slick paint

In order to figure out if you need to clay before waxing, feel the paint. Wash the car then touch it. If it's bumpy, gritty and doesn't feel like smooth glass it needs to be clayed. You can also put your hand in a sandwich baggie and feel the paint it amplifies your sense of touch.

Claying shouldn't take hours...I personally love the surface speedy prep towels, takes 15-20 minutes to clay a car. Just remember to break the towel in on glass before using. It's advertised to last I believe 50+ times.

Originally Posted by dmax

You really might want to be very careful about writing stuff like this around here. I'd bet you have about 20 PMs in your box right now...am I right?

They swept the beagle thing under the rug pretty quickly, but I know they're more fearful about autophilia issues coming out more publicly.

Gheybe manages a little support group here for the guys...I think it's every night at 7...maybe 8

I've already tried seeking help and I've been told I'm hopeless.

Originally Posted by ClaytonL

I use this same wax but I can't seem to get the same results you do. maybe I am doing it wrong? or maybe I need to use that follow up product.

As others said, your paint needs to be as smooth as glass otherwise all the wax in the world won't help you. start with a clean slate. this means clay and polish first before wax. you might want to pay a professional to do this especially since your car is red (it looks faded in the pic you have as your sig as red paint tends to turn pink if not looked after).you can spend hundreds on equipment alone.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

As others said, your paint needs to be as smooth as glass otherwise all the wax in the world won't help you. start with a clean slate. this means clay and polish first before wax. you might want to pay a professional to do this especially since your car is red (it looks faded in the pic you have as your sig as red paint tends to turn pink if not looked after).you can spend hundreds on equipment alone.

Yupp. My last job was an automotive detailer for 5 years before I got sick of the bullshit with the company and blew their lies and exploitative practices wide open for everyone to see. Then they fired me. Capitalist oppression FTW?

Anywys. Yeah you need to clay your shizz first to get all the contaminants out of the paint that washing alone can't remove. Then the wax, and then your car will be shiny and silky "schmoove" as we used to say in the shop. Red is a pretty forgiving paint color. Even just a wax makes red cars look a lot better and they glow with a good buff. I love red BMW's. Try a small spot on your car to see how it looks. Just pick a spot that you don't really notice and try some clay on it and then a decent wax and see what it does for the paint. It's hard to tell the condition of your paint just from one pic, though.

And E46Mango, that wax is really good stuff if it still beads like that after two months.

Nice job. Collonizzle is great stuff. Ever since I started using that a few years ago, I apply it to all 3 of our cars (my 2 and the little lady's WRX). It's so easy to work with, and the longevity is insane. I do 2 coats of 845 three times a year. I layer carnuba over it. Poorboys Nattys paste wax. They make a good glaze too that i've been using for a while.

Man, I can't wait for it to be warm enough to give my E46 a good detail. It's been a rough winter.

Anyways...looking good Mango. You run a tight ship.

I use Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax (much better than advertised, Meguiar's/Mirror Glaze's longest lasting wax) every 2-3 months along with Griot Garage's Paint Sealant.. I prep the paint by claying, followed up with a light polish. I apply everything with Griot Garage's 6" Random Orbital (fantastic). Then I top it all with Chemical Guy's V7 Spray Sealant..

Originally Posted by E46Mango

As others said, your paint needs to be as smooth as glass otherwise all the wax in the world won't help you. start with a clean slate. this means clay and polish first before wax. you might want to pay a professional to do this especially since your car is red (it looks faded in the pic you have as your sig as red paint tends to turn pink if not looked after).you can spend hundreds on equipment alone.

Originally Posted by SilverThreeTwoFive

Anywys. Yeah you need to clay your shizz first to get all the contaminants out of the paint that washing alone can't remove. Then the wax, and then your car will be shiny and silky "schmoove" as we used to say in the shop. Red is a pretty forgiving paint color. Even just a wax makes red cars look a lot better and they glow with a good buff. I love red BMW's. Try a small spot on your car to see how it looks. Just pick a spot that you don't really notice and try some clay on it and then a decent wax and see what it does for the paint. It's hard to tell the condition of your paint just from one pic, though.

I usually clay twice a year. The clay bar of choice is Mothers (I can find this down the street at an Oreillys). Maybe I should try something different. I use Klasse AIO and Collinite twice a year. Every two months I use Meguiars Ultimate Paste Wax for a refresh. Normal washes consists of the two bucket method with Meguiars Gold Class followed by the quick wax they make. Im curious about the Hybrid V7 Optical Select. Maybe I'll order a bottle and try that out. The paint looks and feel fantastic after. No pink. All my pictures on here are from my iPhone 4 and have been reshaped. I'm thinking that's why my car is looking pink. The two biggest problems I'm having is the water beading not lasting months like I was told it should and close up fine scratches from the previous owner. I guess she used a regular towel to dry.
I've been looking around for a trustworthy detailer around that knows their buffers. I dont trust myself with one nor a regular car wash place.

Also have been thinking about hooking a RV water filter between my house and hose so all my water comes out pure without tap contaminates.