What wax to use

[Colorado]

I typically complete the process over 2-3 days.

I admire the effort. I bet your LC looks incredible.

Years, probably decades, ago, I spent some time on a few car detailing websites. I don't remember people talking about ceramic coating in those days but, like you, people used to spend days detailing their cars. They used prewash soaps, car wash soaps, deionized water, clear coat conditioner, multiple types of wax, sealants, all kinds of stuff.

Then 3M came out with its 39030 and 39026 sealants. It was a revelation and really changed a lot of peoples' routines. After that, many posters just washed, clay barred and waxed their cars in an hour or two. when I went to the Barret Jackson auction in Phoenix and saw detailers preparing their cars for sale using the 3M stuff, I was sold.

Since I can't get the 3M stuff any more (I've got one bottle left), I've started using Meguiar's Ultimate wax. My LC's roof is my test bed. It is impressive stuff, easy on/off, slick to the touch and great shine. All I'm waiting to learn is whether it holds up. Fingers crossed.

I can't imagine it's as good as your ceramic technique, but so far I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[uraniumrich]

Nothing wrong with wax! I've used some higher end waxes before I switched to ceramic coating several years ago. The wax helped keep the car clean, shiny, and protected. The obvious disadvantage is the need to reapply to maintain the benefits. Ceramic coating provides longer lasting protection, but even then it still needs to be maintained for optimum performance. Even if you don't do a paint correction, a good quality ceramic coating will reduce the amount of work you need to do to keep the car clean and maintained. The pic shows the paint after correction, but before applying the coating.

 

[JoT.]

Has anyone used Adam’s ceramic coating ?

 

[bobs619]

Not a wax per se but works darn good.

Waterless Car Wash Spray | On-The-Go Cleaning | 3D Car Care

Don't have time or don't have access to water? The 3D Car Care Waterless Car Wash spray is the easiest way to clean your car on-the-go.

3dproducts.com

 

[LCOceans]

I admire the effort. I bet your LC looks incredible.

Years, probably decades, ago, I spent some time on a few car detailing websites. I don't remember people talking about ceramic coating in those days but, like you, people used to spend days detailing their cars. They used prewash soaps, car wash soaps, deionized water, clear coat conditioner, multiple types of wax, sealants, all kinds of stuff.

Then 3M came out with its 39030 and 39026 sealants. It was a revelation and really changed a lot of peoples' routines. After that, many posters just washed, clay barred and waxed their cars in an hour or two. when I went to the Barret Jackson auction in Phoenix and saw detailers preparing their cars for sale using the 3M stuff, I was sold.

Since I can't get the 3M stuff any more (I've got one bottle left), I've started using Meguiar's Ultimate wax. My LC's roof is my test bed. It is impressive stuff, easy on/off, slick to the touch and great shine. All I'm waiting to learn is whether it holds up. Fingers crossed.

I can't imagine it's as good as your ceramic technique, but so far I'm pretty happy with it.

Those 3M products are still available. I just bought 2 bottles of it at NAPA. Go to their website and you should find it.

 

[Colorado]

Those 3M products are still available. I just bought 2 bottles of it at NAPA. Go to their website and you should find it.

You are right aboout NAPA. I'm guessing that it's available only as supplies last as 3M's website says it is now only available "for commercial and industrial use only." But good grief, it is over $31 at NAPA! I used to get it on Amazon for half that. I've got a brand new bottle of Meguiar's Ultimate that I'm trying out. It's about $22 on Amazon including an applicator and microfiber towel. I'll post if it is a viable alternative re: longevity.

 

[micah]

Nothing wrong with wax! I've used some higher end waxes before I switched to ceramic coating several years ago. The wax helped keep the car clean, shiny, and protected. The obvious disadvantage is the need to reapply to maintain the benefits. Ceramic coating provides longer lasting protection, but even then it still needs to be maintained for optimum performance. Even if you don't do a paint correction, a good quality ceramic coating will reduce the amount of work you need to do to keep the car clean and maintained. The pic shows the paint after correction, but before applying the coating.View attachment 12493

What was your correction process?

