Auto polishes

[CJP]

Ya know, we all talk alot about the mechanical parts of our rides. But I have not run across any discusson about external care. What does everybody use to polish their cars? I have used the following:

Astro Shield: I've used this on my daily drivers since 1978. It can be applied in total sunshine and wiped off hours later like butter. I have a 13-year-old daily driver with OEM paint that still shines like the day I drove it off the lot.
Meguairs: Quick detailers are great in any situation. Polishes are good too, but need to be applied in the shade and on a cool surface or they remove hard.
Mothers: Quick detailers are great. No experience with other products.
Klasse: German product. Performs exceptionally. But you better know all the ins and outs of the product before using it.

That's it for my autobody care experience. What do you use and/or recommend?

[BDAZSVT]

Re: Auto polishes

Wax wise I have been using Meguires NXT and am really impressed with it. I see you have use the quick detailer,have you tried Megs new Ultimate Quick Detailer? I like it alot better!

[dand38s]

Re: Auto polishes

I have always used Mothers products and have never been disappointed. I use their detailer spray just about every week before my car comes out of the garage for weekend cruising.

[DanStokes]

Re: Auto polishes

Keith and I just hose it down with WD40 and wipe. Actually, that's the cheatin' way to clean up the car before a race. It'll take tire rubber off the quarters pretty quickly, but you better Prep-Sol repeatedly if you want to paint over it.

Dan

[Schtauffer]

Re: Auto polishes

KIT brand carnuaba wax is the best I've ever found. It dries rock hard if you let it cure in the garage for a week or so before taking it out in the sun. I get it at local hardware stores. Really.

Cooper's metal polish is very good. http://yourchoicetruckwash.com/cooper_products.htm

The best quick detail is made by Zaino, but it must be used very sparingly. The rest of their products are very good, as well. http://www.zainostore.com/

Meguiar's Endurance is the best tire shine. I don't care for the rest of Meguiar's products.

[Gary 351C]

Re: Auto polishes

Polish and wax, Meguire's

Tire sauce, ARMOR ALL since 1980

[bnjny]

Re: Auto polishes

Just my opinion...

NXT is so-so boarding on junk... It does not last long and the depth is fleeting...

Klasse is good.

Zaino... Good, but there is now better. Especially at that price point.


For my wash I use Lusso bath wash (for cars) or Chemical Guys Citrus Wash.

For a Clay bar Clay Magic is the way to go for most. As to what I use... That is a secret. ;D

For a Polish I think P21S makes Finish Restorer which is a great polish... If you need something stronger, look to a compound. As for compounds, again my stuff is body shop grade. If you want something that is in between, 3M pink snott. I'm not a big fan of all in one products. Compound is misleading as they come in differnt grades (for the most part) and are rarely needed for a well maintained car/truck.


For a Wax, Lusso without a doubt. You can even apply it with the palm of your hand as it is a true carnuba wax. Plus it smells great!

As a paint protectant RejeX. I have yet to find anything that works as well and as long as this product.

For rubber trim and tires, 303 protectant. That Armor crap is all silicone. No thank you. you can even use 303 on the paint with great results...

Wheels, P21S wheel cleaner in the gel. Nothing works better and does not harm the finish. I then put a coat of RejeX on the wheel.

Windows after cleaning with good old white vinegar and water mix get a application of Aquapel. Better then RainX and does not streak.

This is just a quarterly list of products used.

I've detailed cars (show and DD) when I was younger for a living. I sell them for a living now. So I have probably used some if not most of the products mentioned. Some that have not been mentioned... Some are good for the guy at home and others if used the wrong way can put a frown on your face in a hurry...

Feel free to pm me if you have a question...

[JRoberts]

Re: Auto polishes

Keith and I just hose it down with WD40 and wipe. Actually, that's the cheatin' way to clean up the car before a race. It'll take tire rubber off the quarters pretty quickly, but you better Prep-Sol repeatedly if you want to paint over it.

Dan

Even Prep-Sol or the like won't get all of the WD40 off most of the time. Same thing with tire products. I have seen cars that have had the paint removed down to bare metal and still there was a residue from such products on the surface!

[DanStokes]

Re: Auto polishes

If I'm going to paint over an area that I know has had WD40, I Prep-Sol it several times, then rinse with laquer thinner a couple of times - BEFORE sanding. If you sand first, you grind the WD40 into the substrate and you'll never get it all off (from my experience). It WILL lift the paint.

Dan

[JeffMcKC]

Re: Auto polishes

I have been waiting for the "What Kind of Wax" thread to start I am glad it did not in the Tech section. :

[antmnte]

Re: Auto polishes

i've tried so much stuff its mind boggling ,anyhow if you ever have a waterstained piece of glass Zaino makes this great glass polish it works really well you just have to shake the stuff well before using it (shake alot)

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: Auto polishes

Has anyone used the Teflon wax stuff? I was working at Autozone when it came out and we had a customer that swore by it, said a bird crapped on his fender and it just rolled off the car. As impressive as that sounded (since birds liked to target my cars) I never tried it.

[shaggn]

Re: Auto polishes

Maybe on edge of off topic-company up here(not sure if they sell state side),Norton makes a 3 step polish system where you use a paste with 3 different applicators,brings damaged paint right back,new paint to swirl free shine.I usually top off with carnuba wax from mothers.

[bnjny]

Re: Auto polishes

Maybe on edge of off topic-company up here(not sure if they sell state side),Norton makes a 3 step polish system where you use a paste with 3 different applicators,brings damaged paint right back,new paint to swirl free shine.I usually top off with carnuba wax from mothers.

Norton ICE. sold by Eastwood. Good stuff.

[KeithTurk]

Re: Auto polishes

I'm going to a Bike show today... ( local cancer donation deal )... and used some stuff in a green plastic thing... worked like Stink...

Bout like every other car wax these days... everything works... except on Jeff's stuff.. then it seems like Nothing works... ( cept the Motor and it's slightly better then average )

Keith