Is this enough for a beginner or do I need more?

[Sudosilman]

I have been neglecting my car for a while and its picked up a ton of dust and dirt. It was really bad but I was too busy to wash it. It recently rained which was nice as it took a lot of the dirt off but there's still a lot caked on.

I have a black Honda Accord 2010 and iwas told when I got it that I need to keep it waxed and polished if I want it to look nice. It's my first car so I had no idea how to take care of it and apparently black cars have different paint?

Today I bought two buckets, a box of Mothers Clay treatment, and Mothers Brazilian Carnauba liquid cleaner wax.

So I think the process is: wash with standard car wash soap and water, dry with clean Terry towel, apply Clay treatment, then apply wax and buff. I also bought a foam buffer pad but I don't have an electric buffer so I'll be apply the wax and buffing it out by hand.

I hear all this talk about extra products such as sealant, swirl remover, glaze, spray wax, and detailer. I don't know what all this is, and I didn't know what to get at the store so I just got the clay and wax. I know I needed the clay cause the car has a ton of gross dirt (is the clay non reusable?) On it. But I have no idea whether to get spray wax or liquid or paste wax, and I had no idea what the detailer did or whether or not to get polish and who h kind.

Does the wax also act as polish?

What are the general steps and products for someone just wants to keep his paint nice?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Sudo, I know the name of this forum is somewhat misleading/confusing or whatever. It is mainly for car wash owners to swap ideas, stories, etc. You are welcome here, but you may have better luck asking your questions in the detailing section. HTH

 

[robert roman]

This should be a wonderful place for anyone to learn how to care for the appearance of their motor vehicle – a forum full of professional commercial carwash and detail shop operators.

Washing is pretty simple but there some nuances to consider with shining and protecting paint.

“What are the general steps and products….to keep…paint nice?”

I suggest washing about twice a month.

Most people have three options 1) wash at home using carwash soap and water or waterless carwash or 2) visit commercial carwash (preferably one with soft-cloth or foam brushes) or 3) have a mobile car washer or detailer to come to your location.

Washing removes accumulated dirt and grime but it does not shine or protect paint.

Wax imparts shine on paint and acts like a sacrificial barrier to help protect paint from contamination (dirt, droppings, etc.) and UV radiation from the sun.

Wax traps contamination and wears off over time from weathering and repeated washing.

So, it must be re-applied periodically, say, every 45 to 60 days. I use wax once a month.

Wax is either natural like carnauba that provides “wet” look or synthetic (polymer-based) for more glossy look.

I would apply wax with small foam applicator pad and remove with microfiber towel.

Clay bar is designed to remove contamination (grime, railroad dust, etc.,) that has adhered to paint or embedded in and leaving behind a very clean and smooth surface for the wax to stick to.

Liquid cleaner wax is a two-in-one product. It contains just enough abrasives to remove light contamination and paint marring and polish paint to a better shine. It will also contain a synthetic or natural wax.

Hope this helps.