Waxes

[Pharkus]

In my short time (10 years) of detailing my own cars, I've gone from:

Meguairs Gold Class liquid wax -> Meguairs NXT 2.0 -> Swissvax Concourso

Of course the price of these has also gone up considerably, from memory the Meguairs is no more than $30 tops??? but the Swissvax that I got was around the $300 mark. Now that might seem a lot, but my first car was a Holden Astra Sri 2.2.Lt (wish I could have my time again and just bought a cheaper car), and therefore the cost benefit just wasn't there to buy really expensive wax. However, I do have this thing about keeping stuff in pristine condition>D

My car is mostly a weekend warrior, being kept undercover in a garage most of the time. I found the Meguairs very easy to apply and was very a very quick job compared with the Swissvax. However, after almost 4 months with the first application of the Swissvax I am thinking that the extra effort involved in its application (and price difference) has definitely been worth it for me.

Taking the car every 2nd weekend to the local car wash for a high pressure rinse off, the dirt gathered over the fortnight still comes off with a good spray. It's then a matter of taking the car home and giving it a once over with a bucket of water and a lambs wool mitt. Then apply some Swissvax Nanoexpress (quick detailer).

As a bonus the Swissvax smells like passionfruit!

From a looks perspective, the Swissvax definitely gives the car a deeper shine. After letting bake in the sun (as suggested) then rebuffing, I'm not quite sure it can get any more shinier.

I'm hoping to find some time this weekend to apply another coat of wax on the car as a top up. And will take some photos before and after to try to discern the difference.

Post up thoughts on what you guys are using.

BTW, new place on the corner of Canterbury Rd and Station St in Box Hill is providing free vacuuming for those interested. I'm checking it out this Saturday.

[Frenchie]

Lets see, I only really started my ''detailing addiction'' with my R32, I used Autoglym waxes...Satisfied but wanted to explore other products and see if I could improve on Autoglym range.

I have now been using Duragloss for last 8months and haven't looked back at Autoglym. I was contemplating between Zaino and Duiragloss and later found out that they were sister company or someone was sleeping with someone, anyways difference being price tag so I thought I would give Duragloss range a try and was impressed with the depth of shine and colour that Autoglym could not replicate.

I have been disciplined to clean my car every 3 weeks and if needed a quick wash for a shoot, I would use my Karcher with foam gun to clean the car, rinse, hand wash the car and to finish a quick detailer to bring my car back to showcar standards.

Happy sticking to Duragloss range as I can buy most products in large quantity, incase I ever needed to run a carwash event on the weekend !

[Pharkus]

Nice one Christophe!

I must admit the R32 is also the first car that I have started on this "detailing additction" on as well. Suppose it was good I got some practice on the Holden. I have heard that the Zaino Z6?? is a pretty good quick detailer as well. But I sort of skipped it all the in between brands and went with one of the more expensive ones.

So long as you are liking the product and it works for you that's great! Plus it should take you a while to get through even a standard sized bottle/tub.

[Frenchie]

Agreed and what great satisfiaction detailing it yourself. Talking about all this cleaning business I am due for some claybar action.

I like to buy big so my Duragloss 901 shampoo comes in a 3.7lt tub as the rest of the detailing range.
I reckon it should outlast my car..lol

Duragloss (http://duragloss.com.au/)

[dopey]

I'm using Zaino Z2 Pro with ZFX as a sealant (6 layers) and then Poorboy's Natty's Red Wax on top of this. It's a cheap wax, but it adds good depth on top of the Zaino. I've found this combo works nicely without spending big bucks but I will be going with something else once it runs out.

[Pharkus]

Agreed and what great satisfiaction detailing it yourself. Talking about all this cleaning business I am due for some claybar action.

I like to buy big so my Duragloss 901 shampoo comes in a 3.7lt tub as the rest of the detailing range.
I reckon it should outlast my car..lol

Duragloss (http://duragloss.com.au/)

Ahhhh but do you get to hand apply with Duragloss???

With my Swissvax you take a small amount of the wax into your palm and rub them together to warm it up. Then apply to the car with your hands! I loved the feel of smooth metal underneath!

[Frenchie]

haha no skin to metal contact for me....Don't believe Duragloss carry any though..

[10d]

Ahhhh but do you get to hand apply with Duragloss???

With my Swissvax you take a small amount of the wax into your palm and rub them together to warm it up. Then apply to the car with your hands! I loved the feel of smooth metal underneath!
Pharkus,
Don't your wife gets jealous with the way you care for your car? LOL. Car p0rn!

