Waxing your car--question.
 

The stuff says "do not apply in direct sunlight or to a hot surface" . . .

So... I have to do it in the middle of the night? How do you wax your car in the summertime?

You'll need to drive North about 15 hours.

Seriously, though. In the dead heat of summertime, you put on a tanktop and wax your car on Saturday afternoon, right? Except... the car wax says not to use in sulight or on hot surfaces. So how, or when, or where, do you actually use the stuff ???

Overcast day or in the shade.

people still use wax?

Seriously, it makes your paint look good by scratching a thin layer off to get to the fresh stuff below. The modern clear coat finish over the paint makes wax unnecessary and actually damaging.

I'm using wax as a generic term for "synthetic car polishing compound"

It's the stuff actually recommended by the Honda dealership, applied once per year.

ok.

well it's your car. If Honda says it won't hurt the finish then I trust them. But I still think it's not necessary.

Once per year on an overcast day, very early in the morning or late in the afternoon or in the shade or your garage.

They mostly say that so the solvent doesn't burn off before you have spread it out evenly and buffed it. IF you are able to work small enough sections and keep a wet edge you might be successful doing it in the sun or on a hot car.

touché

It's just that I've been off work the last few days, and it's Texas, and it's summer.


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NEXT QUESTION:


Anybody ever used a "scratch filler" ???

If so, which one? How well do you think it worked?

The scratch filler question is also a good one. My school's parking was used by golf slobs for a geezer national event last week and my car took some abuse.

Wax on! Wax off! Drink beer!

Wax on wax off....but why? spend your time making music and playing with your kids.

Whatever car I have had I use Nu Finish once a year takes an hour. I love shiny! :) whenever I have traded my cars I have always gotten above Blue Book.

I forgot we sold a steer that won a larger county fair near here. One of the losers who thought they were winning keyed my car after the show. (saw 'em) I bought Quixx Paint Scratch remover. Got most of the scratch. Maybe because I knew it was there but I am sure no one else noticed.

this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41pUkkqp8cL.jpg

apply under a big ole shady tree...

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watershed...shdtr_main.jpg
...near a hot chick's father's farm. Make sure she notices you there....

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs22/i/20...styshutter.jpg

Wear a wife beaterhttp://www.undershirtguy.com/wp-cont...al-150x150.jpg and cowboy boots.http://media1.corbisimages.com/Corbi...2-18085662.jpg (bandana optional)http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/Im...566-634007.jpg

relax after

http://thisfabtrek.com/journey/afric...ee-shade-4.jpg



giggedy.... aw riiiight!

http://cartalk.static.vanillaforums....0411a59654.jpg

There's a mystical magical place, Flint, where fairies and butterflies wash their cars: it's called 'shade.' I know, I know...you thought it was the stuff only of imagination, but it exists! You just have to know where to find it.

Don't give up. Look around trees, under awnings, in garages. It's elusive, but every now and then shade will beckon you like a pining lover, calling you to its cool embrace, wrapping you in sunless love.

Don't car wash places do it automatically?

FTFY

There must be an award for Dumbest Question Ever.

No, there are no dumb questions. The only dumb question is the dumb question that just fell out of your mouth.

:bolt:

haha niiice....picture story Jim.

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I was going to suggest Meguiar's Direct ultimate car wax, which can be used the sun.
I have used it. It's good but doesn't last long though.

I'll have to try Nu-fnish next.

Air fairies and butterflies and rainbows. I feel so, so, so fucking PEACEFUL and CLEAN.

Maybe he's worried about the Vashta Nerada.

No, I think he's a guy...guys can't get nerada on their vashta, can they?

A cloud would provide shade.... it darkens every sunny day

I don't worry about the sun. Problem, for most waxes, is that a wax too dry does not polish properly and does not do the required protection.

Just did waxing a few days ago. Generally, wax it in the late summer or early fall. That wax is still good in March as long as one is does not make the always bad mistake of going to a car wash.

Don't know about Honda's wax. But with better stuff (not the liquid stuff or Turtle wax), I do this. First apply wax with much arm power. Scrub it in and spread it widely. After enough time, stop applying wax. Go back to remove the now mostly dry wax. That cleans the finish and leaves valleys in the paint waxed.

Then go back to apply a second coat thinly and lightly. When dry, polish that application without pressure. If the wax does not brush off, then wait for it to dry more. Eventually the best wax finish will be so smooth that a wax can will slide off the hood.

A hot sun and too much time between application and polishing means the wax does not apply properly. Polishing must be done when it first dries and has not yet started hardening.

A good wax may take even days to fully harden - I believe from experience.

Do not apply wax when the evening dew starts forming. Moisture compromises waxing.

Taking it to a car wash simply removes all waxing. Car washes are a worst solution. But great when you want to remove all protection. And even better in Northern states when you want to make salt induced rusting to happen faster.

Sun only means the time between application and polishing is less.

Forget what the temperature will do to the wax... if your car is in the sun, the metal is going to be 200+ degrees. Is your little polishing rag going to protect your hands from that?

.