Car wax/and or polish-whats the best?

Tim L · 09-06-2006, 05:26 PM

Ordered a new car -Accord EXL now I have been out of the "I give a crap" about my car's looks for many years- and now it seems there are dozens if not more care care waxes and polishes to choose from..very confusing. I even went on some car forums like corvette and mustangs- and most of the stuff they suggest can only be ordered from the internet and require a three stage process or something (Zaino-was mentioned alot)-well its not a rolls royce,just a honda, so I am looking for something that will protect, shine-easy on,easy off. I have heard some good things about Maguiar products (there is alot of them too). I live in new england so heat, snow, etc-we get it all. any suggestions or experiences welcome.
Tim

Mort Corey · 09-06-2006, 06:19 PM

Meguiars makes quality stuff at reasonable prices. Everything from the "one step" easy on, easy off waxes to the more exotic detailer stuff. You can find it in most stores or buy it direct online. They have a forum for all your questions regarding products and applications...pretty intense enthusiasts.

Mort

Alon Goldberg · 09-06-2006, 06:44 PM

I'll second Meguiar's products

Carl Miller · 09-06-2006, 06:54 PM

I used to use Meguires #16 all the time...incredibly durable, but not an easy off. Most of Meguires other waxes are not very durable.

I like Clearkote Carnauba Wax...it's a liquid wax, easy on/easy off, and very very durable. Most durable liquid wax I've ever used at 4-5 months between waxing in NYC weather. It's a mail order only product, in the $20 range for 16 oz, but lasts a long time...Looks especially good on black cars, and dark blues.

Brian W. Ralston · 09-06-2006, 07:06 PM

I would highly recommend that if this is the first real good coat of wax/polish you are putting on your car (even though it is a Honda) , that you thoroughly clean the car's surface with one of the vaireties of Clay bars out there. Yes...it is a bar of special clay, that when used like a cleaning sponge with the included lubricant will pull off more surface dirt from your seemingly clean car than you could possibly imagine. The cars surface afterward will be smooth as glass and very clean. Then, when you apply a couple coats of Maguires...or high tech car polish, etc...it will truly protect your car's surface a lot better because the surface was properly cleaned. That is why the Zaino process is multi step. But, part of its secret is getting the surface incredibly clean for the polish to bond to the surface better. It will last a lot longer between applications as well if you do this step first.

Also...if this is a factory new car, it really would pay for you to pay the dealer (before it leaves the lot) to treat the car's surface with their "special" protectant/teflon like treatment, etc...It usually costs a few hundred, but really they are in a unique position to add this final step before the car is delivered to you. It takes a bout a day to complete. They will automatically use the clay bar cleaning process before they do their surface treatment. It is like a teflon treatment for the cars surface (though not exactly teflon) and will make the surface of the car shiny and hard for dirt to stay on it. The end result is when you wash your car at a regular car wash...it will come out being as clean and shiney as it was the day you get it with the treatment. It will save you a lot of money in future waxes and polishes. Almost every dealer can do this...though it is not heavily advertised.

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Mike Frezon · 09-06-2006, 07:57 PM

Tim:

Check this out.

Ari · 09-06-2006, 08:15 PM

I use a mix of Meguiar's and Mothers with a smattering of Eagle One as well. I hear Zaino's the best but only available on their website.

Carl Miller · 09-06-2006, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian W. Ralston

Also...if this is a factory new car, it really would pay for you to pay the dealer (before it leaves the lot) to treat the car's surface with their "special" protectant/teflon like treatment, etc...It usually costs a few hundred, but really they are in a unique position to add this final step before the car is delivered to you. It takes a bout a day to complete. They will automatically use the clay bar cleaning process before they do their surface treatment. It is like a teflon treatment for the cars surface (though not exactly teflon) and will make the surface of the car shiny and hard for dirt to stay on it. The end result is when you wash your car at a regular car wash...it will come out being as clean and shiney as it was the day you get it with the treatment. It will save you a lot of money in future waxes and polishes. Almost every dealer can do this...though it is not heavily advertised.

You couldn't pay me to let a dealer do this to any new car I'm buying. No offense intended to anyone working for a dealership here, but dealerships tend to screw up new paint finishes and leave swirls or worse all over the place thru careless use of dirty towels, water, clay and whatever else they might be using.

Brian W. Ralston · 09-06-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Miller

You couldn't pay me to let a dealer do this to any new car I'm buying. No offense intended to anyone working for a dealership here, but dealerships tend to screw up new paint finishes and leave swirls or worse all over the place thru careless use of dirty towels, water, clay and whatever else they might be using.

I think it really depends on the dealer. If it is a highly rated one...they will do good work. I believe the process is a spray on procedure as well.

A lot of people I know here in L.A. have had it done to their BMWs, Mercedes, Lincoln Navigators, etc...and to me, the results have always been stunning. I kind of wished I had known about it when I got my Durango a few years ago.