first bath ...

[lurch70]

so after more than 2 weeks on the road and close to 1100 miles gave the Clubman its first thorough bath ... 5 hours long

first full wash with Dawn to strip all the factory wax and other prep materials, then full Car Wash bath ... then Zaino ... which really is the wax of the Gods

but I gotta tell you dark cars are a pain to keep dust free even an hour after you're done.

these are the results:

[RaceFace]

WOW!! Very nice!!!! Looks great!!

[BlimeyCabrio]

Beauty! Nice work.

Zaino may be the Wax of the Gods... but Prima Epic is the wax of the Lazy Gods.

[lurch70]

Prima Epic is the wax of the Lazy Gods.

LOL ... not familiar with Prima, but Zaino is super easy too. Easy on and off.
where do you find Prima wax?

[DragonWagon]

Lurch, it sounds like you and I had a similar weekend.
Yesterday was her first bath and it took two hours.

What application method do you use for wax?
Orbiter drill head
Hand "wax on/wax off?"

Thanks for the tips on wax names.

[lurch70]

the Daniel Son wax on/wax off method. Never waxed a car with machines ...
i don't see the need ... especially on a car this small waxing is not too much work.

besides with my sasquatch arm reach I can wax the entire roof standing on one side

[BlimeyCabrio]

Prima product line is made by Detailer's Paradise.

Available from some other retailers such as Detailer's Warehouse and Show Car Detailing.

Lots of info on Prima products in the Detailing101 Forum.

[DragonWagon]

Luch, ever had BMW Convertible. There's so much more Clubman to clean.
With a conv, you wash from top down.
Oh well, change can be good.

So, you stripped off/cleaned off the factory cheapie wax then applied a spanking new coat? Just trying to play my Saturday.

Dawn to strip? How much per gallon?

[lurch70]

I had a lot of larger cars, but I never used to hand wash them.
But yes, I always wash and wax from top down ... you always should.

DAWN ... most detailers recommend it to strip old wax and factory crud.
It really does work great and cuts through grease. Since I first used it 5 years ago ... i also strictly use it for dishes ... its that good.

I really don't measure anything ... just pour a generous amount in a bucket and foam it up.

Another tip I learned from the Zaino site is to always wax front to back / back to front on the roof and hood ... and up/down on doors, side panels. Always followed this method on the old MC and never had any swirlmarks or anomalies.

Let me just say that I am far from a neat freak, and this waxing will be most likely the one OF two this year.

[DragonWagon]

Thanks for the "Dawn Update."
She'll get her first coat of wax this weekend, unless I receive protesting from a certain female.

Now, to pick up a good wax and new wax buffer/spreaders.

[rexicon]

Originally Posted by DragonWagon

Thanks for the "Dawn Update."
She'll get her first coat of wax this weekend, unless I receive protesting from a certain female.

Now, to pick up a good wax and new wax buffer/spreaders.

Interesting - I didn't think to strip off anything as the dealership allegedly detailed Wilbur just last Tuesday.

Sounds like a lot of clubbers were busy beautifying their clubbies this weekend. I washed w/Meguiar's (Gold Class I think - too lazy to run down to the garage to check) and waxed w/Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnauba.

I used the "Oscar/Ava until they get bored and ride their bikes leaving dad to finish" hand application/removal method here too - double sided plush microfiber towel to remove. No swirls but it's hard to gauge what kind of depth of shine I achieved because I was racing the FL midday sun. I'll have to check this evening.

[Otra]

Nice thread - great shiny and clean HC! I need a lesson in all of this stuff... I actually watched a video on clay barring on the Meguairs site http://www.meguiars.com/video/index.cfm
Agreed about the dark cars - oh well, got to have owned at least one (insert dark color of your own choice) British Racing Green.

P.S. First started using Dawn dishwashing liquid after that big oil spill (which one you may ask) and found that they used a solution of Dawn to clean the feathers of all the poor shore birds who'd been covered in the oil...because it didn't strip away their own natural oils.

[hoonu]

Great pics! I might just use those as wallpaper!

[MiniBella]

Gorgeous! If I got a Clubman it would have been Hot Chocolate.

[lurch70]

Originally Posted by Otra

Nice thread - great shiny and clean HC! I need a lesson in all of this stuff... I actually watched a video on clay barring on the Meguairs site http://www.meguiars.com/video/index.cfm
Agreed about the dark cars - oh well, got to have owned at least one (insert dark color of your own choice) British Racing Green.

P.S. First started using Dawn dishwashing liquid after that big oil spill (which one you may ask) and found that they used a solution of Dawn to clean the feathers of all the poor shore birds who'd been covered in the oil...because it didn't strip away their own natural oils.

otra ... i'll help you out anytime, just let me know when you have a free weekend afternoon and a few cold beers

and speaking of DAWN ... it should only be used initially before your first wax. then put it away as you will never need it again.

[DragonWagon]

Lurch, I didn't ask.
What product are you using on the black molding?

[lurch70]

good question ... i have no idea ... something in a thin lime green plastic bottle

i used to swear by TRIM SHINE from Stoner, same people that make INVISIBLE GLASS ... but TRIM SHINE is no longer made for some odd reason.

EDIT: ok looks like TRIM SHINE is still available, but none in the NY area ... try to get this if possible. Great stuff! Doesn't look oily or greasy ... just cleans up the trim and makes it look "new"; if that makes any sense.
http://www.trimshine.com/

[TheBigNewt]

And whatever you do firstimers, don't forget to claybar. Gets rid of all the stuff on the paint that landed in transport and stayed on "after Dawn". You'd be surprised what you can feel with the baggie.

[Otra]

Originally Posted by lurch70

otra ... i'll help you out anytime, just let me know when you have a free weekend afternoon and a few cold beers

and speaking of DAWN ... it should only be used initially before your first wax. then put it away as you will never need it again.

You are on! We'll make a date and I may invite zzmini down with her husband who is starting to lust after a Clubman. You just tell me what kind of brewski.

[LadyGodiva]

Holy Crapsticks, that is one gorgeous Clubbie!!! WELL DONE!!!! **applause**

[DragonWagon]

This turned into a nice segment on Car Washing, complete with infomercials.
My Meguiars is empty and now I must find a replacement this weekend.

ClayBar! It's for real, too. I shouldn't need it on a new car, but...

[miniclubman]

For more obsessive types, be sure to visit the "Detailing 101" forum:http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...splay.php?f=12
I would visit myself, but I'm not worthy.
One note on stripping old wax, use the hottest water you can, as cold or tepid water (like from the hose) makes removing old wax much more difficult.

[DragonWagon]

Lurch, today was first wax day, before the horsey race.

Zymol was the wax winner. I've always liked the stuff.
Ingredients: Carnuba, bees wax, kitten blood...
The downside is any wax touching the black moulding gets discolored and must be touched up with a clear wax.

And the horses are off.

[lurch70]

alright! ... pics are in order.
heard good things about Zymol ... I am pretty much out of Zaino (had a bottle for almost 2 years, just to give you an idea of how much I DON'T wax) ... i'll either try Zymol or try this new Prima everyone in the Detailing thread is talking about.

what's "the" one to get in either brand? I am just looking for the wax ...

[DragonWagon]

Lurch, go with whichever wax you like.
There's nothing wrong with Turtle Wax spray and wipe, as a quick job.
I'll probably claybar the next time and a clear wax.
It'll take 4 more waxes to empty the Zymol bottle anyway.

My gallery has shots from a week ago at dusk.