 

[Altitude]

I admire the effort. I bet your LC looks incredible.

Years, probably decades, ago, I spent some time on a few car detailing websites. I don't remember people talking about ceramic coating in those days but, like you, people used to spend days detailing their cars. They used prewash soaps, car wash soaps, deionized water, clear coat conditioner, multiple types of wax, sealants, all kinds of stuff.

Then 3M came out with its 39030 and 39026 sealants. It was a revelation and really changed a lot of peoples' routines. After that, many posters just washed, clay barred and waxed their cars in an hour or two. when I went to the Barret Jackson auction in Phoenix and saw detailers preparing their cars for sale using the 3M stuff, I was sold.

Since I can't get the 3M stuff any more (I've got one bottle left), I've started using Meguiar's Ultimate wax. My LC's roof is my test bed. It is impressive stuff, easy on/off, slick to the touch and great shine. All I'm waiting to learn is whether it holds up. Fingers crossed.

I can't imagine it's as good as your ceramic technique, but so far I'm pretty happy with it.

I just did the Porsche last weekend with the 39030 - I still have a couple bottles. It is so ridiculously easy to remove, especially compared to carnauba wax. I love it. Looks like you could dive right in.

 

[glibglob]

Anyone with lots of experience with a clay bar brand they like? Just used my last one a few weeks ago and can’t find just bars, only kits with the spray too.

 

[Altitude]

Anyone with lots of experience with a clay bar brand they like? Just used my last one a few weeks ago and can’t find just bars, only kits with the spray too.

I use the synthetic clay bar from Griot’s. I’ve used plenty of silly putty clay bar products too and this one works great.

Brilliant Finish™ Synthetic Clay

Synthetic clay provides faster removal of stubbornly entrenched paint contaminants, improved durability, and cleans more cars than traditional clay bars.

www.griotsgarage.com

 

[micah]

I use the synthetic clay bar from Griot’s. I’ve used plenty of silly putty clay bar products too and this one works great.

Brilliant Finish™ Synthetic Clay

Synthetic clay provides faster removal of stubbornly entrenched paint contaminants, improved durability, and cleans more cars than traditional clay bars.

www.griotsgarage.com

I second on the Griot's clay bar. Good stuff.

 

[Colorado]

I'm very happy with Meguiars clay. Very pure, pliable and it gets sticky when kneaded. Working on a very clean paint surface, I get quite a few uses out of each bar. But I don't think Meguiars sells the clay separately, only in the full kit. That's okay, as I'm wary of buying noname clay bars . . . they might do more harm than good.

 

[Colorado]

I just did the Porsche last weekend with the 39030 - I still have a couple bottles. It is so ridiculously easy to remove, especially compared to carnauba wax. I love it. Looks like you could dive right in.

View attachment 14384

That's insane. That's the shine we used to spend a whole weekend trying to get before 3M synthetic wax came out. (And as it cures, the 3M stuff leaves your garage smelling great.)

 

[LCOceans]

I just did the Porsche last weekend with the 39030 - I still have a couple bottles. It is so ridiculously easy to remove, especially compared to carnauba wax. I love it. Looks like you could dive right in.

View attachment 14384

So I finally got around to washing and first wax on the LC using the 3M 39030, and @Altitude says above, it is the easiest waxing process I have ever done. The stuff wipes off so easily I had a hard time believing it would be as good as I had heard. But man does it seem to work too. Looks and feels terrific. thank you for the recommendation!

 

[JoT.]

I’m planning to Adam’s Ceramic coat soon, can you wax over that afterwards? Go easy on me I’ve never waxed any car-

 

[batchelor22]

No, you shouldn’t wax over a ceramic coat.

 

[JoT.]

Thanks !