Ive been wanting to wax my car for a while havent done it cuse i havent really had time(and ive been lazy)but i was wondering if anybody knew of a good wax to use.

Hey, if you look at the thread at the top of the page by "Detailed Image" there is alot of useful info in there..

But any how In the thread i asked about which wax to use and Detailed Image suggested this... Read the whole thing its useful and your car will come out looking AWESOME I recently purchased the wax(s) and I love it!

Lopster99 - Thanks for the positive feedback. That Mercades went under quite the transformation, I believe it was around 6 hours of just polishing and then the rest of the steps. It took around 9 hours to complete the exterior. I'm assuming your paint was not in as bad of condition as the Mercades was.

This is my routine I use when performing a show car prep on a lighter colored vehicle:

First thing I’d like to mention is investing in the proper washing and drying tools. A majority of swirls and scratches (70%+) come from using improper washing and drying products and techniques. I would suggest a sheepskin wash mitt, waffle weave drying towel(s) and a quality lubricating shampoo. The sheepskin wash mitt has the thickest pile which will pull contamination from the surface rather than pushing it around like with a sponge. The waffle weave drying towels are the safest towels to use on your paint. They are very absorbent and are safer to use than terry cloth, cotton or a chamois. Poorboy’s Super Slick & Suds is a high lubricating shampoo that helps effectively remove contamination from the surface. I’m not sure if you have these (or comparable) already, but I would suggest this Wash Kit if you are in need of some new quality wash tools and products. I'd also suggest picking up a Grit Guard Insert to use in your rinse bucket, which I encourage you to read up on the two bucket wash method if you aren't already using that. Once you go through the entire process on your vehicle, properly maintaining the finish is very important so you don’t waste all of your hard work.

After the washing and drying phase you would really benefit from using a clay bar. A clay bar will help remove contamination from the surface that didn’t get removed during the washing and drying phase. This can include both visible surface contamination and microscopic surface contamination (non-visible to naked eye). This will help properly prep the paint for the next steps of polishing and protecting. Until the end of the month we are running a special where you get a free 16oz Clay Lube with the purchase of 1 of these 4 clay bars.

We all know that its difficult to get lighter colored to pop and really jump out at you compared to a darker colored vehicle. In order to do so you have to properly prep the clear coat free of imperfections. First step would be to clay bar the surface if needed, then proceed to polish away the imperfections. The best polish I've found to reduce imperfections and finish down the furthest is Menzerna PO106ff. On most vehicles I would recommend a 2 step polish to really bring out the paint, but on lighter colored vehicles, especially ones in good condition, you can get away with 1 polish instead of two. This is a little pricey up front but comparing a coat of this to two separate coats of say a medium polish and a finishing polish, it ends up being cheaper per coat. A bottle should last you roughly 10 coats of polish if not more. I'd suggest polishing twice a year (Spring and Fall) or as needed.

One step I really like to do on lighter colored vehicles is add a glaze. A glaze will add a coat of oils and clay fillers to help hide imperfections that were not able to be buffed out. Menzerna Finishing Touch Glaze works great on lighter colored vehicles. This will add another layer of depth and gloss in the paint while temporarily making the paint look like its in better condition than it really is. This step helps add that wet look to lighter colored vehicles that is often difficult to achieve.

Afterwards, be sure to follow up with your favorite sealant and/or wax. I really like the look of Poorboy's EX-P and P21s Concours Carnauba Wax

With the exception of the P21s Concours Carnauba Wax which is hand applied, you would benefit from doing the rest of the steps with a Porter Cable buffer. We have a package put together called the Advanced Porter Cable Kit which will give you everything you need to tackle any detail. This will give you the proper tools not only to save you time and energy but to give you better results.

We have step by step product directions specifically for each product here on Detailed Image's Directions Page. I also encourage you to look at our Step by Step walk thru for the entire detailing process to pick up some pointers on what each step is doing and how you will benefit from it.

