what wax works best?????

**SoCalCTS08** · 01-04-10 04:20 PM

I have an 08 cts with black raven paint. I've beed using maguires NXT 2.0 for awhile now and I am pleased with the results. However, the maguires seems to be very thick and because of this I always seem to apply too much which then takes hours to remove and destroying many microfiber towels with caked on wax in the process. Is there a "thinner" liquid wax I can use with great results saving time and towels. Or is there a technique anyone knows to avoid this. I usually just apply a small amount of wax to a small applicator pad, dab it a few places and rub in. thanks in advance.

**submariner409** · 01-05-10 03:49 PM

If your paint/clearcoat is in excellent condition, then a simple coat of carnauba wax, liquid or paste, is sufficient. A coat of paste carnauba applied with a microfiber covered foam pad will polish easily and you'll hardly see any residue on your microfiber towels. BUT, carnauba is a natural wax so you'll need a touch-up every 5 - 6 weeks, and no hard scrub car washes.

Surf around in www.autogeek.net. It's only money.................look at a tub of Pinnacle Souveran Carnauba wax. That's what I use on my Seville TS.

**hcvone** · 01-05-10 04:24 PM

Pinnacle is a good wax, but depending on where you live it only lasts 2-6 weeks, if you do not mind waxing every month then this maybe a good route, it makes dark colors look nice, the problem with rubbing a dark color is that over time you have a good chance of adding swirls. Using a good synthetic wax you can wax 1-3 times a year, because a good systhetic will outlast carnauba 5 to 1 in durability, and some companies have wipe on and walk away products, these are great for dark car owners, because it's less rubbing on the paint which will equal less swirl marks in the long run. Personally I have too many cars/trucks to wax monthly, and about 14 years ago I found Zaino after owning 36 detail shops in the 80's and 90's, we were Meguiar's largest end user for over 10 years, I wanted something that lasted for months and not weeks, I have yet to find anything that can beat Zaino in durability and I do test every new product that comes to market, I have to it's my job to do that.

**ccclarke** · 01-26-10 10:48 AM

Wax is old school. Zaino looks as good as the best carnuba wax and only needs to be applied twice a year, then wiped down with their gloss enhancer after washing. You will never look back! (Except at your car when you walk away. . . )

CC

**NoyzRulz** · 01-26-10 01:19 PM

Oddly enough I popped in to say that I use Mequiars here and there but for a really good finish, ease of application and durability, Zaino Brothers is one of the best I have ever used. I am a detail freak, even cleaned the underside of my Challenger recently so I am not a pro, but plenty of experience. Glad to see Zaino mentioned by others. Quick story, one time I had some paint work done on my car and the body shop was pissed because they were having trouble getting the surface sanded down properly to paint it. They called to ask me what wax I put on my car. Naturally, they never heard of Zaino Brothers either.

Just remember there are no shortcuts, it's clearcoat so easy on and clean off assuming the paint is in good shape when you start. Using a clay bar is great to remove all old waxes before you polish her up

**ccclarke** · 01-26-10 11:34 PM

I agree with you 100%. I've tried just about everything out there, looking for that mythical product that's supposed to be easy to apply/remove and leaves a shine that outlasts the rest. I got turned on to Zaino while surfing a Corvette forum and figured if those anal-retentive car-lovers were that overwhelmingly rabid about it, something must be up. Every manufacturer says their products are the best. Zaino makes them all perjur themselves.

I ordered their basic kit and was blown away by not only how brilliant the shine was, but how long it lasted (months, instead of days/weeks -like wax.) You have to strip off the old wax with dishwashing detergent, and for best results clay the car before applying Zaino. Subsequent layers create a deep, mirror-like finish. They've got a new one-step product I'll try out when my current supplies are exhausted. --That's another Zaino selling point: it's expensive, but when you only need to apply the full half-day treatment twice a year, it lasts a long time! Total up the yearly number of hours spent washing, waxing and buffing to get a decent waxed shine and there's no comparison when using Zaino. I love to keep my cars looking sharp, but don't want to be a slave to doing it. I'd rather be driving them!

http://www.zainostore.com/

For those of you who demand the best car care products all contained in one website (except Zaino), check out Griot's Garage:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/home.do?...FRZEbAod_TYR0g

I shop at their retail store in Tacoma (Car Care Mecca) often and have found some great products. One of their hot sellers is a nozzle with detergent reservoir that sprays a thick layer of sudsy foam on your vehicle. Less run-off means more detergent stays where you need it. Their wash bucket is superb, and keeps your sponge/mitt out of the dirt on the bottom. Buy one product and you're on their catalog list (car porn) for life. Nice folks, great service.

Enough of my rambling. Check out the sites and get ready to spend more quality time in your garage!

Enjoy my friends,

CC

**thebigjimsho** · 01-31-10 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by ccclarke

I agree with you 100%. I've tried just about everything out there, looking for that mythical product that's supposed to be easy to apply/remove and leaves a shine that outlasts the rest. I got turned on to Zaino while surfing a Corvette forum and figured if those anal-retentive car-lovers were that overwhelmingly rabid about it, something must be up. Every manufacturer says their products are the best. Zaino makes them all perjur themselves.

