I Need the Shine to last LONGER

[leenjen]

i'm looking for suggestions on the best wax/polish to use on my black 92 explorer. some of the paint was faded, so i decided to use Turtle Wax Color Back. it really surprised me how well it worked. but the shine only lasted a week. for some reason dust and dirt would stick to my explorer. then i tried Rain X polish. that worked well too and left an amazing shine.... for about 2 weeks. i really would like to know if there is a more durable wax/polish to make my explorer shine.

any suggestions on what would yield the best results is greatly appreciated

 

[Perry]

I have a question?

After you wax your vehicle do you wash it?

Reason I asked is I had a friend that would wax his truck, then the next weekend he would wash it. After he had trouble keeping the shine I found out he had been using "Dove" kitchen soap to clean it, which is a good oil and dirt remover. It is also a great wax remover.

 

[itzbinnice]

Leenjen
My 95 X is also black and recently I purchased some Carnauba wax from Griotsgarage.com. They have some really nice products, although pricey. The wax was 19.95 for 8 ounces which contains 30 % Carnauba Wax.
Their add says that some competitors claim their wax to be 100 % Carnuba but that's impossible since this would be a solid mass that could not be used in a wax form. 8 ounces doesn't sound like much but it goes a long way. It was so easy to apply and remove without any dusting and has a great smell, I gave the X two coats and then proceeded to give my wifes Honda 2 coats. And there's still plenty left. I used it on the plastic panels between the front and rear doors as well as the plastic panels running down the rear window. What a shine and no white powder, I will never use Armourall on those plastics again. I was so impressed I did the front gray vinlyl on the bumper. That was a bad move, it turned white and I had to scrub it off with soap & water. I also bought the paint clay they offer at 19.95. Its purpose is to remove the impurities in your paint and prepare it for the wax. That took awhile to do but I did feel a smoother surface difference in the area I did clay.
As for Perry's comment about the soap he is absolutely right, do not use household soaps on your vehicle.
I am currnetly using Blue Coral Car Wash but I don't like it since it contains a wax in it and builds up on the glass. Griots offers a product called Speed Shine which instead of washing your car you can sprtitz that stuff on and it removes the dirt by wiping off and not harming your paint. It's like dry cleaning your car. I'm not so sure about that one and didn't buy it since I was too cheap after spending 85.00 on towels and chamois etc.
Give their site a look, it's got some neat stuff.

 

[95ExplorerLtd]

Heres what I do, and it provides and amazing shine that lasts:

Products:

Nu Finish polish
Meguiars Quik Detailer
California Car Duster
Meguiars Scratch-X
100% terrycloth towels

I wash really good using a lot of suds and do the whole truck with Nu Finish once its dry. Waited about 30 more days and gave a second coat. Then I started using the Quik Detailer, and it did an ok job. Then I started to use the Cali. Duster, despite the many negative comments I've heard about it. The shine really perked up after that. I recently started using the Scratch-X, and it doesnt do much on scratches, but it helps a little on swirls, but gives the paint a nice smooth luster, like its newer. Then hit it up with the Cali. Duster and more QD. I use the duster regularly, and the shine is absolutely GREAT! I'm going to stick with this method for a while instead of using Zaino, the truck has never ever looked this good. Its like looking into a green-tinted mirror.....

 

[leenjen]

i used to use the Armorall car wash concentrate, but found that it was terrible with getting bugs off (even with lots of scrubbing, there was still a spot where the bug was). so i now use Rain X Self Dry spotless car wash. it works really well.


thanks for the suggestions guys. i'll have to check out the Carnuba Wax and NuFinish polish. i want to get something that is really durable before winter comes.

 

[sideswipe]

Why not use Zaino?

 

[todd_c]

I just started using Zaino, and I'm really impressed by the results. The shine really lasts and I get far less water-spotting after it rains. I usually give the truck a swipe with the California Car Duster in the morning to remove the road dust and fallout.

 

[glc8937]

You know my answer is gonna be Lee

ZAINO!!

From what I have read above you have spent just as much if not more trying different products than if you would have just purchased Zaino. I STILL have my original bottle of zaino after 5 wax jobs!!

 

[itzbinnice]

I've heard some very positive things about Zaino products on other threads. I was considering buying some until I came upon a thread that Zaino Borothers web site does not take credit cards and until recently shipped by COD. Now a recent post I read said they do not even ship COD anymore, you must send in a personal check and wait for the check to clear.
What kind of business practice is that? Can anyone confirm this fact or is it just BS.

 

[Spas]

Every year around here we have the All Ford nationals come to a little two fart town called Carlysle, where people can see all sorts of neat vehicles. Last year I went and found out about this rare stuff called IBIZ. It's kinda expensive, which is why you won't find it in places like Pep Boys, but I got a great deal at the demonstration ( cuz I'm good! ).
I've used it twice and the shine is just incredible! it's supposed to last for 6 months, but I can't stand not waxing every other month or so in the summer (the weather in winter here is horrible on paint) If you rub hard enuff with it, it'll even dull down major scratches. Rain beads up in dime sized drops or smaller, and when you use it combined with Rain X on the windows you'll see clearly no matter what. I've never been to their website, but I imagine it's probably Ibiz.com o somesuch. Someday when I figure out how to post pictures you all can see for yourself......

Oh yeah, the best part is that you don't have to wait until it's all dry and a pain in the ass to get off-kinda like "wax on, wax off"

 

[glc8937]

Itsbinnice,

It is true that Zaino does not do COD or take credit cards. I have no idea why!! I sent in a personal check and they didn't wait for it to clear. I had my order in about a week. Best thing I could ever do for my paint!

