Why I re-wax my bumper every weekend

[radroach]

Every Sunday it breaks my heart after washing my car and finding a hundred extra little rock chips and scratches on my front bumper. Luckily re-waxing it fills in all the little chips and scratches and makes it look 100x better.


BEFORE: Yikes.





AFTER: (Meguiar's Gold Class) Yaa




There's plenty of bug splatter I didn't get. I just wax over it and then peel it off later.

I'm considering getting a heavier pure polish since this works so well. Let me know what you think.

[Burrcold]

Should have bought a clear bra.

[radroach]

Yep.

[Ec1990]

I don't think you're approaching this correctly. By letting bugs sit on the paint you're allowing the acidity to etch into the paint worse, You should aim to remove it as safely and quickly as possible. Waxing every week isn't necessary with a quality product as most have durability varying from 2-6 months condition dependent (rain, road condition, parking placement, etc...) and is only a waste of product.

Also a glaze and a polish are inherently different products. Glazes were created to fill in and create a more uniform surface thus making the paint look in better condition than it actually is, an example is Chemical Guys Blacklight, a polish is similar to a liquid sandpaper and works by bringing down the surrounding paint level so there is no discernible difference creating a more even paint surface, an example is Menzerna SF4000.

If it works good enough for you go for it, I just think there are better, more efficient ways.

[radroach]

I'd be more vigilant about removing the bug splatter, but I'm already washing once a week. Bug splatter is just the way it goes in the South. I might experiment with bug and tar removing though.

Thanks for clearing up the difference between glazes and polishes. What I meant was a pure polish then. A really heavy one. I think I'll try Meguiar's #7 "Mirror Glaze" (see where I got confused).

I know I don't need to wax every week. Meguiar's gold class holds up well enough for a few months, so the question isn't durability, but the polishing oils wear off quickly after a rain. I just do it because it cleans up my rock chips super easy.

[Ec1990]

Originally Posted by radroach

I'd be more vigilant about removing the bug splatter, but I'm already washing once a week. Bug splatter is just the way it goes in the South. I might experiment with bug and tar removing though.

Thanks for clearing up the difference between glazes and polishes. What I meant was a pure polish then. A really heavy one. I think I'll try Meguiar's #7 "Mirror Glaze" (see where I got confused).

I know I don't need to wax every week. Meguiar's gold class holds up well enough for a few months, so the question isn't durability, but the polishing oils wear off quickly after a rain. I just do it because it cleans up my rock chips super easy.

Yeah unfortunately glaze and polish are marketed incorrectly by many companies and in different ways so uniformity is hard.

[jbailey8748]

At least its not a white car where the chips are obvious

[quality_sound]

That's just an excuse for half-assing the cleaning. It is not that hard to QD the bugs when you get home and they're fresh. I keep QD and a microfiber in the car just to handle bugs. It only takes a few minutes and then you won't have to polish the already stupid thin pain.
Get the chips touched up then get the front end clear bra'd. It's worth it.

[ZionsWrath]

I like this, there may be a cheaper alternative but I like this stuff.

http://www.autogeek.net/auto-finesse-citrus-power.html

Spot treat with it, don't waste it easy to clean dirt.

[sluflyer06]

I keep Griot's bug/tar remover in my trunk along with speed shine. Anytime I find bird crap or bugs I clean them off immediately, only takes a minute.

[Cades]

Originally Posted by radroach

I'd be more vigilant about removing the bug splatter, but I'm already washing once a week. Bug splatter is just the way it goes in the South. I might experiment with bug and tar removing though.

Thanks for clearing up the difference between glazes and polishes. What I meant was a pure polish then. A really heavy one. I think I'll try Meguiar's #7 "Mirror Glaze" (see where I got confused).

I know I don't need to wax every week. Meguiar's gold class holds up well enough for a few months, so the question isn't durability, but the polishing oils wear off quickly after a rain. I just do it because it cleans up my rock chips super easy.

Poorboys Bug Squash is amazing

[DetroitJake]

So I had this same issue on another car. By accident I hit a rubber cone and broke the front facia slightly. Eventually I had it repaired and when they fixed it, they also re painted the front of the car. I was astounded. It looked like brand new. So after that experience I decided I would just plan on re painting my front end every 100k miles or so. I haven't tried a vinyl mask but that should help too. Anyway my plan is to just do a little work with hand waxing and washing and then throw down some cash on fresh paint when she's middle aged.

[BRZBYE]

If you don't keep a quick detailer and atleast one clean microfiber in your car, you probably don't care too much about looks.

bird crap will etch your clear coat leaving an ugly mark. left on long enough can bubble the paint. bugs, same way.

i use nothing but meguiars products on my brz. gold class car wash, ultimate polish, ultimate quick detailer, clay bars, ultimate spray wax, supreme shine microfibers, foam applicators, microfiber applicators, interior (matte finish) protectant, and bug/tar pads.

the only non meguiars product i use is a leather conditioner from mothers.

[radroach]

You can fuck right off (I care a damn hell a lot about the looks on my car), I keep a boxful of meguiar's stuff neatly organized and use a dyson vaccum on the interior. Who cares if I have constant lovebug splatter on the front of my car. Your oregon garage queen probably hasn't seen a fraction of the national highway coverage mine has seen.