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Auto "wax"...

B

Bobalos

Private
Minuteman
Nov 1, 2023
55
60
San Diego
#1
Good afternoon folks,

I know a bunch of you have super nice cars.

What are you using for "wax"?
Are the ceramic coatings worth the money?
Is there a ceramic product folks would suggest?

I will post pics of the car when it gets here. Fwiw, it's maroon, so a darker color.
 
#3
IMG_1295.jpeg
 
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#4
Bought a new car last year. Dark blue SUV.

Took it to a detailer straight from the dealership and had paint correction performed and ceramic coat applied to the vehicle and the wheels.

Can’t remember which ceramic product he used, but it was the middle tier choice.

Wash it once a week with meguair’s gold wash.

Not a scratch or swirl mark at 10k miles.

Best choice I made with a new car.

Wife had ceramic on her SUV when we bought it (Navigator). Looks great at 36k miles.
 
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#8
GBPSE
Find a reputable detail shop.

EDIT to say:

"$3k for a "wax job" is ridiculous."


100% totally agree man! Those fuckers are tryna rip you off. Steer (see the car joke?) far away.

I'll gladly offer you my mobile services. Complete detail inside and out. You fly me in, give me the keys and $2500 and 5 days later, you will have a show 'nuff winner. Guarantee you dat, man.

I know 5 days sounds like a long time but it takes time to get it just right.

You ever hear the trilogy of GOOD, CHEAP, FAST? you know...pick 2. I ain't cheap nor fast but damn if I'm good. Just pick that one.

PM me if you are interested.
 
Last edited:
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#9
Bobalos said:
@stemikel , thanks!!
@The D tha Depends on cost. I don't mind hard wlrk if it's worth it. $3k for a "wax job" is ridiculous. Just seems like there should be good alternatives to waxes and polishes.
Click to expand...
I’ve been snooping around the detailing scene for a while. I’m no pro and I don’t even have time to really detail my cars(I have 3 kids). This is what I’ve found so far.

Start with products from one or two of the bigger manufacturers. They will have the widest product range that will be engineered to work together. The big bucket kits will be fine for a little bit but if this bug bites you they will fall short pretty fast. I’m partial to German products so I have stuff from SONAX and Menzerna. If you go full retard get on a detailing forum and YouTube to soak up as much info as possible

Wash: I have a cheap electric power washer(on pretty good sale from Sam’s Club) that has a foam cannon attachment. Foam, scrub with wash mit, rinse, dry with good towel or blow dry

Decontaminate: Spray and rinse with fallout cleaner. Clay bar to get everything off the paint

Correction: I have a cheap Amazon copy of the Rupes da polisher. I don’t need it for 10 cars a week so el cheapo is the way for me. You do need good pads but any of the big names will be fine. The widest variety of products in the detailing world are polishes and waxes. I have Menzerna 3 in 1 that is one of the best do-everything polishes out. If you need a more aggressive compound any of the big names will have it. Wipe down with 10:1 water:isopropyl alcohol to get everything off of the paint

Last step protection: This is either ceramic coating or sealant/wax. Choose one and stick with it. Ceramic coatings range from affordable and easy for the diy detailer to professionally applied and $$$$$. I went the sealer/wax direction and have a bottle of Collinite 845(detailing hidden secret) but will get different waxes in time. Some lsp’s last longer than others. Some give different finishes. Experiment

Plastic trim: What good is a shiny polish/wax job if your plastic trim looks like shit? Find one you like and use it whenever you need to

Wheel cleaner: All the big names have one. Get some good brushes and use whichever one you get correctly. Some can mess up a rim if you aren’t careful

Interior: This is definitely not as fun or cool as talking about polishes and waxes, the exception may be leather/vinyl seat and trim care. But, vacuum & scrub carpet. Glass cleaner. Various interior cleaners. This is actually where the bigger manufacturers have an edge. A significant portion of my detailing shit is SONAX interior cleaners. Be as basic or go as ham as you like

Microfiber towels: There are So. Fucking. Many. types of microfiber towels. Don’t get caught in the hype. Buy some good drying towels and the rest can be just basic microfibers. But you will need a large pile of them, trust me

You’re welcome or I’m sorry
 
#14
Is this a trailer queen award winning show car? No? Go buy some ammo, a rifle or something else to have fun with. The day you sign the title it's already depreciated way more than a shiny finish will pay back. Sinking more time and money into it just makes you more upside down.
Take the money and get your wife or girlfriend a boob job. People will pay more attention to that and you will have a benefit to the money spent.
 
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#15
The D said:
I’ve been snooping around the detailing scene for a while. I’m no pro and I don’t even have time to really detail my cars(I have 3 kids). This is what I’ve found so far.

