RX8_Buckeye

I'm just curious, because I have owned my '8 for a full year, and I have yet to apply a single coat of wax. Note that I had a second car that I drove for most of the winter. I was washing the car about once a week in the middle of summer, and in my opinion the car seemed extremely shiny after cleaning, even without waxing. In the "Show and Shine" forum, many people post pics of their cars after waxing, showing how shiny and reflective their paint looks, but honestly I think my car looks just as shiny after a wash (the pictures probably don't do the wax job justice though).

However, I am planning on waxing my car sometime this week to prepare it for the onset of winter, but that will be the only time I do it until next summer. Also, I'm too lazy to go through some long procedure for waxing. I'm going to wash, apply a coat of wax, and then buff it off. None of this: wash once, then clay bar, then wash again, then Z756, Z32, Z58, followed by two applications of Z43 and a light mist of Z99. Maybe if I owned this car a few years ago when I actually had a great deal of free time that would have been practical. Everyone has different priorities, so I guess I understand why many people are borderline obsessive about waxing. I'm curious to know how others feel about this issue.

shelleys_man_06

Really? I waxed my car after about a month of driving. It was November, and it was still pretty warm, so I took advantage of it.

I use carnauba wax and a buffer. Works great. :D

RX8_Buckeye

I would think it's still pretty warm in November in Houston! Up here, today will most likely be the last day until next June that the high temperature rises above 80 deg F. By November we'll be lucky to get a high temp above 50!

Anyway, did you really think you needed to wax your car after owning it for about a month? Did you do it primarily for the shine, or for protection?

jtimbck2

I clay barred and waxed mine about 2 months after buying it, but I haven't done it since (I've had it for 13 months).

cgrx

1 coat of NXT months ago - I need to find a place to do it and time...poor 8 =(

srm858

My friends and I have been using Rejex wax from corrosionx.com. Fantastic wax. The car really shines, it's a breeze to apply and wipe off. Also, it lasts at least 6 months. This is by far the best wax I have used and my friends agree.

StewC625

I clay barred mine the first week I bought it, and wax it monthly using Malms pure carnauba liquid wax and an orbital buffer.

draco067

I used it, and I thought it was great, but 6 months? mine lasted closer to 3, I had to give in and put a layer of carnauba over it.

RKM

I've owned my 8 for a month now and plan to wax it this weekend. Are any of the waxes mentioned in these threads available at an Auto Parts store like Advance Auto? I don't have a buffer so I will apply the wax and buff by hand. I'd like to use something that's easy to apply but more importantly easy to buff off.

What should I use that's available at Advance? Suggestions would be great!! I look forward to making her shine!! :D

RKM

StewC625

If you want the ultimate shine and are buying at a parts store, then buy Meguiar's New Car Glaze and Swirl Mark Remover, and Meguiars #26 Liquid Carnauba Wax. You'll be doing the car twice - first start with a clean cool finish. Wash the car this afternoon and put it away overnight - you want all the little water drippies in the cracks gone (which will happen as it dries overnight), and a cool finish.

Then, with the car in the garage on Saturday after lunch (gotta do this on a full stomach of course), a cold 6 pack of your favorite barley pop nearby (cooler or if you've got a way cool garage - fridge), and classic rock on the boom box, get to work.

First do the car as directed with the New Car Glaze - this will remove impurities in the paint like rail dust and the like, and give you a super-smooth finish for the wax. While the bottle says to do a section at a time, I just knock out the whole car in one sitting. Wipe that off with a clean terry towel and then wax it - again according to package directions.

Drink a couple of beers while you're doing it, then park it in the sun and go over it carefully to wipe off any last wax bits, sit down in a comfy lawn chair, pop another brewski and admire the handiwork.

Ain't nothin' wrong with that three- hour process!

If you really want to make your car SUPER shiny, then buy the Meguiar's Clay Bar kit as well and do that according to package directions before you glaze and wax. THEN you won't believe the shine. The clay bar removes the impurities in the paint that the glaze won't remove. The glaze then smooths the microscopic scratches in the paint, and the wax shines it.



Can you tell I love this project?

Stew

RKM

Stew, dude, you are the man!!! My *** is gone to Advance and the grocery store for a 12 pack!

But first, let me make sure I have this right:

First, apply Meguiar's Clay Bar according to directions.
Next, apply Meguiar's New Car Glaze and Swirl Mark Remover.
Finally, apply Meguiars #26 Liquid Carnauba Wax.

All done in one day after my 8 has sat overnight in the garage after washing.

I won't forget the "cold barley soup" during the project!

Thank again,
RKM

grapes

All excellent products, i've used them all. For the best allround shine and durability i would recommend KLASSE all-in-one polish followed by a thin coat of PS2 Carnauba Wax. Both products are made in Germany and are unreal for Black or Red vehicles, but looks good on all colors, even my Yellow.

MEGAREDS

I clay barred the car soon after it was delivered. It looked very clean, but you could *hear* every speck of brake dust/pollution grit come off the paint as I ran the bar over the car. The result was much better. Since then I've clay barred the car twice; it's not really been anything near as satisfying as the first time and I now just check to see how much I can hear when I clay bar -- then skip this step if it seems to be doing nothing special.

I think the proper waxing (I swear by Zaino - complicated steps and all) means that the dust just doesn't stick. New buyers should definitely clay bar the car when it arrives. Sitting at the port or on the dealer's lot means that the car is going to be dirty, even if it seems clean.

loco4rx8

I don't care what kind of wax you use, just use something! Your car's paint needs some protection. If you plan to keep it for a while, you will reap the benefits.

