Polishes-Waxes- What you use?

[mikeesik]

Hello.
I've been going over the 87 for over 2 -3 weeks now with Maguier's Polish.

Still have the interior to do and then engine.

Then I'll drive er.

Anyway, Maguier's Polish is pretty good but not perfect. Some areas I need more abrasiveness.
Today I bought -turtle wax-polish.
I tried it out and found it too harsh for the clearcoat. AND-it dried waaay too fast. I had to use the Maguier's to remove the lines of the turtle wax.

I took it back for a money return.

Like I said the Maguier's was good but not absolutely effective in all areas. I have been over most of the car 4 times for sure.

Can anyone lead me to a polish that is just a touch more abrasive than Mag.?


One that'll allow you to use an electric polisher with results?

I have some minute scratches , oxidized paint (hazing) and at times very-very small pitting can be seen.

I am very anal so to some it may seem it looks great, but to me not yet!

On some large areas of the car that has been delt with Maguier's ; it looks as good as new if not better!

What can be more abrasive and somewhat better than this product?

Thank you.

[DougM]

Griot's is some good stuff. They also have a book detailing how to use all the different polishes, waxes etc... effectively. The owner purchased a car from me years ago and as part of the deal, I got $1000 credit toward his products. I was impressed and have been using it since.

[waynestrutt]

Can anyone lead me to a polish that is just a touch more abrasive than Mag.?
Wet sand with 4000 grit ,using a block.

After you think its perfect do a spot with kleenex and silver cutlery polish. Any good acrylic polish like the ones used for lexan also is good. Only by hand with kleenex gives no swirls and no fine scratches. Its a lot of work by hand so do the spot where you will not see it because the difference is like black and white and once you see it it is hard not to do the whole car.

[laneyamps]

Just curious: Did you use a clay bar before hand?

I use pretty much any good quality wax, polish, glaze, and/or compounds (3M, Maquiars, Mothers, Griot's, etc) with good results from all of them.

My paint is decent, and in relatively good shape, but, mine 928 is black, and I drive it...So, I never expect it's going to look 100% all the time. It's got tiny chips, a little swirl here & there, etc...I live with it.

[Cannonball996]

I use Zymol waxes and cleaners, got a kit for christmas one year and have been hooked ever since

[laneyamps]

Originally Posted by Cannonball996

I use Zymol waxes and cleaners, got a kit for christmas one year and have been hooked ever since

LOL, I love their products, I just can't afford most of them!

I have a bottle of their leather cleaner, and a bottle of the leather conditioner....I just can't afford their wax...OMG! I've seen one can of Zymol wax for over $100!!!! And a can of their glaze for $179.00!!!!! That's insane!!! I think I still have permanent jaw drop damage!

But, I agree, great stuff, probably the best out there.

[harborman]

I have been using Collinite fleetwax which is also suitable for airplanes. It gives quite a finish but a little hard to remove, especially if you let it dry too long.

[on air]

+ 1 on Griot's
my '81 still wears all its original paint and still takes home awards at regional events

[mikeesik]

Finally finished......and should receive a Diploma.

I have learnt.

I've used Maguier's Polish-Then Maguier's wax. After that I purchased -Turtle Wax-black box.

I tell you , no complaints about swirls, lines or frustration for not.

I've been over the car at least 5 times over. The car looks wet and wet again.

Good for me.-really stunning.

I only have the brake calipers to slightly clean and paint the brake hats. Also I wish to detail the wheel wells.

I purchased -Armoral leather cleaner and conditioner. Garbage. I will be taking it back. Cleans worse than my x wife.

I have to do the engine as well.

The car, in my opinion and neighbors looks very good.

Lots of work. Must of been 50 hours of polishing/ waxing- worth it.
The car and I are now very intimate. May have a wedding when the car is running right.

[garylewa]

Turtle Wax Black Box is basically a paint filler/glaze made specifically for black cars. When you wash the car again the fillers are removed and your back to swirl marks again. Hopefully your polish work with the Meguiar's removed the majority of the paint defects so this isn't the case.
I have owned black cars my whole life and have tried a ton of products thru the years. Whats in my cabinets has been alot of trial & error (& cash....). I have used a direct drive Makita buffer for years when it was the industry standard along with a 10" orbital for paint correction. I researched and finally splurged to try out the Griot's Garage 6" random orbital (I then of course had to buy the 3" also....). There is absolutely no comparison, the 6" & 3" orbitals are world class detailing machines. I won't use anything else. It cut out the swirls from direct drive buffing and I can probably throw out the majority of my compounds & polishes now.
I had a door paint chip from an idiot in a parking lot this spring (thanks!) and to fix it I had to respray the entire door and passenger fender. The painter tried to blend in the clear coat on the hood and drivers side fender with a direct drive buffer and harsh compounds and then used a filler to cover it up. I washed the car this weekend and the hood looked like cattle stampeded across it. I used GG Machine Polish 3 along with Meguiar's Gold Class carnauba wax with both the 6" & 3" orbitals and the final result I couldn't believe; the depth and clarity is astounding. ALL swirl marks & defects are gone.
The picture below shows a sample of a direct drive swirl mark that I had all over the hood & driver fender.


