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Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:17 pm

andrewvwco wrote: I waited a year before I waxed mine. Got tons of black, road git, and bugs form the van mostly under the Bra shinned like new after and I could tell she was happy.

Not OG paint but helped very much.

Related question- I too have painted the lower panels black, in my case I used Rustoleum truck bed liner. When I have waxed my van any wax on the texture stays there. Looks bad. Same with other rubber or black plastic bits.

Anyone have tricks for this task/problem?

Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:59 pm

My van is Ivory / Elfenbein.

So far as I know, the alternator bolt is correct and 'as orignal'.

llilibel03 wrote: ...When I have waxed my van any wax on the texture stays there. Looks bad. Same with other rubber or black plastic bits.

Anyone have tricks for this task/problem?

I think this product is very good and easy to apply. Unlike traditional waxes - it leaves no white residue so it can be used on and around rubber. Can even be applied in direct sun.

https://www.turtlewax.com/en-us/our-products/ice/turtle-wax-ice-liquid-wax/

Goes on & off easily yet seem to provide a protection comparable to the products that are much more work. The aforementioned bird droppings (and bugs) do not stick well to it.

Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:09 pm

Tomorrow I wax for the second time this week, third time since purchase in October, and probably the van's fourth time since the '90s. POs suck. :wink:

Just because I can. Nothing beats resurrecting dull paint. Okay, maybe space travel does.

Is it wrong to admit my doors jambs are mint? :lol:

Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:22 pm

jlrftype7 wrote: Mine does too, is your 83 1/2 different? .

Yeah I think I have bracket on backwards.

Old photo.

Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:52 pm

llilibel03 wrote: andrewvwco wrote: I waited a year before I waxed mine. Got tons of black, road git, and bugs form the van mostly under the Bra shinned like new after and I could tell she was happy.

Not OG paint but helped very much.

Related question- I too have painted the lower panels black, in my case I used Rustoleum truck bed liner. When I have waxed my van any wax on the texture stays there. Looks bad. Same with other rubber or black plastic bits.

Anyone have tricks for this task/problem?

Yea man I just take some more rustoleum and put it over it. It does turn very white form the wax. I do them both 1 time a year on a nice day. On the bumpers I use back to black 2-3 times I try to wax slow but always get some on the black areas too.

You could try to use painters tape to block it from happening as well.

Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:50 pm

I’m going to.

The previous owner waxed it before I first saw it and it made the ratty appearance a bit. Then the deluge hit it with weeks of rain. I figure some wax might help preserve what’s left of the paint and bondo. Plus, it’ll get better mileage and go faster too.

Sun Jun 09, 2019 11:02 pm

Only can claim to wax if turning the wand at the do it yourself car wash to “wax” counts (and actually does anything). This is after a trip and just before wrapping her up in the cover for a month or three. I figure it may help to keep from chafing. Otherwise, paint is so tired we’ve never really been motivated to do so...

Mon Jun 10, 2019 5:38 am

I would have to wash it first.

Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:28 am

Wash, decontaminate (clay and iron removal), polish, and protect should be normal care to any vehicle.

I don't usually use wax now since carnuba usually deteriorates very quickly and you can get better protection out of sealants or coatings. Check out autogeek.net

Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:34 am

shagginwagon83 wrote: jlrftype7 wrote: Mine does too, is your 83 1/2 different? .

Yeah I think I have bracket on backwards.

Old photo.

Easy to fix though... 8)

Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:55 am

E1 wrote: Is it wrong to admit my doors jambs are mint? :lol:

No, wear it as a badge of honor as I do. I wash, wax and even clay bar all four of the vehicles I maintain on a regular basis as I am anal and love the end results. I do not see it as work, rather as somewhat therapeutic. One could likely eat off my door jambs, provided that they cleaned and waxed them afterwards. While my 91 will require a repaint at some point as there is some crappy PO clearcoat issues that cannot be readily corrected, it continues to get a lot of love when parked for its overall cleanliness. BTW - as noted above the new wax products ( I use primarily Meguiars) are far less onerous to apply and remove, which certainly makes the task that much enjoyable.

