I'm confused, so many posts to read....washed my car the other day and noticed water isn't beading up a lot, probably time to wax. What do I use to wax and on what part of the car? I'm sorta' coastal Southern California, so no severe weather to protect from....
And interior, I used to use ArmorAll..but noticed the post about it leaving someones bumber white...what is the best for keeping interior plastics healthy?
Thanks!

As you mentioned there are a LOT of posts. I would spend some time reading them further, because anything anyone types here will simply be regurgitated from other threads.

But if you want a quick answer that is SUPER easy and has decent to above average results...try the Eagle 1 Wax As You Dry....its easy and can be used on the paint and panels.

Enjoy your reading :)

Agreed. I know the sheer number of posts is overwhelming. But wash your E as normal, while it is still wet, spray on Eagle One Wax as You Dry on a section, wipe off with microfiber towel. Easy, quick, beautiful. Once you get hooked on detailing your E, then search out Zaino and all those things. but E1WAUD is a good start... :)

Agreed. I know the sheer number of posts is overwhelming. But wash your E as normal, while it is still wet, spray on Eagle One Wax as You Dry on a section, wipe off with microfiber towel. Easy, quick, beautiful. Once you get hooked on detailing your E, then search out Zaino and all those things. but E1WAUD is a good start... :)

How well does WAYD work with extremely hard water and spotting?

Regards,

I am lucky to live in an area that has some of the softest water in the continental USA, so I can't speak directly to your concern.

I would GUESS E1 WAYD would work well under hard water conditions because you are drying off the car as you apply it, so the water doesn't get a chance to dry and leave deposits.

Use one towel to wipe it dry and another microfibre towel to give it a QUICK final buff for an extra glossy shine. Use it on everything exterior.

Use 303 on the interior and on the tires.

Every once in awhile you can use the Eagle1 Nano Wax if you want a thicker coating or you are feeling guilty for the E1 WAYD being so easy.

After reading the posts in this section, I think it's really what depth you're willing to go to make it shine.

Some members' cars look even better than showroom shine because they enjoy spending the time to do it 100% right.

I wish I had the space (ie garage or driveway) to really zaino or really wax my E, so the WAUD and the mothers B2B are the easiest and quickest way to go... I havent had any hard water or spotting problems, but I agree with the previous posters- they are a quick and easy way to make your E look good! :) And go to Target to get some good and cheap microfiber towels! I use at least 4-6 everytime I wash my E

After reading the posts in this section, I think it's really what depth you're willing to go to make it shine.

Some members' cars look even better than showroom shine because they enjoy spending the time to do it 100% right.

More interested in protecting paint and interior, poor E is parked outside at work all day. Dusty neighborhood, busy streets.....making it shine is only going to last a couple hours.

THANKS ALL! I know it must become tiring repeating everything but the mass of posts and partial conversations, + not knowing what surface they are talking about made it as confusing as reading the DVD recorder book the first time. I don't want to spend days trying to correct a mistake.

Every once in awhile you can use the Eagle1 Nano Wax if you want a thicker coating or you are feeling guilty for the E1 WAYD being so easy.

Will that go on all the parts also? Even the Blue?
What is the trade off...the quick wax needs to be done more often, does the thicker one last so much longer that it is worth the time and effort? I imagine I can use one over the other, depending on time I might use the quick one and do a section at a time of the thicker....I'd like to protect the paint but I rarely have more than an hour or so and my shoulder gets tired after a while...

Will that go on all the parts also? Even the Blue?
What is the trade off...the quick wax needs to be done more often, does the thicker one last so much longer that it is worth the time and effort? I imagine I can use one over the other, depending on time I might use the quick one and do a section at a time of the thicker....I'd like to protect the paint but I rarely have more than an hour or so and my shoulder gets tired after a while...

Based on my observation and limited use of the Nano....
(I MAINLY use WAYD and its been working GREAT)
Yes the E1 Nano can go the same places the WAYD goes, on panels etc without causing any white haze/spots. The Nano is designed to fill in the whorl marks and SUPER fine scratches. It does NOT take out deeper scratches, but as a result of the "filling" effect it gives tinier bit more "lustrous" shine and I noticed my following WAYD treatments seem SLIGHLTY better. Biggest advantage the Nano has over the WAYD is you can apply it in the sun, IF you don't have a garage or shade handy.

