Waxing weekend aproaches...

nixter · 04-09-2005, 01:13 PM

Ok, going to wax my ride for the first time and I have a few questions. I have a Black SC.

-Wax suggestions?

-Buy a rotory buffer? Worth it?

-The PO left a garbage bag on the roof during storage once and it created a strange soap film like pattern when viewedfrom certain angles. No texture change. Obviously some chem reaction to the plastic bag. Would rubbing compound get this out?

-Other tips?

Thanks,

Nik

randywebb · 04-09-2005, 01:30 PM

Meguairs NXT is probably the best all around wax out there right now.

No, $200 is not worth it for a rotary buffer. Use a Porter-Cable random orbit sander for $60 - or for free if you already have one.

yes, but don't use rubbing compound - it is dangerous stuff. Get some Meguairs Body Scrub and go over it repeatedly with the P/C with a buffing pad on it. This will remove what can be removes w/o destroying the finish.

Do a search and you will find many many threads on these issues. Besides Meguairs, the 3M stuff is good. Meguairs gives xlnt support and a wide range of quality products - most can be had at Target or Sprawl-Mart (if you don't mind subsidizing serfdom). Larry's carcareonline.com site is also good. Pelican has most items but you will have to wait for shipping.

Zaino has some sort of religious cult following that has not yet drunk the Kool-Aide.

P21s is fine stuff but my tests show it is no better than Meguairs Gold Class, while NXT is better.

Zymol (real kind) is very nice as long as the car never leaves your museum - if it does, the stuff will last abotu 15 minutes...

Zurtle (Zymol that doesn't cost as much as a fine French perfurme) is made by Turlte wax and has the same quality ...

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

When I got my car 3 years ago, the paint had all kinds of issues. I used 3M products (Imperial Hand Glaze, Swirl remover, Show Car Polish) and got excellent results. The 3M products are reasonably priced and work just like they are supposed to. Elbow grease and beer are the only other things I've needed to use when waxing, no "power tools" on my paint, I'm afraid I'll mess it up...

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

3M Products - Imperial hand glaze, Grey bottle swirl remover - Clay bars, and my favorite wax -The Wax Shop liquid. Easy as hell to apply, looks great, cheap, no messy residue.

Your car will look like a million bucks...

(Million US, that is

)

rjp

Skipster · 04-10-2005, 06:07 AM

Here is a great resource for paint care:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com

dgcate · dgcate's Garage

3M. Also remember that it's somewhat like having a garden, once and you'll be amazed, but it gets even better the more times you work at it.

I'm going with Zaino this year, just for something different. It's suppossed to last longer than regular caruba...It gets old watching your work "dissappear" after 3 weeks.

Save the buffers for really bad houseboats and planes. Maybe I just don't know how to use one correctly, but they're messier and more trouble than worth on a small 911. Hard as it is, it think it's even harder with a buffer.

Dionikes · 04-10-2005, 08:03 AM

dgcate: I would have agreed with you before I got a PC but after I did I could not see going back. Especially if you have to remove a lot of scratches or polishing. Here is another good link:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=28788&page=1&pp=20

Second time I posted it(I did nto see this thread right away).

Personally, I am not sold on NXT. I have heard stories that the only way to get it off your car is it has to wear off. So while the wax near your wheels comes off quickly the rest does not and it takes a ton of work to get it off. I stopped using gold class wax because if you do not wipe up a spot you quickly have a white crusty spot...it also turns your trim white if you are get any on your trim. P21S suffers none of these draw backs...but it is more expensive.

On that note get P100. It is P21S packaged for motorcycles but the same product for $10 less than P21S.

One item that all German car owners need is Klasse All-In-One. The stuff is incredible. It cleans, polishes and seals in one application. Not meant to be layered though. It works best if you put a layer of wax top of it...it makes for a really deep gloss.

kenikh · 04-10-2005, 08:54 AM

Not my auction, but just get a Chinese knock off on Ebay for $30:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4542416051&category=35000

pwd72s · 04-10-2005, 09:22 AM

turtle wax

wente · wente's Garage

I have a porter cable - have used 3m and meguires, but a month ago I switch to Zaino which was done by hand... (dish soap wash, then clay bar, then several coats of the various zaino stuff) no polisher was necessary, it was easy. and all I have to say is wow... the other waxes worked great, but they didn't seem to last in the sun up here at altitude. so far the zaino looks great after one wash. hopefully it will maintain, but man it looks great on black.

kenikh · 04-10-2005, 10:21 AM

Wente,

You aren't the only person who has been praising Zaino, letely. I have byddies here in town who just went to Zaino drom Zymol and for the price will never go back.

wente · wente's Garage

I used the Zaino starter kit ZKIT-1 had the clay bar, accelerator, z2 z5 z6 carwash and pads. ~$85

Ell

wente · wente's Garage

oh & I was surprised by how far the stuff goes... the kit should be good for me for several years given the quantities needed to actually do the job. the only thing I expect to replace before that would be the z6, since it's like a quick wax you can spray on after washing.

randywebb · 04-10-2005, 10:51 AM

"they didn't seem to last in the sun up here at altitude"

- A very important point. Different parts of the continent have differt factors attacking the finish:
Intermtn. West - UV
SoCal - UV & ozone + other pollutants
PNW - water & moisture
E. Coast - lots of acid rain
Midwest - varies, not much acid rain (even tho it is produced by coal power plants there, it mostly blows over into NY, etc. before it precips. out)

So everybody has to do their own tests in their own location.

Dionikes · 04-10-2005, 12:15 PM

Personally, I would stay away from rotary buffers. There is a much greater chance you could swirl or burn your paint.

The PC 7424 random orbital actually orbits...like a human hand would buff but at 6000 rpms. Then it is also has a slight rotation. This different motion really reduces the chance you are going to screw up your paint.

kilodawg · kilodawg's Garage

Take a 21 year old sun damaged paint finish. Then add by HAND in the following order:
1. Meguiar's Step 1.
2. 3M's Hand Glaze
3. Zaino's Z5
4. Zaino's Z2
5. Zaino's Z6

Result:

The key is in the prep work before the Zaino but the Zaino sure makes it pop.

kilodawg · kilodawg's Garage

Same process on my buddies '89 Turbo which has better paint.

bandhawk · 04-10-2005, 03:11 PM

So...what's a good way to get the white stuff off your trim if you do get Meguiars on it?

anthony · 04-10-2005, 03:41 PM

I recommend these guys:

http://www.properautocare.com/

There's lots of good info on their site.

I'm sold on the Menzerna polishes followed by Klasse. They do miracles on a clear coated paint. They made my 10 year old Jetta look practically new again:

http://www.properautocare.com/mengerbespol.html

randywebb · 04-10-2005, 04:36 PM

Just use the Meguairs rubber car spray -- can do that first and the white stuff won't get on it the first place.

the NXT doesn't leave a white residue BTW