Best Polish/Wax Combo
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From: Washington, DC
'99 C43
Best Polish/Wax Combo
So now that I have bought the C43 and am instantly in love, what are the best polish/wax combo. I read that a good polish is the best for protection and then to wax on top of that--is there any truth to this? I have always used Meguiars, but are there any other better options?
Also, I removed the C43 and AMG badges and there is some residue left, what is the best way to remove it?
Thanks for the advice.
Also, I removed the C43 and AMG badges and there is some residue left, what is the best way to remove it?
Thanks for the advice.
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From: Buckinghamshire, UK
E36 AMG W210 /// C43 AMG W202
Hi Watchknut
Meguiars wax products are pretty good, especially when combined with other products within their range.
I have had some excellent results using the German polish – Mer. You can use this either as a direct liquid polish i.e. straight from the bottle or dilute it and apply it with water. Either works and using it neat creates an amazing, durable shine.
Totally sypathise with wanting to make your new pride and joy shine... I spent last Saturday detailing mine until they gleamed!
Nath
Meguiars wax products are pretty good, especially when combined with other products within their range.
I have had some excellent results using the German polish – Mer. You can use this either as a direct liquid polish i.e. straight from the bottle or dilute it and apply it with water. Either works and using it neat creates an amazing, durable shine.
Totally sypathise with wanting to make your new pride and joy shine... I spent last Saturday detailing mine until they gleamed!
Nath
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From: Washington, DC
'99 C43
Awesome! I bought some Zymoil and am going see how that works. I'll take some glamour shots after I get done. It came with the Designo interior that needs a lot of cleaning, so I am going to Lexol it.
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From: NA
Yes
What a small world...I almost bought a Breitling from you a few months back on TZ. First off, I'm glad you stayed true to your word and sold it to that guy in Canada who hit you up first...I ended up with a Montbrillant that suits me much better I think. Yours was beautiful though!
To answer your question...Meguiars is definitely some of the best "over the counter" stuff, vs having to order it online. Zaino is some of the best stuff out there, but application is a bit more difficult than usual products. Menzerna is very nice, and Klasse AIO is sick. I would say unless youre out there with a Porter Cable and want to get real serious, Meguiars stuff with microfiber everything will suit you just fine.
For black cars, a polish will do wonders to remove swirl marks and minor surface scratches. Will also create a very very nice gloss. Think of the wax as a sealant/protectant. Compound cleans the paint, polish glosses it, wax protects it.
Best quick corner store combo I've found is NXT wash, Meguiars polish, Meg gold class wax, quik detail finishing spray. Paint will look excellent, easy to do in a couple hours, not difficult to apply.
To answer your question...Meguiars is definitely some of the best "over the counter" stuff, vs having to order it online. Zaino is some of the best stuff out there, but application is a bit more difficult than usual products. Menzerna is very nice, and Klasse AIO is sick. I would say unless youre out there with a Porter Cable and want to get real serious, Meguiars stuff with microfiber everything will suit you just fine.
For black cars, a polish will do wonders to remove swirl marks and minor surface scratches. Will also create a very very nice gloss. Think of the wax as a sealant/protectant. Compound cleans the paint, polish glosses it, wax protects it.
Best quick corner store combo I've found is NXT wash, Meguiars polish, Meg gold class wax, quik detail finishing spray. Paint will look excellent, easy to do in a couple hours, not difficult to apply.
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From: Valley Forge, Pa.
'99 CLK430
Also wanted to add another fine finishing step that gets great result. After a good wash with wax remover use a "Clay Bar" on the entire car. It's amazing how much "fall out" etches the surface and the clay bar really pulls it up and smoothes the surface before polishing. I did this on second detailing of my CLK and it made a tremendous difference. Now a dry towel slides right off the car like butter on a hot pan.
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From: Washington, DC
'99 C43
Too funny about the Breitling! The Montbrilliant is a much nicer watch than the one I sold. Thanks for the advice on the cleaner, polish and wax, I am going to exhange what I got and stick with the Meguiars.
Also, the clay bar sounds like a good plan as this car needs a little TLC to get it back to its glory.
Thanks.
Also, the clay bar sounds like a good plan as this car needs a little TLC to get it back to its glory.
Thanks.
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From: Dallas
'99 C43
I've found that the clay bar treatment works really well to clean the paint and to take off those little bumps that you sometimes feel on the paint - even after you've waxed and polished. I bought some of that clay and the associated lube spray from Griots Garage. You must use some polish or wax on the car right away after using the clay, because it really leaves the paint unprotected.
For polish I use a 3M pro product called Finessit II. You can get it at an auto body paint supply store. This is great for removing scratches or swirl marks. It's really made for machine finishing after color sanding with 2000 grit sand paper. I hand polish with it on a damp cotton cloth (white tee shirt). This works better than any over the counter polish I've tried. The paint on our MBs is really hard, and it takes a lot of polishing to make it really smooth. They really should have been color sanded at the factory to be honest.
I also like Meguires wax for the final stage. Even the spray wax works well when it's cleaned and polished first.
