First Wax?

[csimo]

Originally Posted by jch

csimo,
Since you are obviously very knowledgeable on this topic I have a few additional questions if you would be so kind as to answer? If I follow you, is it correct to say that you “polish” on an annual or semi-annual schedule for a penetrating protection and shine. In between you can use a “wax” to maintain the shine? How many times per year would you recommend polish? Can you over wax or over polish? Finally, NuFinish offers a liquid and paste, which would you recommend? Thanks again for all the useful info you posted!

I'm not representing myself as an expert, but I have been around quite a few of them over the years.

I would "polish" at least twice a year. Some claim to last a year but my experience shows you're lucky to get six months out of it. There may be residual effects that last a year that aren't evident but I prefer to be on the safe side. I live in an area where they salt the roads in the winter and we bake with the best of them in the summer... there may be areas of the country were the polish may actually last a year, but not where I live.

Can you wax over a polish? Yes as long as you don't use a "cleaner wax". I would wait a week or so between application of a polish and a wax to allow the polish polymers to bond as best possible.

Can you wax or polish too much? Yes. Both are intended to be transparent at the "recommended" application level, but I've seen yellowed wax. Most waxes have no UV protection and they break down. If you're going to wax or polish often it would be a good idea to strip all the old wax and polish off on occasion. There are commercial wax strippers, or a good wash with Dawn dish washing liquid will do the job. Don't ever wash with dish washing liquid unless you intend to strip off the wax and polish (especially Dawn).

Liquid or paste? If done to the extreme a paste should be superior, but most people won't make sure the paste is applied in small swirls effectively (I don't want to work that hard). On average the better flow of the liquid will result in better application. The idea is to make sure the product flows into all the irregularities of the paint surface.

There are some out there that claim modern base / clear coat finishes don't need any wax or polish. I disagree. Just wash a car that has never been waxed or polished and you'll find out how difficult it is to get clean. See how the water spotting has become permanent. Notice how that bird dropping has marred the finish. Even the cheapest wax or polish helps greatly.

[shortspark]

Great info Joe! Now, my question is if you polish (with Klasse or NuFinish) do you ever really need to wax?

[csimo]

Originally Posted by shortspark

Great info Joe! Now, my question is if you polish (with Klasse or NuFinish) do you ever really need to wax?

In my opinion you never need to wax. Other than the depth and quality of the shine a polish is superior in every way. If you really like that deep shine then wax away!

[jch]

Their appear to be various schools of thought here (covering one end of the spectrum to the other). I don't want to doubt anyone. Is there any way to get an official referee's call from Honda Corporate on this, or is it just a beliefs type issue (kind of like political debates)? I, along with others would just like to do what's best for our purchase.
Thoughts?

[csimo]

Originally Posted by jch

Their appear to be various schools of thought here (covering one end of the spectrum to the other). I don't want to doubt anyone. Is there any way to get an official referee's call from Honda Corporate on this, or is it just a beliefs type issue (kind of like political debates)? I, along with others would just like to do what's best for our purchase.
Thoughts?

I'm sure Honda would tell you to follow the Owner's Manaul. There's probably a section on this subject in the manual, but honestly I haven't read it.

[denvrfan]

I detailed my RL for the first time last evening. I used NuFinish liquid, a polish I've been loyal to for several years. It's ease of removal is one of the big reasons I continue to use it. I typically apply NuFinish 2x a year or when I notice the water beading beginning to stop. My Ridge looked absolutely stunning with it's new shine and tire dressing.

[shortspark]

I did the same thing denvrfan, except I used Klasse All-In-One. I did not intend to apply anything for several months but I had time to kill and needed to do something with my Ridge. Boy is this stuff easy to apply. All you do is wet a micro fiber applicator, put a nickle size dap of Klasse and put it on in an oval motion, one section at a time. Then, you take a micro fiber towel and rub it off - no need to wait for a haze, in fact, if it hazes you have used too much. I have heard many good things about NuFinish but I'll stick with the Klasse polish for the time being - two coats, a day apart, and it looks better than the day I got it from the dealer.

[jch]

Originally Posted by csimo

I'm sure Honda would tell you to follow the Owner's Manaul. There's probably a section on this subject in the manual, but honestly I haven't read it.

csimo,
I went through the owners manual last evening and didn't find any info on the subject. I may have missed it in all the page after page of dry reading, but I don't think they touched on the subject. Anyone else check??

[maybearidge]

I tried Maguires Tech Wax. It did a nice job. I could see adifference in an area next to where it was waxed. It was almost like it got in to the paint.??