After hearing Woofcast #16 whiteroofradio.com on winter prep and the importance of a good wax as protection against harsh winter road salts, I listened to db & Todd cast #5 on how to wax, clay bar and wash, and read the really good threads sticked at the top of this forum. I have never done waxing myself, let alone clay baring, so some observations and a couple questions from a first timer.
I don’t have a Mini, yet, so dish soaped, auto soaped, clayed, auto soaped, dried and waxed my wife’s Honda Element this afternoon, which we call the Elephant ever since our then three year old son named it that first. It was in the mid to low 50’s today so wanted to get this done before it gets cold here.
I chose Meguiar’s NXT Generation Car Wash (looked all over for it and finally found it at Kmart), Tech Wax, TechProtect all based on db’s recommendation. Picked Clay Magic detailing clay w/ Clay Lube ($10 at Auto Zone). I chose not to buy Mothers Clay Bar ($16) as it had extra stuff in the box that I did not want for the extra $$$. BradB’s suggestion to cut the clay into smaller pieces worked great. Then saving the used ones for glass was also helpful. However, the Clay Magic Clay Lube spray nozzle has two setting for Off, so I thought the other two settings were the same and found out a ways into it there is a Mist setting after all, and not just Stream!
Is there a best way to store the applicator pad for the wax? Do you wash it after use?
Glad I chose to get a bundle of 25 16”x16” microfiber towels ($11 at Sam’s Club) instead of a few very large ones as it was great to be able to discard a towel and not put a dirty one back in the wash bucket, or have to keep using it. The microfiber mitt seems to also be a good choice. I ran out of time to use the TechProtect on the exterior or interior trim, and it was dark before I finished waxing, but by garage light it looked great!
The brake rotors were tan colored and moaned when I first applied the brakes tonight – is there something I did wrong or a way to prevent that?

Thanks to all in this great Motoring community!

 

I also washed/claybarred/waxed my car today. But not quite the whole car. Just the sides and the boot. I used what I had to hand which was Autoglym car shampoo and Super Resin Polish. At some point I'll probably switch to Zaino.

I'm waiting for my latest order from Autopia before I do the bonnet and the roof. (I want to go over with some paintwork cleanser).

I took some pics after I was done to document the shininess.

Gallery of Shininess

 

Clay is really great, I use it around the house, too. For instance, yest. I found some specks on my glasses (specs), they were oily and were not coming off with water, so I whipped out the speed shine and griot's clay and bam, they're gone. Now I can see.

mb

 

Hand wash the wax applicator pad in your kitchen sink with hot water and a squirt of Dawn. Rinse very well, wring out and let drip dry.

It's great to see a new convert!