Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby?

tarapup · 03-21-2008, 09:06 PM

Hi, all. I'm a newbie. Just picked up my '08 Metallic Grey yesterday!

Please be gentle. I'm usually a "go to the wash, tell them what I want, and wait" kind o'girl. But with this car, I plan to try to handle it myself.

Okay, at least for now.

I have all the products...I'm prepared. But I don't have the WAX or a clear coat protectant kind o'deal.

Your recommendations and experience, please?

Thanks, Mary

barbaram · 03-21-2008, 09:20 PM

Check out the ZAINO threads!
Best stuff I've ever used and very easy!!!!!

Bill Merchant · 03-22-2008, 02:20 AM

I agree with Barbara M. Zaino is amazing. You won't believe how your car can gleam, and it smells good!

longrider · 03-22-2008, 01:05 PM

I'll 3rd on the Zaino products. That's all I use on my Corvette. It's not a wax, but a polish and boy does it work. Some people find the instructions a little confusing but I highly recommend it. I'll never use wax again.
No matter what you decide, you'll want to start out by "claying" your cars finish. It's very easy to do and the clay bar will pull surface contaminants out of the paint so you have a nice clean surface to shine up. I think McGuire's and Griot's websites actually have videos you can watch to see how it works.

**Tideland Prius** · 03-23-2008, 02:33 PM

Did you check the Sticky at the top of this forum?

http://priuschat.com/forums/care-mai...r-vehicle.html

rigormortis · 03-24-2008, 05:58 AM

your probably going to get a lot of responses and plugs for zaino
on this one!!!!

consumers reprorts reccomends only using spray on wax on a new car

and a non abraisive wax like black magic (8.42 a bottle on amazon) is rated highly

patsparks · 03-24-2008, 07:16 AM

I use Turtle Wax, cotton cloth and Elbow Grease.

Wash and dry the car in the shade with a good car wash, I like Turtle Wash. Leave the car to dry for an hour after using a chamois to remove as much water as possible.
Put wax on clean rag, rub onto the panel in a circular motion making it look dull, add more wax to rag if needed to cover the panel, allow to dry then using a clean cloth buff to a mirror shine.
Avoid getting wax in rubber parts.
Start with the roof, bonnet and hatch then at a corner and work around the car.

NEVER polish in the direct sunshine or if it is really hot.

Repeat once or twice a year depending on your environment.

strider5 · 03-24-2008, 10:42 AM

I've been using Zaino for years on various cars. no offense, but forget elbow grease and waxes that only last a month or two.

I switched to Zaino Z-CS not long ago and really like it. even easier than Z2. you spray it on like windex, wipe it around and let it dry. no removal necessary.

expensive, but what is your time and "elbow grease" worth?

I find that zaino lasts about 6 months. it is NOT a polish though, so it is best if you start using it when your car is new, otherwise you will need to polish out swirlmarks and then apply. zaino on top of swirls will just end up in a really shiny swirled car

rigormortis · 03-25-2008, 06:07 AM

turtle wax wasn't rated highly, its really one of the more
abrasive automotive waxes

xsmatt81 · 03-27-2008, 08:40 AM

ao over to autogeek.net

they have a ton of stuff. Since your car is new it wont really need a polish, although some would say to clay a new car..it wont hurt anything just be sure you use plenty of lubrication, like mequiars OD. Wash car first, CLAY(this only needs to be done twice a year imo) What I do is this in order. 1.)Pinnacle XMT claze polish #1, very fine. 2.) coat of techwaxNXT paste..and usually call it done then, the NXT will take some time to "set" depends on your climate. You can top it off with a carnauba wax to really make it stand out. Never used Zaino, but hear it's the bomb. Most of these products are very good quality, and I gotta say techwax does last, and for quite a while..normally 3 months in paste form.

Just be sure to wash properly and you should be fine in regards to swirls, your always gonna have a few here and there, but dont loose sleep over it. I have a black car and it can drive you mad. Im thinking of picking up the porter cable DA for the swirls one of these days.

03-21-2008, 09:20 PM	#2
barbaram Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 819 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 25 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? Check out the ZAINO threads! Best stuff I've ever used and very easy!!!!!

03-22-2008, 02:20 AM	#3
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,100 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 18 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 60	Re: Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? I agree with Barbara M. Zaino is amazing. You won't believe how your car can gleam, and it smells good!

