Favorite wax/detailing solution

[flash527]

Zaino Store

The first application seems a little intimidating when you read the writeup, but after that they're very easy to use. They seem expensive, but since you use very little per application they're a pretty good value. These are probably the longest lasting products I've used or heard of.

I'd recommend starting with:
Z-2 or Z-5 (Z-5 is for darker colors or swirled paint, Z-2 brings out more shine in lighter colors or defect-free paint.)
Z-8 (Best Zaino product. That's not my opinion, it's a fact.:th_thumbsup-wink
ZFX (Curing accelerator. Necessary for the first coat unless you use Z-AIO. Helps follow-on coats last longer.)

IIRC these pictures are 1 coat of Z-AIO and 1 coat of Z-5 topped with Z-8 over freshly polished paint:

that looks so good I was about to start yellin PHOTOSHOP. haha.

 

[04muscle]

Macquires, fine cut, yellow wax (carnauba), and finish with a glaze. Last a long time, looks reaaaaallllll fine.

 

[Warhellride]

that looks so good I was about to start yellin PHOTOSHOP. haha.

I wish my Photoshop skills were anywhere near that good.:th_laugh-lol2: That was the first time I polished the car (using Menzerna polishes), after about four years of automatic car washes.

A couple people mentioned paint correction, and I wholeheartedly agree. Paint prep is probably the most important step to making your car look good. You can get decent results over damaged paint, but you'll be amazed at what a difference unswirled, blemish free paint makes.

Here's a good write-up and video about polishing.

 

[PolishedandWaxed]

are you using menzerna with a PC?

 

[Warhellride]

Yes. 7424.

 

[16MustangVet]

I think ive got a good combo from 3 different companies. I use Meguires clay bar blue bars come in a round black container, mothers paste wax seems to last longer than liquid to me anyways, and Eagle1 spray wax after every single wash. Goes on good doesnt smear like mothers and meguires spray wax if tried if you get it on glass or window trim. Id reccomend at least trying the Eagle1 spray wax. 1 bottle lasts about 3 washes.

 

[katesgrandprix]

Wow that ice stuff looks impressive, ill have to check that out. Thanks!

 

[Pontiac Warrior]

Johnsons Hardwood floor wax. Before anyone freaks my uncle has been in the bodyshop buissnesses before they even had clear coats and were still using laquer paint and he was the one who recomended it to me. Simoniz is the best but since it is so scarce Johnsons is really amazing!

 

[SnowDrift]

Lasts me about 2 weeks in rainy weather about 4 weeks in nice weather but it don't take long to do it you put it on with the applicator and wipe it off maybe a extera 10-15min after a wash. It don't haze do you don't have to wory about cracks and exc and cloudy wax in them and you can even wax the plastic and it don't fade it more than it is also like said above you can apply in sunlight when it's hot out and for me thats when i like to clean the car.

total time for me to wash:10-15min, wax:10-15, tireshine:10min clean the inside 10min and rims 4-5min is about an hour which isn't bad and i don't mind doing it

wow, 2 weeks?? I'm out. It sounds like a polish, instead of a protecting wax.

I use Meguiars, too.

 

[nicksilvergt99]

my car still looks great from the ice. it never used to shine like it does after i wash it

 

[matt5112]

Lotta "interesting science" in waxes. My understanding is: have clean unscratched paint, apply synthetic wax, apply sealant of some sort.

Personally, I use a $5 bottle of turtle wax whenever the water starts to pool on the paint. I don't wash it often since the weather sucks and I park it near construction so it gets dirty instantly. The paint isn't terrible but was a city car so paint is already pretty rough in place.

 

[ARFF22]

I'm a big Meguiar's fan myself, I recommend the Mirror Glaze line. For the money you can't beat the product results for the price. Easy on, easy off, but again this is something that is all personnal preferance. And I agree, the Ice stuff does sort of give a fake shine. And what I think he meant by that is that it is like the liquid version of a spray on wax. They look great when you put them on but as soon as it rains or you run it through a car wash, it washes away pretty quickly. Meguiar's Mirror Glaze - Show Car Glaze #7, is sort of the same. Product works and looks great, if your car is going to be kept in the garage, under a cover and not really see the elements. Once it rains or you wash it a couple of times, you have to reapply it. Use a good polish like the Swirl Remover #9 or a more aggressive polish like Fine Cut Cleaner #2, followed by the Yellow Wax #26, and your car will look great and be protected.
I'm sure there are a lot of detail professionals out there that can chime in, but I personnally believe you need to be reapplying wax at a minimum of once every three months. At least on the east coast, I believe acid rain is more of a problem then people realize.