Odd thing is the WAYD mentions it has "anti-corrosives" whereas the Nano spray does NOT MENTION that.

It seems to take slightly more elbow grease to buff the Nano and since it has to be applied to a dry car, you have to dry the car too, then apply, then buff. The WAYD takes care of drying your car and waxing all in one step, with a much easier and lighter "final buff" to really make the car glow.

I also have a bad shoulder, so spending a day or two claybarring and Zainoing my car is just not going to happen....Plus I do have SOME life outside of my Element. :-)

So I find with the WAYD I can easily justify using it EVERY time I wash the car and it literally takes only a couple minutes more than drying the car normally anyway and just a tiny bit more effort. As long as I do that and manage to wash my Element on a semi-regular basis, it holds up just fine for me. I have applied the Nano ONCE in my few years of owning my Element and it does SEEM to look a bit nicer with it and the deep shine last longer.

Note the Nano and WAYD both come in blue bottles now, which adds even more confusion when people refer to the "Eagle 1 in a blue bottle."

YMMV

I also have a bad shoulder, so spending a day or two claybarring and Zainoing my car is just not going to happen....Plus I do have SOME life outside of my Element. :-)

So I find with the WAYD I can easily justify using it EVERY time I wash the car and it literally takes only a couple minutes more than drying the car normally anyway and just a tiny bit more effort. As long as I do that and manage to wash my Element on a semi-regular basis, it holds up just fine for me. I have applied the Nano ONCE in my few years of owning my Element and it does SEEM to look a bit nicer with it and the deep shine last longer.

Note the Nano and WAYD both come in blue bottles now, which adds even more confusion when people refer to the "Eagle 1 in a blue bottle."

YMMV[/QUOTE]

I thought everyone here just lived cars! I was feeling guilty not devoting enough time and accesories!
that sounds perfect, now I need something to get tree sap off.....I have to get to work early to get the best parking space...

Thank You! G

....I thought everyone here just lived cars! I was feeling guilty not devoting enough time and accesories!
that sounds perfect, now I need something to get tree sap off.....I have to get to work early to get the best parking space...

Thank You! G


Some of us just bought the Element because its a practical utility vehicle. :-) Although its hard to not get sucked in a TINY bit into the cult. So I split the difference and fix it up as long as I can continue to "keep it simple".

See the thread on "tree sap" that is going on in this wash and wax topic. I am not entirely sold on their solution of actetone on the paint to remove sap. I am not quite brave enough to try that. I still have a "scar" from using someone elses "solution" for sap removal that turned out to be a disaster. Sometimes you have to sift the forum for conjecture versus actual results.

I saw that someone posted that if you use the Nano stuff as compared to the WAYD, that you can do it in the sun or something like that...

I've yet to wash my car for the first time (I'm up to 4.1K miles on it), but am finally going to this weekend. The WAYD sounds like something I might like to try (as it sounds easy -- I was not planning on applying any type of wax product originally). So my question is, if I use WAYD, do I have to apply it in the shade? If so, why is this?

Also, if I use WAYD, will I need to wash (and reapply WAYD) more often than if I wasn't using it? (Basically, I'm looking to only wash the car every few months or so... :) )

And is WAYD available at any auto supply type store?

Thanks!

I saw that someone posted that if you use the Nano stuff as compared to the WAYD, that you can do it in the sun or something like that...

I've yet to wash my car for the first time (I'm up to 4.1K miles on it), but am finally going to this weekend. The WAYD sounds like something I might like to try (as it sounds easy -- I was not planning on applying any type of wax product originally). So my question is, if I use WAYD, do I have to apply it in the shade? If so, why is this?

Also, if I use WAYD, will I need to wash (and reapply WAYD) more often than if I wasn't using it? (Basically, I'm looking to only wash the car every few months or so... :) )

And is WAYD available at any auto supply type store?

Thanks!

I think your car transforms into a Gremlin if you WAYD it in the sun. :-)
Seriously, I don't know, and never tried. I have done it in moderate mottled or partial shade in the evening and didn't notice any significant problem. You might at least avoid the heat of the day.

Or you can just get the Nano and you won't have to worry about it, and the Nano takes only a tiny bit more effort.

