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OT - Shining up one's automobile
GrateEggspectations
Posts: 11,597
It's that time of year when many of us are beginning to free our four-wheeled beasts (and for some of us, two-wheeled) from their winter slumber.
Personally, I like to wash and wax frequently over the summer months to keep my car looking her best. The jet black finish is not very forgiving and does not allow for much soiling.
I have tried a wide variety of products, but have found that an economical solution resulting in a long lasting shine can be achieved with only a reasonable amount of effort by layering a coating of Nu Finish polish underneath a layer of Meguiars Ultimate synthetic paste wax. To my eyes, the car is left looking like it's dripping and remains that way for a good long while. Using this combo on the rims also yields good results. The only drawback of this approach is that the NuFinish will absolutely cling to any rubber or plastic trim, so you really have to use caution upon application.
Of course, a periodic clay barring and/or application of carnauba wax is also sometimes in order. Tire shine can also be a nice touch - it's a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine - but can also end up coating the fenders a little.
What products and processes do you use to keep your car looking its best?
Personally, I like to wash and wax frequently over the summer months to keep my car looking her best. The jet black finish is not very forgiving and does not allow for much soiling.
I have tried a wide variety of products, but have found that an economical solution resulting in a long lasting shine can be achieved with only a reasonable amount of effort by layering a coating of Nu Finish polish underneath a layer of Meguiars Ultimate synthetic paste wax. To my eyes, the car is left looking like it's dripping and remains that way for a good long while. Using this combo on the rims also yields good results. The only drawback of this approach is that the NuFinish will absolutely cling to any rubber or plastic trim, so you really have to use caution upon application.
Of course, a periodic clay barring and/or application of carnauba wax is also sometimes in order. Tire shine can also be a nice touch - it's a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine - but can also end up coating the fenders a little.
What products and processes do you use to keep your car looking its best?
Comments
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Let someone else do it. I clean the bike myself, but not very often and that's just a quick wash.
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I use Zaino products. Easy to apply and lasts forever. Once I tried them, I have not even looked at anything else. Not to mention and makes no difference, but they smell great too!--------------------------------------------------
Burning lump in Downingtown, PA or diesel in Cape May, NJ.
....just look for the smoke!
Large and MiniMax
--------------------------------------------------Caliking said: Meat in bung is my favorite. -
My Porter Cable dual action buffer is nice and safe, you cannot burn through. Getting the right pads is a must.
I'm a huge fan of Meguire's 105 and 205 rubbing compound to cut/polish.
Poorboy's products after that.
EX-P sealant
Natty's Red or Blue to finish.
Chemical Guys Wash and Wax.
Blackfire Total Eclipse Tire Gel, long lasting.
BrandonQuad Cities
"If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful." -
never heard of that before, Brandon. It appears Amazon is the easiest source, or do you buy it elsewhere?Focker said:
Blackfire Total Eclipse Tire Gel, long lasting.Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time -
That'll work.RRP said:
never heard of that before, Brandon. It appears Amazon is the easiest source, or do you buy it elsewhere?Focker said:
Blackfire Total Eclipse Tire Gel, long lasting.
I buy all of the auto detail products, pads, micro towels, drying towels, etc here.
http://www.detailedimage.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwofHHBRDS0Pnhpef89ucBEiQASEp6LLTM_95_Krllb8KdOiQacTiEgT5iErlfowC9Ood2aw4aAgcK8P8HAQ
BFTE
http://www.detailedimage.com/Blackfire-M32/Long-Lasting-Tire-Gel-P204/16-oz-S1/
BrandonQuad Cities
"If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful." -
Detailed Image's Daily Special 303 Aerospace Protectant is a great deal at $9.
Perfect for trim, interior, leather.
Smokes Armor All and the rest of the competition.
Forgot to mention that in my preferred list.
303 is tits.
BrandonQuad Cities
"If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful." -
Thanks! Will be ordering today!Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time
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Nice. Will have to look into some of these products.
For the record, I sometimes wax my Eggs - by this I mean the barbecues, of course. They take on a nice sheen and dirt sticks to the exterior less easily. -
Bought the Blackfire, an applicator, 32 oz of 303 and even got a free t-shirt! Thanks for helping me spend some money, Brandon!RRP said:Thanks! Will be ordering today!Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time -
Good products to keep that Vette shinin'.RRP said:
Bought the Blackfire, an applicator, 32 oz of 303 and even got a free t-shirt! Thanks for helping me spend some money, Brandon!RRP said:Thanks! Will be ordering today!
If you like the 303, Farm and Fleet is the cheapest around, a buck or two more than DI though, but in stock.BrandonQuad Cities
"If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful." -
I am a big fan of Adam's Polishes. They have a solid lineup to meet various needs. Agree with @Sea2Ski that Zaino make some great stuff too.Large Big Green Egg in a nest. North Shore of Boston.
