I currently use zipwax car shampoo to wash my car. Then rinse and towel dry my car.

I then use turlte wax on the paintwork all the way around. (Wax on, wax off) lol. once thats done i then use autoglym polish to finish it off, again on all body panels.

Am i doing this the right way around? Should i polish first and then wax? bit confused

prep the car with obviously a wash (usally a pre wash as well) first then followed by clay then polish then finish off with the wax for me..

pre-wash
shampoo wash
dry
Wax
polish
(optional) gloss finish polish/sealant

You only need to clay bar the car once every six months, up to you if you want to do it more but it's bloody expensive stuff.

if you wash it again after a serious wax and polish, apply same methods without the wax, but touch it up with polish and then sealant.

Wax in theory should last more then 3 months, before needing to re-apply.

I'd defimatly clay before polishing.

Also wax is the final stage. No point in waxing if your going to be polishing the surface! That will remove the wax.

Yeh matey get the wax on last and use thin layers of it less is more with wax! If you have the time you can get a couple of coats on it.

You won't need to wax again for a while if you use a quick detailer after each wash to top it up.

Wax varies how long it lasts. Go for a paste wax instead of liquid and it will last longer. chemical guys xxx hardcore paste Very easy to apply and buff off. Lasts about 3 months

Waxes like megs #16 and collinite 476 are a bit harder to buff off but last longer. Upto 6 months

Trial and error to see what you like

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Yeh matey get the wax on last and use thin layers of it

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Top tip

so after you've washed, clayed, polished and waxed say in january, then do you wash and use that protector from then (once a week say) say for 3 months then repeat the original process?

obviously only clay once every other "major wash" though?

For me i clay and polish twice a year. Before winter and in the spring. Add wax every other wash. Wash when i can. Typically once a month. If you are carefull with the wash process. Foam first then wash with a lambs wool mit and two bucket method, you won't do any damage to the paint. Don't put any pressure on the body when washing.

Even when dirty I get comments about how shiney my car is.

Just to add my car does under 5k a year so doesn't need to be washed that often.

ah right ok makes sense
lol mine does "8k a year" on my insurance, but more like 14k

When this was taken the car hadn't been washed for about 6 weeks and 1k miles.


Covered in dust and mud. Check the front and bottom of the side skirt

fair play mate!

The key is in the prep.
Once you polish the wax protects the polish. Keep ontop of the wax and you'll always have a shiney car

best go and buy myself some wax then

so what's the maintain thing for then? to use in-between waxes?