Start with products from one or two of the bigger manufacturers. They will have the widest product range that will be engineered to work together. The big bucket kits will be fine for a little bit but if this bug bites you they will fall short pretty fast. I’m partial to German products so I have stuff from SONAX and Menzerna. If you go full retard get on a detailing forum and YouTube to soak up as much info as possible

Wash: I have a cheap electric power washer(on pretty good sale from Sam’s Club) that has a foam cannon attachment. Foam, scrub with wash mit, rinse, dry with good towel or blow dry

Decontaminate: Spray and rinse with fallout cleaner. Clay bar to get everything off the paint

Correction: I have a cheap Amazon copy of the Rupes da polisher. I don’t need it for 10 cars a week so el cheapo is the way for me. You do need good pads but any of the big names will be fine. The widest variety of products in the detailing world are polishes and waxes. I have Menzerna 3 in 1 that is one of the best do-everything polishes out. If you need a more aggressive compound any of the big names will have it. Wipe down with 10:1 water:isopropyl alcohol to get everything off of the paint

Last step protection: This is either ceramic coating or sealant/wax. Choose one and stick with it. Ceramic coatings range from affordable and easy for the diy detailer to professionally applied and $$$$$. I went the sealer/wax direction and have a bottle of Collinite 845(detailing hidden secret) but will get different waxes in time. Some lsp’s last longer than others. Some give different finishes. Experiment

Plastic trim: What good is a shiny polish/wax job if your plastic trim looks like shit? Find one you like and use it whenever you need to

Wheel cleaner: All the big names have one. Get some good brushes and use whichever one you get correctly. Some can mess up a rim if you aren’t careful

Interior: This is definitely not as fun or cool as talking about polishes and waxes, the exception may be leather/vinyl seat and trim care. But, vacuum & scrub carpet. Glass cleaner. Various interior cleaners. This is actually where the bigger manufacturers have an edge. A significant portion of my detailing shit is SONAX interior cleaners. Be as basic or go as ham as you like

Microfiber towels: There are So. Fucking. Many. types of microfiber towels. Don’t get caught in the hype. Buy some good drying towels and the rest can be just basic microfibers. But you will need a large pile of them, trust me

You’re welcome or I’m sorry
Click to expand...
Damn. TLDR . I had to scroll back to check if that was a lucky duck post.
 
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#17
I saw this the other day and found it informative. Especially where he talks about different products from different manufacturers pointing out that most get their products from just a couple of major suppliers and have their label applied. Point being, don't overthink this too much.

 
#18
_Windrider_ said:
I’ve had good luck with chemical guys products. Ammo NYC is also really good. Ceramic is awesome but requires upkeep and special care when washing after application. One place ceramic is awesome is on wheels and brake calipers. The dust just rinses away.
Click to expand...
Also use Chemical Guys. Get this and a ceramic coating and it’s all you need. Looks great and seemingly protective. The included white and orange pads are the only two you’ll need. Can buy a couple extra.

TORQX Polish & Correction Kit | Chemical Guys

Perfect your vehicle's finish with our TORQX Polish & Correction Kit, featuring a dual-action polisher, advanced compounds, and precision pads.
www.chemicalguys.com www.chemicalguys.com
 
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#22
Redmanss said:
Same. The wife got a new car last winter, I told her to take a good look at it because it would never be that clean again. It has never been washed.
Click to expand...
My wife's Lexus gets a clean up by the dealership every time she takes it in for the regular service. Other than that I think she's taken it through a carwash a couple times. I will say that they do a very good job on it at the dealership.
 
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#23
Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax has worked very well for me. The Gold Class Carnauba looks great on dark colors but it tends to collect dust like a magnet. The Ultimate wax does a great job, lasts a long time and can be put on black trim without leaving a white residue. Apply it very thin.

Clay bar to get the grit feel off the paint. Use compound to correct as required.
 
#24
I use Klasse All-in-One and Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze on our cars (and, I might add, on my Massey Ferguson 1840M). Not fancy, nor expensive, but fairly easy an quick.

This topic is like someone asking what the best gun lube is. Should be fun to watch. Where’s the popcorn eating antelope meme…?
 
#25
My wife waxes the hull of our boat, before launching in the spring. To that, I'll say that we've learned that the McGuire's (sp?) is a MUCH better wax than the Mothers stuff. Both for application and longevity.

The true test is the 'pressure washing effort' in the fall, when we retrieve the boat. BIG differences in the wax.
 
#29
Sean the Nailer said:
My wife waxes the hull of our boat, before launching in the spring. To that, I'll say that we've learned that the McGuire's (sp?) is a MUCH better wax than the Mothers stuff. Both for application and longevity.

The true test is the 'pressure washing effort' in the fall, when we retrieve the boat. BIG differences in the wax.
Click to expand...
Toilet bowl cleaner is the best hull cleaner and dirt cheap. You’re welcome.
 
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