Even if you don't keep it but for a few years, when you try to sell it, it will be obvious to all potential buyers that the paint hasn't been taken care of. And that will scare them off.

Rob Tomlin

How do I feel about this issue? Well, when I pay $30k for a car, you can be sure that I won't have the attitude of being too "lazy" to go through the correct procedure to polish and protect the car.

Doing it right is more than worth it. And it only takes a couple more hours than doing it the way you plan to....wash and wax.

Do it right with Zaino twice a year (Zaino protects better than anything) and you still aren't investing very much time overall.

Like you said, everyone has their own priorities. But if you really care about your car, taking care of it properly should be fairly high on your list of priorities!

Xystas

Dude, one year without waxing? I've had my car for about 6 months, and I've waxed it about 6 times... I picked up the car on a wednesday, washed it on Saturday, and waxed the front bumper and buffed out any sticker marks...

The following weekend, I washed the car again, this time, I waxed the whole car. That was in March...

I've done complete waxes each month, using Meguir's Carnuaba wax, and a cheesecloth. I do not beleive in buffers, and use good ol fashion elbow grease. When I don't wax the car, I still apply a coat to the bumber... I made a big mistake last year with my infiniti, when I waited 2 months before waxing... the car was chipped everywhere...

I plan on washing/waxing/detailing the car this weekend and maybe next weekend. I want to apply at least 3 coats before storing it for the winter, which will probably be sometime in October...

StewC625

I use an orbital buffer - not a rotary. Mine's made by a old tool company in Chicago called Wen Tools that I think was bought out by Bosch. But, it's a 10" orbital buffer - does a fantastic job - I can apply wax or polish to the entire car in under 20 minutes and it does so 10 times more evenly than I can by hand.

Then, I just wipe it off with a soft cotton towel and I'm done! Piece o'cake.

With an orbital buffer there's no danger in burning holes in your paint like there is with a rotary buffer.

Here's the buffer I use:

http://www.wenproducts.com/buffpolishers10in.htm

bmcc49er

My salesman told me I should wax it as soon as I can. You should definitely wax that car!

RX8_Buckeye

I agree that I should wax my car at least 3 times per year... realistically I'm thinking that I'll do it twice per year from now on. However, I disagree that there is a "right" way to do it. I think my paint will be just fine with a simple wash and wax every once in a while. My previous car, a '92 3000GT was waxed about once per year with OTC products, and I think the paint looked great for being 13 years old.

BTW, I just got back from the auto store with clay bar, NXT wax, microfiber cloths, and other goodies. Now it's just a matter of finding time to do it! I have to mow the lawn this evening, and it'll be dark by the time I'm finished. I have to work for the 2nd weekend in a row as well...tomorrow will be my 13th day of work in a row . I wish I got 1.5x pay for the weekends... Needless to say, I'm pretty worn out. There's always Sunday if I don't have to work... but I'd reallly like to enjoy my NFL Sunday Ticket.

SpinninAgain!

I claybarred and Zainoed my RX-8 the first weekend after I got it. This is the first car I've ever done that for and it's certainly been worth it so far. No car I've owned has ever had a finish that looked or felt like this. It's so slick a roll of paper towels will not stay put on the trunk lid. The whole roll just slides right off, while still standing up on end! Rain flies off the car like it's coated with Rain-X, but better.

I don't know how long it will last since it's only been a bit over a month, but so far it seems as good as the day I did it. Bugs and road tar practically jump off the car. I literally get them off with a paper towel and, for the real toughies, a bit of spit or a fingernail. Bug and Tar? AFAIK I'll never need it again. I'm sold. I don't see one car in 1000 with a finish that looks as good.

Rob Tomlin

Damn straight!

Zaino kicks some serious ***!

2nd Alarm

I had mine for a week and 1/2 when I gave it the big three. I washed it, clay bar, then wash again. Once it was dry and cool, I polished it, then waxed it by hand with carnuaba wax (all meguiars). I like the hard wax to protect from bugs and such. I drove it to Chattanooga and back (almost 700 miles) and the bugs came off with one pass of the wash mit. I plan on wax every 6 weeks and clay bar & polish once a year or as needed.

The Loots

You don't have to get fancy with all that crap they sell. Just wax your car !!! I use Gliptone with teflon. Autobarn.com has it for 10 bucks a bottle. It lasts long and is pretty easy to apply and take off. Do it AT LEAST 2 times a year. If you don't wax your car ..... eventually the paint will oxidize and look like crap.

shelleys_man_06

I have a habit of washing cars at least once a month. I don't really have that much time anymore, so I try to keep her as clean as possible. I waxed my car primarily for the shine. As for protection, there's not much I can do about it. Whether I use protectant or not, I'm still going to get paint chips from flying rocks and such. I refer to the little nicks and scrapes on my car as battle scars.

Ellar

Don't want to be a dick, but what's with all the cross-forum posting (just in case) lately? The original post was cool, but really now - would it have been the end of the world if one of the people that have already replied didn't reply because they were strangely avoiding the Show & Shine forum? Hell, at this rate, why not have one big forum?

The admins have moved threads for far less. If the originator labels the thread this way, are they immune to having the thread moved? Where are all of the re-post Police? Why do I have to be the effing stick in the mud here?

Again - the original post was cool.