Best hand detailing products?

[onewhippedpuppy]

What are you guys's favorite products for pure hand polishing/waxing? I don't have a PC buffer, as much as I would love one. Also prefer over the counter stuff, as I'm usually too lazy to order things ahead of time. Case in point, I want to wax both cars this weekend, too late to order anything. Someday I need to order some Zaino and give it a shot, but see above excuse on that one. My idea for this week:

Wash, clay, mild polish like Mother's paint cleaner/polish, then follow with the P21S/S100 wax that they sell at the Harley Dealerships.

I've tried a lot of different stuff, never been blown away.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I should add that the 540 has light oxidation and swirls on the hood, and would love to remove as much as possible of that.

[JonT]

Clay bar, 3M Imperial hand glaze, then McGuires NXT. Save up for that Portor Cable Orbital--Lowe's has them for around $110-awesome.

If you get the PC orbital, then do clay bar, McGuires Swirl Remover, then NXT.

[RallyJon]

Originally posted by JonT
Clay bar, 3M Imperial hand glaze, then McGuires NXT.

Good advice. A lot of times detailing fanatics will recommend a $three figure suite of products that take several hours or even days to apply correctly. I used to be one of them. Clay bar + hand glaze + a modern wax or sealant will give you 95% of the quality in a couple of hours.

Are you looking for a hobby or just a really great shine and protection?

[RANDY P]

wash with "tide" laundry detergent, clay bar, 3m swirl remover / hand application, 3M imperial glaze, finish with The Wax Shop liquid...

rjp

[onewhippedpuppy]

I don't have the time for a hobby.

I'm considering trying this for a topcoat, Turtle Wax ICE. I had totally ignored it because of it being Turtle Wax, but then I found this thread on Bimmerforums.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=510339
It's a synthetic sealer like Zaino, all these guys are very impressed. I may try topcoating it with P21S like some people do after they use Klasse, it should work the same.

How's the 3M swirl remover/hand glaze to work with by hand?

[RANDY P]

It's pretty easy stuff, and gentle on paint. Use it all the time on everything. It can be used by machine too if you want. Works out light, very moderate swirls..

rjp

[onewhippedpuppy]

Picked up the S100 (P21S) wax and paint cleaner from the local Harley shop, along with a new clay bar. Should be good for the wife's nearly new 4Runner, I'll have to find some hand glaze or similar when I do the 540.