Sorry if this seems like a crime of the first order to the hardcore enthusiasts amongst us, but after washing my “5” I neither have the time to wax and polish it nor the spare cash to hire a detailer to do it. So the only real option seems to be to use a “wash and wax”. So do any of you use one, and if so which one? Thanks, all replies be acknowledged.
Umm, yes…
But then the lacquer on my car has never been really hard polished, it still has traces of the factory orange peel.
I use the usual Halfords Triplewax stuff. But I do make a point of washing it after sundown or on an overcast day to prevent premature drying; a good thorough hose down underneath and top with the fan jet, then a bucket and microfibre-mitt wash with the warm Triplewax, then hose off especially underneath again where the mud should have softened enough by now to rinse off, and carefully dry off all the visible bits with a good trio of microfibre towels - no water marks! Then a good blow-dry for maybe fifteen minutes or so on some local national limit roads to make sure the brakes and underneath etc are fully dry.
Heresy I know, but it looks OK.
I use triplewax liquid gold from Asda or meguiars gold class shampoo
rinse off with rainwater in watering can ( water butt rain water filtered with disposable paint filter)
then dry with microfibre cloth
I dry mine with a chamois leather. Not tried the micro fibre cloths. Are they better in any way? Or just personal preference?
I always used a chamois leather, but find microfibre cloths much easier to use, they can be washed in the washing machine
Thanks for that. I’ll give them a try.
I’ve always been happy with the yellow megs stuff, so another vote for that.
It is a common misconception that ‘Shampoo & Wax’ has enough Wax within it to protect your car from Road contamination and UV light
It does not.
They contain surfactants which make it slicker and repel rainwater for a few days, but offer no real protection at all
They are genuinely good at what they do…Wash your car…but please don’t rely upon their alleged wax content
ALWAYS try to add a wax layer after drying with a MF towel…never a chamois leather…they scratch the soft Mazda paint
Chris, you seem to be the resident car-care expert on this forum, so I would like your opinion on the following please.
When I bought my latest MX-5 back on October, from a local Mazda main dealer, I was told that the car had been treated with something called ‘Diamondbrite’ - which was being plugged all over every car in their showroom. I was also presented with a take-home pack of ‘special’ shampoo and another bottle labelled ‘conserver’ (which looks and smells like polish to me), which the instructions state should be diluted in water, and used like shampoo, to keep the (admittedly lovely) showroom shine and protect the paintwork, without the need to resort to normal polishing /waxing ever again.
I have to admit to using both a few times since purchase, and it does seem to be working, because the car still looks immaculate.
So, as the accepted expert on this subject, does this stuff actually do what it says on the tin (packet), or are you going to tell me that the only way to preserve showroom looks is with hard work and elbow grease ?
I wash the car with Autoglym shampoo and whilst the car is still wet use Autoglym Aqua Wax and dry and polish with microfibre cloths.
I do not have the time to give a thorough wax every wash but find that the above keeps the car looking good. As the car gets used all year I do try and use a good quality wax in November before the salt goes down on the roads round here. The first sign of frost and Doncaster council have the gritters out.
I use simonize .Does a great job then turtle wax nano tech.so quick to use.
Thanks. Kind words. I do my best
Diamondbrite is actually one of the better ones on offer @ Dealership Salesman’s Commission .com
Unfortunately its rarely applied properly and will NEVER last longer than a couple of years. Its just sealant after all
Dealers will have you believe that its a ‘life of the car’ product!! There is no such thing…In essence they prey on the ignorance of the car buyer
You can buy top ups from eBay for £10…
The conserver is just a water soluable sealant and will give a shine for a couple of washes…Yes some elbow grease in the future will be needed
Waxing can be a tiresome chore.
Luckily, mine is a summer toy, so gets a few coats of wax/polish over the winter months whislt in the garage.
A quick tip, if your’e in a rush or just after that ‘just waxed’ look, then do only the bonnet, boot, door and wing tops.
Takes no more than about 20 minutes.
By the time you’ve gotten around applying the polish, it’ll be dry enough to start taking off.
Use 2 x micro fibre cloths (like Daniel Son, one in each hand) to speed up the process.
Keep it off the windscreen!
I never see it as a chore
I always give myself enough time to wax the car …or any car
On a small car like the 5…it takes far less than other cars
Some waxes can be left to cure, while the rest of the car is waxed…Some are wax on, buff off.
If in a rush, and I appreciate that some owners may be, then the use of a Quick Detailer will be the way to go.
This way, you only need to re-wax every 6 to 8 weeks, dependant on your wax’s durability (Read the notes provided by the supplier)
If it really is a chore, then a base coat of sealant , topped by wax will last up to 6 months before reapplying after a full decontamination and light polish
Sealants are generally easy to apply (Ceramic quartz sealants being the exception) and can be layered, like waxes, but 24 hours apart
Sorry for the long winded answer…Its my passion
This might sound OTT…but it will keep your paintwork in as new condition for years.
Those that are passionate about their motors don’t see polishing and waxing a chore, I certainly do like to see a well detailed five with the deep gloss look. That can only be achieved with dedication and many hours of elbow grease, nothing like a good rub down with my ‘oily rag’.
^^^^ Do love shiney red.
I had mine professionally done (machine polished and waxed) around 2 years ago, I just couldn’t get those annoying swirls left in the paintwork from a previous owners attempts at washing/polishing/waxing. It’s the very first time I’d had it done on any car and well worth it, it makes now for easy work for me to keep it that way.
All I do now is wash, dry and every so often wax, maybe 4-5 times per year. It really is effortless, the paintwork still feels silky smooth, compared with before it felt like I was passing my hand over sandpaper.
I just use Autoglym products and wash mits, MF drying towels and cloths. I have the advantage of keeping my baby in the garage so less muck and stuff gets over it.
Another red car picture…
You obviously love your craft Chris.
I’m afraid I’m something of a lazy old git, and find polishing cars a bit like gardening - an odious task ! Still, each to his own.
Despite all the new-fangled products that come onto the market promising a beautiful high-gloss shine for no work, it’s all a pipe-dream really I suppose - there is just no substitute for elbow grease with the proper waxes and polishes.
I never used to enjoy washing and cleaning my cars and was always in too much of a rush to spend the time. Then I bought a DA polisher and realised how good I could get the car looking. Of course, that led to me buying different cleaning products for different parts of the car and before I knew it I started looking forward to cleaning the car!
Admittedly, I don’t do a full polish, wax and detail more than 3-4 times a year but when I do I get quite engrossed in the process. This weekend will be the first major detailing session of the year and I’ve set aside most of a day to it. A few minor scratches and stone chips to deal with first then full interior and exterior detail, including the engine bay if I have time. Hopefully the car will look in tip top condition for the spring rally next week.