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Totally agree. Zaino is the best there is.Sea2Ski said:I use Zaino products. Easy to apply and lasts forever. Once I tried them, I have not even looked at anything else. Not to mention and makes no difference, but they smell great too! -
X2 on the Zaino products. Tried them last year, now I'm hooked. I won't use anything else.Sea2Ski said:I use Zaino products. Easy to apply and lasts forever. Once I tried them, I have not even looked at anything else. Not to mention and makes no difference, but they smell great too!
SE PA
XL, Lg, Mini max and OKJ offset -
A month ago I bought a Mazda. It is a blue so dark it looks black . It definitely needs washing and waxing more often than my previous white vehicle. So this is a timely thread.
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God I miss not having porters
Salado TX & 30A FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given a Mini to add to the herd. -
porters?Mickey said:God I miss not having portersRe-gasketing the USA one yard at a time -
zaino is the bees knees. i used it on my infiniti once when i bought it. 3 years later the water was still beading on it when i traded it in. and that is in south texas heatSea2Ski said:I use Zaino products. Easy to apply and lasts forever. Once I tried them, I have not even looked at anything else. Not to mention and makes no difference, but they smell great too! -
Vette guys love their old school Zaino like their matching nylon Corvette jackets. Lol
A lot has changed in the detail world, in the last 30 years or so. Hahaha
Use what you are comfortable with, as there is no best option...but a professional clay, orbital cut, seal, and wax, cannot be beat. This takes work. Many, in today's age, struggle with that concept.
Go to a good detail shop. I would bet, if they're good, there will be no Z bottles found.BrandonQuad Cities
"If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful." -
Finally wore out my old air polisher, and bought the new Dewalt 9" variable speed unit. Really like how it buffs and polishes. I am old school, so I still use 3M pads and products. Expensive, but so is my time.
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Another plus 1 on the Porter I use chemical guys jetseal after using blacklight glaze use jetseal twice a year make sure you remove old sealants wax and glaze before you put on a glaze and sealant. If you have a dark car I don't think you can beat blacklight.
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i just drive the truck, egg with the egg
seriously, last time i washed the 1989 truck was maybe 1991. and it looks as good as my egg too fukahwee maineyou can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it -
I use all Chemical Guys products and have used them for about 5 years.
I currently have a black '16 Wrangler Unlimited Willy's Wheeler. Have a medium clay bar coming in this week for my Spring detail.
Wash (2 bucket system), dry (use leafblower to get it all), clay bar, wax (blacklight), then sealant (V07).
Of course I'm going to hit the interior completely as well as applying vinyl dressing to the plastic exterior parts after I'm all done. Probably looking at 5-6 hours at least.. but it's well worth it.
Haven't ever been disapointed with chemical guys stuff. Maybe I'll post a few pics after I detail it Friday.
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You are correct, probably not.Focker said:Vette guys love their old school Zaino like their matching nylon Corvette jackets. Lol
A lot has changed in the detail world, in the last 30 years or so. Hahaha
Use what you are comfortable with, as there is no best option...but a professional clay, orbital cut, seal, and wax, cannot be beat. This takes work. Many, in today's age, struggle with that concept.
Go to a good detail shop. I would bet, if they're good, there will be no Z bottles found.
But I can get the same look and protection at a fraction of the cost, without paying someone, and done at my convenience is a win/win/win. Sure, my vents are not dusted with q-tips or the inside of my wheels that no one sees polished, but that is fine with me. The water will bead up and the paint will be UV protected just the same. Plus I really do love the way the product smells. I will stick with them. I see no reason to spend more money, energy, time to get the same result - or at least the same result that I can measure with my own eyes.
I'd rather have a prime dry aged ribeye roast and a few extra bills in my pocket over the clean vents and dusty inside wheel any day.
--------------------------------------------------
Burning lump in Downingtown, PA or diesel in Cape May, NJ.
....just look for the smoke!
Large and MiniMax
--------------------------------------------------Caliking said: Meat in bung is my favorite. -
Chemical Guys are top notch.znagle28 said:I use all Chemical Guys products and have used them for about 5 years.
I currently have a black '16 Wrangler Unlimited Willy's Wheeler. Have a medium clay bar coming in this week for my Spring detail.
Wash (2 bucket system), dry (use leafblower to get it all), clay bar, wax (blacklight), then sealant (V07).
Of course I'm going to hit the interior completely as well as applying vinyl dressing to the plastic exterior parts after I'm all done. Probably looking at 5-6 hours at least.. but it's well worth it.
Haven't ever been disapointed with chemical guys stuff. Maybe I'll post a few pics after I detail it Friday.
