What do you use
 

Hey Guys,

Since christmas is past us, and new years day is around the corner, I am looking forward to spring... I know its a while away but in only 2 months, March offers some dry days that will allow us to roll the ponies out for a little spin.

I am just wondering what you find is the best way to keep it clean and do you wash and wax in the off season.

This past year i used some Turtlewax Ice car wash that I picked up from Costco, my boss uses Turtle wax Zap for his chopper and harley's. He says its the best... I have a soft brush from Cdn Tire to apply and a synthetic Chamois (simoniz speed dry cloth). As far as wax, I haven't found anything thats great,

I have been reading in the Modified Mustange mag (dec 07) about some wax and such to remove small scratches ans swirls. Any suggestions before it goes for painting in a few years..?? I am sure i will need it after 5 or 6 years of driving... and sitting outside... I had to drive it for two winters but now its resting in the driveway as I have a company truck to drive around...!!

Thanks for your advice,

Grant

Iam a McQuires supporter. I use their soap and was surprised at how it didn't remove the wax after a few washes. I also use their NXT wax and instant detailer. NEVER NEVER EVER use a brush on your ride use a soft mitt or cloth. Brushes cause scratches and swirl marks. I have also found the absorber to be great for removing the water after washing and the micron cloths for dusting after a wash.
There is some real quality waxes availabl from ESHINE which I have never used but supposedly best on the market. Go to their website and have a look I think they are a sponsor.
Hope this helpsblah:

I typically use meguires wax also but last year I took it in to a local detailer and I think I will do that for now on. I was doing the 3 step meguires. You gotta figure by the time you buy the three products your at like 50 bucks plus the other stuff needed. I was also getting tired of trying new products that were a pain in the ass to remove. That and I drop it off its ready by the time I am done work and it cost like $100 for amazing results. When I picked it up the pony's were so shiny it was rediculous.

As far as the washing I use the Mr. Kleen spray gun so that I do not have to use a chamois. On my previous ride I was getting tired of waiting for the car to dry so I started using the simoniz speed dry chamois. After a couple months it had a lot of fine scratches. Even if I washed it after using it.

I would have to ask...What is the condition of your paint?
Is it mint, dull, fadded?
And on that note what color is it?

My paint isnt the greatest, so I use color cure, it really brings out the color in your paint.

If you have mint you could try that new turtle wax ice.

Or wait till 2000BLKGT chimes in he probly has some great tips :)

i was using mothers 3 step,,stripper, sealer, wax,, i had the car re-sprayed last spring not sure what i will use this year,,,

my '04 GT is black and the paint is about 8 out of 10 from far away and about a 6.5 up close...

Thanks for the help so far... very interesting...

Grant

I've got 7 year old black paint.....but it's been pampered and garaged since day one......driven pathetically low kms annually......and if the season goes well I won't even wash it......I've literally gone for 2+ year stretches without washing it.....just CD duster and quick-detailing and applying layers of polish/wax

I'm a huge Zaino fan here......their car wash.....quick detailer and polishes give incredible results......and you can use them in direct sunlight even on black.....with no smears

however.....if your paint needs help......it likely needs a clay...then some swirl removers applied with a Porter Cable BEFORE you apply your favorite wax/polish......cause if the paint is damaged, using a product by hand probably won't do much

for swirl removers......give PoorBoys products a try......they work very well

for polishes/waxes etc.......I'd suggest a synthetic cause they last a long time......FWIW.....carnuba waxes hold up for like 2 weeks and then stop protecting......so synthetics will help a daily driver from fading

with regard to products that you touch the car with.....microfiber all the way for everything

do yourself a favour and invest in quality microfiber.......I've probably got around $500 worth of various MF towels......some for glass.....others perfect for removing polish......others that I like using with the spray-on quick detailers etc.........honestly....the towels they sell at Canadian tire are crap

for Zaino......contact Tom at http://www.carpolish.ca/ Tom is very helpful....the "total protection kit" on the main page is a good one to start off....although I'd recommend buying multiple bottles of the quick detailer (versus the one bottle in the kit) cause you use it with far more frequency

for quality microfiber, Poorboys products and other choices of quality synthetics....contact Chris at http://www.eshine.ca/ Chris is also very helpful

spend a few hundred....set yourself up right......have wash buckets and mitts dedicated specifically to your Stang......I've got buckets here for each car.....and I'd never touch my Stang with the stuff I use on the daily driver etc

hope that helpsthumb:

How about you come over and giver' a wash and wax for me... ha ha ha, thanks a bunch, that really helped... I guess i never really knew much about getting that shine back, it looked so good in the show room and now its just slip sliding away. Since it isn't my daily driver and I will have a home in a garage very soon, I can get it looking good again and it will stay that way,

Thanks again,

Grant

I agree with 2000BLKGT, he really knows finish care.

I have been using Zaino as well, but lately Klasse has peaked my interest and I'll be giving it a try possibly this season.

FWIW, here's what 4 coats of Zaino and nothing else looks like on my old '01 with 20k.
Attachment 22964
Attachment 22965
Attachment 22966

I bought the car last spring, it was mint when I got it, but the Zaino really gave it a deep, shine. The more coats-the deeper the finish. Also very easy to apply and remove and does not leave residue on trim.thumb:

here's my 7 year old black paint in May of this year.....the key here is the hood is brand new with 2 day old paint.....and it matches the top of the fenders (and the rest of the car) perfectly.......if that doesn't say something about the protection of Zaino....I dunno what will

edit...and when this pic was taken.....the car had not had a coat of Zaino since the Spring of 2006....just dusting and quick detailing

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/141/140/196772.jpg

in terms of drying the car....again....Microfiber all the way.....and get a blower if you can

Chris from eshine has sold me quite a few MF waffle-weave drying towels.....they work excellent.....and this year he sold me a "blaster" for blowing most of the water off the car.....I was using an electric leaf blower before....the blaster is a piece the bikers use to dry off their rides.....totally slick piece of equipment

blowing most of the "heavy" water off the car before using a drying towel helps a ton.....and blowing gets all the water outta those little PITA areas that drip forever.....not too mention it'll dry your wheels and tires off in seconds without even touching them