Polish after wax? - Honda Prelude Forum

CIT_lude · 09-13-2004, 02:25 PM

I recently stripped off all the wax from my car (using dish soap), applied polish, and then rewaxed the whole thing. I'd like to wax on a weekly basis for about a month to build up a nice coat before easing off on the wax, but it made me think of something. Once you get a solid coat of wax, is it worthless to use a polishing/conditioning agent at subsuquent, regular intervals? I'd assume that it can't penetrate the wax and hence wouldn't be helping out. Is this true, i.e. do you have to strip wax before using such agents each time, or do you actually derive benefit from them without first removing the wax?

KB798 · 09-13-2004, 04:00 PM

Polishing would remove the wax, but it's more effective to strip the wax from the car first with a powerful cleaning agent like a dishwashing soap so that you start on a "clean slate." However, this would depend on how much wax you have left on the car; if you recently waxed then it would make more sense to use dishwashing soap, but if you haven't waxed for a couple months then the wax would have probably worn away already.

mciampag · 09-14-2004, 05:36 AM

Why do you want to wax so often? Even carnauba waxes should last at least 2-3 months. Don't wax if you don't have to. If you want that 'just waxed' look every week, use a quick detailer instead. It's faster, it's easier, and it's probably cheaper. You don't need to 'build up' the wax, it doesn't work that way. Look at it this way, say you wax once a week for a month, with a wax that's good for 2 months per application. With that many extra coats on, you may get 3 months after the last time you apply it (or 4 months from the first). Now if you stretch that out and wax only when you need it, you'd get 8 months of protection for the same amount of work.

CIT_lude · 09-14-2004, 10:40 AM

Okay - makes sense kb798 - thanks.

mciampag: I was inspired to apply multiple coats by this thread in which kb798 mentioned the following:

Quote:

Regardless of the period of time where you let the wax bond to the surface, what's more important IMO and what will prevent the streaking is how much product you apply to the surface. Like many other waxes, a little goes a long way. I've found that a dime-sized amount of NXT for about half the hood of a Prelude is more than enough; you could probably use less than that. Just keep in mind that protection and looks come from layering - not overusing a product.

Maybe I misunderstood? Please do fill me in if I have, as waxing isn't really all that fun

Prodigalson · 09-14-2004, 12:16 PM

That applies primarily for polymer sealants such as Klasse...They can be layered...

CIT_lude · 09-14-2004, 01:00 PM

Got it - thanks for saving me the time fellas!