I know this may be a lot to digest, so I'll be expecting some questions. That would be my ideal combination of products and techniques that I would use on prepping a silver colored show vehicle. I think it will come out stunning when done correctly.

vnv727 - Thank you for the positive feedback, we look forward to being an active member of AudiForum.com!

George @ Detailed Image

I use Zaino. http://zainostore.com/. the stuff works well for me and you can put up to four coats on in 24 hours with the stuff.

for something quick and cheap and over the counter eagle f1 nanowax. its ok stuff. i just bought some mothers california gold, i actually bought it for the claybar but they gave me some carnuba wax so ill let you know how its goes, also ive had very good results with detailer pride waxes and products.

check with detailed image. i used the poorboys nattys blue paste from them and its ridiculous. let me know if u wana see some pics of what it looks like. best way to get those is when im on AIM, after 5pm eastern time. the s/n is the same

+1 on the Zaino. Thought it was a little over priced (mainly the shipping). It looked great but I didn't notice a huge difference in appearance on the silver like you would on a dark solid
but the coolest thing aboutthe stuffwas when I went to shut the door, my fingers slipped right off the door because it was so slick and smooth. Leaves your car feeling like a baby's bottom.. sorta.

If you don't have the time, or the products, have a pro take care of it.

Or go & purchase all the proper tools, if you cheap out, it will cause more problems.

The minimum you NEED...
Wash bucket
2 wash mits (one for uppers, one for lowers
wheel brush
Car wash
drying towel
clay bar & lube
cleaner wax
4 microfiber towels
foam, or MF pads for the wax.

The Menzerna cleaner wax is ok, it does a ok job of cleaning, & filling. But I have never really found a great one step.

If you are down on time, Zaino will not help you much. It's a labor intensive product.

ORIGINAL: 2k S4

If you don't have the time, or the products, have a pro take care of it.

Or go & purchase all the proper tools, if you cheap out, it will cause more problems.



Who are you talking to....and what are you talking about?

ORIGINAL: S4RiddeR
Ive been wanting to wax my car for a while havent done it cuse i havent really had time(and ive been lazy)Â*but i was wondering if anybody knew of a good wax to use.


ORIGINAL:alan93
Who are you talking to....and what are you talking about?

The original topic of the post.

My point is, if you do not have the proper detailing tools, & time. Have a Pro Detailer clean & wax the car for you.

ORIGINAL: 2k S4


If you are down on time, Zaino will not help you much. It's a labor intensive product.



Even though you are probably more experienced in detailing than myself, I don't think you are the authority on Zaino. Because according to Zaino's newsletter:


Whether you are a casual detailer or a more dedicated auto fanatic, Z-AIO should definitely be a part of your process!"


Sure they are trying to sell stuff, that's obvious but I do believe you can either do it casually or thoroughly and get great results.

I seriously doubt you will have "more problems" by using a one-step approach (http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-AIO&Category_Code=).

There's no real reason to talk down to people just because they are not as "in to it" as yourself is there?

I generally use Autoglym and follow these cleaning insructions (http://www.torquecars.com/articles/car-cleaning-tips.php). It works for me? Anyone tried Zymol - its pretty pricy stuff and I wonder if it is worth the money.

ORIGINAL: alan93
Even though you are probably more experienced in detailing than myself, I don't think you are the authority on Zaino. Because according to Zaino's newsletter:

Â*
Whether you are a casual detailer or a more dedicated auto fanatic, Z-AIO should definitely be a part of your process!"


Sure they are trying to sell stuff, that's obvious but I do believe you can either do it casually or thoroughly and get great results.

I seriously doubt you will have "more problems" by using a one-step approach (http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-AIO&Category_Code=).

There's no real reason to talk down to people just because they are not as "in to it" as yourself is there?

No, I am not an "authority" on Zaino, but have used it & seen it being used. If your car is in perfect shape & you have the time, it turns out great. If you have paint defects & don't have the time to put on more then a couple of coats, it looks like crap. It also doesn't work well in humidity. When done well, it's a awesome product. When done wrong, it just plain sucks. It's like baking a cake. If you deviate in any step in any way, it just doesn't taste well, same for Zaino. Also, Zaino, doesn't offer a real polish.

