Time to wash the xB. Knew i should have gotten a lighter color. Dust shows up too easy on onyx blue. Just wondering what types of wax that you guys use or would recommend.

Meguires 100%!
all their products are top notch.

Meguires 100%!
all their products are top notch.

i will have to second this. everything is complete quality.

I've used Meguires for my first wash and wax, and then later, P21S which I liked better. But 2 weeks ago (I know, I probably overwaxed it) I got ahold of Zaino Brothers series of waxes....of course I had to strip the wax off by using dishwashing liquid (Liquid Dawn) and I can say that the Zaino Bros was is the best wax I've used.

Before I layered on the Zaino wax, I used a german Brand Base Coat/Sealant called Klasse All-In-One to help get rid of any contaminants on the clear coat. After letting it set for about 2-3 hours, I layered on 2 coats of the Zaino Bros wax. All of my friends could totally tell the difference. It's really hard to elaborate but it makes it look really wet and sparkly (thats with the ThunderCloud Metallic).

A really good site to look into is http://www.autopia.org/. They've got a bunch of hard core detailers on there and a good forum with some helpful reviews.

The Zaino Bros site can be found at http://www.zainostore.com/.

I've had really good experiences with 3M products, alot of body shops I work with use them. The handglaze, show wax, shampoo, etc., all have been really nice. Also for saving old paint with the rubbing compound and swirl mark remover. I don't know if its the BEST wax, but it's definately a brand I trust and would recommend.

Meguiars has a nice system, that I used to use. Wash, cleaner wax, polish, show wax, but I like the 3M better.

Zymol is often said to be really good, but I didn't care for how it built up. Also someone I talked to said something about if you buy Zymol and it was made or packaged in the US it's acutally from Turtle Wax (don't know if that's true).

I havn't tried enough designer waxes yet to know if they are worth the money.

ZAINO is by far the best when it comes to overall finish and longevity. There is only one other product I would use besides Zaino, it's Zymol Royale...

Never buy Zymol products from an automotive store...the stuff they sell for retail at stores is the equivalent to Turtle Wax, just order the stuff.

Also if you want that extra deep deep shine, use the Zaino...dark colored cars a bunch of coats of Z-5 with Z-6 between each coat and then finally finish with Z-2. Light colored cars don't need Z-5 because you don't see the fine scratches and swirl marks unless, you park under a black light or something. If you think you want your car to shine even more...it doesn't last longer than usually a week but, it's S-100 sold at Harley stores.

I've tried them all and dollar for dollar...Zaino, price no object Zymol Royale.

i use "the wax shop" liquid wax. works really well. you can also use it on wheels and plastic parts like headlights and taillights. it's non abrasive, but it does seem to remove small scratches, and it does a good job of removing swirl marks. you can get it at most auto parts stores. it's not as well knows as mequiars or ZAINO due to less marketing hype, but it works great.

turtle wax spray wax also works well for me. don't laugh. it's easy to use and works well.

I just purchased meguair's gold class clear coat wax (recommended for new cars) and I am going to was and wax my car this weekend and i let people know what i think about it.

yeah, that gold class is not bad at all. we used that on my girlfriend's car and it worked really well. should work well on your matrix.

Zaino is the best bet with me -- check out http://www.zainostore.com/ --

-- I love it...

eric

i use Meguires wax and it works great. i even used it for all of the cars in my family. my moms 4runner, sisters is300 and it works great. i was going to get Zaino but it cost to much for me so i decided to use Meguires and it works great!

i have their car wash/conditioner, gold class wax, scratch x, and some rim cleaning thingy. everything seems to work really well. the scratch x works better on older cars. i dont think newer car needs it.

I hear that the Zaino Bros wax doesnt last as long as Meguilars 26 (Yellow wax), has anyone compaired the two?

-Denny

I hear that the Zaino Bros wax doesnt last as long as Meguilars 26 (Yellow wax), has anyone compaired the two?

-Denny

It depends. I've used meguires for my first waxing on my car, then switched to Zaino after that. Zaino is more synthetic protectant than a wax and I think the Zaino lasts longer. The only problem with Zaino is that its kind of rigorous to use. The whole process will take you a good half day or more if you want to apply it correctly....Meguires will do you just as good, however I think the time spent with Zaino is better. Just a matter of how much time you want to put into detailing your car.

i trust and use meguires gold class clear coat wax....its shine is unbeatable IMO.

i also trust 3M b/c so many body shops i know use it and have great results.

its a test and judge on your own type of thing. just take your time and you will try plenty, if you are like me...hehe

l. garcia 8)

I notice that everyone seem to wash their own xB... i consider myself too lazy for that... although it would be nice. I live in a townhome with garages facing the driveways..ppl get ____ed off when we block the driveway. anyways, so i naturally take my car to the hand wash.