Both the Nano and the WAYD seem to be available in most auto supply stores. Just make sure you grab the blue bottle that you intended to.

About the only time I might go "months" without any exterior care is occasionally in the dead of winter, but then that is why I keep it very easy. I can usually wash and "detail" my Element in under 45 minutes, from filling up the bucket to standing back and admiring my work. Try to beat THAT time with Zaino and clay bar. :-)

BUT I use the same treatment on my wife's Accord and my daughter's Tercel. They go longer, and certainly go "months". I tried some "once a year" messy wax on my daughter's car a few times, and didn't notice it lasted really any better or longer than hitting it with Nano or WAYD. If you go months, you just have to count on the paint job taking a beating and the car looking older sooner. Thats the tradeoff. Its certainly better to use SOMETHING whatever it might be than nothing at all.

I have done it in moderate mottled or partial shade in the evening and didn't notice any significant problem. You might at least avoid the heat of the day.

So does the product actually say not to use it in direct sunlight?

I can usually wash and "detail" my Element in under 45 minutes, from filling up the bucket to standing back and admiring my work. Try to beat THAT time with Zaino and clay bar. :-)

That's pretty cool! Okay, so can you post your exact "under 45 minute" process? Thanks!

So if you don't use any kind of wax type stuff at all, what exactly happens to the paint?

And if you use WAYD (or Nano), do you have to use it every time you wash your car? Or does it "last" more than one wash?

What's your recommendation for the longest it's okay to let washing your Element go?

Thanks for the help!

So does the product actually say not to use it in direct sunlight?



That's pretty cool! Okay, so can you post your exact "under 45 minute" process? Thanks!

So if you don't use any kind of wax type stuff at all, what exactly happens to the paint?

And if you use WAYD (or Nano), do you have to use it every time you wash your car? Or does it "last" more than one wash?

What's your recommendation for the longest it's okay to let washing your Element go?

Thanks for the help!

Yes, the WAYD says "do not apply in direct sunlight". But it doesn't say what will happen. My guess is that if the car is baking hot, it will vaporize the spray before it can spread around. Just a guess though. Nano says "can be applied in direct sunlight".

Actually the WAYD has carnuba wax in it.
Dire Consequences are hinted at by people that spend hours and hours waxing their cars. I usually own a car about 9 or 10 years and my "keep it easy" philosophy seems to keep them shiny and I haven't seen the paint spontaneously fall off any of my cars yet.

How often? Too many variables to try to tell you that. Depends on where you live, where you drive, where you park. If it still beads water nicely means you MAYBE haven't waited too long. It took a couple of times of washing and WAYDing in relatively short succession to bring back my wife's Accord after the kids had moved out of the house so she couldn't have them wash her car for her anymore and it was some time before I couldn't stand watching car abuse anymore and took it over myself. And twice a year washing of my daughter's red 94 Tercel with it parked outside in Bellingham acid rain has resulted in flat pale pink top surfaces .....although they still shine up.
How often? Thats between you and your car. ;)

Some of us just bought the Element because its a practical utility vehicle. :-) Although its hard to not get sucked in a TINY bit into the cult. So I split the difference and fix it up as long as I can continue to "keep it simple".

See the thread on "tree sap" that is going on in this wash and wax topic. I am not entirely sold on their solution of actetone on the paint to remove sap. I am not quite brave enough to try that. I still have a "scar" from using someone elses "solution" for sap removal that turned out to be a disaster. Sometimes you have to sift the forum for conjecture versus actual results.

With you on that!
No way I would put acetone on my car surface....I missed that recipe entirely. It's annoying enough to have ill conceived products on the market without trying the recipe of someone you know nothing about. At Least with the commercial product there is someone you can sue for damage.

People are too wacky for me to take advice like that....I was at a party and a friend was cutting birthday cake and sliced (seriously) her hand on a pampered chef multi purpose cake slicer/server/decapitator (the thing was insanely sharp...cut through walnuts in a carrot cake?). Anyway, I say 'emergency room, now" the minute I see the injury (she's a hairdresser by profession) but ten other people are shouting home remedies...including one woman who was telling her to put tabacco and ashes on it from the patio ash tray.

where di you all buy your E1WAUD and 303......I've been in pep boys, track and autozone more in the past month than in the past 10 years and I don't remember seeing either of them.....

