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Comments
I'm just an average guy who loves his cars, and I've tried many different products over the years, from Turtle Wax to Eagle One to Meguiers to Zaino. First off, any non-abrasive wax or polish will add years to the life of your paint and will make cleaning easier. Second, you can spend $6 for some turtle wax and Windex and your set, or you can spend $75 or more for a complete set of Meguiers or Zaino car care products. Most people start with the $6 investment, and depending on how much they become ...obsessed? ... they migrate to other, better, more expensive and more specific products. Products especially for rubber, others for plastic, base coats of wax, top coats, etc.
There are two things going for polymer polishes over waxes. They last longer and they repel dust better. Waxes on the other hand have traditionally given a better shine and greater depth to the finish. However, there is a whole new world of polymers out there these days that seem to shine nearly as well as waxes and last longer.
And then there is Zaino. I'm a realtively new Zaino user and I am just crazy about it. I try to wash my car very week, and I used a "top-coat" wax after every wash. I had been a dyed in the wool Meguier's user for a long time, and still have a closet full of their products. [Actually I still believe that their low abrasion cleaning and glazing products made for the professional shop are still the best out there.] But I am absolutely sold on the Zaino polishes.
Both my wifes car and my car got the full deep cleaning, old wax stripping, claying, 7-coat Zaino polishes for hiding swirel marks (Z5) and giving the best high gloss (Z2)and I have never been happier with a car product before. I've actually begun to wash the car less often because they do not get as dusty as fast as they used to. The dust just seems to slide off. The gloss and depth is the best I've ever attained. And I do not use the top-coats after each wash anymore.
But you will not see these kinds of results without hours of work. For me, it truely is a happy time. I love caring for our cars like this. If instead, you opt for a wash and a quick 1 coat of polish, the car will still look great and the 1 coat will provide lots of protection, for a long time. It just won't be up to that show-car kind of finish.
Even if you decide not to use the Z-products, visit their web page for some great car care info. zainobros.com, and look at the meguiers.com as well.
And at the very least, get a coat of tutle wax on that new car!
I am a Z user and try to respect everyone else's conviction to and opinion of the products they use - so no one start anything.
All products take some work, there is no easy solution. Actually, there is and I suggest you do this:
Pickup up the phone book and call a detail shop. Pay them the money and pick the car up when it's done. That should get you through the winter. Then you can decide what to do next spring.
How long should it be left on the paint?
How to remove it? By towel or water?
How many times you should glide the clay bar against the paint?
Is there any extra thing to consider in applying the clay bar? Is Meguiar's a good choice for this?
Thank you.
Brenda
Be REALLY careful about dropping the clay bar. It is guaranteed you will drop it at least once, as it is very slippery with the lubricant on it. Put down a shower curtain or trash bag so WHEN it falls, it will not pick up some dirt or grit off the dround or driveway that you will then use to scratch up your paint!
It is really amazing how smooooth the car will be. I first heard about it from a very high end detailer that told me that he would never wax a car without claying it first, so I started reading about it and used it on my new Solara with GREAT results.
Brenda
Brenda
I've used Clay Magic and Zaino clay products. I did not notice much of a difference between the clay itself, but I like Zaino's instructions better as they describe how to make up tons of lubricant from their car soap and water. I have not tried Meguier's clay, but all of their other products are top-drawer and they make many profesional products for body shops and detailers.
If your paint is not in the best of shape, has heavier scratches and oxidation, I'd advise using a slightly abrasive product like one of the Meguire's Paint or Clear Coat cleaners or glazes instead of, or before claying. Claying works best when the paint is in relatively good shape and your really after the surface dirt, rather than the defects in the finish.
Brenda
Michael
Different brands. I don't think it is so much what you use as much as you use something regularly. People who care about their cars find the time to regularly wash, clean, and polish/wax. That is what makes a car continue to look good. The last 5% in looks usually isn't worth it, realistically, but if that's your "thing" then go for it. I'm not a Z guy, but maybe in the future, but I want to see first hand results before I plunk down that kind of money. I understand Mr Hanley's perspective as I had a similar result when comparing Kit carnuba to Malm's. Sometimes the result isn't as great as the hype. Use what makes you happy, just do it regularly.