For polish I use a 3M pro product called Finessit II. You can get it at an auto body paint supply store. This is great for removing scratches or swirl marks. It's really made for machine finishing after color sanding with 2000 grit sand paper. I hand polish with it on a damp cotton cloth (white tee shirt). This works better than any over the counter polish I've tried. The paint on our MBs is really hard, and it takes a lot of polishing to make it really smooth. They really should have been color sanded at the factory to be honest.
I also like Meguires wax for the final stage. Even the spray wax works well when it's cleaned and polished first.
Last edited by John-in-Dallas; Aug 20, 2007 at 03:57 PM.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Dawn
Dish soap,only before you detail,not for everyday washing.It will remove the old wax,when mixed 1/2 cup per bucket per 2 gal bucket of warm water.Wash top down 2 bucket method,rinse and dry.Clay bar,using clay bar and 5to 1 solution water and woolite,as the lubricant,wash and dry again,using microfiber towels.Then go to autogeek or other sites and order Menzerna products,and no I'm not one of theirs,just a fan.For your dark car get intensive polish,final polish2,and fmj,plus the free inst booklet.the car will look like a jewel,and look like a show car if you apply a coat of good carnuba wax over the fmj as a final coat........Porter 7424 orbital,or learn to use a rotary,kits can be bought that have everything if you want to spend 250 or so,a good investment if you want it to look better then showroom for years to come.
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
Try "Rejex" for the final coat.
It's a polymer coating that is used in the aircraft industry.
Gives you a "Zaino" finish with much less work....
It's a polymer coating that is used in the aircraft industry.
Gives you a "Zaino" finish with much less work....
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From: Washington, DC
'99 C43
Thanks for all of the advice. I am looking at either purchasing the $85 kit from Zaino or the $115 kit from Autogeek that has klasse and pinnacle products--should I go with the named kit from Autogeek or the Zaino products? I might have well as burned the $70 I spent at Autozone.
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From: KS
08 E-550 4-matic Sport; '15 RAM, '15 X3, '15 Charger SRT
Polish and wax
I have experimented on my 06 4-Runner with several products I plan to use on my E-550 when I receive it in Oct. So far the outcome is great and I plan to use these products on the car. First, I clayed the truck even though it was pretty smooth it still made the finish like glass. I then used Klasse All-in-One polish, a polymer product. Then I used Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket. It is also a polymer and bonds well to the AIO and adds gloss. I wanted something that would last longer in the CO winters and still look great. After each washing I use Menzerna spray High Gloss Acrylic Shield. That adds another layer of protection and has a great look. The finish comes out extremely slick.
The products are German made and suited to the German paints and clear coats, esp. the new MB nano CC. Finally I used Blackfire All Metal Sealant for the metal grill parts. It is also polymer and I hope it offers more protection against the magnesium chloride that the Colorado Highway Dept. is obsessed with sloshing all over the roads in winter. I may stick with Wheel Wax for the wheels. I did use a Porter Cable for the applications.
The products are German made and suited to the German paints and clear coats, esp. the new MB nano CC. Finally I used Blackfire All Metal Sealant for the metal grill parts. It is also polymer and I hope it offers more protection against the magnesium chloride that the Colorado Highway Dept. is obsessed with sloshing all over the roads in winter. I may stick with Wheel Wax for the wheels. I did use a Porter Cable for the applications.
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From: Tacoma, Wa
1979 VW Rabbit, 1994 E320T
So now that I have bought the C43 and am instantly in love, what are the best polish/wax combo. I read that a good polish is the best for protection and then to wax on top of that--is there any truth to this? I have always used Meguiars, but are there any other better options?
Also, I removed the C43 and AMG badges and there is some residue left, what is the best way to remove it?
Thanks for the advice.
Also, I removed the C43 and AMG badges and there is some residue left, what is the best way to remove it?
Thanks for the advice.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000
Jason
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From: Wilmington, NC
2006 MB C230 Iridium Silver, 2007 Hummer H3 Slate Blue
Thanks for all of the advice. I am looking at either purchasing the $85 kit from Zaino or the $115 kit from Autogeek that has klasse and pinnacle products--should I go with the named kit from Autogeek or the Zaino products? I might have well as burned the $70 I spent at Autozone.
Menzerna FPII Polish
Menzerna FMJ sealant (2coats)
Top off sealant with Natty's Red Wax (limited Edition)
Both products are sooo easy to apply and remove! I did however apply the FMJ with the Porter Cable 7424.
I will never buy OTC products again!
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From: SE Massachusetts
2008 911 C2S, 2009 SL63
P21S shampoo (but NXT as of late), clay bar, Klasse - 2 coats of All In One, one coat of High Gloss sealant. I've been using superiorcarcare.net to order, and have been pleased.
I haven't tried Zaino or some other products people have mentioned, although I used Meguiars and/or Mothers for years on other cars. But from what I have seen on this board and on other boards, you really can't go wrong with any of the recommendations posted here - all great products!
I haven't tried Zaino or some other products people have mentioned, although I used Meguiars and/or Mothers for years on other cars. But from what I have seen on this board and on other boards, you really can't go wrong with any of the recommendations posted here - all great products!
Last edited by F14Tomcat; Aug 30, 2007 at 01:56 PM.
