What to use after washes, but between waxing?

[1988 GMC 355]

Hey guys I am really focusing on cleaning my paint and getting it up to the best shape it can be with what I have to work with.
I do everything by hand, I do not have the money, know how, or need to spend a bunch of money of a buffer for my truck, its not worth it, but still ahs lots of life in it.

I have switched to a soap, sponge, clay bar, wax, and washing technique I like.

But I am still working on buying so Collinite Wax to try (thanks to Tweaks for all the suggestions) and now that I am at school and my truck sits all the time and close to some trees :( it gets crap all over it and I usually only wash it at home and wax it a few times a year.

So my question is what is the best quick detailer/wax that I can use after my washings to keep the paint shiny, protected, and slick until it gets a bath or waxed again?

[CKTA]

I like using Ace It polish/detailer. I've been using it for a couple years now and really like it.

http://www.aceitpolish.com/shop/ace-it-products/ace-it-16-oz-spray-polish.html

[1988 GMC 355]

That looks like a great product, that is what i am looking for, I hate going out to my truck and seeing all the crap on it knowing it won't get washed till I get home and I don;t want it to hurt the paint more :(

[CountryChevy15]

quick do it yourself car wash to rinse it off is your best bet imo.

[squeaky3]

honestly if there is any actual stuff sitting on the paint the only thing you can do to really get rid of it without causing more harm is to actually wash it

take it to a regular car wash and get it off then use some quick detailer or such to shine it back up

i use either the mequires quick detailer or spray wax, but alot of guys i know are big fans of the lucus slick mist stuff

[WildChevys]

ADAMS, end of story

[1988 GMC 355]

Well I knew you would say that james :lol: but what of their product do I want for this application? and how does Chemical guys compare?


And true Ian and Adam I could run through a brushless carewash then use some detailer while I dry, but if I can keep it protected till it gets a proper bath then I will be happy.

[squeaky3]

if when you do give it a good wash you give is a good wax/protectant then there is no reason the quick detailer/quick wax should work just fine for the time you dont get to really wax it as long as it gets pretty clean when it bring it to the car wash so you arent digging anything that was on your paint into it

[CountryChevy15]

lucus slick mist stuff

Personally im not a fan at all. We sell it at work for just shy of 10 bucks a bottle but use it for free. I would rather hand wax something than use the lucas slick mist because i think it streaks and is a pain to get off and look as good as hand wax (which is the point of a quick wax).

But thats just my experience with it. Others in the shop always use it.

[1988 GMC 355]

Well I want to use the quick wax while I dry or after I dry my truck after a wash to keep it slick and protected while it sits at school until it can get another bath, I usually only do a full wax 2 or 3 times a year

[WildChevys]

if you want a quick detailer than get their detail spray and waterless wash

[WildChevys]

if you want to do a real detail then let me know and i'll tell you what to get

[1988 GMC 355]

Well like I said I don't have a buffer and won't anytime in the near future, so for now it will all be by hand.
I don't know if I will be able to give it a good wax again this year unless I can get it in the warm shop at work over winter break.
But for now I want to maintain the wax I have on it and keep it protected and nice looking while it sits and until it can get a bath again.
I have the MEguiars tech wax on it now and will either use that again or use some collinite by hand when I wax again.
But for now I am going to order more micro fiber towels and want to find a good quick wax to keep it shiny and protected and a quick detailer or maybe use the waterless wash while it sits in the parking lot at school to keep it clean since it won't get really dirty, just bird crap, the stuff from the bugs in the trees, and rain drops.

[WildChevys]

adams has great products for hand use also

[1988 GMC 355]

Well thats how I will be doing all my detailing to this truck.

I think I have found that when I do another full detail I need to first use a medium compound on the obvious scuffs and scratches, then a glaze over the whole truck ( I would guess a few coats it seems), then a good wax.

Then to maintain that all wash it and dry it then use a spray wax after I dry the truck, and a quick detailer if I can keep up on wiping the truck down every week if I dont drive it at all, unless thats not a good idea.