[Pharkus]

Pharkus,
Don't your wife gets jealous with the way you care for your car? LOL. Car p0rn!

Probably. Remember that RX8 commercial where that guy's wife busts him giving his car a hug? She was away overseas when I did the wax =P

[DaveXR8]

Ahhhh but do you get to hand apply with Duragloss???

With my Swissvax you take a small amount of the wax into your palm and rub them together to warm it up. Then apply to the car with your hands! I loved the feel of smooth metal underneath!

Hand/palm applications are only for particular paste waxes as it help melt and soften it slightly allowing it to spread and bond better to the paint surface. Although I dont really do it much as it does require a bit more time to do a whole car and with some waxes it does get a bit thick.

Both Duragloss and Zaino are great sealants as they both have the option to use it with bonding agents.
Though Zaino is a little pricey but the durability you get from it if you apply a few layers counts for the cost of it.

[DaveXR8]

Probably. Remember that RX8 commercial where that guy's wife busts him giving his car a hug? She was away overseas when I did the wax =P

I remember that commercial! My wife asked me ave I ever done that!?!

I just smiled ^_^

[DaveXR8]

Here's some beading shots on my wifes car which I sampled a couple new waxes from the Victoria Wax range.

Applied Chaos to the passenger side and rear of the car and Mayhem to the drivers side and front.

Used the wax on wax off method so the wax wouldnt of have sat for more than 5 minutes before buffing the residue off.

I found Mayhem slightly easier to apply as it seemed softer than Chaos.

Looks wise its a bit hard to compare as it is a silver car. Seemed exactly the same to me although it did make the silver look a little darker.

And ill have to wait and see how both perform for durability.

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/Ferrari%20Testarossa/DSCN0162.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/Ferrari%20Testarossa/DSCN0164.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/Ferrari%20Testarossa/DSCN0165.jpg

[Pharkus]

Hand/palm applications are only for particular paste waxes as it help melt and soften it slightly allowing it to spread and bond better to the paint surface. Although I dont really do it much as it does require a bit more time to do a whole car and with some waxes it does get a bit thick.

Both Duragloss and Zaino are great sealants as they both have the option to use it with bonding agents.
Though Zaino is a little pricey but the durability you get from it if you apply a few layers counts for the cost of it.

You're not wrong there Dave!!! The Swissvax takes me about 2-3 hours more to apply because it's a much slower process and secondly you really have to make sure that you don't put it on too thick. But then again, you do get the enjoyment of feeling smooth paintwork underneath your hands, mixed with that passionfruit smell.

Nice shots of the car!

[Frenchie]

Subscribed...

Keen to see results and your opinion Dave..

[Pharkus]

Look what just arrived!!! More detailing stuff, though some is for my little brother who has just bought a Mazda 3.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4643/picture039w.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/i/picture039w.jpg/)

Hopefully with the long weekend I should have some time to do some before and after shots after a rewax this weekend.

[Frenchie]

Sure sure I bet its for your wax fetishes :)

Look forward to see finish product !

[Pharkus]

It's not my fault they make it smell/feel soooooooooo gooooooooood!!!

I will make a project of it and post up in the members' rides diary some pics of my car too!

[Frenchie]

Nice ! sounds like a good project.

[DaveXR8]

It's not my fault they make it smell/feel soooooooooo gooooooooood!!!

I will make a project of it and post up in the members' rides diary some pics of my car too!

Keen to see the results mate!

[yarngti]

I personally use duragloss 105 sealant after the 601 bonding agent. I also keep things nice with aquawax after most washes.(have a bmp).

I have not found anything that lasts as long (1 to 2 times a year) and is so easy to apply that produces such a good finish (i am sure there are others like it though). I also have menzerna 1066F polish for ceramic paints as a one stop shop for polishing with my RO. (paint in very good nick to start with). I am very happy going down the sealant option.

Also have Pete's53 wax, and although I have friends who love it, I may try something else for a wax based product next time.

[saad]

Zaino topped off with Swissvax, applied by hand. Love it.

[Pharkus]

Zaino topped off with Swissvax, applied by hand. Love it.

Mmm haha another one, people just don't know what they are missing out on.

[saad]

I want to eat it, it smells that good.

[i-vtec]

Lets see, I only really started my ''detailing addiction'' with my R32, I used Autoglym waxes...Satisfied but wanted to explore other products and see if I could improve on Autoglym range.

I have now been using Duragloss for last 8months and haven't looked back at Autoglym. I was contemplating between Zaino and Duiragloss and later found out that they were sister company or someone was sleeping with someone, anyways difference being price tag so I thought I would give Duragloss range a try and was impressed with the depth of shine and colour that Autoglym could not replicate.

