I got my light colored vehicle to look dripping wet and turn heads...

[raybay30]

When I first got my convertible the paint, although good, was nothing to write home about. Just your common light grey color that displayed zero depth, jetting or gloss. Since I learned about auto detailing there was some success in getting a reflective and shiny appearance but it just looked so dry and dull still. I spent so much money buying different products and invested hours washing, claying, polishing, etc. Still mediocre results. Don't get me wrong--the car looked clean and well maintained--but it just wasn't enough to draw the attention I wanted from people. Over the course of my trial and error I there were two products that actually gave above average results that were somewhat noticeable--Pinnacle XMT 360 Spray Wax and Optimum Instant Detailer. The Pinnacle made the paint reflective and radiant. Optimum's gloss enhancers further amped up the the reflections while adding slickness, depth and jetting. Up to this point I used the Pinnacle or Optimum after washing. Then I'd cruise around town to gauge the public's reactions. A few people would always take notice if I used either product. So I had an idea--why not use both after washing? One Saturday Morning I did just that. Did the wash first with Optimum No Rinse and Shine. Afterwards sprayed the Optimum Instant Detailer and began drying the car. Pinnacle XMT 360 Spray Wax served as the LSP and at this point the paint was more than dripping wet--I mean it looked as though you could just jump in like a swimming pool. Gloss, jetting, depth, reflections, shimmer, radiance--it was all there! I was happy just driving home from the self-serve car wash with the satisfaction of finally achieving the wet look that once seemed impossible to have on my light colored finish. During my drive I was shocked at how many people stared at my car. I mean neck-breaking head turns and looks of astonishment...I never got any attention like this before! It sort of made me feel like I was driving an exotic worth a million bucks. Nah, it just looks that way. 

 

[Scottwax]

Any pictures? 

 

[Legacy]

You don't get jaw dropping paint from a spray wax and a quick detailer.  You get it from pain stakingly polishing your paint to perfection. 

 

[raybay30]

Any pictures? 

I didn't think to do so at the time but should have. The snow melted just today so I can only give you this picture of my dirty car with the paint covered in road salt, snow residue, etc. The wax still looks to be on there even after a week of ice and snow. I'll probably wash it this weekend and post new pics then.

 

[raybay30]

You don't get jaw dropping paint from a spray wax and a quick detailer.  You get it from pain stakingly polishing your paint to perfection. 

You're correct--polishing as well as buffing out imperfections is the best way. Though thanks to 21st century technology products and techniques can be used to temporarily make paint look almost as good. My paint, for example is full of swirl and scratches. The detail spray and wax help fill in/mask these flaws to an extent that the finish displays a flat, smooth, uniform appearance. The gloss and depth, especially under good sunlight would make most people think that I had flawless paint--even up close!


 


Of course an expert using a specialized light device or something would reveal the scratches and swirls..which can probably be eliminated by doing it your way. But my car sits on the outside exposed to the elements and everything else that may introduce flaws into the paint. Not everyone may have time/energy/resources to constantly buff/polish/wetsand out flaws. So I use the detailer and wax for now--and it gets attention like you wouldn't believe, my friend!

 

[Scottwax]

Proper polishing and Opti-Seal


 





 

 

[raybay30]

I'm jealous...even more so that you got your hands on an S2000!

 

[Meticulous]

You're correct--polishing as well as buffing out imperfections is the best way. Though thanks to 21st century technology products and techniques can be used to temporarily make paint look almost as good. My paint, for example is full of swirl and scratches. The detail spray and wax help fill in/mask these flaws to an extent that the finish displays a flat, smooth, uniform appearance. The gloss and depth, especially under good sunlight would make most people think that I had flawless paint--even up close!


 


Of course an expert using a specialized light device or something would reveal the scratches and swirls..which can probably be eliminated by doing it your way. But my car sits on the outside exposed to the elements and everything else that may introduce flaws into the paint. Not everyone may have time/energy/resources to constantly buff/polish/wetsand out flaws. So I use the detailer and wax for now--and it gets attention like you wouldn't believe, my friend!

