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Store Bought Waxes Part II (No Zaino Posts)
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I tried them out on two cars. The Black magic did very well on my 2 year old Sienna. I tried the spray wax on my 17 year old Integra, and it does not even make the water bead. It did improve the shine, but not like the paste wax did on the Sienna. This is to be somewhat expected as the Black Magic was rated excellent for shine and the spray was only rated good.
Here is my issue. They reccomend using a spray wax on newer cars, but they rate the spray waxes as having a less shiny finish. I don't want a wax that dulls the finish, or causes swirl marks (My 2007 Accord is graphite pearl - not waxed yet- as I have been worried about swirls). BTW my Sienna is a light blue so it hides swirls better.
So it appears they feel the spray wax is safer, but if it does not give as much shine, then why bother as the car has a good finish now.
I am quite pleased with the finish on the Sienna, but hard to tell how it compares with the Accord when it was new - which was about as shiny a car as I have every seen.
Also does the Accord have a clear coat and how does that effect things?
A good wax will last about 3 months. Paint sealant will last about 9 months. You can sometimes make it last longer by applying a spray-on wax every time you wash your car.
You needn't worry about swirl marks if you use a good quality pad and make sure the surface of the car is clean. If you should get any swirl marks, a good polish will get them out.
You get most swirl marks when you wash and dry your car. That means you'll need quality wash mitts and microfiber drying cloths. The two bucket method works too: One bucket for washing and another bucket to rinse the mitt out before putting it back in the washing bucket. And stay away from car washes.
One thing is for certain, get some wax on your new car soon.
Used the pad that was supplied to apply and then went over with Microfiber cloths. Complete job for each car took about 2 hrs. Used Maguires for many years but their products leave a white powder residue. Bad news for black. cars. NO residue with Nanowax.
Thanks,
I am purchasing a new car this weekend and want to start out on the right track to keeping it looking new!
:confuse:
You can wax your new car right away.
From what I can tell the makers of Final Detail are based in NJ and mainly produce cleaning products for home use, such as bathroom cleaners and products to clean hardwood floors and stone countertops. One of the guys involved is a pro detailers from Philly.
$40-50 spent on well chosen products at a well stocked parts store will get you started on the right foot. And I agree with the above poster, new cars are ready to be waxed as soon as you get them home.
Well I will try all the products and let you know. If it sucks, I will return it within my 30 days. Only shipping to lose.
Jessicfa
These days there are very few wax products that DON'T work...it's just degrees of shine, longevity, ease of application, etc. that are different.
Enjoy your new car!
Average stuff I suppose. Probably will keep the products.
I randomly tried Stoner's More Shine for Tires, and was amazed at how easy it worked and how good it looked...a glossy but not plastic-y looking deep shine, and no running.
So it got me thinking about their other products...I think I'll give the waxes a try. I'm not a "recreational waxer" so easy of use is a big plus for me...I'm more interested in driving than detailing my car.
If it works for you, then keep using it. I'm extremely happy with what I'm doing. :shades:
I don't have the time (wife & kids) like I had several years ago to spend washing/waxing.
Any info would be great
I use a spray-on wax from Griot's Garage after I wash my car. It only adds up to a few extra minutes because you can put it on when the car is damp.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I own a 2000 Merc Sable that has 216,000 miles on it, and has never been in a garage a day in its life. It sees all 4 seasons where I live. I have always used Meguire products, and the paint and finish look like new. (Just bought a new Ford 500, so I know what a new car finish looks like!)
On evening we went to the local mall. When I parked the car there were some kids nearby in a pick up truck and I had the "gut" feeling about somethig about to go wrong, but ignored it. WRONG. When we came out? Kids gone - but our Champagne colored BMW? Spray painted with black spray paint all over the hood, both sides, the headlights, windshield, trunk - there was not a body panel untouched. I was sick. Manage to drive home after reporting to police. Next morning I got some DuPont Simoniz Polish and started to try to remove the spray paint. With some elbow grease, it ALL COME OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was shocked to say the least. I HAD to give credit to the Blue Poly - and have used it ever since. Wrote to Blue Coral and complimented them and they sent me some of their other products to have for free. So, not only did Blue Poly give a great shine - it also protected the car from the paint penetrating. Would not have believed it if I had not done it my self.