Mon Jun 10, 2019 9:03 am

Historically, Yes on Meguiar's. I hear them compared to Mother's all the time but see no comparative value beyond the "M."

(though Mother's mag wheel polish is great, if finished off with a baking soda or even corn starch wipe to remove the slime).

I may try Meguiar's paste, I think they make that still but never see it. Very pleased with Nu-Finish liquid wax but always open to finding something better.

Best product I ever used for that last glaze on fresh paint in my custom painter days was Liquid Ebony. Magic.

Mon Jun 10, 2019 9:18 am

Much more important.

Do you remove the rear license plate to wax underneath (or for the pedandicks, in front of it?)

Mon Jun 10, 2019 9:54 am

Yep. Any paint I can see and reach gets minted. Behind the glovebox, deep into the flow-through vents, etc. Engine bay, someday...

Not to be "anal" as much as we have a mailbox on the roof. :wink:

Once inside panels are mint, they stay that way for years and don't need much if any upkeep. The van was filthy when buying it and am within hours of finishing a solid week of visual and mechanical upkeep.

Best thing I've ever found for the cabinets is Protect All Fiberglass Oxidation Remover, originally bought to bring the roof finish back. Works great on the roof, too.

Per the front of the license plate holder, not yet -- gotta remove the oily foam first. Might today. :wink:

Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:46 pm

Ahwahnee wrote: I do not wax the engine...

...but I do enjoy it being clean.

How do you keep it so clean????

Mon Jun 10, 2019 4:11 pm

For single stage paint, I use Meguiars Gold Class and for clear coat finishes, I use Meguiars Ultimate Wax. Ultimate is really easy to apply and remove and lasts a long time. My single stage car is under a wrap and stored dry and never sees inclement weather, so while the Gold Class also works/lasts exceptionally well on it, under 'normal' use, results may vary. While quality waxes and polishes (Meguiars, Mothers, Chemical Guys etc) may cost more up front, the ease of use (less time to apply), coupled with the better results and performance more than makes up for the initial investment, IMHO.

Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:29 pm

Cons. Reports found that paste waxes lasted longer than liquids (but of course are a bit more laborious to apply - I use a random orbit sander with a wax pad on it)

I am trying to use up all the extra Meguiars Gold Class I have. Their NXT was a lot better...

Meguiars tells me that Ultimate is their best for paint protection; does not leave any residual product on plastics or rubber
Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Wax - better water repellant; last same as Ult. Fast Finish; different apps. procedures for the two (I tried this on the Vanagon - just squirt it on and hose off with 120 psi garden hose & nozzle & I really seemed to make it easier to get mud off).

Tested by Cons. Reports 2011, updated 2016:
Nu Finish NFP-80 car wax (soft paste can) - rated 71 (best); xlnt. Durability; only got a Good for Gloss
Meguiars Gold Class Liquid - rated 68; Fair Durability (but rated much better than Gold Class paste wax)
Meguiars NXT - rated 69; Fair Durability (but was best liquid); Very Good for Gloss

most products had a significant loss of protection within about 5 weeks

some years ago I tried a spendy & fancy wax vs. Meguiars - it was no better

I agree with a post above that surface prep. is critical - cleaner/polish/clay bar (if needed). Even an ugly dark brown color (name withheld) looks really nice when it's all shiny.

Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:48 pm

I own several vehicles, nothing newer than a 2002. I wax them all by hand, and on the Volkswagens, I use a product that use to be called J wax Kit, by Johnson wax. I have been using it since the 1970's. I like the way the paint responds to it, it really seems to help my 45 year old paint shine. It doesn't seem to be the longest lasting( it seems to look good for about 6-8 weeks) but it is easy to put on and easy to take off. Johnsons sold the company several years back, and it is now known as Formula 1 wax. I have tried all kinds of brands of waxes over the years, and I keep coming back to this brand.

Tue Jun 11, 2019 12:53 pm

Does putting wax frequently on the seams delay rust?

Tue Jun 11, 2019 1:52 pm

Only if the cracks are wax-sealed but even then, doubtful.