I haven't washed my car yet since purchase... it is blue onyx, my first blue car.

i had white,black and silver b4:

blue onyx:

con: dusty and dirty fast, must wash weekly.
pro: awesome color when clean. new pearl color, unlike those light blue ones.

my question is: first wax job recommendation period?

you typically want to get it waxed as soon as you can. it will help the finish and make it look really nice.

BlueBox:
you could try those mobil detailing places. i just started using one and it costs $15 for the standard wash and the guy comes to my work and does it.

I live in a townhome with garages facing the driveways..ppl get ____ed off when we block the driveway. anyways, so i naturally take my car to the hand wash.


There are a few good coin-op self serve car washes in the area. One good, relatively new one in Orange on Katella between Main and Batavia. Another really nice one at Lake Forest and Dimension in Lake Forest that's only about two years old -- a bit out of the way, too bad I don't work in that area anymore. Good if you have an afternoon to kill and want to do the sort of detailing job that would set you back $200 at the local hand wash.

Just go easy on the high-pressure spray and use plenty of the "spot free" soft water rinse :)

Oh, yeah, my favorite wax.

I think I just found a new one this weekend ... figured if Meguiar's Cleaner Wax was good, the three-step Deep Crystal stuff had to be better. It took HOURS. In fact it was pitch dark by the time I finished, but even at night I could tell the stuff worked miracles. Today I awoke to an optical-grade shine and rushed out to take photos before the construction dust, birds and marine layer did their thing.

I also tried waxing and buffing in a straight line rather than in a circular pattern as some people suggested. I was pleasantly surprised -- the inevitable scratch marks were invisible from most angles.

Only wax I will use is Meguiars Carnuba Paste, paste wax is waaaay better than the liquid, plus their clay bar is nice too

When it comes to detailing my car, I'm very meticulous and I've tried all forms of "wax." I must agree that the first steps to applying Zaino are very tedious but, the results are beyond anything thats out there on the market today. Yes the shine is a wet look and its very very slippery to the touch. Once you go through the first steps upkeep of the Zaino "wet look" and protection of the car is rather quite easy. Many people tend to use too much of it. If done correctly application of Zaino is nearly invisble and somewhat disheartening because you think you have to put it on thicker...when in reality you don't. My friend's car is brand new and my car is shinier than his and thats without S-100(which isn't Zaino). Nothing and I mean nothing, is better than Zaino in longevity, shine, and protection.

When it comes to detailing my car, I'm very meticulous and I've tried all forms of "wax." I must agree that the first steps to applying Zaino are very tedious but, the results are beyond anything thats out there on the market today. Yes the shine is a wet look and its very very slippery to the touch. Once you go through the first steps upkeep of the Zaino "wet look" and protection of the car is rather quite easy. Many people tend to use too much of it. If done correctly application of Zaino is nearly invisble and somewhat disheartening because you think you have to put it on thicker...when in reality you don't. My friend's car is brand new and my car is shinier than his and thats without S-100(which isn't Zaino). Nothing and I mean nothing, is better than Zaino in longevity, shine, and protection.

so can you hook me up with some free wax, since you apparently work for zaino?

When it comes to detailing my car, I'm very meticulous and I've tried all forms of "wax." I must agree that the first steps to applying Zaino are very tedious but, the results are beyond anything thats out there on the market today. Yes the shine is a wet look and its very very slippery to the touch. Once you go through the first steps upkeep of the Zaino "wet look" and protection of the car is rather quite easy. Many people tend to use too much of it. If done correctly application of Zaino is nearly invisble and somewhat disheartening because you think you have to put it on thicker...when in reality you don't. My friend's car is brand new and my car is shinier than his and thats without S-100(which isn't Zaino). Nothing and I mean nothing, is better than Zaino in longevity, shine, and protection.

so can you hook me up with some free wax, since you apparently work for zaino?

He's dead serious about it. Same with most other Zaino users. I've bought most of their products and gotta say that it really really lasts. It's a pain in the ___ to 'prep' for Zaino but once you're done the results really do make a difference for those that notice. Once you're done with it, the upkeep is pretty easy. I usually just use a duster every day and use a Quick Detailer on the weekends and the paint still feels really slippery....thats a month and a half after waxing and with one wash in between.

For some people though, its not really worth the time that it takes to apply it properly...took me about 6 hours the first time and it'll take me at least that long next time (I need alot more time to clay bar). Regardless, to each their own, and if they're happy with Meguires, Mothers, gasoline, brake fluid or another brand, then so be it.

theres no shine like mothers...

The Wax Shop liquid wax , get the slick stuff ( wax shop ) apply it everytime you wash your car.

i use wax shop and so does ryan green bean and i feel that it works really good. not a lot of hype like the other brands, but it really does make dull paint look awesome, and awesome paint look awesomer. actually, all the name brand waxes are good. just wax regularily and don't forget to floss.