Is there any questions I should ask to separate the good shops from the bad ones?
There is a local car wash that has a detail shop who say they will hand wax your car for $59.99.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Synthetic protectants (sealants) also expand and contract. Companies like Meguiar's produce waxes, as well as synthetic sealants, and none are damaging to paint.
"This characteristic was always a part of the advertising claims of many of the better waxes on the market. Not sure if it still is, but I've never seen a polymer make that claim."
A good synthetic protectant isn't going to lead to paint failure. Otherwise, a company like Meguiar's wouldn't make one.
"Maybe people should think "wax" if their main goal is paint protection, and "polymers" for shine protection."
Actually, if the main goal is protection, most synthetic protectants (sealants) last longer than waxes. You mention that you like Meguiar's products. Call the phone # on the back of the bottle, and ask them what their longest lasting protectant is. They will tell you it is the NXT 2.0 (synthetic sealant). Typically, carnouba waxes look nicer on darker vehicles, but the durability is never as good as with a sealant.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Hmmm, like black streaks? Water spots are usually white or light tan. Where they on the car when you bought it?
You can try clay and then a very light polish to see if they can be removed. Put a wax or sealant on after that.
I've never used Mother's but you should be able to apply multiple coats of wax or sealant. More wax would give a better shine.
Thanks. I went ahead and put an extra coat on the hood. I might also apply more to other high wear areas. The shine looks good so far but going over the whole car 3 times for this system is a lot of work. I think next time I might just try a clay bar and wax. I'm getting too old to be a detailing fanatic.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Will try clay next time I get ready to wax.
I found that using a clay bar on my 9 month old still took a lot of rough stuff off the surface. It sounds like extra work, but it actually made applying the next layers of Mothers so easy, that I think it's worth it. The next coats don't require any rubbing as you apply them and take off the dried powders.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Yes, brand new. I didn't use the clay because step 1 is a cleaner. I figured that would do the job of the clay. Funny thing, if I run my hand across the hood I feel a little bit of roughness like tiny specks of dirt.
I didn't use the clay because I have never used it before (never even heard of it before coming here) and didn't want to screw it up on a new car. Live and learn I guess.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I did it with that 9 month old LeSabre and it was amazing. Just wash the car twice to really have the area clean and try it on one area and see how you can feel that roughness pull off with the clay bar and the lube which I think is just a simple polish liquid. Remember not to drop the clay bar and get dirt into it. And use part of the bar and fold it to keep the used area inside.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I can relate to getting old for all the work of applying wax every 3 months. I've found a great sealant that I use instead... once a year. I do apply a spray-on wax after I wash it though.
Here's a link. They have two versions. One has a small amount of polish and the other doesn't. They say it will last 9 months to a year. By using their Spray-On Wax after I wash it, a year works for me.
Griot's Garage Paint Sealant
got on the front windshield, passenger side window, moon roof and on the
paint between the moon roof and windshield. I believe the water got onto
the car when it was parked in an underground garage. It may have come
from pipes that were above the car or from the concrete ceiling and then
to the pipes. I did not discover the dripping for several days and I
cleaned it with Windex within a week or so but it did not remove all the
markings. I have since tried several other cleaners without success. The
marks remain and look like dried water drops on the windows. It is also on the paint but much less visible. You really have to look for it.
I recently took the car to the dealer for oil service and asked them
about it. They took it to their detailer and they were unable to remove
the markings. They said that it may have etched into the glass. I'm not
sure what if anything I can do about it. I was wondering if it could be
lime and maybe a lime remover might work. Are there other things I could try or am I out of luck?