Wax

There are several car finish products that are competitive with Zaino in shine and longevity. NXT isn't one of them. Close on shine, not even in the same class on longevity.

 

Okay.
I put myself through a lot of angst in my decision over what to use on my new vehicle.

Zaino has the #1 reputation right now. And those that buy it and use it love it and swear by it. I think it's probably the best.

But it is harder to obtain and expensive. (plus I think it kinda gives some surfaces/colors a "sealed and glossy" look that reminds me of those corpses that are plasticized and put on exhibit) but that's probably just sour grapes on my behalf. Sorry Zaino lovers...

After much angst and hours spent reading reviews and solicitating opinion, Zaino was #1, followed by much respect for Meguiars products...so of course I...

I went to Wal-Mart and bought Turtle Wax Ice *Paste* Polish.

And despite not being very well respected by the purists and detailing experts. I'd say I love it. It leaves no white residue and is incredibly easy to use and apply.

Perhaps it's not quite as good as Zaino, or as long lasting but with a new car, it seems to look great to me.

It's ease of use is unmatched.

So even though I concede I went against popular recommendation, I would recommend the rather commercial, easy to obtain Turtle Wax Ice Paste. You'll get no points with the purists and show car people, but IMO your car will look great and it's a far less daunting commitment in effort and expense.

By the way, it is the paste...I have not tried the liquid.

 

The most important thing is that you use something (so I say as my 2 month old Prius sits outside yet to be "waxed" ).

If you are willing to give your car a re-wax every couple of months, I see little disadvantage to using good brand name waxes from local stores.

When you get right down to it, modern car paint looks good for a few years with nothing but washing. I will last even longer with good "wax" though.

 

The California Duster is the best $15 I ever spent. The finished product is not as good as Zaino or Turtle Wax but it's waxy, easy and faster.

http://www.calcarduster.com/originalDuster.asp

 

I had a black pick up. That I kept perfect. At one point I bought a California Car Duster, with the idea that I could maintain inbetween washing and waxing better and longer.

Maybe I'm just too paranoid, and the vehicle was black, but I couldn't get past the idea that I could be micro-scratching my surface. Despite what the advertising says.

Some people swear by them, but I was just too paranoid to use it. I tried it a couple of times, and I have to admit it removed light dust. But then real or imagined I was afraid it was doing damage.

What color is your vehicle? I think I'd use one if my vehicle wasn't black...but black is so unforgiving...

 

Thanks everybody for the wax recommendations. Something I heard a long time ago is that the harder the wax the better, but it's also harder to apply.

I think I'll go with the easy to apply stuff. But I'll make that decision once I get to the store.

Anybody willing to put in some free labor to help wax my car?

Dumb Mike

 

You might be right about the microscratches on black paint. I've never had a problem though. The cars I've used the CA Car Duster on is a yellow Mini Cooper and my magnetic gray Prius.

 

I use one on my 4.5 year old black car. It has some microscratches but I don't think it's any worse than other 4.5 year old black cars, Duster or not, that haven't been buffed out in the past few years.

Use a very light touch with the C. Duster. I don't even allow the full weight of the duster to go against the car.

Also don't use it on hot paint or it will make leave streaks from the wax on the duster fibers.

Unlike hwt was hinted in an earlier post, it is not a substitute for was or polish, all it does is remove dust and very small amounts of loose dirt.

 

You bring up som egood points. I should have said I use Zaino on MY cars. I tried NXT on my daughter's car and it is very good, but you can't layer it like Zaino (the layering gives depth or brings it out) and it doesn't last as long.

There are probably other products that are better, but I have yet to see a cumulative report on any forum indicating which ONE is better. Of course talking with Sal is sometimes worth the cost of the product he is an original!

All I can report on is what works for me. All my cars have been silver and Zaino helps to improve the depth on Silver (my girlfirend's car is silver too and I use Zaino on that).

3 more posts and I can links to some photos!

 

Agreed.

I've used CA dusters on my cars for 20 years without any issue. As you said, one key is to support nearly the full weight of the duster, and just let the tips of it dust the surface.

Also, use straight strokes (not circular) from front to back of car. Shake out duster (away from car) frequently, in case a large piece of debris get stuck.

It isn't a substitute for washing. It will remove dust--not advisable for dirt. My rule has been if the car has been driven in the rain, the dirt particles are too large and stuck to the surface for safe removal with the duster.

And never dust when the paint is warm, since it's softer then. A good practice is before you pull the car out of your garage.

 

Hard to obtain? If you're able to log on PC, you're able to order it from Zaino Store and it has extremely fast shipping (same day shipping for orders placed before 3 pm CST) and will show up on your doorstep before you know it. While it may be expensive initially, it's actually cheap in the long run since you use so little of it. I guarantee you you'll go through at least 20 cans of some tire shine spray before you run out of a single bottle of Z-16 Perfect Tire Gloss.

I agree with you on certain colors like silver where it tends to give a "plasticy" look. That's why I avoid Z-2 and only use Z-5 on black. I find Z-2 too glossy on black and it doesn't give enough depth. Also, the newer Z-2 Pro and Z-5 Pro are said to better in this regard (less plasticy look compared to old Z-2 and Z-5).

 

To each his own. My research did reveal Zaino as being very highly recommended.

I'd say "hard to obtain" based on the fact that you are forced to deal with one supplier through the internet and using home delivery. Whereas with Turtle Wax Ice or even Meguiars...I can pretty much hop in my car and go buy it in 45 minutes or less.

To everyone else thanks for the responses about The California Car Duster. I'm tempted to buy another one and try it again.

When I was in my 20's I really did not mind washing my vehicle at least 1 a week, if not more....but now? It's more daunting. Back then? If my car got dusty...I just washed it. If I could get away with dusting my car, without damage and prolong the intervals between washing while maintaining a decent look? It would be worth it to me.

 

I have a couple of California Car Dusters. I, too, am afraid to use it much. My wife uses it all the time for the stuff the squirrels are bombing our cars with. I just wash it again. The smaller version is great for dusting the flat areas inside the car.

 

I too have been using the California duster for over 10 years. I get a new one everytime I get a new car - every 2 to 3 years. Each night after the car has cooled down I dust it off in the garage being very carful to just sort of float it across the surface. If the car has been rained on or driven in the rain I don't use the CD. I have the smaller one for the wheels. Evey morning my car looks showroom fresh when I leave the garage. (I know, I am sick)

 

FYI--I had my first CA duster for over 10 years (and replaced it just because it seemed like it was time, not because it wasn't working anymore), and my current one is close to that. As they say in their advertising, they seem to work better with age. Go to any concours, and you'll see many CA dusters where the formerly red strands are nice and black.

 

Oh for sure, I have a few older ones - I don't throw them all out, I one (for ten years) on my girlfriend's car.

 

Bilt Hamber do a great "car detailing kit" containing de-greaser, wash, clay and balm/wax. They even provide all the cloths.
I wouldn't use anything else.
You've gotta use the clay to get the most out of the balm but it's well worth the effort.

 

+1 for Zaino. First time user and I am hooked. It was easy and looks great! There is a huge payoff for the efforts.

The detailing spray after a wash makes it look like I just finished a fresh wax.

The buffing out is very easy - any small missed spots get removed with the detail spray in between coats when applying. Misting and wiping such a slick surface can not be easier.

Only thing that I can nit pick is there is a dry or set time for the polishes to haze before buffing off that can be 30min to an hour (in relatively dry so cal climate).

Ordering is a non issue to me. Way easier than getting in the car and driving to the store, IMO.