[WildChevys]

give me a few and i'll give ya a list

[1988 GMC 355]

Sounds great, thanks James.

[Chin Strap]

I didn't read ALL of the posts in here, but after washes before waxes, Meguiars or Mothers clay bar kit, you will sh!t your pants from the results of it. My paint feels smoother than a prom queens thigh.

[1988 GMC 355]

I have clayed my truck twice so far and it is amazing, I always do it after I wash with dawn dish soap, then I polish, then wax.
But is a clay ok/meant to use after wax is applied?

[WildChevys]

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-515-adams-premium-hand-polish-car-wax-kit.aspx

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-525-adams-brilliant-glaze.aspx

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-423-adams-americana-premium-carnauba-paste-car-wax.aspx

[1988 GMC 355]

AHHHHHHH that is all yelling my name!!!!!

That is a big purchase but I know it is all worth it. Thanks for the list James.
I mean I have microfiber towels so I wouldnt have to buy those and most likely the next time I can do a full out detail will be spring so I could slowly buy all this, if its cost effective or wait and get the whole kit.

Hmmmm

[WildChevys]

also, if you go with the americana you dont need the buttery wax

[WildChevys]

and watch their videos

[1988 GMC 355]

I watched both of those, awesome vids for sure.

Well, what all do you have from them?

[MSF]

Griots (http://www.griotsgarage.com/)

[1988 GMC 355]

They also have a very nice kit for $110.

GOsh so many good choices it seems

[Ghastlyone]

Adam's. Nuff said. I won't use anything else.

The Brilliant Glaze and Americana Wax looks absolutely amazing.

And 1988 GMC 355, if you really want to get serious about correcting your paint, then look into getting a PC or Flex polisher. Those are a must have for a dark vehicle.

[1988 GMC 355]

Well I understand stand that getting into using a PC will be the absolute best, but at this time I really can't justify it or afford it, so for the time being I either want to get a kit from Adams or piece together products that work that I can get for a good price, but if a kit is really worth it and will work best together then I am all for that, I want to have a process that works and not have to keep buying stuff over the years.

[CKTA]

The AceIt stuff I posted is a liquid detailer/POLISH so it protects a lot longer then any other liquid detailer out there.

I believe that was what your original post was about........not full detail kits. :lol:

[1988 GMC 355]

:lol: your right it was, but as all things that come with cleaning, getting carried away is easy.

[CKTA]

For what it's worth, I'm a diehard Zaino guy. However, on the white truck between washes (which doesn't happen near as often as I'd like) the Ace it polish puts a great layer of extra protection on it.

[1988 GMC 355]

It seems to be some great stuff, and that is deffinately what I am going for.
Now say I wash my truck and use the Ace It afterwards and I drive my truck back to school, and it just sits for a week or so and the only thing that gets on it is bird crap, tree stuff and some rain, can I use some quick detailer spray to clean all that off or will that potentially scratch the paint up?

[WildChevys]

I watched both of those, awesome vids for sure.

Well, what all do you have from them?
a better question would be what dont i have

[1988 GMC 355]

lol well I have been researching Adams and Griots stuff. I don't have to decide now, the only thing I want for when I go home next week is some more microfiber towels and some quick wax to use which I will probably order either Chemical guys or Griots spray wax.

[WildChevys]

i have their soap, waterless wash, detail spray, severe swirl and haze remover, swirl and haze remover, fine machine polish, machine super wax, buttery wax, brilliant glaze, americana wax, glass cleaner, super vrt, carpet cleaner, all purpose cleaner, upholestry cleaner, leather conditioner and their drying towels, and various microfiber towels.

[Ghastlyone]

I just picked up a 4" Focus Pad kit last week.

Next on the list, is the car wash soap, and grit guards.

[1988 GMC 355]

Dang!! thats some $$$

[CKTA]

It seems to be some great stuff, and that is deffinately what I am going for.
Now say I wash my truck and use the Ace It afterwards and I drive my truck back to school, and it just sits for a week or so and the only thing that gets on it is bird crap, tree stuff and some rain, can I use some quick detailer spray to clean all that off or will that potentially scratch the paint up?

