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Right now I have Meguiar's wax and was wondering if a polish would provide more shine? Is there a difference, is the wax just to protect the car?

This is what I have:

http://www.meguiars.com/?liquid-car-wax ... n-Tech-Wax

This is what I'm thinking about getting:

http://www.meguiars.com/?car-polishes/D ... tem-Polish


When I wash my car the water beads up and dries as water spots in areas, how can I prevent this? Thanks

I believe you will still need a wax over that just to protect the finish and make the shine last. But what I would so is this. Wash your car really well with a dishwashing detergent to get all the old stuff off. Then use a clay bar on it. After that, wash the car again with a nice car wash like meguiars. Afterward use their(meguriars) 3 step wax system.(might be able to skip first since that is what the clay bar did.) after that you should have a very nice shine on the car. My flame red paint looked brand new compared to another same color car the other day and I have a 01'.

Knoxville_R/T wrote:I believe you will still need a wax over that just to protect the finish and make the shine last. But what I would so is this. Wash your car really well with a dishwashing detergent to get all the old stuff off. Then use a clay bar on it. After that, wash the car again with a nice car wash like meguiars. Afterward use their(meguriars) 3 step wax system.(might be able to skip first since that is what the clay bar did.) after that you should have a very nice shine on the car. My flame red paint looked brand new compared to another same color car the other day and I have a 01'.

That's the way I've done my previous vehicles. I haven't done it to the Neon yet because I haven't really had the chance to free up 6 hours to do all of it. As soon as I get the chance though... Probably as soon as warm weather hits... Well, warmER... (Stupid rain in the winter time.)

Sorry if this is obvious but what's the 3 step wax system?

apk2k6 wrote:Sorry if this is obvious but what's the 3 step wax system?

Step #1 - Meguiar's Deep Crystal Cleaner

The modern alternative to a rubbing compound. This surface prep product is even safe for restoring the color of dulled clear coat finishes. You'll appreciate how it effectively removes the bonded environmental contamination that regular washing can't dislodge. Count on Deep Crystal ® System Cleaner for the deep cleaning that erases fine scratches and lets you wipe away blemishes, oxidation and dead paint, in preparation for polishing and wax protection.

Stage #2 - Meguiar's Deep Crystal Polish

Rich polishing oils feed and nourish just-cleaned finishes. Safe on all paints, whether applied by hand or with an orbital buffer, Deep Crystal ® System Polish acts like a conditioner for your finish. It eliminates minor imperfections while enhancing gloss.

Stage #3 - Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax

The best of Brazilian carnauba wax. This unique formulation blends the finest Brazilian carnauba wax, one of the most durable protective barriers known with silicones, polymers and resins. Deep Crystal ® System Wax is best applied to a previously cleaned and polished surface. It's a brilliant way to achieve the long-lasting, deep gloss protection we all love

Alright now that I've got that, how can I prevent the water spots?

apk2k6 wrote:Alright now that I've got that, how can I prevent the water spots?

Dry it when you're done.

Seriously.

I use that Mr Clean thing for the spotfree rinse. The fliters are a pain to buy every 10 washes or so, but never leaves spots

How often should I polish or wax? And also, what's the difference between meguiars car wash and car cleaner(step 1 of the process)? Is it the same thing?

apk2k6 wrote:How often should I polish or wax?

I do mine at the middle of every season - Four times a year. Some say that's over-doing it, but I don't mind.

apk2k6 wrote:And also, what's the difference between meguiars car wash and car cleaner(step 1 of the process)? Is it the same thing?

Car wash is well... A car wash. Car wash soap. The 'Step 1' is like a rubbing compound you do after you wash the car. This is like the clay bar step that removes crap that's pretty stuck on your car, like tar, bugs, etc... This preps the surface of the car for that deep ass shine you're about to put on. This step makes a huge difference in how the car turns out when you're done.

I try to wax mine about once every season too, I dont think its too many times at all..but this past year, I only did it 2x because I had to wait on paint to cure and im about to have to do it again

apk2k6 wrote:Alright now that I've got that, how can I prevent the water spots?

i got a trick from my father: put a spoon of jet dry in a bucket full of water and car wash soap

it works when it's time to rinse the water falls on it's self because of the jet dry. pretty neat

but yes dry it when you done ! my tip will help you to get a little to none water spots !

later

I use the three step wax also, but replaced the third final wax with Meguiar's gold class wax. I found that wax to work better than the normal third step wax. I use the three step system and claybar once a year and wax my car another 4 times a year.

I guess I'm waxing a little too much, when I wash my car then, will it shine just as much as when I first applied the polish and wax?

I wax mine at least once a month. It just cleans better that way. As long as you prep, polish, and wax with good products and take your time to do it right(about 6 hrs) then it should last for a good 4-6 months. I know that I have not waxed mine since about september and when i wash it it still looks just as good. The key is to get a GOOD car wash. Like McGuires. They are made to not strip your wax off.
-Brian

So use in this order right:

Deep Crystal Car Wash
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Deep Crystal System Polish
Deep Crystal System Carnauba Wax

And that should last for a while, and in between waxing just use the wash regularly correct? Is a clay bar needed if I use the cleaner? Thanks

I would just use some dish washing soap onth first wash. then after u get done waxing and it is dirty again, that is when you would use the nice car wash.
-brian

the clay bar and the cleaner do the same thing, so id use one or the other, but not both

I use Liquid Glass products. It's expensive, but man does it make the car shine. A deep rich gloss too. I love it, and swear by it, I won't use anything else.

It's kind of a pain, the polish part cause unlike traditional waxes and polishes your paint needs to be warm, and after you apply a coat (non-circular motions a horizontal and vertical motion) you have to let your car sit in the sun for four hours (per coat) to let it cure/bond to the paint. The more coats you put on the deeper the gloss, but really I've always been heavily satisfied with just two coats. One coat applied horizontally and the second applied vertically. No swirl marks, covers up scuff/scratch marks and you can't tell where your glass ends and your paint begins.