and not the horizontal ones (roof and hood).  Claying is a very time- and work-intensive process and I wouldn't want to have to do an entire car frequently   

Hope you and family haven't had any of this problem weather this week in Indy area.  We live about 3 miles from the path of the tornado that went through Princes Lake, Camp Atterbury and Edinburgh on Tuesday.  Now it's the rain.  Something like 8 to 10 inches in the past couple days.  Some electric off,  our water pressure is about gone and we have several inches of water in our crawlspace. 

I use the clay bar each spring. It isn't that time consuming if the car's paint is in pretty good shape. I know your car is a great candidate for this with all of the love it has received during your ownership.

Besides you have a great view of the neighborhood from your garage while your working those little fingers to the bone......

Marshall,

 

I am a big fan of Mequires, but I just purchased and use Griots Garage Machine Polishing System and Products and they were great.  His Best of Show wax can be a killer to get off by hand, but the finish is great.  That stuff is a ture carnauba wax.  www.griotsgarage.com.   Always clay before you polish or wax, there is stuff on your paint.  The finish should be very smooth to the touch.  Major difference if done correctly.

 

Good luck,

 

Joe

79FOREVER2008-06-25 17:05:31

[QUOTE=79FOREVER]

Marshall,

 

I am a big fan of Mequires, but I just purchased and use Griots Garage Machine Polishing System and Products and they were great.  His Best of Show wax can be a killer to get off by hand, but the finish is great.  That stuff is a ture carnauba wax.  www.griotsgarage.com.   Always clay before you polish or wax, there is stuff on your paint.  The finish should be very smooth to the touch.  Major difference if done correctly.

 

Good luck,

 

Joe

[/QUOTE]

I use Best of Show Wax and made the mistake you did.  If it's difficult to get off, it's because 1), you put it on too thick, and 2), it must have been pretty warm and humid.  Been there, done that.

What happens is when the wax is put on too thick in high humidity the surface dries before the lower layer and when you try to buff it off it smears.  That's why they say put it on in a very thin coat.  If it smears, spray it with their Speed Shine quick detail spray or a water mist and it will wipe right off.

The Best of Show Wax is awesome stuff.  I use their Carnauba Stick Wax as a base coat and Best of Show on top and it it looks even better.  Griot's has great products.