WELL WORTH IT!!!!

Check MYPICS in my sig for an example to the shine it creates!! Oh and ny the way...that's my original paint too!!

 

[itzbinnice]

Gary,
Nice ride, great shape for a 93. I like the chromed wheel well moldings, they really highlite a dark colored vehicle.
I also have them on my 95X and have Westin chromed
step rails . I was going to get the Smittybilts but I liked the Westins look much better and they were a hell of alot cheaper and are holding up very well. My ride is black so the chrome really stands out but a ***** to keep clean.
As far as Zaino products are concerned I'm certain you are using the Z2 for clearcoat paints as a polish.
Do you also use the Z6 gloss enhancer? How long does the Z2 polish last? Could you describe how what steps you took since the Z1 application is a bit confusing to me.
As I wrote in my earlier post I have used the Griots garage Carnuba wax and was pleased with the results.
But after reading some of the topics on the zainobros.com web site they mention Carnuba wax yellows in time. It won't go to waste if I decide to go with the Zaino products, I'll just use it on my wifes Honda, she won't know the difference and could care less what wax is on the car. If left up to her, the car would never get waxed, not good for the finger nails you see.

 

[glc8937]

This is how easy it is to use Zaino:

First you need 100% cloth bath towels. I get mine from walmart for a $1.50 and the brand name is fieldcrest/cannon.

1) wash car with dawn liquid soap. This will remove your old wax buildup and oils and such from your paint.

2) Apply Z-1 which is simply helps your Z-2 adhere to the paint better. You simply wipe it on and let it go. You don't wipe it off.

3) Immediatelty after putting on Z-1 you put on the Z-2.

4) Allow to dry. May take about an hour or so depending on temperature. Awesome thing about Zaino is you can allow it to sit overnight if you wanted and wake up the next morning and simply wipe it off. It never hardens up!! Just wipe on and wipe off!!

5) I personally use (and highly recommend) the Z-6. Z-6 will give your paint a nice wet shiny look and helps keep dust and waterspots off your paint. A bird pooped on my hood overnight and the next day I simply wiped it right off. It didn't stick to the paint at all!!

Wait at least 48 hours before applying another coat. You do not use z-1 at all after the first time until about a year later if you want. You will see an immediate difference but when you get to the 3rd and 4th coat...WOW!! I have 5 coats of z-2 on mine right now and still have enough in my bottle for one my coat. If you want to make it lasts a little longer just damp your towel with water. The shine lasts for months!! Now I will go out with a damp towel and wipe my truck down then apply z-6 and it shines as if I just gone done waxing it and it takes me less than 15 minutes!


Hope that helps!

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by itzbinnice
I came upon a thread that Zaino Borothers web site does not take credit cards and until recently shipped by COD. Now a recent post I read said they do not even ship COD anymore, you must send in a personal check and wait for the check to clear.
What kind of business practice is that? Can anyone confirm this fact or is it just BS.

Unfortunately it is fact. Zaino does not accept credit cards nor will they ship COD anymore.

Why? Who knows. This is indeed a strange business practice. Its unheard of not to accept credit cards in todays mail order world.

Yet, their prodict is indeed worth the difficultirs in ordering.

Maybe they will see the light one of these days.....

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by glc8937
Wait at least 48 hours before applying another coat.

Why do you recommend waiting 48 hrs between coats of Z2?

Thanks...

 

[itzbinnice]

Gary,

Thank you for the comprehensive instructions regarding the Zaino products. I think I will give them a try, price wise it looks to be cheaper than the Griots Garage products. Since I already have the clay I thing I'll wash the truck with the dawn and then give it a clay job.
This will give me a clean base to start with and would like to get about 4 coats on before winter sets in.

One more question, have you tried their tire care products? Many say they like them since they give the tires a natural clean look rather than the gloss shine that Armorall and others provide. My personal taste is that I like the shiny look.

Aldive did have a good question as to why to wait 48 hours between coats, although it really doesn't matter to me since I have no intention of giving it 4 coats in a few days, my ass will be dragging after doing it once a week for 4 weeks.

BTW their site says they take checks or money orders for those of you who may be interested.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by itzbinnice
Aldive did have a good question as to why to wait 48 hours between coats, although it really doesn't matter to me since I have no intention of giving it 4 coats in a few days, my ass will be dragging after doing it once a week for 4 weeks.

BTW their site says they take checks or money orders for those of you who may be interested.

You should not be dragging at all; Zaino is easy to use. I can do a Z2 polishing of my entire 99 4 door in about 20 minutes.

They may accept checks, etc., but that is a pain in the rear to order that way in the 21th century.

 

[glc8937]

Actually I meant to say to wait 24 hours between your next application of Z-2. This is what I was told by the Zaino people. It allows the z-2 to soak into the paint thouroughly before applying another coat.

I have not tried their tire care products but here they are excellent. I think it was aldive who said he uses the tire care on his dash as well. For now I just wash my tires/wheels with Westley's Bleach white and then put on some black magic spray. I'm sure Zaino would look better but around my parts my tires get dirty just pulling out of the driveway so it wasn't worth it to me. Now when I get new tires and wheels then I will Zaino them!

 

[aldive]

I use Zaino tire stuff all the time with great results. It also works great on interior parts as well.

Another great product from Zaino.

The only Zaino product that I do not like is the glass polish.

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by glc8937
For now I just wash my tires/wheels with Westley's Bleach white...

on the container for the westleys bleche white, it says not to get it in your rims. it corrodes aluminum.