I have been disciplined to clean my car every 3 weeks and if needed a quick wash for a shoot, I would use my Karcher with foam gun to clean the car, rinse, hand wash the car and to finish a quick detailer to bring my car back to showcar standards.

Happy sticking to Duragloss range as I can buy most products in large quantity, incase I ever needed to run a carwash event on the weekend !

I myself also use the duragloss 601 and 105. gives a killer shine easy on and off application very happy with their products and find it relatively cheap. also heard the same that rumored to be similar or same as zaino also.

[Tensixty6]

Some advice please, car detailing guys......

Firstly, I've polished the car with Autoglym Super Resin Polish. I understand it's a combined cleaner/polish/sealant product. Second, applied Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection, which is a sealant. Wait an hour for product to bond. Yeh, whatever.

My question is, is it worth doing a wax coating or is the sealant preparation enough?

[saad]

Sealant is enough, but depends on how anal you are. It's only worth applying wax on top if your applying some premium stuff, as the EGP is really good stuff

[Pharkus]

Sealant is enough, but depends on how anal you are. It's only worth applying wax on top if your applying some premium stuff, as the EGP is really good stuff

Probs best if you can let it cure overnight in a garage as well Chris. Also, depending upon what sort of use your car gets (i.e. daily and out in the elements a lot) then it may not be worth the time to apply a wax product on there. The life tends to drop away more than a sealant.

[Tensixty6]

Probs best if you can let it cure overnight in a garage as well Chris. Also, depending upon what sort of use your car gets (i.e. daily and out in the elements a lot) then it may not be worth the time to apply a wax product on there. The life tends to drop away more than a sealant.

I've already wiped it over John. Left it for an hour after applying as indicated on the bottle. Nice an shiny. My car is garaged at home and parked under cover at work so it doesn't spend too much time out in the open. Maybe I could give it another sealant coating in a week's time.

[Pharkus]

I've already wiped it over John. Left it for an hour after applying as indicated on the bottle. Nice an shiny. My car is garaged at home and parked under cover at work so it doesn't spend too much time out in the open. Maybe I could give it another sealant coating in a week's time.

Oh, by curing I meant that as after you had buffed it up.

Another coat in a week wouldn't do you any harm. Just make sure you give the paintwork a good rinse before hand so that there is no debris there that could scratch it up. Your car is always clean anyway when I see it.

[Tensixty6]

I'll take it to a car wash John. What a good idea.......NOT.

[Pharkus]

I'll take it to a car wash John. What a good idea.......NOT.

Just proof of why I never trust those places.

[DaveXR8]

The sealant will be enough to protect the paint.

Most people usually layer a paste wax on top if they are looking to draw out extra depth from the colour.

[Pharkus]

Haha listen to the master =)

Practically you can put as many layers as you like. It's just a question of how much time you want to waste doing so.

[AP]

Does anyone know what waxes are good for carbon fibre?

[saad]

I think all of them really as cf is clearcoated usually anyway

[AP]

I think all of them really as cf is clearcoated usually anyway

My lotus isn't clear coated.. Just the clear gelcoat from moulds ..

[10d]

Most waxes would be fine with the gelcoat, AP

If you want, you can use the ones specially made for boats, since they got gelcoats as well.

[DaveXR8]

My lotus isn't clear coated.. Just the clear gelcoat from moulds ..

Polymer based waxes or sealants are great for gelcoats.

I usually use Driven Marine Polish which is similar to their Auto Polish for boats.
Great durability!

[G-rig]

I use Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax (http://waxit.com.au/brandproddetail.asp?prod=PIN312&cat=4&brand=3&desc=%3Cfont%20color=white%3E01%3C/font%3EPinnacle%20Natural%20Brilliance&name=%3Cfont%20color=white%3E01%3C/font%3EPinnacle%20Souveran%20Paste%20Wax) which I find great to use - not hard to apply or buff off. The directions say you don't need to leave it for ages to haze over.

The cost isn't too bad as the tub lasts quite a while and probably only apply it a few times a year. Couldn't see myself spending any more than that though.

I also use Optimum Spray Wax (http://waxit.com.au/proddetail.asp?prod=OSW2001&cat=40) after washing but don't need to apply it every time after about three times.

Both bring out a great shine and depth, which is a bit wasted now on a white car haha.

[bigwill]

i use menzerna sealing wax with collinite over it, seems to be lasting quite a long time.