I'm confused on this polishing versus waxing

[doctorj]

I read through some old threads and recall one of the Jays saying that polishing would actually remove paint. He was responding to a poster who was planning on using a electric buffer so I don't know if he was saying the electric buffer would remove paint or the polish itself.

I am trying to find a simple family man's guide to caring for the outside of my vehicles. I manage to find time to polish/wax our Accord and Pilot 3 to 4 times a year. I have never used a clay bar but you guys seem to be really high on them. In the past after washing and drying my vehicles, I put on one coat of Nu Finish, and one to two coats of Meguiars gold class. I buff everything by hand and keep both vehicles in a garage. What can I improve in my ritual without adding a bunch of time? My results typically look good but could be better. I'm probably being too picky but I want to do the best job I can using reasonable effort.

[sfhondapilot]

Well, you are on the right track. Really, the key steps break down as follows:

1 - clean the car. For most people, this means washing the car. Clay bar treatment takes this to a whole new level. The clay bar treatment on the Pilot is a major task.

2 - prepare the surface for wax. Usually, what this means is working out the small swirls / scratches. This is where a polish comes into play. The preferred device is a Porter Cable polisher. Start with a light grade polishing compound and move up, in abrasiveness, as needed. The polishing step accomplishes it's task by rounding out the sharp edges that make swirls / scratches noticeable. Thus, polishing does remove some of the clear coat.

3 - seal the newly polished surface.

4 - apply wax.

5 - enjoy the result.

To offset the time added by the clay bar step, you might want to consider a random orbital polisher. As an applicator of sealant or wax, there is very little impact on the clear coat.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by doctorj
I read through some old threads and recall one of the Jays saying that polishing would actually remove paint. He was responding to a poster who was planning on using a electric buffer so I don't know if he was saying the electric buffer would remove paint or the polish itself.

I am trying to find a simple family man's guide to caring for the outside of my vehicles. I manage to find time to polish/wax our Accord and Pilot 3 to 4 times a year. I have never used a clay bar but you guys seem to be really high on them. In the past after washing and drying my vehicles, I put on one coat of Nu Finish, and one to two coats of Meguiars gold class. I buff everything by hand and keep both vehicles in a garage. What can I improve in my ritual without adding a bunch of time? My results typically look good but could be better. I'm probably being too picky but I want to do the best job I can using reasonable effort.

Yes polish removes paint. We on our cars it removes clearcoat, but it also gets rid of small scatches by wearing down the clearcoat arount the screatch to teh same level.

Wax is a cpoating you put over the paint. Most waxes have polish mixed in to make it easier to get a good shine.

Don't over do it an you will be fine.

[il38694]

What is a clay bar treatment?

[steelblue]

Originally posted by il38694
What is a clay bar treatment?

See this link.

http://www.advanceautoparts.com/engl...0030401cb.html

[doctorj]

Thanks for the help guys. One more quick question. I read up on the Porter Cable unit and don’t really want to drop $150+ for one right now. I know there are cheaper random orbital buffers out there. Is there anything to gain from using one (better shine, less time)? Is there any risk of damaging the finish if you don’t know what you are doing? Thanks.

[humanoid]

Originally posted by doctorj
Thanks for the help guys. One more quick question. I read up on the Porter Cable unit and don’t really want to drop $150+ for one right now. I know there are cheaper random orbital buffers out there. Is there anything to gain from using one (better shine, less time)? Is there any risk of damaging the finish if you don’t know what you are doing? Thanks.

Many folks over on Tacoma and 4Runner boards swear by the Porter Cable with great results, but I do everyting by hand. Much more time consuming, but I tend to like the outcome better.

[ramirami]

really speaking the quality of paints now a days is so good that unless your car gets acid rain on a daily basis a good wax couple of times a year will keep the car looking like new for a loooon time

[sfhondapilot]

Originally posted by doctorj
Thanks for the help guys. One more quick question. I read up on the Porter Cable unit and don’t really want to drop $150+ for one right now. I know there are cheaper random orbital buffers out there. Is there anything to gain from using one (better shine, less time)? Is there any risk of damaging the finish if you don’t know what you are doing? Thanks.

From what I have heard, there are risks in using a Porter Cable polisher. Have the wrong pad / too high speed / too slow moving the polisher around = potential to burn the finish. I've not sought to use one and stick to my clay bar. I figure if I ever want to have the finish polished, I'll take it to a detail shop.

I use a random orbital buffer. It cuts down on the time and energy associated with applying sealant and/or wax. So much so that it takes less than an hour to wash and wax. I don't feel that the impact on the finish is any different than hand application, as all you are doing is spreading a non-abrasive compound over the finish.

[BigDogDad]

Originally posted by ramirami
will keep the car looking like new for a loooon time

A real looooon time!

[ramirami]

Originally posted by BigDogDad


A real looooon time!

everyone is a wise A$$

[BigDogDad]

Originally posted by ramirami


everyone is a wise A$$

Not everyone, just those of us that know better!

[ramirami]

Originally posted by BigDogDad


Not everyone, just those of us that know better!

no problem ma'an....

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by ramirami


everyone is a wise A$$

A good primer on waxing can be had by watching the Karate Kid: Wax on - Wax off Daniel-san.............

[mixxmstrmike]

I love "Detailing" threads

The Porter Cable Dual Action orbital buffer is "almost" burn proof. It's true that the wrong combination of pad/polish can create more swirls or scratches on the paint finish, BUT you have got to be really putting a lot of weight on the machine and using the most aggressive polish out there.

Here's a little secret site...

www.autopia.org Get ready to kiss your day(s) goodbye!

Just a basic rule about polishing (by hand or orbital)... use the LEAST aggressive polish FIRST. If it does not take "remove" the defect the first time, try it again with the same polish. If it's still not effective, you may want to move onto a more aggressive polish.

Just one more item to think about... If you're intent is to remove swirl marks and scratches by polishing, do this test. Lightly run your finger nail perpendicular to the scratch. If your finger nail "catches" even a minute amount of the scratch, polishing will not get rid of the it.

Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh... I just love detailing threads...

Enjoy,
Mike