Car wax

[MusicCityHorn77]

I usually take my truck to the the car wash down the street and use the spray on wax, clear coat, etc... Is there a major difference in the stuff you buy and apply manually? If so, I'd be interested to hear some recommendations of brands I should try. Muchas gracias.

 

[Boozehound]

Yeah, there's a big difference in spray on wax and the paste variety. In my experience, the spray on stuff isn't worth a ****, and doesn't last. Paste on the other hand does a good job.

Conventional wisdom is to get a 100% carnuba wax and go for a triple coat (3 layers applied directionally). First layer applied and removed horizontally, second coat vertically, and the third at a 45 degree diagonal.

There's also new stuff out like meguiar's NXT that gives an awesome shine, but it doesn't last nearly as long.

IMO, if it's on a truck, you'd be fine to go pick up some 100% carnuba (or even turtle if that's what you find) and put on two layers - you probably wont need to worry about the direction, my guess is that it has enough surface contamination that it'd be a waste of time. Also, a good cleaner wax first and then a coat of carnuba really might clean up any water spots, crap in the finish, mild oxidation, etc.

Just put on a couple of coats every 6 months, and you should be set - it'll also make washing your truck much easier.

 

[Anastasis]

[stupid question]Is there any problem using caranuba wax or another wax product on newer cars with clearcoat?[/stupid question]

I've always owned older cars so I never worried about clearcoat, now got a 2004 nissan.

 

[Boozehound]

No prob using these waxes with clearcoats. Basically treat the clearcoat like you would treat the paint. It's your first line of defense - if it gets all contaminated (waterspots, oxidation, etc), you'll have to buff it out (using mild abrasives) and your clear coat gets thinner and thinner as you get closer to the color.

Moral of the story? Keep your clear coat in good shape, dont let water spots and crap build up (by wash/wax) and you won't have to worry about your car looking like a rusted out shitbox in 10 years.

Hit your local Autozone or wherever and go read a couple dozen or so products - you'll start to get the gist of how each company likes to employ their "system." FWIW, I've had good results with meguiars 3 step polish/waxes (cleaner, polish, wax)

 

[txzen]

Try the p21s wax - it can be bought numerous places online. For a natural wax, it lasts quite well, but the major plus is that when it gets on your black trim, it does NOT stain it white like most waxes.

store.auto-geek.net/p2concarwax.html

 

[F1Horn]

Zaino kit and a clay bar.

 

[TheSheriffIsNEAR]

Yes, Zaino Bros. is the ****.

 

[The Rookie]

Yep zaino is the **** if you want to apply by hand. I have been using it for years. The Link

If you want to apply by polisher-use a porter cable 7224 and use menzerna intensive polish/menzerna final polish/p21S/zaino(any sealer) for great results.

Or if you want regular easy to find stuff just use meguairs gold class.

P21s can also be bought in motorcycle shops.

 

[ornjblud]

If you're looking for a carnauba, I've been using Blitz One Grand for a while. Decent durability, nice shine. Easy on, easy off.

I'm actually going to try out the menzerna twins this weekend (with my new PC).

Anyone use the Klasse products (All in one and/or Sealant Glaze)?

 

[Boozehound]

Zainos is supposed to be the ****, but it's also damned expensive and quite labor intensive from what I remember (that's why I gave the Meguiar's NXT system a shot). For a typical truck application for someone who doesn't wash by hand, just go with a middle of the road paste wax 2 or 3 times a year, 2 coats per application...