I just got some more E1WAUD and B2B at Kragen Auto parts. I have also gotten WAUD at Target.
And I have applied WAUD in direct sunlight- no gremilns or other dire consequences. :wink: I always WAUD the sunny side of the E first (I use a DIY carwash), I assume that they say dont apply in sunlight is so that stupid people dont spray it on and let it dry...:neutral: But I havent noticed any diffrence in the overall look. I have to work fast anyway- the shady side is under a tree inhabited by pidgeons (who where probably placed there to increase repeat business :rolleyes:)...

I found the E1's at pep boys, eveyone is out of sunshades!
Where do I buy 303? I read about it at their site and I'm impressed.....

Well, I finally just washed my Element for the first time after owning it for 5+ months. I used a clay bar on a couple spots, though there were one or two that wouldn't come off. And I wish I had it waxed when I first bought it. (I did not wax it now either... wondering if I should get it waxed at least once...)

But I noticed that the blue plastic panels look kind of crappy after washing them. There are many spots and lines that did not wash off. Stain-ish kind of spots. Maybe from bird crap, not sure. I guess it's time to start looking at what's best to use on them...

I just got some more E1WAUD and B2B at Kragen Auto parts. I have also gotten WAUD at Target.
And I have applied WAUD in direct sunlight- no gremilns or other dire consequences. :wink: I always WAUD the sunny side of the E first (I use a DIY carwash), I assume that they say dont apply in sunlight is so that stupid people dont spray it on and let it dry...:neutral: But I havent noticed any diffrence in the overall look. I have to work fast anyway- the shady side is under a tree inhabited by pidgeons (who where probably placed there to increase repeat business :rolleyes:)...

You must use the DIY carwash near Costco. I've also suspectd that they keep the pigions there to repear business.

have to say, I had my doubts, I mean, how good can a wax be if it doesn't take a lot of work???
Two washes and it still beads beautifully and comes clean easily....will reapply next time but I'm so impressed. Used it on the wheels, same there....no need to use the brush to clean them.
Found the 303 at a boat shop (thanks for suggestion) they had the whole line...I'll be back for some for the home.

Good info friends! Thanks!

You must use the DIY carwash near Costco. I've also suspectd that they keep the pigions there to repear business.

Hate to brag and break the spell but my Ele is blessed, walked out to the parking lot yesterday and both cars at my sides were splattered....huge splat and drizzle! albatross? condor?

Missed me completely...the spell works.

ok so as a detailer i have read reviews on wax...i had been useing meguiars gold class. and i read that there was a better wax. for paste consumer reports says turtle wax. for liquid they say black magic. on the plastic panels im told that mothers back to black works great.

Well, I finally just washed my Element for the first time after owning it for 5+ months. I used a clay bar on a couple spots, though there were one or two that wouldn't come off. And I wish I had it waxed when I first bought it. (I did not wax it now either... wondering if I should get it waxed at least once...)

But I noticed that the blue plastic panels look kind of crappy after washing them. There are many spots and lines that did not wash off. Stain-ish kind of spots. Maybe from bird crap, not sure. I guess it's time to start looking at what's best to use on them...

If you have the plastic non-painted sides and get wax on them, it is impossible to get the white spots it leaves on the sides off. I made the tragic mistake of waxing mine with a very expensive wax and getting that wax on the plastic, and I cannot get it off for the life of me. I have applied MOMS dark plastic solution on it and it hides it for awhile, only long enough until there are a couple of good rainy days and the white splotches show up again!

[QUOTE=GreenElement13]If you have the plastic non-painted sides and get wax on them, it is impossible to get the white spots it leaves on the sides off. I made the tragic mistake of waxing mine with a very expensive wax and getting that wax on the plastic, and I cannot get it off for the life of me. I have applied MOMS dark plastic solution on it and it hides it for awhile, only long enough until there are a couple of good rainy days and the white splotches show up again![/QUOTE

as has been mentioned many times on the forum, you get rid of the white wax spots on the plastic with either peanut butter (creamy style preferred) or olive oil.

I appreciate the info, I have not seen that in the forums at all, but will look for more info on it, and if it works, i will use it! It's funny because I was at my honda dealer in newport news, VA, and they had no ideal how to remove it.