I ordered their basic kit and was blown away by not only how brilliant the shine was, but how long it lasted (months, instead of days/weeks -like wax.) You have to strip off the old wax with dishwashing detergent, and for best results clay the car before applying Zaino. Subsequent layers create a deep, mirror-like finish. They've got a new one-step product I'll try out when my current supplies are exhausted. --That's another Zaino selling point: it's expensive, but when you only need to apply the full half-day treatment twice a year, it lasts a long time! Total up the yearly number of hours spent washing, waxing and buffing to get a decent waxed shine and there's no comparison when using Zaino. I love to keep my cars looking sharp, but don't want to be a slave to doing it. I'd rather be driving them!

http://www.zainostore.com/

For those of you who demand the best car care products all contained in one website (except Zaino), check out Griot's Garage:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/home.do?...FRZEbAod_TYR0g

I shop at their retail store in Tacoma (Car Care Mecca) often and have found some great products. One of their hot sellers is a nozzle with detergent reservoir that sprays a thick layer of sudsy foam on your vehicle. Less run-off means more detergent stays where you need it. Their wash bucket is superb, and keeps your sponge/mitt out of the dirt on the bottom. Buy one product and you're on their catalog list (car porn) for life. Nice folks, great service.

Enough of my rambling. Check out the sites and get ready to spend more quality time in your garage!

Enjoy my friends,

CC

Zaino certainly has a plethora of followers so there is proven results there. But I've been a big proponent of Griot's for the last 6+ years. What I like best is that they have everything you need for your car in 1 place. And their Detailer's Handbook is a must have!! Fully understand everything each product does to your car and its finish. It's not just the product, but the understanding of each, that makes Griot's so good...

**BaTu** · 02-02-10 10:07 AM

+1 for Griot's! I love their Carnuba Sticks and Leather Wipes.

**Jim D.** · 02-13-10 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by SoCalCTS08

I have an 08 cts with black raven paint. I've beed using maguires NXT 2.0 for awhile now and I am pleased with the results. However, the maguires seems to be very thick and because of this I always seem to apply too much which then takes hours to remove and destroying many microfiber towels with caked on wax in the process. Is there a "thinner" liquid wax I can use with great results saving time and towels. Or is there a technique anyone knows to avoid this. I usually just apply a small amount of wax to a small applicator pad, dab it a few places and rub in. thanks in advance.

You've hit on every reason why I don't use the NXT and instead use Mothers FX SynWax.

It is important to realize that with waxing that the "less is more" rule applies, and I find it pretty easy to apply a very thin coat of FX SynWax with the PowerBall 4Paint. I haven't tried the NXT, but I'm sure it will work. Pep Boys and I think Kragen and WalMart and Autozone have the ball with a sample of the SynWax.

If you can get it, try the new FX SynWax pre-softened paste, which doesn't "mottlel" like the NXT paste, and goes on easy with the foam applicator, and it comes off like a breeze with a microfiber. With the paste, it seems to be even easier to get a thin coat over the whole applicator.

I like it.

**creeker** · 02-13-10 06:31 PM

Zaino is the best, all their products are great,and they are easy to apply
and buff,much easier than paste waxes and just as durable.

**ccclarke** · 02-13-10 10:34 PM

Regarding Griot's products, their factory store was ten minutes away from me in Tacoma. (I drop by whenever I'm up there.) I've used many of their car products over the years, and while their outside finishes are really great, I don't get the same level of shine as I do with Zaino. I drove my XLR there last year to pick up some of their terrific micro-fiber towels, and assuming I used their wax products, complimented me on the shine of the car. "You guys have won me on everything except your exterior finishing products, for that, I use Zaino." To which both the employees said, " Uhhh, yeah. . . " It sounded like they've probably heard this before. Zaino doesn't sell in stores, only by word of mouth, so it's kind of like one of those secret tips that normally gets handed down though tribal knowledge.

Don't take my word for it, check it out yourself: Wax half your car with anything out there and Zaino the other half. Drive a month, and you'll see what I mean. Wait another month and you'll be a convert; forever a believer. Why submit yourself to being a slave to your car's exterior finish? I'd rather spend my valuable time driving mine, instead!

There's a website out there somewhere that basically does the same thing on a couple of differently-colored hoods in a junkyard, and then shows pictures of the shine and water-beading properties taken over time. I think you can guess which product won. It really wasn't much of a competition after a couple of weeks.

Honestly, Griot's has some super products if you're a picky (but not pretentious) about taking care of your car. You can drive your vehicle into their showroom and they'll show you how to use anything they sell. As previously stated, their car care book can't be beat. Nice people too. Highly recommended.

CC

**Caddy2004** · 02-24-10 01:06 PM

Black is an especially difficult color to manage, but nothing looks as good when clean and waxed. I use Turtle Wax Black Wax with a 10 inch polisher and get excellent results and it's not that expensive. The black color covers the edges of any little swirl marks or scratches you might have. The black crayon they give you is worthless. Be sure to get the door jams and the inside of the door. It looks dynamite. I do use a lot of bonnets but so what. There is no white or pink left over. After you are done, take the car in the sun with a rag and make sure you get all the dried wax off so you don't accidentally get it on your clothes when using the car.