How do i wash/wax my car from start to finish?

[m3f_speagle_641be587f7]

I searched on this but its so hard to find everything i need to know in the order i need to know it. I find something about waxing, then clay, then drying, then rinsing....i want to find stuff in order and with a lot of detail.



I find so many conflictions. Do you wash with dawn or car wash? Can someone explain the whole clay thing to me. How much of your car do you wax before removing it? Do you wax in swirls or in straight lines. How do you dry it?



Can someone point me in the right direction please! I can't post my pics of my car i just got until its looking its finest.



thanks

[m3f_M3peat]

www.autopia.com

[m3f_KUpolo]

Wash with car wash, not dawn. Dry with a soft towel. Clay BEFORE waxing. Then wax with Zymol. Follow the instructions on the bottle.



The clay bars have instructions on them. I bought the Mother's Clay kit and was very happy with it. Basically, the clay bar removes dirt build up on the car and strips any wax that is on the paint off. this is why it wouldn't make sense to wax first.



After you have clay barred the car, then you need to put a coat or two of wax on in order to protect the paint. Be sure to do this in the shade. Waxing in direct sunlight on a hot day is no good.



After waxing, I touch up the black trim on the car with Back to Black.



That should do it, it's really not rocket science.

[m3f_garyob1]

mmmmm, back to black, that's what I need...do you have to special order?

[m3f_CMT_50ca834bd5]

Here is my own personal detail thread from Spring if interested:



http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=30882



Every product in that thread was chosen after a month's research on Autopia.

[m3f_KUpolo]

mmmmm, back to black, that's what I need...do you have to special order?



No special order. I think I found it at Auto Zone. There is another product called "Forever Black" That I might try next time. I think it actually dyes the plastic.



http://store1.yimg.com/I/rodi_1805_19181591

[m3f_vinnymac_842df9028e]

I searched on this but its so hard to find everything i need to know in the order i need to know it. I find something about waxing, then clay, then drying, then rinsing....i want to find stuff in order and with a lot of detail.



I find so many conflictions. Do you wash with dawn or car wash? Can someone explain the whole clay thing to me. How much of your car do you wax before removing it? Do you wax in swirls or in straight lines. How do you dry it?



Can someone point me in the right direction please! I can't post my pics of my car i just got until its looking its finest.



thanks



I try to claybar once or twice a year to restore the paint and then I usue Zaino Z5 and Z2 exclusively through out the year.



Here's the full process for a complete paint detail:



1. Wash with Dawn dish detergent to strip off all wax/polish.

2. Dry with soft microfiber towel.

3. Claybar entire car. Clay is a cleaning agent that removes an contaminants from the paint surface. It's time consuming but completely worth the effort.

4. Wash with car was detergent to remove any clay residue and dry with microfiber towel.

5. Apply one coat of Zaino Z5 to remove swirl marks and establish a base coat.

6. Apply a light coat of Zaino Z6 spray

7. Apply as many coats of Zaino Z2 show car polish as you want. The more the merrier with a coat of Z6 between each coat of Z2.



Zaino is the best polish I have ever used and last a lot longer than carnuba based waxes. You can get it at www.zainobros.com



You can also get very inexpensive microfiber towels from Tom at [email protected] . He has been selling high quality microfiber products for years and is a great guy to do business with. I've been using his towels for years.

[m3f_findley]

I find so many conflictions. Do you wash with dawn or car wash? Can someone explain the whole clay thing to me. How much of your car do you wax before removing it? Do you wax in swirls or in straight lines. How do you dry it?



You are going to find that different people have different methods for taking care of their car. Here are answers to your questions...



Soap: Most everyone will say to use car wash for your everyday cleaning. Some use Dawn before waxing because it removes some of the existing wax.



Clay: I would suggest only using a clay bar when you do your wax once or twice a year. It takes off all of the surface contaminates on your paint and makes it feel really smooth. Do this after washing and before waxing.



Wax Size: Depends on heat, humidity, etc. You can always start small and get bigger as you go based on conditions. Don't wax in the direct sunlight.



Circles or Lines: Circles. If you aren't experienced with buffer, don't use one that spins just circularly, get one that simulates hand waxing, I think its called a random orbital buffer but can't remember.



Dry: If you are talking after the wash, I use a real chamois, others use soft clean towels. To wipe off wax, towels.



If you want to talk with someone about all of this, I would call Maguires and they can tell you want to do and in what order. Other manufactures also probably have helplines but I know Maguires will take the time to help. Also, everyone has their preference on brand, just like with radar detectors.

[m3f_Jkan2001]

Here is my own personal detail thread from Spring if interested:



http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=30882



Every product in that thread was chosen after a month's research on Autopia.



I must say you have one of the best looking m3's i've ever seen, what kind of wheels are those?