You don't "wax" modern clear coat paints

 

Technically, you don't need to do anything to clear coat paint! Just keep it clean and don't scratch it up when you wash the car. Believe it or not most folks do the most damage to their paint when the wash and dry it. Always use auto shampoo with lots of suds, a soft mit or horsehair brush and dry with a squegee or soft cotton. Always wash and dry in a straight line along the body lines, never in a circular motion.

I used to detail cars by the way. Forgive me if I've used terminology that you feel is "outdated"!

 

Detailers have always told me to dry with a chamois.

 

Thanks for the insights. It does sound intriguing as it I read about it. I'm pretty patient and pretty **** when it comes to cleaning my cars, so the time isn't a huge issue. I'll just line all of my cars up and do them at one time. I can just move from one car to the next. By the time I finish the last car I can do the next step on the first one! I've had better success with the longevity of carnauba. I think the cleaning agents you use plays a huge part.

 

"Polish" would be the more accurate term, I guess.

 

I'm torn with chamois. I used to use them all the time. The issue is that they're not forgiving at all in the event there is any dirt left behind (which can happen on occasion). They basically grind it into the paint. I've had the best luck with a silicone squegee. I follow up with cotton. Everyone has their "favorite" techniques.

 

I like "condition"!

 

I am, too - provided the work I'm putting in is going to last more than a month!

I'm not big on spending a whole day (or weekend) only to have the results disappear in three weeks.

So finding a product that offers a nice compromise between a deep, wet shine - and durability - is the ticket for me. NXT seems to fit the bill from everything I read.

 

I wouldn't let the employees wash my car..JMO

 

I tried a few products on my black car before I discovered Zaino. Zaino is the best I've tried. It takes me 3 days from dawn wash,claybar, through all of the Zs but it is worth it. It is VERY humid here, and Zaino is sensitive to humidity. It may go faster for others. I've never used Meguire's, it may be just as good. It should last 6 months or so. I use Z7 every time I wash, and Z6 or Z8 after I dry the car.

 

I agree, wash it yourself, fewer swirl marks!

 

I didn't let the dealer touch mine, other than a mechanical prep. I took my virgin car home with the plastic on and washed and waxed it that morning. It was great fun!

 

I can't find Zainos anywhere.

 

Post #17...

http://www.zainostore.com/

I bought some last night.

 

I use the Absorber. Idon't have even so much as a swirl in my paint.

 

Thanks RobK, I didn't even see that.

 

...and for any hosers interested in obtaining Zaino...

www.zaino.ca

 

I've been into detailing cars (my own) for a long time, and have tried lots of products. And I've been involved in lots of on-line debates about which products work the best. I'm sure if you spent a few minutes on line, you could find an example where EVERY product is recommended as "the best" by someone.

Here's my two cents:

In MOST cases, the results you get has more to do with the process and procedures you use than the products you choose - especially if the paint is already in good condition.

If you properly wash, clay, clean (if necessary), polish and wax (with a product designed for those purposes) you can almost use ANY product from one of the major suppliers (Mothers, Meguiars, etc.) and achieve pretty much the same results.

Yes, some waxes MIGHT bring out darker colors a bit more, and some might seem to last a bit longer, but in general, the differences between products are minor compared to the procedures used.

That's just what I've found...YMMV.

 

You want to clean 'er good when you first get home...for me, at least, Zaino or any show level detailing is a once a year thing, NXT works great to "maintain" the rest of the time...the look is important but the time to drive always wins out ...

 

Wax (or is that polish ) away brother, my rules are similar to everone elses for polish and cleaning, I stick to it and I believe my cars finish speaks for it's self (pic of my 06 to show off ). Heres my "rules" for cleaning

1. Always use an auto car wash solution, with lots of suds. Never use hand soap, unless you want to strip the wax off.

2. rinse the car throughly before you touch the paint with any thing to remove as much of the dirt as possible, and to prevent the mit from getting dirty.

3. When washing follow the body lines and do not push hard while rubbing unless you really need to, allow the suds to glide over the paint.

4. I also recommend a Mr. Clean car wash nozzle (I forgot the actual name of the product it's the Mr. Clean auto dry or something) as it has a water purifier that removes particles and hard water.

5. Wash the car in a logical order starting with the hood, roof, and trunk lid, then move to the fenders and doors, then bumpers then rockers, then wheels. I also recommend using seperate towles/mit for washing the wheels.

6. The last part is drying, I always use only 100% USA cotton towels and a chamois. But I never drag or dry in a circular motion (makes swirlies ) I dab the car dry. Again I use different towels to dry the wheels.

Polish I recommend Zaino (but it is a lot of work) because it lasts a long time, and after a rain my car always seems to look clean due to the fact that I have never seen a polish make water bead quite like zaino. Meguires NXT is my second fav but you should not switch polishs between applications without completely stripping the other wax off (Just my opinion). Also Zaino is a liquid wax (which I prefer) and if you use NXT I would also recommend the liquid over the paste, as I found the past to sometimes have particles in it. If your going to use a companies polish then use their entire system, wax,car wash,and detailer. And get some wax on those fanblades ASAP.

Enjoy and get some pics when she is all cleaned up.