I've never been good at waxing or detailing, and I need some help.

I know Meguiars makes some nice products, and I was thinking about going with that brand. What specific products will I need to do a very good wax job that will last a long time? Also, what are some good techniques to waxing?

... cost is not an issue.

I know many people have used Meguiar'* Gold Class and have liked it. I tried the paste version and was impressed...but I am also (and probably more so) a car wax newbie.

I too like the Meguires products for shine and durability.

Like most things it starts with a good wash, use Dawn for the first wash and a good wash mitt. Mine is lambs wool but synthetic is fine. Change out the water bucket when it gets down to about the half way mark. This keeps you from rubbing dirt on your car and reduces swirl marks.
After a good wash and rinse, completly dry the car and inspect all the surfaces, look for scratches, chips, discoloration, etc. Chips are the worst cause the wax can buildup in them making it look kind of funky, paint is the only way I know to repair but can be time comsuming if you have lots.
If the scratches are deep you may want to try a rubbing compound (turtle wax), try an area under the front spoiler first and dont rub too hard this stuff will strip paint.
Once your settled that the paint is as good as your going to get it wash it again, I use Meguires crystal wash, again dry the car completely.

Now would be a good time claybar the paint, use lots of detailer spray and work the clay after each area is done (follow package instructions).
Wash the car again to get rid of loose contamiments and dry again, chamios and water blade work great.
I use the Meguires 3 step system, 1 cleaner, 2 polisher, 3 wax.
I also have an oribital buffer as I'm old and my arms get tired :P I also polish twice and wax twice.
In between the coats of cleaner polish and wax I work on other things like the tires, windows, rims etc. The whole process take all day and I really get into it.

After all is said and done I get about 3 months of excellent paint protection and use Meguires quick detailer about twice a month to maintain the wax. Your part of the world may be cleaner than up here so you will get performance from your wax. Bonneme has some great pics of his Gold class wax job that held up nicely over the winter, something I truley envy

i don't think the dawn step is necessary. the soap is way too agressive and will most likely strip more than just your wax. any good cleaner strips wax anyways.


1. good wash - i started using megs gold class and love it.
2. clay bar - mothers and megs make kits that seem to be easy to find.
instead of using the included QD spray, you could mix 1 tbsp of car wash concentrate with water in a spray bottle and save the QD for later maintenance
3. cleaner - you could go a couple routes here.....you could do the consumer based 3 phase deep crystal or hit up the professional line. from the pro line a fine cut cleaner would be ideal, or the #1 from the DC system. either can be used by hand or machine.
4. polish - this gives you depth and the usually desirable "wet-look". some are carnauba, some are synthetic, some are a combo. glazes could also be used here.
5. wax - after all this, a carnauba (non cleaner wax) should be applied........whether gold class, nxt, poorboys, vanilla moose, mothers 100% carnauba.........mulitpy layer will make a difference here
6. maintain with QD spray

enjoy

Yeah, I just figured out that A. they make it and B. we had some....I really like the Megs Gold Class carwash shampoo or whatever they call it. I was impressed.

I was thinking of doing the cleaning with that new Mr. Clean car wash kit, and then going from there to polish and wax.

BTW, this is not for my car. The car I would do it on has paint in very good condition right now, with no scratches or flaws.

www.griotsgarage.com has all you'll ever need... i had a side by side comparo with meguires and griots and griots cam out muuuch better

That Mr.Clean car wash is really good. No water streaks or spots anywhere.

I'm glad to hear that. Cause I was gonna go buy that and the wax tomorrow.

The starter pack it says you get three washes out of everything, but I only got two. But definately beats going over the whole car and drying everything.