Automobile wax...

[Ol Timer]

Originally Posted by Millenium Vette

I've used about all the waxes listed here so far and they have all looked good, some lasting longer than others. My favorite for years was Mother's carnauba paste wax with no cleaners. Last fall I used Collinite Marine Fleetwax paste on my daily beater to see if what they say is true about its durability and bigger than shit it is. I drove it almost everyday through rain, snow and all the salts they put on the roads here in Michigan and it has lasted through it all and still looks and feels like it was just applied. I have never had a wax last as well.

The thing that makes the biggest difference with waxes is how well the surface is prepped before it is applied.

I'm in this far. Tell me more about surface prep.

[Crowvet]

PS21 Carnuba, longest lasting wax I have ever used. I am old and have used a lot of wax. Those are my credentials.

[MrPeabody]

I use whatever I got free in the goodie bag at car shows. I participated in 34 shows from "05-'09, when I sold the Corvette. I'm just beginning to run out of free stuff I had stockpiled. I think I like Mothers the best. I also like Meguires products too. I had accumulated about 15 bottles of their Qwik Detailer at one time.

The only product I remember buying in the last 10 years was Aerospace 303 for my interior and tires. Great stuff, easy to use. King of pricey and years ago it was kind of hard to find. RV and Marine dealers was the only place I could find it. I see they are now sponsoring Mecum auctions, so the availability might be better.

In general, I find that paste waxes last longer than liquid waxes, but require a little more work, and any wax is better than none.

[Black94lt1]

Originally Posted by Waco

NXT Tech Wax is what we use. Goes on easy, lasts long enough to not be annoying.

Originally Posted by Thomas

I use this also. 2.0, comes in a purple container right?

Me too, works well and lasts pretty good. Most importantly easy on and easy off

[Iron Chef]

I've used Zaino...meh...not such a fan. Wolfgang makes a nice shine and Mother's is a good product too.

I've used mostly Meguiar's products for years. I use their Professional Line for prep. Swirl Remover #9 for light scratch removal, Speed Glaze #80 for Polishing and NXT 2.0 for final wax. The I use Final Inspection as a wipe down product and clay bar lube. I apply and remove everything with a Porter-Cable DA Polisher.

[markids77]

Turtle Wax Wax and Dry. Spritz the liquid on before you chamois each panel and get a fresh wax job each time you wash the car. Just skip the windshield as it makes the wipers chatter. Beads like crazy, feels waxy and is super easy to use.

[Fasglas]

Originally Posted by Waco

NXT Tech Wax is what we use. Goes on easy, lasts long enough to not be annoying.

Same here.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Originally Posted by Iron Chef

I've used Zaino...meh...not such a fan. Wolfgang makes a nice shine and Mother's is a good product too.

I've used mostly Meguiar's products for years. I use their Professional Line for prep. Swirl Remover #9 for light scratch removal, Speed Glaze #80 for Polishing and NXT 2.0 for final wax. The I use Final Inspection as a wipe down product and clay bar lube. I apply and remove everything with a Porter-Cable DA Polisher.

I do the clay thing once in the spring myself. I think they work really well.

[Wathen1955]

Originally Posted by Millenium Vette

Last fall I used Collinite Marine Fleetwax paste on my daily beater to see if what they say is true about its durability and bigger than shit it is. I drove it almost everyday through rain, snow and all the salts they put on the roads here in Michigan and it has lasted through it all and still looks and feels like it was just applied. I have never had a wax last as well.

This one???
http://www.amazon.com/Collinite-Paste-Fleetwax-12-885/dp/B001AZOLZO

[polarbear]

Used this stuff for almost 20 years. Easy on, lasts about 6 months with weekly (hand) washing. Also great on headlight and tail light lenses (every two weeks to prevent clouding, and it works).



Paint on my '01 Marquis was like new when I sold the car in '14. Doubly impressive because it was factory silver paint- notorious for fading and clearcoat delamination. Vehicles get washed weekly, rain or shine, with a squirt of Palmolive in a bucket of cold water.

[Millenium Vette]

Originally Posted by NavyC5

Did I wander into C5 Gen?

Yes. Click back a couple of times and you can probably get back to C4.

[Iron Chef]

Originally Posted by Thomas

I do the clay thing once in the spring myself. I think they work really well.

Once you get reasonably good at it, it's a 10 minute prep that makes all the difference in your paint finish.

Oh and clay is clay...there's no one product that's better than the other.

[Millenium Vette]

Originally Posted by Wathen1955

This one???
Amazon.com: Collinite Paste Fleetwax 12 Oz 885: Sports & [email]Outdoors

Yessir

Originally Posted by Ol' Timer

I'm in this far. Tell me more about surface prep.

Sure. Pay a pro to do it. Seriously. And by pro, I mean someone who really knows what they are doing. It is worth a couple hundred bucks to not learn it the hard way.
Back in the day I was pretty good with a buffing wheel but it is a skill best not learned on a nice car. A Porter Cable or any of the other random orbital machines is much safer but not as effective as a wheel if the paint is at all oxidized.

If you want to learn more head on over to autopia. There is information overload there.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Originally Posted by Iron Chef

Once you get reasonably good at it, it's a 10 minute prep that makes all the difference in your paint finish.

Oh and clay is clay...there's no one product that's better than the other.

Agreed on both points. My only problem is I drop it.
Every. Time.

[Black95]

Doesn't anyone use what they use at the National Corvette Museum? C-Magic.

[Iron Chef]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Agreed on both points. My only problem is I drop it.
Every. Time.

Ya well that's what happens when you're too focused on panty slaw.

...just sayin'

[snide]

Originally Posted by NavyC5

Anyone know where I can get a Tibetan lamb glove to prevent finger prints when I close the door?

(Free Z06 to the first person who knows the reference)

It's what Truck Guy used to use to close the door on his C5.

[snide]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Agreed on both points. My only problem is I drop it.
Every. Time.

Turtle Wax used to have a liquid clay product under their Ice brand. Worked almost as good as a clay bar, and you didn't have to worry about dropping it. However, Turtle Wax dropped it as a product.

[CertInsaneC5]

Originally Posted by snide

Turtle Wax used to have a liquid clay product under their Ice brand. Worked almost as good as a clay bar, and you didn't have to worry about dropping it. However, Turtle Wax dropped it as a product.

Well there you go. Not even they could hold on to it.

[Sneaks]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Agreed on both points. My only problem is I drop it.
Every. Time.

And that is why you tear it into quarters. Mold it out into a pancake looking circle about the size of a hockey puck and clay away. If you drop it, toss it and grab another quarter. Fold it over and mold it back out to a pancake circle after each panel so you have a fresh piece for claying.