Wax & Cleaner Recommendations

[harlenm]

Well actually yes you do, it only has light acrylic protection.. it's mainly a chemical cleaner that leaves a very faint acrylic layer. Actually the old versions were much better, but thanks to all the new regs ad this and that it's been watered down the last few years. It's great to use after polishing, then go to your sealant or wax. AIO won't last long on paint by itself, you could go to wax right after it though it's all personal preference. I generally would use sealant like Collinite, then top with an wet wax like nattys blue, gives the paint a deep wet look. Then just upkeep with a good spray.

It's also excellent for glass, I use it, then usually a quick spray of something like Duragloss FCS. That will bead longer with no haze, Rain-X wishes it could do 1/4 as well as that combo lol.

Unless theyve changed the product, it says 6-8 months of protection on the bottle.

 

[Sgt1411]

You're absolutely right its all a matter of opinion.

I will say there were some early posts from those in the detailing business who suggested using RejeX wax which is an advanced polymer treatment.

www.corrosionx.com

I had never heard of it, tried it, and was very impressed. Never seen water bead off paint like that.


As a side note.....What are you guys using on the plastic wheel trim and lower running board area?

 

[beach]

Unless theyve changed the product, it says 6-8 months of protection on the bottle.

Been proven plenty of times beading will pretty much stop after a month and you can tell paint isn't "slick" feeling anymore. You do know all those products that list "times" are in controlled test. I.E. if you never drive your car, it sit's in a climate controlled garaged, with an insulated cover as well... then ya you may get 6 months protection . Plenty of guys on the Autogeek forum and others have prove it doesn't last near that long. Plus the companies will never tell you though what their idea of "protection" means.

very few products can last months on end.... I can tell you Collinites waxes can last months and months though. 845 and 915 can last 6+ months easily with just normal washes and spritz of quick detailer after drying.

 

[Spengracin]

This may be dating myself, I still have a 1 gallon commercial container of the orignal "Eagle One" liquid wax. I have been using it for about 6 years, I get about 4months in between waxes. I was my truck about every two weeks, not to bad> I have tried to see if they still make some form of it, but have not found it.

 

[VinceL]

I use Black Magic Wet Shine liquid car wax and have had excellent results with it. It puts a beautiful shine on the car, is super durable, and smells nice too!

The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that it can be a total pain in the rump to apply. Getting it off after applying it can be some work! Oh yeah, don't get in on the plastic. It stains it and is a bear to get off.

I have also had good luck with Meguiars in the past. I use their clay bar product and the cleaner wax. I am not a fan of their NXT products though. They shine okay and are easy to apply, but I haven't had much luck with durability.

I am thinking of trying out the zaino line. Kinda pricey, but some people swear by it. We'll see. If I take the plunge, I'll do a write up. Maybe do a half and half type of thing with different waxes.

 

[1sttimeford]

As a side note.....What are you guys using on the plastic wheel trim and lower running board area?

At the moment I am using Zaino Z-CS on the whole car - paint, trim, windows, and wheels.

Like Klasse and Rejex, Z-CS is a polymer sealant, but easier to work with. Wipe it on... done. Z-CS also has UV inhibitors, so my hope is that this will also help prevent the black plastic parts from fading over time.

The mfg claims Z-CS will last up to 9 months but recommends re-application every 3 to 4 months for best results. It takes less than 10 mins to do the whole car so it's no extra burden to follow that schedule.

Since my paint is new and flawless I really dont feel I need any polish now, just a protectant. Should that change, I will probably switch to Z-AIO all-in-one polish and protectant, but still continue to use Z-CS as a final all over protectant.

 

[Paraphoe]

One Grand Blitz Wax is the best I've found. It goes on easy and lasts a long time. You can find it on Amazon for about $30/12 oz. It goes a long way and you will not have to wax as often.

The reviews on Amazon for this stuff are excellent. I think I'm going to give it a shot once I get rid of this NXT.


Just another follow-up on Meg's NXT 2.0, we got a lot of rain out here the last few days, and despite my truck being waxed 3-4 times in the past 2.5 weeks (car shows) the beading of the water is already failing. Very disappointing for a $16 bottle with all the buzz words and good reviews.

 

[Frustrated]

I just used the Turtle Wax Ice "Wax" on our 14 year old van.

Easiest waxing I have ever done, quick, but does probably need a 2nd coat (no big deal).

The thing is, since it doesn't dry white on trim, doing the roof with all those rubber "rails" was a cinch. Before I had to be very careful not to get wax on them.

Still trying to figure out if I should use the turtle wax "polish" or "wax" on the new Explorer - if it even matters.

 

[Frustrated]

In the old days they used to advertise that waxing a car would take off all those old layers of wax and strip it down to the shine, then protect it.

Well, if that were true, how can you apply more than 1 coat of wax????

Or, does it depend on the product?

To me, the easier it is to wax it, the more often I will do it. The turtle wax ice or any other product that doesn't screw up the trim is my pick until I learn a good reason not to, I think.

The reviews on Amazon for this stuff are excellent. I think I'm going to give it a shot once I get rid of this NXT.


Just another follow-up on Meg's NXT 2.0, we got a lot of rain out here the last few days, and despite my truck being waxed 3-4 times in the past 2.5 weeks (car shows) the beading of the water is already failing. Very disappointing for a $16 bottle with all the buzz words and good reviews.

 

[joecrna]

Frustrated; a polish and a wax are 2 different products. Many companies, especially at the consumer level, use the terms interchangably. I think this is were your confusion comes from. A polish removes surface defects like water spots and swirl marks. A wax seals and protects the paint just as a synthetic sealant.