Ive never used Zaino before, so whats the difference between the Clay Magic clay bar vs. the Zaino. If you do the steps Clay Magic says it looks and feels great also.

ok, so you guys sold me on the zaino. but i don't know where to get it except from their website and the shipping is 8 bucks.. is there a local shop or website that has it for less..


thanks,

dave

ok, so you guys sold me on the zaino. but i don't know where to get it except from their website and the shipping is 8 bucks.. is there a local shop or website that has it for less..


thanks,

dave

From what I know, Zaino is only available through their website or a licensed reseller (I saw some guy selling some once at a Corvette show my father & I went to last year). I'm saving up a little cash as I will be getting that $75ish set that includes just about everything that you'll need.

Someone said that ZYMOL bought at auto parts stores is crap, I bought mine at Costco, does the same hold true when purchasing it there. An interesting note. Zymol is made from bananas and other strange things you would not think woul work on your car. When I was done waxing my xb with it I have flys and nats all over it cause it smelled like a strawberry banana milkshake.

I just went to the ZYMOL site take a look at how much these glazes are http://www.zymol.com/carfeed2.htm OUCH

i use meguires gold class, easy to put on and the shine is wicked, my thunercloud looks like a mirror from across our parking lot :)

some quick detailer every couple of days to keep the dust down and a waxing every other week and it's butter (i haven't had my xB for long, but i used to run this routine on my vw gti vr6, and the reults were fine by me)


brian

I use Slick Stuff by "the wax shop" :D

I hear that the Zaino Bros wax doesnt last as long as Meguilars 26 (Yellow wax), has anyone compaired the two?

-Denny

I use 26 from time to time. I think it is hard to remove sometimes but lasts for a long time. Since I rub on my cars often, I usually use 3M hand glaze with some Mothers Carnuaba after. But I do think that 26 yellow wax is the best final coat.

JT

Zaino is what all my Harley truck people say is the best, i've yet to use it, do to the price of it. Others recommend Adams wax, but it is also a lil expensive for me. If someone would like an Adams, i have a friend up here in Dallas (Texas) that sells it, but it would cost more to send to Cali

Favorite Wax - Wax 'dat ___...


Actually im a huge fan of Mequirs Wax as you Dry crap... I dunno it makes stuff shiny. Im spending a lil more time at the body shop starting this summer, and they used all mequires, so hopefully i can come back with a lil more intellegent post...


was 'dat ___..... can't beat that...

i used to be a detailer at a major body shop in la verne ca. All i used was 3m for pretty much everything....its good if you want a three stage system for buffing/cutting etc. if you want a very good liquid wax, i suggest the meguires gold class...don't get the paste...it sux...just the liquid...and, if you want a quick "before show" wax that will cover up swirlies, i suggest the wax shop liquid wax...its thin, goes on fast and comes off fast, and isn't visible in the cracks if you miss a spot...JMO :wink:

3m products are the best !

Zymol contracted with Turtle wax to mass produce their wax.
That is what you're getting when you buy Zymol at a parts store.
Turn over the bottle/canister, and you'll see that the corprate
address is the same as Turtle wax's.

You can get the real thing off their (Zymol) website, or from a detail shop.
Expect to pay more for the real thing.
People who know refer to that fake Zymol as Zurtle Wax. :)

Now, the best wax, bar none, is Pinnacle Souveran.
This is high quality, expensive wax. It does not create dust, you don't
have to wait for it to dry to a haze, and it doesn't turn white in the cracks.
This wax is awesome on dark cars. Check it out. www.pinnaclewax.com

After this stuff your only choice is the insane Zymol stuff. (Expensive)

If you're using Meguires or something like it, you've got to try this stuff.

Blu
PS: No, I don't work for them.

Zaino is damn amazing. I put the first coat on yesterday and it took me about 4 to 5 hours from washing to finish. I put the second on tonight and this time was about 2 hours. Times include drying which was 2 hours the first time and 1 tonight. It really isnt that much work. I would highly advise anyone to use their wax products.

Pros: Smells good, great shine, rubs off easily, and leaves a very smooth surface.
Cons: Better instructions for first time use. I applied it a little heavy on my first attempt. There was no negative effects though, just longer dry time.

All in all it is well worth the time invested.

I also purchased their car wash and must say it leaves a little to be desired. Spots a little more than the zymol wash i was using. I have used it three times on three different cars and each time the windows were a pain to clean.

lots of opinions, but they are all the same. regardless of the brand, the concensus is to use a high quality liquid. even though it is against a man's religion, read the instructions. i had a woman bring in a white firebird(red underneath) to my detail shop one day and wanted to get nufinish to repaint her car. she gave them my name and they called me about what i thought. i said she was trying to get a paint job for $5