I would wipe the bird crap off asap. The other stuff I would leave on (at least i do) untill the next wash. Like i said, the ACEIT puts an extra layer of protection on.

[1988 GMC 355]

OK I will keep that in mind, and does that ace it leave a build up after using it after washes and in between waxes? thats the only thing that got brought to my attention.

[Macedawg]

you're in college..you should be waxing college girl ass, not your truck :read:

:rolleyes:

[1988 GMC 355]

you're in college..you should be waxing college girl ass, not your truck :read:

:rolleyes:

I have both covered :read: My truck helps me out though too, so gotta show it some love :D

[1988 GMC 355]

Well after researching and talking to MSF I decided to buy some Griots stuff, I got the spray on wax, speed detailer, clay, one towel, and the microfiber detergent.

[CKTA]

OK I will keep that in mind, and does that ace it leave a build up after using it after washes and in between waxes? thats the only thing that got brought to my attention.

No build-up. :cool:

[CKTA]

Well after researching and talking to MSF I decided to buy some Griots stuff, I got the spray on wax, speed detailer, clay, one towel, and the microfiber detergent.

:teddy:





:lol:

[1988 GMC 355]

:teddy:





:lol:

:lol: Hey I am just taking after you!



Griots had free shipping and a package deal on the speed detailer, clay, and towel

:D

[WildChevys]

Dang!! thats some $$$
yea a little bit lol

[mybrosride]

I use a quick-wax between regular waxing on my vehicles - but I've noticed that anytime you buy a car or truck, generally the only wax of any type thats been used on them is probably some spray on from a car wash....

I wonder sometimes do people realize that paint needs some type of protectant on it?? I guess thats why that when you see most 5 year old plus cars out there the paint looks like crap... :dunno:

[1988 GMC 355]

I use a quick-wax between regular waxing on my vehicles - but I've noticed that anytime you buy a car or truck, generally the only wax of any type thats been used on them is probably some spray on from a car wash....

I wonder sometimes do people realize that paint needs some type of protectant on it?? I guess thats why that when you see most 5 year old plus cars out there the paint looks like crap... :dunno:

This is true, my truck was an old famers truck before I had it and prob didnt get washed alot, so once I spent some time on it it really came to life and will even more once I get some new products to use.

[mybrosride]

Same here - mine belonged to an old man and I think he farmed "some"... Couldn't have done much since its an 06 with just 20k on it... I need to take a little more time and do another complete wax job on it... Right now I'm working extra hours so I don't have that much spare time... But I definately will go over it again before the cold weather sets in...

[1988 GMC 355]

Well my rad and heater core was packed with mud.... and that takes years to do lol
I have done all I can to my paint with what I have now, but I will be adding in a scratch removal, polish, and glaze step before a final waxing.

[mybrosride]

^^^
I bet my uncle's old chevy truck looks about what yours did... I'm sure its never been washed, and he uses it just as a farm truck... Its a 95, I think, and its been through H*** here on this earth and still purrs like a kitten...

[1988 GMC 355]

Well I don't think mine has been through hell, but I sure have saved it from ptentially getting there.

[96extcab]

Dougie, does the stuff you were talking about actually add protection? I get a little leary when I here about a polish in something like that...that tends to imply abrasive, and wax removing.

[SlvrdoHDmax]

Well my rad and heater core was packed with mud.... and that takes years to do lol
I have done all I can to my paint with what I have now, but I will be adding in a scratch removal, polish, and glaze step before a final waxing.

if you need a place to work on that, I can help. Ive got a decent selection of supplies at the house

[1988 GMC 355]

if you need a place to work on that, I can help. Ive got a decent selection of supplies at the house

I think over winter or next spring I will take you up on that and do a full detail at your place so you can help me out since you have alot more experiance then me.

[CKTA]

Dougie, does the stuff you were talking about actually add protection?


I get a little leary when I here about a polish in something like that...that tends to imply abrasive, and wax removing.

Yes, alot. :cool:


Have no fear. :cool: