- #32 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [suzieq9980]
by anahita61
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May 15, 2007 (12:04 pm)
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Replying to: suzieq9980 (Feb 23, 2007 9:53 am)
I hope someone answers this question - I've had my Fit since March and I notice the water has never actually "beaded" when I wash it (we haven't had a lot of rain since then, but I've taken it to a do it yourself spray wash - no brushes, just soap, water, under relatively high pressure, and I towel dry it until it's all dry and totally beautiful! - about four times now).
I'm wondering what I should use to protect the finish. Wax? What kind? How often? I used to use Rain Dance on my old Tercel, the paste kind that you rub on, allow to dry, then buff off. Is this good for the Fit's finish too?
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- #33 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [anahita61]
by backy
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May 15, 2007 (12:20 pm)
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Replying to: anahita61 (May 15, 2007 12:04 pm)
You mean, you haven't waxed your Fit since you bought it? No wonder the water doesn't bead. Wax it--Rain Dance or another quality wax. I like Meguiars Gold Class myself, the liquid. Do it 2-3 times a year or whenever you notice the water not beading. It probably takes all of, oh, 15 minutes to wax the Fit. 
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- #34 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [backy]
by anahita61
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May 15, 2007 (1:34 pm)
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Replying to: backy (May 15, 2007 12:20 pm)
My car was detailed at the dealer before I left. It was SO clean I figured they must have waxed it, or that the manufacturer waxed it - I don't know if it has been waxed or not. I haven't done it, though, no.
15 minutes? No way. I spend at least twice that just drying it after I wash it. Waxing it is going to take me several hours, no doubt. I read on the FitFreak forum that it took one person five hours, but he sounds like me, someone who will do every nook and cranny, the inside of the doors, etc.
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- #35 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [anahita61]
by backy
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May 15, 2007 (6:47 pm)
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Replying to: anahita61 (May 15, 2007 1:34 pm)
Thirty minutes to dry off a Fit?? Several hours to wax it??? I can wax my minivan in under an hour. But I treat it kind of like an aerobic workout, so maybe I go a little faster than some folks do. A complete detailing takes me longer of course, but I do that at most once a year.
P.S. Get yourself a squeegee (for wiping glass) and a nice, big, fluffy cotton terrycloth towel, and you can dry off your Fit in about five minutes. Ten tops. Like the Men's Wearhouse guy says: "I guarantee it."
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- #36 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [backy]
by anahita61
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May 16, 2007 (5:59 am)
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Replying to: backy (May 15, 2007 6:47 pm)
You know what? My Fit is brand new, my first brand new car in 22 years, and I love it. I am in no hurry to clean it, I take my time, I do the insides of the doors when I dry it, and every single spot that got wet. I suppose you could consider it a detailing, but without the polish/waxing. I actually really enjoy the time it takes me to towel dry the entire car, as it affords me the opportunity to fully examine it for scratches or other hazards from driving on the Interstate every day.
I'm sure when I get around to waxing it it will take me several hours, because I am careful and very detail oriented. No slap dash job for me, not with my brand new Fit! It's a car I intend to keep for the next 20 years or more at least (I kept my previous car for 22 years), so I will take great care with it... at least initially. 
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- #37 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [anahita61]
by bobw3
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May 16, 2007 (6:38 am)
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Replying to: anahita61 (May 16, 2007 5:59 am)
I wonder how that scrubbing and polishing affects the clearcoat finish on the paint?
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- #38 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [bobw3]
by anahita61
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May 16, 2007 (6:43 am)
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Replying to: bobw3 (May 16, 2007 6:38 am)
I don't know - who said anything about "scrubbing"? I only wash my car and dry it really well.
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- #39 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [backy]
by jkandell
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May 16, 2007 (6:53 am)
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Replying to: backy (May 15, 2007 12:20 pm)
This is probably a stupid question, but what exactly are the benefits of waxing one's car? Why is the water beading so important? I'm in the desert since we only get 10" rain a year. Even washed cars get dusty here in a couple days.
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- #40 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [jkandell]
by anahita61
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May 16, 2007 (7:58 am)
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Replying to: jkandell (May 16, 2007 6:53 am)
If the water beads it means there is a protective wax coating, or at least that's how I understand it. If the water is sheeting, just lying on the paint surface, it's an indicator that the wax has worn off, and therefore there is a lack of "protection" against the elements. I don't think it's about dust, but about having a layer of protection against sun and light scratches.
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- #41 of 113
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Re: Waxing the Fit [anahita61]
by backy
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May 16, 2007 (11:29 am)
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Replying to: anahita61 (May 16, 2007 7:58 am)
Yes, some people don't understand that clearcoat is actually paint, and can be affected by the elements. Also, a waxed car just looks better. And it's more fun to drive a car that looks good. Even if it's just for a day or two, before it gets dusty again.
I'll bet you don't have kids yet, do you? I used to be the same way with my first new car, a '76 Corolla. Waxed it at least once a month, whether it needed it or not. Probably never had a spec of dust on it, or not for long. But even though I did (and still do) a very thorough and careful job washing/drying/waxing my cars, it doesn't take me as long as you take. Enjoy it--while you have that kind of time to spend on your car.
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