I just waxed and wondering if non hand wash will mess it up
 

Hi all,
I just used Megiars NXT Wax paste and it looks awesome, I am looking to wash and apply a second coat in a couple days....I read on the forum that certian harsh soaps can actually remove the wax you put on..I live in NYC and dont wash by hand,just wondering if the soap in most car washes (machines) take the wax away, or do most places use gentle soap??

I would guess the soap is not gentle, and neither are the dirt/sand encrusted straps and brushes that you would be putting your X in.

As I have stated before... car washes are good for my beater... but they are not allowed to touch the X. No, no, no, no, no

Brushless washes use cold recycled water and wax stripping soap, then apply the cheapest Blue Coral polish/wax they can find.

Hand washes uses the same gritty mitts and towels used to clean the minivan in front of you, some even wash the lower half of your car and wheels with a push broom dipped in god knows what.

Full car washes... don't get me started... you are better off beating your X with a sandy beach towel dipped in laundry detergeant.

What would you recommend for someone living in Northeast....I mean its cold in winter and besides I live in the city and dont have a house and hose to wash myself...you think bringing it to a place that will do it by hand but letting them use my supplies such as mitt, towels, maybe even soap)..this way they dont "use the same gritty mitts/towels used on the minivan in front of you" Or do you know of a certain type of soap or technique in which just a simple bucket of water will rinse it..since i dont have access to a hose..

Fair question... my recommendation is to have your X professionally detailed once a year - your stealer will either offer this service onsite or give you a recommendation. In between, you can either use a mobile service like Dr. Detail or a reputable hand wash like Teknik 1. My best recommendation though is to stop a New Yorker who is driving a clean car that is known for being detailed and pampered (Bentley, 911 Turbo S, pre-Ford Jags, etc.) and ask them wear they take their babies.

You think If i got a large bucket of water filled used some soap...and then refilled bucket to rinse it will be good, I mean without using a hose?? Or will it be too hard to take off all the soap that way.

Without a hose you would have to use a minimal amount of "car shampoo" (like Meguiars). - you should not have a bucket of suds as bubbles do not equal cleaning. Then I would rinse the car with 2, better yet 3, buckets of water using a clean wash mitt.

Thanks...appreciate your insite. im going give think ill give this a try, see how it goes.

Washing in the winter
 

I live in Northern VA and wash my X whenever most every weekend in the winter. If the outside temp's above 40 degrees, I've been able to wash my X as follows: Fill a bucket with warm water from a bathtub, add car wash soap, put on your 'chemicalproof gloves' you buy at Home Depot ($3-4), dip your sponge/wash mitt in the bucket and wash the X--top to bottom. I use a hose to rinse, but hand-rinsing with a few buckets of water will work. Dry as you would normally.

I stay well clear of carwashes.I just use good brand shampoo that doesnt remove my polish!