Scottish Elises

I'm a complete detailing n00b. Kept my cars clean etc, but never really gone past regular products too much, zip wax shampoo, autoglym polish and more recently played with a Meguiar's clay kit (on Erica's old mx)

Defendal guys reckon i'd be best using an actual wax to cut down the build up of stuff where the film starts. I've just read the washing a car guide from the other thread, and have a lambswool mitt so i'm getting there, but when should I leave it until I wax the car?

Chris

I can't see why you couldn't wax it now as the bodyshop will already have had their machines on it to cut and polish it I can't see what harm wax would do to the paint, Ali Rennie is the best guy to ask as it's his busness looking afer car paint

Pm with you sir, cheers

Be nice to see the answer to this now that i am more curious than anything else. My impressions are that it should not cause any issues.

Can't help on your specific query but I would add that the best tip I have picked up in recent years is the "Two Bucket Method" and lambswool mit. One bucket with the clean soapy water and one with clean water for rinsing the mit after every panel.

I have used this method on the civic since I got it (from new) and as far as I can tell it has really helped keep the swirl marks down. It is amazing the contrast between the 2 buckets when I am finished - the soapy one is still almost clean the rinse one is brown. In fact I should probably refresh the rinse bucket at some point during the clean.

Stewart wrote:Can't help on your specific query but I would add that the best tip I have picked up in recent years is the "Two Bucket Method" and lambswool mit. One bucket with the clean soapy water and one with clean water for rinsing the mit after every panel.

I have used this method on the civic since I got it (from new) and as far as I can tell it has really helped keep the swirl marks down. It is amazing the contrast between the 2 buckets when I am finished - the soapy one is still almost clean the rinse one is brown. In fact I should probably refresh the rinse bucket at some point during the clean.

100% agree with this. I've even converted my dad to using it. I do change out the rinse bucket though as car washs are so few and far between these days that it needs it

when you use this method you seem to pay more attention to the state of the water and its quite surprising how bad the dirty one gets.

I also snow foam the car first and power hose off so that does help to get rid of the worst of the dirt, but still needs the TBM.