My point is, this is not a product for a casual detail, or some one who doesn't have time. I'm not talking down in any way, it's just the way things are. If you only want a "one-step" then get a good real one step product. I have not used or known any one to use Zaino's AIO. But most Zaino products are labor & time intensive. They are not easy to apply or remove. If you are uneven in the application, the car will look like it has stripes. You also need to strip everything off the car to use Zaino.

I really hope you take what retailers tell you with a grain of salt. If they were all 100% correct in the sales pitch, every product would be perfect for every thing. Every product will work different on every car. The process & results up here in Rainy Washington, is not the same as some one in Arizona.

Again, if you are down on time, have a Pro Detailer fix it up, then you just have to maintain it, that is far less work.

Personal favorite over-the-counter is Meguiar's or Mothers products, if you can only get to a parts store. If you have a Harley-Davidson dealer around, get the wax they sell. It's called S100. It's fantastic on any color, but on a dark color (dark blue, black, etc) it's unreal - you could practically look into the reflection in your door panel and shave. There is a "car equivalent" of the wax, called P21S, which you may come across - it's basically the same thing (someone told me the difference was mainly the size of the container). They're incredible waxes - easy to use and a really brilliant shine. There's a paint cleanser by the same name, which would be a good idea to do (at least every few times you wax), and the combination of the two is really amazing.

I've pretty much tried all the major brands. From the over the counter stuff like Meguires, to the mail order only stuff with cult-like followings like Zaino (original and quickdry), to expensive stuff like zymol (i still have some in my fridge!). My newest favorite is a system by Menzerna! It's a synthetic polymer like Zaino.

Like others have said, wash the car and then claybar. Any clay bar will do. Then you start with Menzerna Final Polish II. Then comes the Menzerna Finishing Touch Glaze for the wet look. Finally, a coat of the Menzerna FMJ (Full Molecular Jacket). I use a Porter Cable Random Orbital Buffer with various pads to apply, and I use microfiber cloths to remove by hand. Each of these products is easier to remove than the one used before it. The FMJ goes on and off like butter! This system looks at least as good as zaino when you are done, and trust me... it is soooo much easier to use. And much quicker, too! To keep up the shine, use their High Gloss Acrylic Shield and their car wash Shampoo. Keep layering the FMJ if you want for even more shine. Do yourself a favor and pick some up next time you run out of your current stuff.
Here's the whole kit if you are starting from scratch. Or you can get the stuff separately.
http://properautocare.com/reshkit.html

If you want something a little easier (less steps) try Klasse products.
The All-In-One by itself or follow it with the High Gloss Sealant Glaze for a longer lasting shine/protection.
This was my favorite product before I tried Menzerna's new stuff.
http://properautocare.com/klasconkit.html


I'm not affiliated with the above website but I am a long time happy customer.
Great customer service and good prices.

I'm thinking of going with the Klasse's kit... but I was wondering if I should get something else (and what) to remove scratches like http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh94/cr1mz/P1000763.jpg (between 2.7 and T)
...and deeper [&o]

it sucks for the guys with lighter color cars, it doesnt make as dramatic of a difference as compared to black paint, ya know?

I started using the Mequiars 3 step (cleaner, polish, and wax) when I had my Ranger. What sold me on it was after I was done, the cloth that I had been using slid off the hood because it was so smooth. It takes a while, and your arm gets tired after aplying and removing each of the three products, but the results are awsome. Especially on my black beauty.

Heres a voice from experience. I asked the same question a few months ago for my 2005 red S4 and let me tell you that Greg from Det Im. knowshis stuff! Audi's paint is like a bullit proof vest so you need to use something pretty strong. I have never used Zaino before so I do not know the pros and cons, but for me Menzerna is the way to go. I used Intense Polish with a orange pad, Final Polish IIwith a white pad and Poor Boys Sealant with a red pad. My pads and polishercame from Griots and all polishes from Detailed Image. No pics yet but some are sure to come. Hope this helps out!! Pops from Chicago!!![:@]