Cheap Easy Car Wax

[Fleet]

I know this isn't the typical request here at Autopia. But here goes anyways. My wife's Explorer needs to be waxed. I plan on buying a PC/Cyclo in about 2 months. But it needs something done now - water is not beading at all.



I don't want to kill myself now by polishing/paint cleaning/etc by hand when I will do it the right way in July.



Any recommendations for product to apply? I have some 1Z Spray Wax left over. I don't think that will last 2 months though. Thinking of buying some Eagle One Wax as you Dry. Any other Cheap Easy Car Wax I could buy at the store? This is by hand. I'm not looking to spend more than $10 now.



BTW, I work at another car company, so I don't want the Ford to look better than my vehicle.

 

[hondaguy2582]

Mothers paste cleaner wax. Easy on, easy off. Less than 10 bucks!!!

 

[wifehatescar]

I would actually spend maybe 10-15 to buy a quality product that will give a decent result.

What part of MI are you from? I can recommend Eric at:



www.motorcitypoorboys.com



He can get you a bottle of PwC for $12. It will clean and protect in 1 step and will work much better than a spray wax of some kind. Spray waxes don't last long in general.

 

[andriver]

EO WAUD will probably fit the bill. I use it on my wheels after every wash and they leave the wheels very smooth. Don't laugh but some people have had good things to say about the new line of Turtle Wax products. Megs also has a good line of economical products that may be worth a look. Good luck.

 

[imported_elortt]

Good to see another michigander (I hate that term). I would use a cleaner wax (all in one type product) JMO



Eric

 

[Fleet]

I was actually thinking of using poorboys products since motorcitypoorboys is about 2 miles from my house. But, I can't have the Ford look too good compared to my car! When people see my cars in the garage, I want my car to look the best, not the competitor's!

 

[wifehatescar]

IMO, use a quality product or leave her Exploder as-is and save yourself the trouble.

Once you get the PC you'll be using quality products anyway so why not start now?

 

[Fleet]

Yeah, I'll use a quality product. I'm not real serious about the Ford issue. I'm just a little disappointed she chose an Exploder when I work at GM.:down



But, she does get Ford A-Plan, and it's her money.







I was looking at motorcitypoorboys site, and was thinking of picking up some PWC. $12 isn't so bad. It's the Poorboys Polish with Carnuaba, right? I've used EX-P once, and liked it. But PWC is the cleaner wax?



Maybe I'll just order both. Before you know it, I'll be claying, polishing, cleaning, and putting 3 coats of EX-P on the Exploder.

 

[wifehatescar]

Yep, you'll have it all eventually . Eric (elortt) is a great guy and his prices are good too (especially since you can pick things up - no shipping cost)

PwC is the polish with carnuaba (chemical cleaner+wax), a good 1 step product that should probably last 1-2 months.



I work at Visteon so I don't have to have a car preference anymore since we split from Ford. I drive an Acura, go figure....

 

[Fleet]

I used to work at Visteon. I worked at Chesterfield Trim Plant in 1996-98. I was an engineer on the F-150 Seat Build line. I didn't realize you guys lost A-Plan when you spun off. That is a shame. That's a few unhappy Ford customers gone. But at least all of the UAW workers are still Ford Employees...



Sorry for hijacking my own thread.



Back on track, I don't think I can actually pick some up in person. I'm pretty sure I need to order off the website from motorcitypoorboys. Is he on Autopia? Maybe I'll send him a PM.

 

[wifehatescar]

Yeah, "elortt", the guy that responded to this thread 4 posts down from the top! That's him, send him a PM. He's on the board often.

I'm sure he can work something out with you :up



Back to the hijack---Visteon still has an A-plan with Ford as well as GM, DCX, Nissan, etc. I work in Allen Park designing IP clusters.

 

[JustinR32]

I was going to say the same thing elortt did, for the next couple months use a cleaner wax.



Mosca

 

[kpounds]

I'd go for Meguiar's Cleaner Wax - Liquid version. Its $4.99 or so and does a nice job. My Dad used to use this exclusively on his Cadillac and I was suprised how good the paint looked.



http://www.meguiars.com/product_showroom/showproducts_template.cfm?SrcLine=CP&SrcCat=2

 

[Nick Chronis]

Blitz by One Grand although you may only find it via mail order. Goes on and off very easy.

 

[eran]

Just use a scotchbrite pad or 0 grade steel wool as an applicator. Apply the cheapest turtlewax you can find. That should keep your car forever looking better then hers.

 

[Scottwax]

Cheap and easy and off the shelf? Either Meguiars or Mother's cleaner waxes.

 

[Accumulator]

Fleet- Here's another vote for a cleaner wax. Meg's, Mother's, and Pro (available at auto body/paint supply places) all make good ones. Much as they're denigrated here at Autopia (we're *so* much more advanced ), they can do a surprisingly good job for what you're considering. Just be careful around black trim, many cleaner waxes stain it (or did back when I used them).

 

[thinksnow]

Add a 5 spot to your spending ceiling and get the Mother's claybar kit. There is a 4 oz. Cleaner Wax sample in the kit and it is highly underrated for a one-step.

 

[Corey Bit Spank]

I like Eagle One. Easy on easy off. I used some on my wheels a few weeks ago and forgot how nice of a off the shelf product it is.

 

[Scottwax]

Add a 5 spot to your spending ceiling and get the Mother's claybar kit. There is a 4 oz. Cleaner Wax sample in the kit and it is highly underrated for a one-step.

Best answer so far! :up Widely available, low cost and very good results for the price.