Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

[Kybol]

Well I thought I should finally wax the ty, I havn't yet since I had it. Never done it before since this is my first dark vehicle. I started by hand and it is just to much work. What would you guys recommend for a power buffer or what ever it is called? I do have an air sander(the kind that spins and moves around, if that makes sense) would that work with the right pad on it?

Any other tips to get this thing to shine?

Thanks

 

[It's just a six]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

You need to get the same type of waxing machine ,orbital,one that oscilates.
Not the kind that locks up like a D/A sander.
The kind that you can hold onto the pad w/your hand & does not spin,it just oscilates in an orbital manner.
Make sense?
I hope so.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

Random Oribital sander with a velco pad (I bought the pads from Girots garage) is what I use for put on the wax. It puts on a light coat that is super easy to remove. They make pads to remove wax, but I find it easier to remove it by hand. You are waxing in the shade not the direct sun, right?

 

[PJ2397SY]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

i use the same one as girots garage but bought mine from lowes porter cable. i use meguires nxt wax works awesome as a finish coat. if truck is really bad try wax shop safe cut first. you wont be disappointed. like dave i also use the machine to apply and remove by hand.
later
pj

 

[ashman]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

it sounds like your attempting to "polish" your truck which is very different from "waxing". the porter cable RO is great if your polishing and will save a bunch of effort and muscle ache. you'll use different pads/polishes depending on what condition your paint is in.

if you truck is already polished...apply wax for protection. wax can be applied and removed by hand.

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

www.zainobros.com

you dont need a buffer

 

[Kybol]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

ok, how about this, what do I need to do step by step to make my truck really shine?

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

Does it have hazy oxidation on the truck? If so, you will want to polish it first. I usually start of with a mild polish (you need a buffer for this) and then use a fine polish to finish it off. Then I apply my wax.

 

[ashman]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

as much as the sy/ty's are a religion to us....automotive paint restoration is a HUGE religion to others. head over to autopia.org and read some of that stuff. it gets miindboggling. the zaino products that ken mentioned are supposed to be very good and they have a system that you can follow. the key is to only use the lightess abrasive products that will get the job done. meguires also has a system that usually available locally. investing in a RO will make life MUCH easier.

 

[phoonerorlater]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

Ok, here's the deal. Zaino is good, but hard to use. Before I can just say you need to do this, this and that to your truck I'd need to know what color it is? How long have you had it? You've washed it since then right. just not waxed? Are you looking for a show car finish? (if yes, get ready to put in some serious time) Are you looking to remove scratches and swirls? (if yes, take pics of your paint in the sunlight and post them up)
Typically to apply just a wax, or now what is used is a sealer, you would use a porter cable (around a hundred bucks). In order to remove swirling and scratching, you would use a high speed orbital buffer (makita is best). You can use a porter cable for this too but it will take longer and require a little more elbow grease. Now, depending on the marks, you will use different pad/polish combination. This is why I'd need to know all of the above questions and pics.
In all honesty, if this is somethign you'd like to learn than I'd say spend a few hundred bucks, get the right stuff you need and start practicing, if you want to only do this truck and make it look good, I'd say spend a few hundred bucks at a good detail shop locally (PM me and I can tell you what to look for in a shop) and then just keep the truck clean. You can put a coat of sealant on it every six months or so and it will look good.
If you want to get really anal with your truck, wait a week or so and I plan on posting up a detailed how to on maintaining the paint on your truck.

 

[PJ2397SY]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

1 wash truck with dawn dish soap and water terry cloth not sponge top to bottom rinsing cloth often
2 dry completely if not mixes with wax and sucks
3 porter cable ro polisher new or clean foam pad with wax shops safe cut remove by hand
4 porter cable ro polisher new or clean foam pad meguires nxt remove by hand
5 wax shop slick stuff apply and remove by hand
step 5 after washes and in between
my process hope it helps

 

[James Thomas]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

I thought dish soap stripped wax?

_____________
James

 

[SyTyJedi]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

That's the point, to strip all the old stuff off and get the paint as clean as possible.

 

[phoonerorlater]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

I wouldn't use terry cloth, it will put swirl marks on the clear coat. These trucks are umpteen years old now and the paint needs to be treated gently. Buy a wool mit, and do a two bucket wash method with dish soap first. One bucket is filled with the soapy water, the other with just clean water. Rinse the mit after everytime it touches the truck and before it goes in the soapy water again, this will further reduce swirling.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Waxing for first time, waht kinda machine do I need/

That's the point, to strip all the old stuff off and get the paint as clean as possible.

I personally only strip my cars once every couple of years, unless I have to for some other reason (ie polish out scratches). I also clay bar it at the same time.

I also never use Zaino. I know a lot of poeple have great luck with it and teh resulting shine, but it totally turns me off that once you switch to Zaino that you can't use regular wax again. I don't know but something isn't right if they are incompatible.