Recommended wax/polish?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Orange County
2019 Audi SQ5, 2011 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4wd, 2016 Ford Focus se Hatchback
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Joined: Jul 2011
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2019 AMG GT R
I take my car through the gas stations touchless wash but lately people have been telling me that those car washes are not good for the exterior trims due to the harsh chemicals? You seem like you know your detailing so figured Id ask you that..
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 643
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From: Houston, TX
'15 C63S
Only thing I do use every year or so is leather conditioner for the seats and alcantara cleaner for the steering wheel.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 258
Likes: 72
From: Orange County
2019 Audi SQ5, 2011 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4wd, 2016 Ford Focus se Hatchback
The goal of my system is to create layers that work together. The paint sealant is covered in collinite which is covered in beadmaker. Beadmaker becomes the sacrificial layer between washes and ultimately the sealant and collinite stay on the paint and do their job in protecting the finish. Harsh chemicals that are not PH balanced will breakdown these layer more quickly. Adams Shampoo or some others are PH neutral and also perform well in the sun and leave little residue behind.
If you cant do a wash and have light dirt, I would look into an Optimum no rinse car wash. This product lifts the dirt off the paint and encapsulates it to be removed from the paint without scratching.
Hope that helps.
Here is my son's 10 year old - 106k mile Tacoma that we re-sealed last weekend while he was home from college. This truck has sat outside in the elements near LAX for the last 3 years. You can see the performance of this system.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 595
Likes: 96
From: NYC area
2019 C63S Coupe
Personally I like zymol sponges.. I can see if any grit is on the sponge and easily wash it away before i even go into my rinse bucket.
These are my go to products.. I have a few more but this is what i have found to be the best. I don't think any one brand dominates the arena.
Also keep this in mind...The polishing technique and polish used are what makes the biggest difference. When you go over the car and get the clear coat as even as possible all the way around using a paint gauge it really makes the paint pop and drip pending you have the paint fully decontaminated with a degreaser and lube/clay barred prior to polish. The coatings like waxes, sealants, ceramic just protect and magnify how well the clear coat was cut and final polished.
Zymol sponges
P21s soap
P21s total auto wash degreaser
P21s gel wheel cleaner
Amazing Roll off for cleaning Tires(it is amazing on tires)
Swissvax quick finish detail spray
Swissvax pneu tire shine
Menzerna polishes
Nextzett glass cleaner (favorite by far)
Nextzett Cockpit Premium for interior bits like Trim, Screens, Steering wheel
Nextzett Gummi Pfledge For keeping the rubber trim around the windows and door on the body conditioned.
Car Pro dhydrate drying towel
Chemical guys Jetseal for a sealant
I like swissvax waxes but they are pricey though a jar lasts you like 30-40 coatings. Remember less is more!!
Microrestore for washing my microfiber towels.
The polishing technique and polish used are what makes the biggest difference. When you go over the car and get the clear coat as even as possible all the way around using a paint gauge it really makes the paint pop and drip pending you have the paint fully decontaminated with a degreaser and lube/clay barred prior to polish. The coatings like waxes, sealants, ceramic just protect and magnify how well the clear coat was cut and final polished.
These are my go to products.. I have a few more but this is what i have found to be the best. I don't think any one brand dominates the arena.
Also keep this in mind...The polishing technique and polish used are what makes the biggest difference. When you go over the car and get the clear coat as even as possible all the way around using a paint gauge it really makes the paint pop and drip pending you have the paint fully decontaminated with a degreaser and lube/clay barred prior to polish. The coatings like waxes, sealants, ceramic just protect and magnify how well the clear coat was cut and final polished.
Zymol sponges
P21s soap
P21s total auto wash degreaser
P21s gel wheel cleaner
Amazing Roll off for cleaning Tires(it is amazing on tires)
Swissvax quick finish detail spray
Swissvax pneu tire shine
Menzerna polishes
Nextzett glass cleaner (favorite by far)
Nextzett Cockpit Premium for interior bits like Trim, Screens, Steering wheel
Nextzett Gummi Pfledge For keeping the rubber trim around the windows and door on the body conditioned.
Car Pro dhydrate drying towel
Chemical guys Jetseal for a sealant
I like swissvax waxes but they are pricey though a jar lasts you like 30-40 coatings. Remember less is more!!
Microrestore for washing my microfiber towels.
The polishing technique and polish used are what makes the biggest difference. When you go over the car and get the clear coat as even as possible all the way around using a paint gauge it really makes the paint pop and drip pending you have the paint fully decontaminated with a degreaser and lube/clay barred prior to polish. The coatings like waxes, sealants, ceramic just protect and magnify how well the clear coat was cut and final polished.
Just had my 2 months old C63S coupe clay bar and had them use P21s 100% carbonara wax. ( I purchased).Car looks great.
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 212
Likes: 64
From: the Right coast
'19 C43
Yep, the P21S is a good quality, easy to use wax. As I mentioned in my post, it gives that kind of warm "glow" look to the paint. It doesn't last long though, so be prepared to re-apply in a couple of weeks (especially in the summer) if you want to maintain the protection and the look of it.
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 212
Likes: 64
From: the Right coast
'19 C43
I will say, do not use microfiber towels to clean, or to apply or remove any protectant you use, on the seats, dash, or door cards. Microfiber will actually buff away the matte finish on the leather or MB-tex on the seats, and the MB-tex on the dash and doors. It will make them shiny over time. Use a foam applicator to apply leather cleaner/protectant to the seats. Use a foam applicator or a cotton cloth to apply protectant to anything MB-tex and wipe it off with a cotton cloth.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 595
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From: NYC area
2019 C63S Coupe
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 643
Likes: 92
From: Houston, TX
'15 C63S
I have used the Meguiar's interior spray with good results in other vehicles, but it can be shinier than some prefer. My go to has always been 303 Protectant. It adds virtually no shine if you apply it thinly and wipe it off properly.
I will say, do not use microfiber towels to clean, or to apply or remove any protectant you use, on the seats, dash, or door cards. Microfiber will actually buff away the matte finish on the leather or MB-tex on the seats, and the MB-tex on the dash and doors. It will make them shiny over time. Use a foam applicator to apply leather cleaner/protectant to the seats. Use a foam applicator or a cotton cloth to apply protectant to anything MB-tex and wipe it off with a cotton cloth.
I will say, do not use microfiber towels to clean, or to apply or remove any protectant you use, on the seats, dash, or door cards. Microfiber will actually buff away the matte finish on the leather or MB-tex on the seats, and the MB-tex on the dash and doors. It will make them shiny over time. Use a foam applicator to apply leather cleaner/protectant to the seats. Use a foam applicator or a cotton cloth to apply protectant to anything MB-tex and wipe it off with a cotton cloth.
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 212
Likes: 64
From: the Right coast
'19 C43
I don't know where you've heard to mever use microfiber towels on leather, but that's the first I've heard of that. Been using microfiber towels on my interior for decades and never had the issues you described. What makes shiny leather is inferior cleaner/conditioner products.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 199
Likes: 31
C400
^ Second that. A number of high-end detailers I've spoken to also recommend against using microfiber on leather, vinyl, open pore wood and gloss surfaces - depending on the MF quality and density, they can cause micro-marring on the surface.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 643
Likes: 92
From: Houston, TX
'15 C63S
I don't think it's as much a microfiber towel causing that as it's a low quality towel. A high quality MF towel is one of last things to scratch/mar/deform any delicate surface.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
From: Australia
C63S Edition 1
Have you tried their CQuartz UK Edition 3.0 and CQuartz DLUX Wheel & Plastic Coating?
