car wax
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Germany
car wax
Hi folks,
I am interested in getting some quality WAX from the US to try, any recommendations?
(1)pure wax (both long lasting and the ones for competition)
(2)polish/wax
many thanks,
Mike
I am interested in getting some quality WAX from the US to try, any recommendations?
(1)pure wax (both long lasting and the ones for competition)
(2)polish/wax
many thanks,
Mike
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Southern California
C230
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
I used to have a clear cut wax I used, Klasse All In One, does a creat job and lasts a long time, 2-3 months while all natural caranuba based waxes, at best, last 2-3 weeks.
But here's where the problem lies. My car is black and swirls show best on black. The problem is the long term wax like Klasse or Zaino swirl themselves after 2-3 weeks and it looks worse than if you didn't have wax at all. So the question comes, does it pay to use a high end product like Klasse or Zaino that does a great job, but do it about once every 2-3 weeks or just use caranuba every 2-3 weeks. I can tell you that Klasse works great on my wife's silver car because the swirls are not an issue and Klasse stays on the longest of any product I used. What I would likely switch to is this foam pad polish wax combination many body shops use. It buffs and leaves a layer of wax that lasts about 2-3 weeks, maybe put Klasse on after that for 2-3 weeks and then buff again. Check out my website, I have some buffing tips and supplier for professional detailing stuff the pro's use, it's cheaper and works better.
As for products to stay away from, Maguires and most of what you find at Autozone/Pep Boys/Kragen. They are mostly water based, dust too much, contain silicone, don't last and give mediocre results. It's just my opinion and I'm pickier than many.
But here's where the problem lies. My car is black and swirls show best on black. The problem is the long term wax like Klasse or Zaino swirl themselves after 2-3 weeks and it looks worse than if you didn't have wax at all. So the question comes, does it pay to use a high end product like Klasse or Zaino that does a great job, but do it about once every 2-3 weeks or just use caranuba every 2-3 weeks. I can tell you that Klasse works great on my wife's silver car because the swirls are not an issue and Klasse stays on the longest of any product I used. What I would likely switch to is this foam pad polish wax combination many body shops use. It buffs and leaves a layer of wax that lasts about 2-3 weeks, maybe put Klasse on after that for 2-3 weeks and then buff again. Check out my website, I have some buffing tips and supplier for professional detailing stuff the pro's use, it's cheaper and works better.
As for products to stay away from, Maguires and most of what you find at Autozone/Pep Boys/Kragen. They are mostly water based, dust too much, contain silicone, don't last and give mediocre results. It's just my opinion and I'm pickier than many.
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From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
I use Zymol on all my cars. It's a carnuba soft wax paste... almost impossible to swirl. I tried the highly acclaimed Zaino when the coupe was new...but it was a PIA compared to carnuba's...sort of like the original Polyglycote stuff. Multiple steps and a lot of time.
Don't get me wrong, it was a good sealant, lasted through a tough winter, but come spring I stripped it and went back to the tried and true.
Don't get me wrong, it was a good sealant, lasted through a tough winter, but come spring I stripped it and went back to the tried and true.
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From: New Castle, IN
C230Kompressor
Originally posted by Rick
I use Zymol on all my cars. It's a carnuba soft wax paste... almost impossible to swirl. I tried the highly acclaimed Zaino when the coupe was new...but it was a PIA compared to carnuba's...sort of like the original Polyglycote stuff. Multiple steps and a lot of time.
Don't get me wrong, it was a good sealant, lasted through a tough winter, but come spring I stripped it and went back to the tried and true.
I use Zymol on all my cars. It's a carnuba soft wax paste... almost impossible to swirl. I tried the highly acclaimed Zaino when the coupe was new...but it was a PIA compared to carnuba's...sort of like the original Polyglycote stuff. Multiple steps and a lot of time.
Don't get me wrong, it was a good sealant, lasted through a tough winter, but come spring I stripped it and went back to the tried and true.
In reality though, it's a personal preference and you just have to try some different things and see what you like (Longevity? Ease? Does it work on your color?).
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'03 C320 coupe
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
...... wax like Klasse or Zaino swirl themselves ... and it looks worse than if you didn't have wax at all...
...... wax like Klasse or Zaino swirl themselves ... and it looks worse than if you didn't have wax at all...
I'm trying to decide on a care regimen for my new car and, well, if I'm going to work my butt off only to wake up the next morning and find out all sorts of voodoo was going on in my garage over night while I was sleeping....:v
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From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally posted by mountaingirl
OK...I havn't a clue. How on earth does a finish "swirl [itself]"?
I'm trying to decide on a care regimen for my new car and, well, if I'm going to work my butt off only to wake up the next morning and find out all sorts of voodoo was going on in my garage over night while I was sleeping....:v
OK...I havn't a clue. How on earth does a finish "swirl [itself]"?
I'm trying to decide on a care regimen for my new car and, well, if I'm going to work my butt off only to wake up the next morning and find out all sorts of voodoo was going on in my garage over night while I was sleeping....:v
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P21s/S100 are probably some of the best carnubas out on the market today...and they're cheap.
If you want to up the price a bit, Pinnacle's Souveran is excellent as well (that's what I use on my CLK).
For light colors I use Zaino...awesome shine.
If you want to up the price a bit, Pinnacle's Souveran is excellent as well (that's what I use on my CLK).
For light colors I use Zaino...awesome shine.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Germany
thanks a lot for all your input!
I think i will go for Zaino and Pinnacle first, but what do you guys use for brand new paint? isnt that Polish washes off car paint?
I have a friend over in CA (Irvine) for like 2 weeks holiday, where would be the best place to buy such car wax?
Best wishes,
Mike
I think i will go for Zaino and Pinnacle first, but what do you guys use for brand new paint? isnt that Polish washes off car paint?
I have a friend over in CA (Irvine) for like 2 weeks holiday, where would be the best place to buy such car wax?
Best wishes,
Mike
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 468
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From: Houston. TX
2013 S550
Brand new paint makes no difference if you go with Zaino. I did mine this weekend (my 2nd E500 with Zaino). It was only a week old. You can now order on-line:
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
or if in California, try http://www.lazaino.com
You can't cut corners because the whole thing is in the paint prep. It is labor-intensive in my opinion, especially when the temperature is in the 90s and the heat index pushing 110. Still, there is nothing better than Zaino for harsh environments like we see in Houston.
You have to strip off the crap the dealer puts on there. The Zaino website gives all the info and a printed info sheet comes with your order. I think there is a sticky here also that describes the process. Once you get it on, though, the paint is protected from sun and environmental pollutants. It's pretty easy to maintain after that. (Well, at least until environmental crap requires re-claying.)
Good Luck!
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
or if in California, try http://www.lazaino.com
You can't cut corners because the whole thing is in the paint prep. It is labor-intensive in my opinion, especially when the temperature is in the 90s and the heat index pushing 110. Still, there is nothing better than Zaino for harsh environments like we see in Houston.
You have to strip off the crap the dealer puts on there. The Zaino website gives all the info and a printed info sheet comes with your order. I think there is a sticky here also that describes the process. Once you get it on, though, the paint is protected from sun and environmental pollutants. It's pretty easy to maintain after that. (Well, at least until environmental crap requires re-claying.)
Good Luck!
