Wax? Polish?

[james_f]

I understand about 2 bucket methods and wash mitts etc, and have been cleaning cars for many years, but am now becoming confused (not hard!) about what is a wax and what is a polish and what to use when, and indeed how!

I susually wash the car, and if I am having day on my own (rare) then will apply Autoglym SRP and if I have time / weather a coating of Autoglym EGP.

Is this all wrong?!

I do use a sponge and chamois, and I know you're not meant to, and will change those when I can!

 

[dave]

Autoglym SRP is a polish and semi abrasive dont use too often. if you clay the car then use it then use the egp. you should only need to wash it for weeks after and it will still shine and beed or just top up with the egp.

 

[james_f]

Ahh, so the EGP is a wax and used as a shiny top coat and the SRP is a poilsh and used a bit like t-cut, only much milder? So just wash (properly from now on) and then cover with EGP = easy! Thank you!

Is the Ultra GP any good? And is that a wax or a polish?

 

[dave]

i dont think egp is a wax i think it a sealent, have a look here for wax www.cleanyourcar.co.uk

 

[james_f]

Cheers Dave

Esp as I have just noticed there is a similar thread elsewhere in this forum

Regards, James

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

EGP contains Carnuba Wax so perhaps it's a combined wax / sealant:idea:

I've switched to a combination of AG HD Wax & Aquawax after each wash. Only use a microfibre wash mitt, two Megs grit guard buckets, AG shampoo & conditioner and microfibre cloth to dry & buff.

Always get A1 results

PS. James F off AROC??

 

[punto_matt]

Autoglym SRP is a polish and semi abrasive dont use too often. if you clay the car then use it then use the egp. you should only need to wash it for weeks after and it will still shine and beed or just top up with the egp.

SRP is fine for regular use. Its just stuff like T-cut that shouldnt be used very often.

 

[dave]

SRP is fine for regular use.

no its not its a polish, use it right and you shouldnt even need to use it more than once or twice a year

 

[punto_matt]

Its fine, use about once a month or so not twice a year.

 

[Chrisatr]

IMO SRP gives a nice finish, but the finish doesnt last. AS for the EGP, well again i think its the same story. A paint sealant needs to be applied to a clean surface in order for it to bond properly. If your looking for a good sealant which will last, you could try either Jetseal 109 or Carlack 68 LLS. The carlack is quite hard to remove, but both will give you a wet finish which will last a year or so. Heres a black car I corrected, finished with Jetseal 109 and a coat of Collinite. All these products are available from cleanyourcar's website.

 

[Ziggy122]

So once the car's dry and clayed

U'd use something like AG SRP
Once thats been applied, you need to apply the finish back on

Which is AG EXP, but basically your recommending to use Jetseal 109 or Carlack 68 LLS as it means you can just wash the car next time, and not need to worry as the sealent will last about a year?

Surly AG EGP Does the same thing? So next time u just have to wash thats it, but after a few wash's you will just need to re:apply so EGP?

Ziggy

 

[Chrisatr]

So once the car's dry and clayed

U'd use something like AG SRP
Once thats been applied, you need to apply the finish back on

Which is AG EXP, but basically your recommending to use Jetseal 109 or Carlack 68 LLS as it means you can just wash the car next time, and not need to worry as the sealent will last about a year?

Surly AG EGP Does the same thing? So next time u just have to wash thats it, but after a few wash's you will just need to re:apply so EGP?

Ziggy

The longevity of the product you use is all down to how it reacts to detergents and road grime. Sealants are designed to fill the pores in the paint and stop dirt/salts etc sticking to the paint. Obviously, the more you wash the more sealant it will take off. The reason i recommended to Carlack and Jetseal, is that the give a better finish, but mainly because they stand up to detergents better than AG. For example. Diamond Brite and Supagaurd, which is sold in dealerships for £300-£400 requires you to wash the car with their washing fluid. This is because anything stronger will strip the sealant from the paint. The Carlack and Jetseal will withstand normal car detergents longer than AG EGP. All the sealants mentioned will provide UV protection etc, just some stick around longer than others

IMO, although AG products offer an excellent finish, the money spent reappling the product would be better spent on something that lasts longer. Each to their own though. Just offering my thoughts on products I use regularly.

 

[Ziggy122]

Not saying yours wrong

As yes your right if a product dont last 2 weeks before reapplying it then u might as well get a more firm finish,

I am to be soon washing and SRP mine, and obvs taking the top layer off i will need to apply a sealent ontop

If EGP dont stay 2 mins, then i will see about something stronger!!

The carlack69 LSS does sound tempting
and an easy applier still!!

So a good clean
Dry
CLAY
SRP
Carlack - LSS
and it should be shiny and swirl free for a while

I take it - if i drive for a week - wash the car, i should be able to apply the CL69LSS and build some layers up?

Ziggy

 

[Chrisatr]

The carlack69 LSS does sound tempting
and an easy applier still!!

So a good clean
Dry
CLAY
SRP
Carlack - LSS
and it should be shiny and swirl free for a while

I take it - if i drive for a week - wash the car, i should be able to apply the CL69LSS and build some layers up?

Ziggy

You can Layer the Carlack straight away. Apply a coat, leave it for 30mins to an hour. Wipe off. Leave for another 15 mins then apply another layer leave for an hour then wipe off. TIP: apply it with a damp applicator pad and use just a little product. The damp pad will apply it thinner for better coverage and it will be easier to remove (Carlack takes a bit of elbow grease to move it, where as the Jetseal comes off easy). As a rule, i always apply waxes and sealants with damp applicator

If you want to top it off with a good wax to make it glossy and add a little more depth, try the Clearkote Carnauba Moose Wax, also available from Cleanyourcar. Heres the finish i got on my Honda:

Washed
Clayed
Machine Polished to remove swirls
Glazed with Poorboys Blackhole
2 layers of Jetseal 109
2 layers of Clearlote CMW

 

[Ziggy122]

Im affraid i dont have a machine polish

its just called my good old youth and elbows!!

Will take a whole day type of thing i know

But
I take it im okay to SRP
Then aplly the carlack

I will have to get some Microfibre pads tho
i will have a cloth which i will be using to dry with but drying and using again later may be making things potentially worse....

Ziggy

 

[Chrisatr]

Im affraid i dont have a machine polish

But
I take it im okay to SRP
Then aplly the carlack

Ziggy

Yes. Or as an alternative, and probably better than SRP, just buy the Carlack Sealant kit. It comes with a paint cleaner as a stage one process, and the sealant as a stage two, this way you can do away with the SRP altogether. And it comes with a free microfibre cloth

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/carlack-sealant-kit/prod_358.html

 

[punto_matt]

You dont need to dry your car before you clay it. Leave it wet it will help with keeping the clay lubed up.