Question on Dewaxing....

[VAmagred01]

I just purchased a can of 3M's Wax Remover. I'm a little apprehensive about using this stuff, though. Is it a simple spray on-wipe off deal and then just add a couple coats of wax? The last thing that I want to do is ruin my finish (e.g. damage the clearcoat) and have a worthless Vette. Are there any precautions that I should take?

My next question is, "How many times am I going to have to spray 'n wipe if I have 3-5 coats of wax on the car?" Can one tell, visually, when all of the wax is off (i.e. a haze) or is it measured by the texture of the finish?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

-Kenny

 

[Doug Do]

Kenny:

First of all, 3 to 5 coats of wax will not stay on the car if it is out in the sun a lot. Second, I have used Dawn dish washing soap to strip all wax off of my '98, then used a clay bar to smooth out the surface, then applied Zanio to the finish.....smooth as a baby's bottom :cool

 

[GS Diva]

Kenny,

I agree with Doug. Try the Dawn wash first rather than something more harsh.

Elaine

 

[VAmagred01]

Yeah, on any given warm/hot day, wax "melts." Mine is a garage queen. I drive it about one day a month (average) on perfect days so I wash it after every second drive. After a wash, I wax it. So I figured that the wax had more than likely built up since it's not in the sun too long. I was told that you could use Dawn or a couple of drops of washing detergent to strip the wax. So I take it, Doug Do, that you haven't had any problems with the clear coat? Would you recommend doing that in lieu of the 3M stuff? Thanks for the response/info!

 

[VAmagred01]

Thanks Doug and GS Diva!

 

[SLROCKE]

Dawn wash

 

[paintdaddy]

They will all work.Dawn dish soap is probably the easiest ,cheapest way.The stuff from 3m is basically just a solvent.Its the same thing any body shop uses before starting the prep work,it wont hurt the paint.

 

[VAmagred01]

Thanks everyone. I was able to wash it yesterday with my dish liquid ( Lemon Ajax) after washing it first with my normal Car Wash liquid. Can't really tell if ALL of the wax is off.....still very shiny but the surface is not baby-smooth as usual so I guess it worked. Pulled it back in the garage......I'll probably be able to put two coats on tonight with another on Fri.

Thanks again.

 

[Doug Do]

Do yourself a favor and use a clay bar before you wax it. Talk about smoth as a baby bottom :s

 

[DetailingDude]

Hmmmm, I hate to jump in here and create a controversy, but DeWaxing with Dawn is not the way to go! And I don't like the 3M aerosol wax remover.

I tend to be intensely anal and precautious about all aspects of car care and Dawn is one thing that I don't suggest you do. The biggest problem with Dawn is that it can strip some of the nutritive oils out of your plastic trim and then when the Sun gets ahold of it it can begin to dryout, shrink, crack and turn a whiteish gray color. It is impossible to re-introduce those oils and can be left with a never ending cycle of using another product to deal with the problem.

When I look at car care I look down the road 20 years and fingure out how to keep a car in the best shape possible.... in order to do that you have to look at cars that have been there before you and say, "What did this car that it looks like crap do and what did this other one do that it looks like a preserved classic."

My suggestion is to try 3M General Purpose Adheisve Cleaner. It will remove multiple layers of wax. Dawn is great at degreasing your wax but not fully removing the wax itsself.

 

[Doug Do]

I disagree...after you dewax and use a clay bar, use Zaino products and you will never be sorry

 

[DetailingDude]

How is that disagreeing? I certainly implore everybody, on this and other boards I am on, to clay. And on the Zaino..... I don't chose sides. To me surface prep is the key.

 

[paintdaddy]

I never thought about the trim ,detaildude makes a good point.Without getting too technical,all of the products that cars are made of including the paint are oil based and washing it with dish soap may be a little overkill.On the paint it would strip the wax off and may rob a little of the oils out of the paint.Good point.

 

[Remo]

Car Wash Soap

Anyone have a recommendation on which car soap to use? I've used Dupont car wash powder for years and it doesn't seem to hurt the wax.

Remo
:cool

 

[Doug Do]

If you go with a complete line of products, I suggest Zaino. You can buy all of the products from Ecklers. :BOW

 

[paintdaddy]

Anyone have a recommendation on which car soap to use

I would think any car wax would work fine,I use a car wah soap that has carnuba in it.I dont know if it helps but I figure it cant hurt.

 

[44 Mag]

I am going to side 100% with Doug Do on this topic. If you love your ride, then treat it to the best. Zaino will transform your ride into a diamond. Go to their home page to order and follow their instructions to the 'T'. Stand back and accept the compliments!

 

[SLROCKE]

unless it's sitting next to a car with 3M...