How to know when wax has faded

Jimbobcook

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Staff member
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Nov 24, 2012
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Evening all,

Not sure if this is a silly question but how do you know when your current wax has lost enough to make it useless..?

I'm looking to fully clean my from scratch but not sure how long wax lasts and how to remove it once you're ready to do another full clean.

Would a clay bar remove all wax from paintwork or is there some lovely stuff I can spray on to get rid?

I have some touch up paint on the body work so strong solvents may not be ideal.

My current plan is

Soak
Auto Finesse avalanche snow foam
Rinse
Autoglym shampoo and conditioner
Clay bar and AG detailer
Auto Finesse triple b polish
Auto Finesse ultra glaze
Meguires liquid wax
Poor boys wheel sealant

Any help would be great

Cheers
 

Maypack

Ambassador for Cumberland Sausage
Apr 20, 2014
3,175
2,327
Gods Country - West Cumbria
Evening all,

Not sure if this is a silly question but how do you know when your current wax has lost enough to make it useless..?

I'm looking to fully clean my from scratch but not sure how long wax lasts and how to remove it once you're ready to do another full clean.

Would a clay bar remove all wax from paintwork or is there some lovely stuff I can spray on to get rid?

I have some touch up paint on the body work so strong solvents may not be ideal.

My current plan is

Soak
Auto Finesse avalanche snow foam
Rinse
Autoglym shampoo and conditioner
Clay bar and AG detailer
Auto Finesse triple b polish
Auto Finesse ultra glaze
Meguires liquid wax

Any help would be great

Cheers

Poorboys for wheels. Give em some love too
 

Lmbarrett83

Active Member
Sep 8, 2017
1,538
619
Sheffield
Evening all,

Not sure if this is a silly question but how do you know when your current wax has lost enough to make it useless..?

I'm looking to fully clean my from scratch but not sure how long wax lasts and how to remove it once you're ready to do another full clean.

Would a clay bar remove all wax from paintwork or is there some lovely stuff I can spray on to get rid?

I have some touch up paint on the body work so strong solvents may not be ideal.

My current plan is

Soak
Auto Finesse avalanche snow foam
Rinse
Autoglym shampoo and conditioner
Clay bar and AG detailer
Auto Finesse triple b polish
Auto Finesse ultra glaze
Meguires liquid wax
Poor boys wheel sealant

Any help would be great

Cheers
A clay will remove some wax but I can't honestly say it will remove it all though. It's designed to lift any contaminats from the paints surface (Inc wax)

Depends on the grade of clay bar and the time and effort you put in.

There's an ongoing debate about how effective it is for removing old wax.

Some recommend a citrus wash too. E.g

https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/chemical-guys-citrus-wash-gloss



Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 

Jimbobcook

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Nov 24, 2012
6,149
2,531
A clay will remove some wax but I can't honestly say it will remove it all though. It's designed to lift any contaminats from the paints surface (Inc wax)

Depends on the grade of clay bar and the time and effort you put in.

There's an ongoing debate about how effective it is for removing old wax.

Some recommend a citrus wash too. E.g

https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/chemical-guys-citrus-wash-gloss



Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Cheers for the heads up

The reviews on that citrus wash seem pretty good with a few people using it to remove wax, that and clay bar must get rid I'd hope lol

The clay bar I'm using is the AG stater pack thing. As you can see I'm a little new to detailing as I've never really had a car worth keeping in good nick lol

Cherrs
 

Lmbarrett83

Active Member
Sep 8, 2017
1,538
619
Sheffield
I was planning on using this to get rid of some light swirls, would it also get rid of the wax at the same time you think?

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/shampoo-polish-wax/meguiars-ultimate-compound-450ml

Cheers
I haven't used that particular product, but as it's a rubbing compound and abrasive yes it would also remove wax on those areas.

I'm envious that you have the time to do this kind of a job yourself :)

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 

Jimbobcook

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Staff member
Moderator
Nov 24, 2012
6,149
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I haven't used that particular product, but as it's a rubbing compound and abrasive yes it would also remove wax on those areas.

I'm envious that you have the time to do this kind of a job yourself :)

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Happy days, I forgot this stuff I have my list so maybe I'm all good...

I have the other half away for the weekend so I have all day Sunday planned in for some one on one action lol

Thanks for your help

Cheers
 

Imperial

Full Member
Jan 10, 2006
121
7
Replace your shampoo with washing up liquid and it will definitely get rid of any wax. It won't hurt for a one-off.
 

Jimbobcook

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Staff member
Moderator
Nov 24, 2012
6,149
2,531
@Imperial thanks for your response.

I forgot I had Meguires Ulitmate compound to use as well which is a micro abrasive so I think I'm covered with that and the clay bar.

Washed it yesterday and it took about 6 hours and about 4 pints of sweat lol but she's all shiny now.

cc057ec4-806e-4e0d-b839-5eba0c3dbdc7.jpg


Cheers
 

Maypack

Ambassador for Cumberland Sausage
Apr 20, 2014
3,175
2,327
Gods Country - West Cumbria
Washed it yesterday and it took about 6 hours and about 4 pints of sweat lol but she's all shiny now.

That’s dedication for you!!

I spent 3.5 hours on my wheels alone on Saturday. Wash, Polish and Sealant x2 coats. Didn’t have time for bodywork. That’ll have to wait till I get back from my Holidays..
 

Jimbobcook

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Staff member
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Nov 24, 2012
6,149
2,531
That’s dedication for you!!

I spent 3.5 hours on my wheels alone on Saturday. Wash, Polish and Sealant x2 coats. Didn’t have time for bodywork. That’ll have to wait till I get back from my Holidays..
Haha

I only had time for 1 coat of the poor boys sealant and it works a treat, may do another few coats tonight. Cycled to work to preserve the cleanness lol
 

Trout

Active Member
Feb 28, 2018
56
18
The best paint cleaner I have used is Bilt Hamber Cleanser Fluid, this will also result in any lsp lasting a lot longer due to bonding with the paint better. Cleanser Polish on the other hand may be used on cars that have swirls as the fillers will mask them. However, if you want to use a water-based cleaner/degreaser try Bilt hamber Surfex. It can also can be used for a number of other duties including domestic. As for wheels, I found Poorboys to have a very, very short lifespan. I've used Gtechniq C5 in the past but for sheer ease of use I have to say that Race glaze Nano Wheel Sealant is an outstanding product.
 
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