03-22-2008, 01:05 PM	#4
longrider soxfan Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: methuen ma Posts: 15 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? I'll 3rd on the Zaino products. That's all I use on my Corvette. It's not a wax, but a polish and boy does it work. Some people find the instructions a little confusing but I highly recommend it. I'll never use wax again. No matter what you decide, you'll want to start out by "claying" your cars finish. It's very easy to do and the clay bar will pull surface contaminants out of the paint so you have a nice clean surface to shine up. I think McGuire's and Griot's websites actually have videos you can watch to see how it works.

03-23-2008, 02:33 PM	#5
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,616 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 228 Thanked 344 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 23	Re: Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? Did you check the Sticky at the top of this forum? http://priuschat.com/forums/care-mai...r-vehicle.html

03-24-2008, 05:58 AM	#6
rigormortis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 1,313 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? your probably going to get a lot of responses and plugs for zaino on this one!!!! consumers reprorts reccomends only using spray on wax on a new car and a non abraisive wax like black magic (8.42 a bottle on amazon) is rated highly

03-21-2008, 09:06 PM	#1
tarapup Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 13 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? Hi, all. I'm a newbie. Just picked up my '08 Metallic Grey yesterday! Please be gentle. I'm usually a "go to the wash, tell them what I want, and wait" kind o'girl. But with this car, I plan to try to handle it myself. Okay, at least for now. I have all the products...I'm prepared. But I don't have the WAX or a clear coat protectant kind o'deal. Your recommendations and experience, please? Thanks, Mary

03-24-2008, 07:16 AM	#7
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,229 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 124 Thanked 181 Times in 139 Posts Friends: 33	Re: Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? I use Turtle Wax, cotton cloth and Elbow Grease. Wash and dry the car in the shade with a good car wash, I like Turtle Wash. Leave the car to dry for an hour after using a chamois to remove as much water as possible. Put wax on clean rag, rub onto the panel in a circular motion making it look dull, add more wax to rag if needed to cover the panel, allow to dry then using a clean cloth buff to a mirror shine. Avoid getting wax in rubber parts. Start with the roof, bonnet and hatch then at a corner and work around the car. NEVER polish in the direct sunshine or if it is really hot. Repeat once or twice a year depending on your environment. __________________ All the warranty I need. Still averaging 4.4L/100km across town 2004 silver base model Prius Shark fin, genuine mudflaps, colour matched side mouldings, rear bumper scuff guard, sheepskin seats, BT Plate. I love it!

03-24-2008, 10:42 AM	#8
strider5 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philly Posts: 48 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? I've been using Zaino for years on various cars. no offense, but forget elbow grease and waxes that only last a month or two. I switched to Zaino Z-CS not long ago and really like it. even easier than Z2. you spray it on like windex, wipe it around and let it dry. no removal necessary. expensive, but what is your time and "elbow grease" worth? I find that zaino lasts about 6 months. it is NOT a polish though, so it is best if you start using it when your car is new, otherwise you will need to polish out swirlmarks and then apply. zaino on top of swirls will just end up in a really shiny swirled car __________________

03-25-2008, 06:07 AM	#9
rigormortis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 1,313 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? turtle wax wasn't rated highly, its really one of the more abrasive automotive waxes

03-27-2008, 08:40 AM	#10
xsmatt81 non-AARP Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vegas Posts: 511 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Newbie (be gentle!): How do I wax my baby? ao over to autogeek.net they have a ton of stuff. Since your car is new it wont really need a polish, although some would say to clay a new car..it wont hurt anything just be sure you use plenty of lubrication, like mequiars OD. Wash car first, CLAY(this only needs to be done twice a year imo) What I do is this in order. 1.)Pinnacle XMT claze polish #1, very fine. 2.) coat of techwaxNXT paste..and usually call it done then, the NXT will take some time to "set" depends on your climate. You can top it off with a carnauba wax to really make it stand out. Never used Zaino, but hear it's the bomb. Most of these products are very good quality, and I gotta say techwax does last, and for quite a while..normally 3 months in paste form. Just be sure to wash properly and you should be fine in regards to swirls, your always gonna have a few here and there, but dont loose sleep over it. I have a black car and it can drive you mad. Im thinking of picking up the porter cable DA for the swirls one of these days.