Hello everyone...
I just bought a '94 Camaro Z28 LT1 350. I am relatively new to car owning, and likewise am new to car cleaning/waxing, etc. I bought Meugiars (sp.?) Deep Crystal line yesterday, washed the car thoroughly with Dawn, and proceeded with the waxing process. However, I have noticed that I have missed several spots in the cleaning process. The car was waxed yesterday, wil it be safe to clay the car, wash it *not with Dawn, I wanna leave the wax on if at all possible*, and then maybe apply another lay of the carnauba? Thanks in advance..
Allen

 

I hope you didn't buy the Meguiar's clay bar, as it is a pos. If it were me, I'd start over and do all the steps. In your case, you will probably end up rewaxing the spots you are going to clay.

 

Hi
Thanks for responding so quickly. Nope, I know better than to get the Meguiar's clay, as I've heard some pretty bad things about that product in particular. However, I am pretty much satisfied with their other products. I am using Mother's California Gold Clay Bar Paint Saving Kit. Well, atleast that's what the clay bar is. I knew that Mothers was a good brand so I thought that I would go ahead and take a chance with that. Yeah, I pretty much figured that I would have to go ahead and wax again after claying for the first time and just do it completely over, my dumba** fault But I have another question as well. Ok...I have the Deep Crystal system from Meguiar's, I'm not real sure whether you know what all that contains. It is a 3-step system, the first being prep, the second being polish, and the third being the carnauba wax. Would it have been totally redundant to have even bought the Mothers System? Or can I use all of these products anyway? What sort of order do I use these products in if I were to go ahead and use all of them? Thanks again

 

Another quickie...
Should I completely prep my car by washing with Dawn again before doing the whole process over? Thanks. If I need to wash my car again but not with Dawn, what sort of shampoo would I use???

 

Hello,

Yeah, you'll need to clay the car in the missed spots, then polish and wax over again. The clay will remove the carnauba wax and the polish.

I'm very familiar with the Meguiar's and Mother's 3 step systems. I used the Meguiar's system myself for a lot of years and used Mother's off and on. Yes, it would be unnecessary to buy all of the Mother's products since you have Meguiar's. Try the Meguiar's now and if you don't like it, then try the Mother's. They both work pretty well and are tried and true, but a lot of work to maintain the shine.

Here's what I'd do to start fresh:
1. Wash the car with DAWN to completely remove what you already applied.
2. Proceed with the clay on the entire car or whatever areas you need.
3. Use the Meguiar's 3 step: A. Cleanse the paint with the step 1 paint cleaner B. Apply the step 2 polish for higher gloss and wetness C. Apply step 3 wax for maximum protection after polishing. You may want to check out some of Meguiar's professional line in the future, like the #26 wax, #7 Show Car Glaze, or Medallion. I'd also substiture Gold Class or #26 for the step 3 deep crystal wax, but that's just preference really.

No doubt about it, this is quite a bit of work, but if you are looking for the results, it's necessary. Most of the work is in the prep, like claying and cleaning, but using the polish and wax is also a little time consuming. Also, be prepared to rewax and/or polish the car every other month to maintain 100% shine.

Congrats on the new car and enjoy keeping it clean!

Mike

 

Thanks alot Mike!
Also, I have some small scratches and very small chips*but of course very noticeable to yours truly* in the paint. I bought the 'ChipStik' system by Turtle Wax for red cars and was looking to try that. Question is, do I do this before or after waxing. If after, how much longer after? Could I do it immediately? Would a coat of wax over that as well be a good idea?
Thanks

 

No problem!

To be honest, I've never used that ChipStick. But, if I were going to use it, it would be after the Meguiar's step 1 cleaner. By my thinking, applying the polish and wax over it would help seal it in temporarily, but I may be wrong in that the polish and wax may actually remove it! Hehe

I may be wrong, but i think you'll find that over time the chipstick will wear away leaving the chips visible again.

Mike

 

I clayed and did the whole process over again AND used the ChipStik, she's looking great now!!! My feelings on the ChipStik are mixed, since some scratches and chips it COMPLETELY masked, and others are still just...darker red... so not completely satisfied yet not severely disappointed, either. I REALLY hope to find Zaino sometime or another, I can't find it anywhere around here *do any retail storeseven sell it* so I'll have to order it for my next line of detailing. Thanks again!
Allen

 

Great! Glad it worked out for you!

Zaino isn't sold in stores. You can get it from www.zainobros.com via the mail in form, or you can call or email Zaino for the distributor in your area who accepts credit cards. Also, www.ecklers.com sells Zaino products, but at slightly higher prices.

I mail order from the home office and it only takes a week to get here, but I don't mind as I'm never in a hurry or rush to get the products.