You clearly know what you're doing....kudos.BrandonQuad Cities
"If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful." -
I will post pics on this thread or the OT one when I clay, cut, seal, and wax my dad's '66 C-2 in July for a big show in August. He would b!tchslap me if I put Zaino on it.Sea2Ski said:
You are correct, probably not.Focker said:Vette guys love their old school Zaino like their matching nylon Corvette jackets. Lol
A lot has changed in the detail world, in the last 30 years or so. Hahaha
Use what you are comfortable with, as there is no best option...but a professional clay, orbital cut, seal, and wax, cannot be beat. This takes work. Many, in today's age, struggle with that concept.
Go to a good detail shop. I would bet, if they're good, there will be no Z bottles found.
But I can get the same look and protection at a fraction of the cost, without paying someone, and done at my convenience is a win/win/win. Sure, my vents are not dusted with q-tips or the inside of my wheels that no one sees polished, but that is fine with me. The water will bead up and the paint will be UV protected just the same. Plus I really do love the way the product smells. I will stick with them. I see no reason to spend more money, energy, time to get the same result - or at least the same result that I can measure with my own eyes.
I'd rather have a prime dry aged ribeye roast and a few extra bills in my pocket over the clean vents and dusty inside wheel any day.
There is much more to judging a paint detail than water beading and odor. Lmao
Like I stated, use the products, and most importantly, tools, you are comfortable with.
But to say Zaino is the best, is just a$$inine.BrandonQuad Cities
"If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful." -
My '97 Taco has never been washed since I took ownership 5 years ago. My Chevy still gets cut, sealed, and waxed as needed.fishlessman said:i just drive the truck, egg with the egg seriously, last time i washed the 1989 truck was maybe 1991. and it looks as good as my egg too BrandonQuad Cities
"If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful." -
im looking to replace the h2 i rolled this winter and all im finding nearby in any descent shape is shiny black ones, love the look but could never do the needed upkeep. the 89 was cleaned the first two years on sundays, then the rest of the week was for mudding it upFocker said:
My '97 Taco has never been washed since I took ownership 5 years ago. My Chevy still gets cut, sealed, and waxed as needed.fishlessman said:i just drive the truck, egg with the egg seriously, last time i washed the 1989 truck was maybe 1991. and it looks as good as my egg too fukahwee maineyou can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it -
Yes, the guys that take your car/truck in the morning and clean it, fill it up. You didn't have them to do that to your demo in the bank?RRP said:
porters?Mickey said:God I miss not having portersSalado TX & 30A FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given a Mini to add to the herd. -
I can understand your point of using an orbital and what not on a custom paint job where you have multiple coats of paint and clear coat. But, on todays finishes on the new cars there just isn't enough on the vehicles to be cutting it. You wouldn't have any clear coat left. Plus, you need to know what you are doing when using an orbital, as you can quickly ruin the finish.Focker said:
I will post pics on this thread or the OT one when I clay, cut, seal, and wax my dad's '66 C-2 in July for a big show in August. He would b!tchslap me if I put Zaino on it.Sea2Ski said:
You are correct, probably not.Focker said:Vette guys love their old school Zaino like their matching nylon Corvette jackets. Lol
A lot has changed in the detail world, in the last 30 years or so. Hahaha
Use what you are comfortable with, as there is no best option...but a professional clay, orbital cut, seal, and wax, cannot be beat. This takes work. Many, in today's age, struggle with that concept.
Go to a good detail shop. I would bet, if they're good, there will be no Z bottles found.
But I can get the same look and protection at a fraction of the cost, without paying someone, and done at my convenience is a win/win/win. Sure, my vents are not dusted with q-tips or the inside of my wheels that no one sees polished, but that is fine with me. The water will bead up and the paint will be UV protected just the same. Plus I really do love the way the product smells. I will stick with them. I see no reason to spend more money, energy, time to get the same result - or at least the same result that I can measure with my own eyes.
I'd rather have a prime dry aged ribeye roast and a few extra bills in my pocket over the clean vents and dusty inside wheel any day.
There is much more to judging a paint detail than water beading and odor. Lmao
Like I stated, use the products, and most importantly, tools, you are comfortable with.
But to say Zaino is the best, is just a$$inine.
Plus, there is a difference between a SHOW car and a daily driver.
I don't have a garage. My vehicles are out in the elements year round.
Carnuba just never seems to hold up on any of my vehicles.
I don't have the time to be reapplying a coat of wax on my vehicles every 2 months. Zaino in the Spring and Fall are enough to keep my vehicles looking good all year.
SE PA
XL, Lg, Mini max and OKJ offset -
I guess Focker would be a car cleaning expert after seeing that pic of him attempting to back a camper in the driveway.
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