Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Waxing.....how much is too much?

I wash my car every week, Lately I have been waxing also each time I was my car. I have read alot about detailing your car and stuff on the web and they say that waxing should be done, normally, on a 3 month cycle . Is waxing your car EVERY week bad for your car? Is it worth it or am I just waisting my time? It seems to be doing alot for my paint, color looks deeper and alot more "mirror" like.
I do use Meguiar's quick detailer every other day just to keep it like that. Should that be enough after a wash?

Any opinions on this would be appreciated.

The quick shine stuff will be quit sufficiant. It depends on the type of wax you use when it somes to how much to use. With a carnuba based wax (which will tend to build up) it will take more & more time to wax it to were it looks good. If you are using a hand polish (which is a little more agressive) over time you are actually taking a little bit of clear coat off each time. The ideal thing to do is use them in conjunction (first hand glaze then wax ((I like Mother's Carnuba paste wax myself))every time, every two to three months.

Every week is a little excessive. A good wax job will last quite awhile depending on what you do to your car. All wax does is protect the paint, polish brings out the shine.

i say too much is when you cant open the door because your hand keep sliding off the handle.

LMAO

once a week is very excessive. Try every 2 months or something and just use your quick detailer every week after a wash. You don't want lots wax buildup.

LOL....I'm nearly there but not yet! :p

I wax once when spring hits, once about half-
way through summer, and once right before the
winter hits. I find even this is adequate and
I use a quick-detail spray to keep it looking
good in-between the big wax jobs... Before I
wax, I strip everything with a nice detergent
soap and a pre-cleaner paste, too... piles of
old crud and oxidized paint/wax don't really
do anything for your finish!

So yeah, IMHO, you're waxing too much.

T.

So polishing is ok but not wax? What polish do you recommend?

Well Simon I'm VERY exsesive then because I do my car about twice a month I use Mequiers #26 Hi-Tech wax, Zymol cleaner wax and this Dupont glaze which ever I feel it needs. The cleaner wax will take out swirls and slight imperfections in the paint and the glaze waxes are more for shine than protection. I've done my car about 9 times since the spring and my car ALWAYS looks good. A detailers tip to you, use the foaming armor all stuff in the wheelwells for that finishing touch. It also works GREAT on the engine compartment but make sure that the engine is cleaned before spraying it on there and wash you car immediatly afterward so that you wash off the over spray from the aresol can

Roger R
US Mondeo@aol.com

Polishing is usually a step before waxing.

I try to do a thorough detailing once (or twice) a year, where I use a cleaner, then a polish, then a wax.

After that point, if you're using a good car shampoo (like Meguiar's), it should clean off everything that's on the surface, except the wax. Then you just need to quick detail it and it should be as good as new.

If you're washing and quick detailing it on a regular basis, you probably can go 2 or three months (depending on your climate and how picky you are about your cars appearance) between waxing.

My $.02, hope it helps.