I've got some time on my hands lately so I decided to do a good old fashioned hand wax of my HHR. I bought some Turtle wax & I'm off! The HHR Panel has some large panels so I'm doing it one section at a time. It's hot outside so I'm waxing the car in the cool of my garage. The hood was still warm so I started at the right front fender. It's amazing how much sweat & effort it takes to do a hand-wax but the results are amazing! The feel tells all. When you run your hand over an un-waxed panel, it feels all greasy, dirty & rough but when you touch the waxed panel, it feels silky smooth
Moving around the car, the last part I got to was the hood. In my opinion it is the most important part of the car as it always gets there first . I did a careful job & it came out great. I still have to do the bumpers, running boards & under the hood & interior paint areas but overall I am impressed with the outcome so far. A freshly waxed black car looks so good!
Here is the dilema: Last year, I took my HHR to a proffesional Detail Shop. I had them pop out any small dents they could find & do a real good wax job. I wanted my car to have a smooth body! And I didnt want to do it myself. When I picked up my HHR the guy starts telling me about all the trouble he had with the hood. I look & it's got these BIG swirl marks in the finish. He says he had to buff & re-buff the hood & he still could not get these ugly swirl marks out of the finish. He says he's never had this trouble waxing a car before, yadda- yadda. He even dropped the Wax charge from $100.00 to $90.00 because he felt bad about the swirl marks.
What a crock! I did a simple hand-wax & the swirl marks are gone. Hmmm? I think I'll be detailing my HHR myself from now on!

 

Looks good.

Something I've got to do real soon also.

 

After 20 years of hand polishing, I have decided to go with a power tool this year, a Dual Action Car Buffer / Polisher from Porter-Cable.

Here is the regime;
Hand Wash
-Gold Class™ Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
-Gritt Gaurd Bucket
-Microfiber Mitt

Riccardo Clay Bar - Original Yellow (8oz)
-Lube with Meguiar’s Quik Detailer

Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Car Buffer / Polisher

Cutting Pad
-Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound
clear coat safe micro-abrasives produce an amazingly clear finish that is free from scratches, hazing and swirls.

Polishing Pad
-Meguiar’s Ultimate Polish
The final step before waxing, enhanced with rich polishing oils, will add incredible depth of color, clarity and reflections to any vehicle

Finishing Pad
-Meguiar’s NXT Generation™ Tech Wax™ 2.0 Protection
Produces deep gloss, vibrant color, and amazing shine!

Twice a year, whether I need to or not.

 

used the McGuire 2.0 was nice but doesn't compare to Griots one step sealer try some you will like it.

Their glass polish is the bomb on those water spots.


http://www.griotsgarage.com/

 

I used to use Cleaner Wax's, and they are very good, but I absolutely love the 5 stage approach. I have total control over every application. Plus I get to drink way more beer.

 

Excellent !! This forum rocks!
Just ordered Griot's Garage Glass Polish Fine #11017.

Been looking for a good glass polish for years, thanks for the recommendation.

 

a guy here at the office has his (black) Lexus done professionally...EVERY time it comes back, it has swirl marks all over it. My buddy and I always ask him if he had to tip the guy extra for the swirl marks and he says "it looks fine, don't know what y'all are talkin bout". I'll always do it myself. No sense in paying someone to do something I enjoy...not to mention that I'd always find something that they missed.

Mothers and Meguiar's are my brands of choice. Since I purchased the HHR, I use the Wax-as-you-dry in between hand wax's. Haven't clay barred it yet, but intend to. Need to get a new bar.

 

This will make some of u guys cringe.

Where we live there are a lot of poplar trees. In the spring they shed things that look like big fuzzy wooly worms then these fckin sticky pods.

The only thing that I have found that will take the brown sticky ****z off is Denatured Alcohol.

Dampen a soft cloth with cold water then add alot of D.A. wash with mix till it does it's job then wash the vehicle again. Then hand wax w a good cleaner wax .

Detail spray with lucas while the vehicle is still semi wet after a wash to prevent streaks and water marks.

A black vehicle is Job security .

later KK4

 

You seem like the kind of guy who has everything in order

 

Now I gotta get home to my garage before this rain hits haha