Randy; I am in need of an intervention don't you think. Replenishing oils are usually contained in most polishes. There are a few the are pure polishes (micro abrassives) and a few replenishing oils that are used between the polishes (in decreasing levels of abrassives) and the final wax step. The oils "feed" the paint. More important for single stage paint jobs but still needed with clear coats. Maguir's offers some of these also but only in their professional lines.

Nobody should be confused. Abrassives are in all cleaning products except clay. They are extremely gently but necessary to remove imperfections. If you get a nice shiney paint that you still can't ready the refelction of the back side of your wax bottle in, this indicates the need for more polish not wax.

I thought a good wax should sheet water not bead. Maybe that's just me though. I still say the best wax is the one you'll use the most often. Nothing really lasts longer than 3 months on a daily driver.

 

[janskim]

I stand by ZAINO. Used it for 3 yrs on other vehicles happy with results and performance.

 

[dbrook1]

Anyone ever use Dri Wash 'n Guard (not an ad, actually curious)? If so, I'd like to know your thoughts. It "cleans, seals, polishes & protects". My father-in-law has used it for 30 years on cars/boats/motorcycles. I've used it the last few years. Easy on/off; supposedly no build up. It will leave the usual white residue on rubber/plastic if not careful. I've been pleased with the results.

 

[drober30]

Try Zanio and you will never ask this question again!

I put off trying Zanio for years mostly because it had to be ordered online but I finally did with my 2011 Explorer and all I can say is... OH MY GOD!!!!!

Best looking Explorer on the road before it got rear ended!

 

[Varsity]

Try Zanio and you will never ask this question again!

I put off trying Zanio for years mostly because it had to be ordered online but I finally did with my 2011 Explorer and all I can say is... OH MY GOD!!!!!

Best looking Explorer on the road before it got rear ended!

I've heard amazing things about them. What is the product called exactly? I'm looking to order but see a few different names. Does it go on like regular wax?

 

[drober30]

I've heard amazing things about them. What is the product called exactly? I'm looking to order but see a few different names. Does it go on like regular wax?

Goes on very easy! Also, it does not turn black trim white.

OK... depends on what you want to do. Are you going to "clay bar" your car and wash it by hand? If so then I would recommend buying the "show car kit" for $84.70 which has everything in it.

Otherwise, I would buy:

• ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator
• Z-2 Pro
• Z-5 Pro Show Car Polish
• Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray

That list will run you about $63

I also recommend the Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal. The Z-8 is pricy at $20 a bottle so I use the Z-6 between washes to shine up the car and I use the Z-8 when I really want deep shine, like if I'm going out or picking someone up and I want the car to look it's absolute best.

The ZFX comes with four empty plastic bottles. You pour wax into one of the bottles and add a couple of drops of the ZFX to the wax. Shake it up and your ready to go. The ZFX allows for multiple coats of wax to be applied one after the other.

Without the ZFX, the cure time between coats is supposed to be hours.

I did not clay bar my new Explorer (although I did order the show car kit because I too was confused starting out).

The Z-2 is great for new cars and the Z-5 is great for cars that show swirl marks.

If a car shows swirl marks, you would polish with Z-5 for the first application and the follow up with the Z-2 which will provide a deeper, wet look.

Honestly, this stuff was so amazing and addictive, I ordered more after seeing the results.

I also was relived not to worry no more about the many different waxes/polishes that are at the auto parts store and which one I should use. I am a Zanio customer for life, that simple.

Oh yea, also remember to first wash your car by hand with "Dawn" dish soap to strip off any waxes before starting with Zanio. Washing with Dawn is a one time thing. After you was your car with Dawn and apply Zanio, you will not wash your car with Dawn again unless you are looking to start over.

Hope your results are the same if you try Zanio.

(They should send me free products for this unpaid advertisement!)

 

[Varsity]

Well, I clay barred about a month ago and did a serious cleaning and only plan to clay bar once a year about spring time/summer. I was just wondering if they had more of just a "wax" as here in Chicago we get generous amounts of salt so I figured I'll keep the rust I have at a minimum and try to protect as much as I can.

I'll do another major cleaning around October to try and prep for winter as best I can. Seeing what funds are available then, I may give one of these products a try. I totally agree about the products at parts stores, pretty overwhelming. Thanks for the tips! You do deserve some sort of reward

 

[drober30]

Well, I clay barred about a month ago and did a serious cleaning and only plan to clay bar once a year about spring time/summer. I was just wondering if they had more of just a "wax" as here in Chicago we get generous amounts of salt so I figured I'll keep the rust I have at a minimum and try to protect as much as I can.

I'll do another major cleaning around October to try and prep for winter as best I can. Seeing what funds are available then, I may give one of these products a try. I totally agree about the products at parts stores, pretty overwhelming. Thanks for the tips! You do deserve some sort of reward

I live in Michigan so the nasty salty winter is no stranger. Washing you car often including spraying the undercarriage and wiping down the door jambs is all that needs to be done to prevent rust. Waxing/Polishing just keeps the paint looking nice.

I would not worry over the terms Wax Vs. Polish. Zanio is meant to protect your finish just the same.

 

[JStellato]

Best Wax For White Platinum

So getting ready to wash/wax my new MY2012 Explorer and was wondering the best wash and wax to use for it? The one real requirement I have is to only use wax that doesn't leave white marks on black trim.

Thanks!

 

[jrmexplorer]

Any difference between a wax and polish?

Just wondering if there is any difference between a wax and a polish. I heard rave reviews about Turtle Wax ICE but noticed its actually a polish not a wax.

 

[JustB_Rad]

Just wondering if there is any difference between a wax and a polish. I heard rave reviews about Turtle Wax ICE but noticed its actually a polish not a wax.

A wax stays on the vehicle for certain amount of time. A polish is basically washed off every time you wash the vehicle.