Finished (now that's a nice reflection...):


My product cabinet (notice Black Box on left side...):


Random Orbital's (Makita & 10" orbital are in the basement..):


You also stated you Armor-All leather cleaner didn't work to your satisfaction. I agree. I have always had leather in all of my cars and the best products I have used have been Zaino-Leather in a bottle (although it leaves a white residue in the grain when dried....) & Leatherique leather products. I used Griot's Garage Leather Rejuvenator for a first time on the 928 (I re-covered both the center console box and the rear storage box lids in leather) and again was very pleased with the results. it actually worked better than the previous two products I listed so this is now going to be a staple in the cabinet. I cannabalized the leather from the backs of two old seats I have in the basement so the color would be spot on. Both of these turned out extremely well and clean up the interior nicely (the old leather I tried to save but it was just too far gone and was becoming an eyesore). See for yourself. The GG Leather Rejuvenator made the leather buttery soft & the interior smells great.

Center console box original (during repair incl. re-dye):


Center console box new cover:


Rear storage box ( I used Leatherique products to "keep it alive" incl. a re-dye job but it was too far gone IMO):


Rear storage box finished(corner seam detail):


This not a post for Griot's Garage products per say but their products work as described and they compliment each other well which in my mind is a huge time saver. I have yet to try their waxes. I like Meguiar's Gold Coast carnauba; it's ez to work with, leaves a tough finish and it smells great.
Sorry for the post length fella's.

[djantlive]

Zaino user here for 10+ years. It lasts for a whole year once applied. Hard to beat in durability.

Menzena is a great product. Check out detailer domain.

[harborman]

Sometimes I think wax is like the old elicser salesman in the old west selling a cure for all in a bottle. My cousin worked for Trutle Wax and I think if a wax is too good they take it off the market. I remember Mcquires had a really good wax some years ago and after sometime I could not get it again. Probably a good old carnoba is still the best.

[mikeesik]

Thankyou for the input, especially Mr. garylewa..
My car looks no less than your black mercury painted car.

The exotic paint treatments and leather treatments are NOT readily at all to purchase around here.

[hbueno]

Gary,

Can you describe how you use the random orbital? That is, how do you deal with stuff like seals between body panels, hood badge, spoilers?

Hugo

[garylewa]

Sure Hugo,

Most people use tape to cover these up; I don't. I just grab a large clean microfiber towel and place it on the car body folded in half. I then the place the orbital on top of the towel and turn it on for final buff. You can try out what speed works best for you. I flip, unfold and re-fold (if thats a word...) the microfiber towel (to keep alot of build up away from the paint) for each different panel. I found that the towels fibers actually go into the seal gaps & crevices and clean these areas out of wax and polish.
The rear spoiler on the 928's is actually a textured rubber and I apply carnauba wax directly on it and buff it out following the steps above. I have never had a residue on the spoiler; it actually looks better than when I bought it.
I am detailing the BMW tomorrow (it needs it bad) I will ask my brother to make a quick video, if you are interested I will post a link to it so you can actually see what I do.

[hbueno]

Originally Posted by garylewa

Sure Hugo,

Most people use tape to cover these up; I don't. I just grab a large clean microfiber towel and place it on the car body folded in half. I then the place the orbital on top of the towel and turn it on for final buff. You can try out what speed works best for you. I flip, unfold and re-fold (if thats a word...) the microfiber towel (to keep alot of build up away from the paint) for each different panel. I found that the towels fibers actually go into the seal gaps & crevices and clean these areas out of wax and polish.
The rear spoiler on the 928's is actually a textured rubber and I apply carnauba wax directly on it and buff it out following the steps above. I have never had a residue on the spoiler; it actually looks better than when I bought it.
I am detailing the BMW tomorrow (it needs it bad) I will ask my brother to make a quick video, if you are interested I will post a link to it so you can actually see what I do.

A video would be interesting. My 1984 928 is Guards Red (Indischrot), and the paint is good, but definitely needs a polishing. I haven't sprung for a random orbital yet, but it seems like a better idea than hand polishing.

Since I've never done it before, I'm hesitant to jump right in without really understanding the proces from A to Z.

Hugo

[jcb928]

Originally Posted by mikeesik

Thankyou for the input, especially Mr. garylewa..
My car looks no less than your black mercury painted car.

The exotic paint treatments and leather treatments are NOT readily at all to purchase around here.

eShine Canada, Car, Wax, Polish, Polisher, Tire Dressings, Detailing Supplies, RV, Truck, Boat, Automotive, upholstery, marine, convertible, Microfiber