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After spending time de-swirling the car on Sunday, it got a layer of Glaze, then a layer of wax.
Obviously I need to maintain this; I'm not entirely sure what the Glaze actually does (friend did it for me).
Can you shed any light?
And how do I wash/dry/seal/glaze/wax etc. in order to minimise the swirls?
Do you think I just need to top up the wax now, or should I reglaze or anthing else too?
Glaze is exactly what it sounds like....a glaze. It's a shine enhancer and usually offers zero protection to the paint. The wax will protect the paint but for a very limited time. Usually you'd want to use a sealant after your glazing step as these fancy chemicals usually offer protection to your paint for far longer. Then you can use wax on top of your sealent and top it up fairly regularly. This way the elements have to beat through your wax, then your sealant before they mess with your finish
For swirls you need a good quality mitt and its best to use a soap bucket and a rince bucket. Soak the car and wash the worst off, then work from the top down. A correctly washed, sealed and waxed car should not have any dirty sticking to it that hard thus its easier and quicker to wash.
I suggested to Ian yesterday that we do a detailing meet (actually I suggested doing it at the alignment meet but that has been arranged by the man from Centre Gravity).
As SB has said, a glaze is a gloss enhancer and generally offers no protection, hence the wax. Waxes have differing longevity, Collinite 476 will last months but doesn't give the greatest wow factor.
The key to avoiding swirls is to minimise contact (see later) and always keep the mitt clean (sounds strange, washing a car with little contact). I'm very impressed with a mitt called the Edge shMitt, it's a 2 sided circular foam sponge, it needs to be used with the 2-bucket method (1 clean water, 1 shampoo). Dip the mitt in the shampoo bucket, wash a panel, scrape the mitt across the edge of the clean water bucket such that the crap falls down the outside of the bucket, agitate in the rinse water and then dip in the shampoo ready for the next panel. Once finished rinse, spray with some quick detailer and dry with a Waffle Weave towel.
Use of spray attachments like the Gilmore or AutoBrite Foam Lance that pre-soak the car also help enormously, on a dirty car it loosens the dirt, on a cleanish car you can almost get away without washing (foam it, pressure was it off).
Things like a Grit Guard in the rinse bucket also help.
I'm willing to demo these if we can setup a meet sometime.
I#
Can't really add much than what has already been said.
Drying should also be done with a clean MF towel such as waffle weave. Do not wipe the towel over the car, it should be dabbed across the car.
Some waxes add better protection than others, Collinites range is pretty hard wearing. I take it your detailing freind didn't go through this with you?
Assuming I put some sealant on, what wax would you recommend?
I used to use Swissol then Zymol, but I find the dust sticks to them. Apparantly this w/e it was waxed with Best of Show which is stupid amounts of money so I can't afford that !!!!!
Three factors; Durability, Shine and Price. P21 is super Shiny, reasonably Priced but not Durable. Collinite is extremely Durable, reasonably Priced but not super Shiny. Zymol Japon is super Shiny, Durable but Pricey. Take your pick. For an every day car I would go for Collinite, for a show car; Japon. P21 I cannot see what all the fuss is about and from my experience it gives little protection. I would swap it without hesitation for Natty
One for Tango et al