Brenda
Thanks,
Al
Michael
I would try 3M Imperial Hand Glaze next...I have used and recommended this product...everyone seems to like it...and its under $15...available at Pep Boys...3M also I believe make a product specifically for removing "swirl marks"...which I would try afterwards if the 3M IHG wasn't abrasive enough...Good Luck!
PS: of course, you need to follow up with wax afterwards...
Vern
I'm having some problems with the seach function since Friday pm as well.
Changes (deleted posts, new topics, new posts) on the old site
between sometime Wednesday night and the point on Friday
afternoon that this site went live did not make it here.
Bruce will be along shortly to take care of whatever needs to be
re-done.
Meanwhile I am glad to see that so many us have survived, er... are
continuing to survive? :-) the turbulence of the trip!
Pat/Roving Host
My manual said to apply silicone grease to the weatherstrip every 6 months. What is this stuff? I tried my local Pep Boys, but the only silicone lube comes in a spray can. I am not sure if this is the same stuff. By they way, what does this stuff do? Why should I be applying this stuff to my weatherstrip?
What constitute weatherstrip any way? Is it the rubber stuff along the door? Or do I also have to include the rubber bits around the Wind shield and windows?
Paul
Bottom line is, I agree with "alcan" above.
PJ, DNAN and J166; please take it offline. The rest of us are tired of hearing you bicker.
Your host, Bruce.
Mother's Back to Black is a white liquid that one apply to the trim and then wipe it off and buff it out. Since it was white, I assumed that it was a cleaner.
Well, I apply it to the trim and the white stuff disappear, so I thought it successfully remove the Nufinish. A few days later, it rained, and the white stuff came back. This mean the stuff didn't actually clean the trim, but covered it up. To make things worse, whatever it is isn't waterproof. I don't really want to reapply this stuff after every rainstorm, so it's useless.
I guess I'll try using the peanut butter trick next. Let's hope I won't be attacked by rabid squirrels.
Paul
Sorry if I came off too hard, after it seems the whole deal died down.
Actually, I intend to delete my own post in a few days. There's no need to leave the wound open, people come by later and read it and say..."Huh"?
Your host, Bruce
page? What page are you on when you do what you do?
The Search feature is being refined, so changes will come. But let me know exactly what you are doing so I can give
it a try myself and see what you are seeing.
Pat/Roving Host
I have used ScotchGuard for many years with NO ill results. It may leave a "stiffness" on the fabric at first, but it goes away as soon as it is touched or sat on. Son't worry about this - the protection is awsome. There is no "crusty" layer.
Don't forget to do the floor mats.
The problem is that 3M now feels that Scotchguard is a danger to the Ozone layer, and has discontinued it's production. I would hit your hardware store and stock up.
I'm finding the search funtion to be working when I go into it from one of the new pages. I'll update all my bookmarks.
Pat/Roving Host
G.M. recommends Dielectric Silicone Grease (Part No. 12345579 or equivalent) in a tube to condition and preserve weatherstrips.
Paul
The bit about silicone causing the rubber to crack seemed to have came from Armor all. Supposely, if you spray armor all on stuff, you'll have to keep applying it or the rubber will dry out and crack. Since I have never use armor all, I am not sure if this is true.
Paul
I tried Armor All years ago, and don't recommend it. It stays oily and attracts dirt. Inside use Lemon Pledge for plastic, vinyl, chrome and leather.
Pat/Roving Host
Thanx for the input.
Doc
Sorry I don't know if the tire gel will restore the black again to grayed trim. Howver there are products that will - such as the Black Chrome mentioned by alcan above. One the oils are restored to the plastic, then it will be easy to keep black and shiny with the tire gel.
Good Luck!
Pat/Roving Host
Suma