Over the Counter Wax

[chuckie669]

Hey Guys,
I told my father I would help him clean and wax his car for helping me do X. Anyways, I'm looking for a good over the counter wax for an 08 inferno red charger. I have a ton of wax but hear that there's some that are better for bright or red cars vs what I may have. Car was outdoor all the time but recently has been moved into the garage.

The plan of attack for his car was as follows:

Wash with dawn and dry with 100% cotton towels
Clay bar
Zymol cleaner wax with applicator and microfiber cloth
Quick detailer spray off
Wax with X brand wax and microfiber towel

Any help?

Thanks,
Charles

[95camaroZNC]

Wouldnt use Dawn.

[Mr. Luos]

Wouldnt use Dawn.

Pretty harsh stuff.



The cleaner wax will do the job just fine.
Over the counter....NXT2.0 wax.
Meguiars Mirror Glaze line is good stuff for over the counter product.

[Mike's TA]

Meguiars 3 Step Deep Crystal System has my vote for over the counter products.

I've used Mothers and Turtle Wax (both Ice and their other lines) and Meguiars surpasses both easily.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97562

[chuckie669]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Luos, I've always respected your opinion so can you tell me whats the big con of dawn for washing?

I typically use a carnuba brand wash on my t/a and switch to dawn maybe once every year and a half to remove contaminants and then rewax after.

I've always understood it to be okay to use before a wax as it removes most of the road debris and old wax with ease.

what should be used for a prewash in your opinion?

[Mr. Luos]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Luos, I've always respected your opinion so can you tell me whats the big con of dawn for washing?

It is harsh on paint/clear, and isn't really needed if you use a polish/cleaner wax prior to waxing.
Similar to that soap at the spray-off car wash places....harsh.

Washing with dawn strips the old wax. If you want to remove contaminents and whatnot.....use a claybar.



That said...using dawn once in a great while won't hurt anything. Just isn't really needed.