 


<span style="font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';color:#222222;font-size:10.5pt;">I agree. If you have DD, live in an area like NYC, take your car to the car wash or wash it yourself, and want your car to look nice and shiny you could maintain the vehicle with a waterless wash n wax and spray wax. Yes you will have swirls, but the paint will be glossy and slick.


 


<span style="font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';color:#222222;font-size:10.5pt;">I live in NYC and it is very difficult to maintain a swirl free, scratch free daily driver. Today I had to get the salt off my vehicles and do not have access to coin operated car washes and cannot wash my cars in my garage. Took them to a hand wash and then used waterless wash n wax and spray wax.


 


<span style="font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';color:#222222;font-size:10.5pt;">While I do agree this is the right way to do things, sometimes you don't have a choice.

 

[bunkeroo26]

This forum gets a problem with detail divas.

Sure, we all know that polishing is the best way,

But the op is obviously describing a procedure that is better

than many other post wash procedures.


Legacys response is short of like telling someone to get their vehicle repainted,

when they were talking about fixing a chip or scratch.


Yes, we understand that there are better processes.

Why not try and get the best result from short time processes?

Some people just do not have the time or desire to go 100 percent.


Obviously, the OP got good results, as he stated that many people were turning heads.

Either, you can understand that his method worked for him, or you can essentially call

him a liar. The detail divas will do the second thing almost all the time.



Thanks for your time posting OP. I do have a question for you.

Have you tried any other spay waxes?

 

[dfoxengr]

It sort of just reads like a commercial. Not to mention he posted the same thread on autogeek forums and only after 6 posts there. Just seems a little strange but maybe he is really that excited abouy a qd. Not sure, but thats great if thats all this is.

 

[bunkeroo26]

My clients love this look.

I use ONRww, instant detailer gloss enhancer, sometimes spray wax, then a seal. To say that keeps like it, is an understatement. Sure, polishing would look better.


A client at a 20 million dollar dealership said that he has never seen anything like this. This response is very typical, because they are use to shammy crews.


We must understand that our perceptions and views are not always the same as people in the car industry. I deal with owners with 20 or 30 years in business, and I always blow them away.


It is not always the products or "steps" that you take, but the passion that you put into everything that you do.

 

[dfoxengr]

Sealants...right? Not seals?

 

[raybay30]

It sort of just reads like a commercial. Not to mention he posted the same thread on autogeek forums and only after 6 posts there. Just seems a little strange but maybe he is really that excited abouy a qd. Not sure, but thats great if thats all this is.

I suppose some people can only see the glass half empty  Not every detail enthusiast reads this forum just as not everyone reads Autogeek's. Makes sense to post on both to share information as much as possible doesn't it?


 


But even more than that--I wanted to reach that guy that was in my shoes not too long ago--unable to enjoy the wet look on his light colored vehicle....trying every product under the sun....frustrated to the point of putting the pressure washer to his head and almost pulling the trigger. If you're that guy and are reading this--this post is for you!

 

[dfoxengr]

No problem, I am glad this works for you then. Thanks for posting.

 

[Scottwax]

My clients love this look.

I use ONRww, instant detailer gloss enhancer, sometimes spray wax, then a seal. To say that keeps like it, is an understatement. Sure, polishing would look better.


A client at a 20 million dollar dealership said that he has never seen anything like this. This response is very typical, because they are use to shammy crews.


It is not always the products or "steps" that you take, but the passion that you put into everything that you do.

 


Just washing with regular ONR, I've had people ask if I'm already done waxing their cars so I know exactly what you mean. But this is an enthusiast detailing forum, so I see no problems if someone tactfully makes some suggestions to make a great looking finish even better. 


 


And passion goes both ways, doesn't matter how passionate you are if your technique and products are terrible. Conversely, you can have the best products, and excellent knowledge of detailing and it won't matter if you half ass it. 

 

[raybay30]

This forum gets a problem with detail divas.

Sure, we all know that polishing is the best way,

But the op is obviously describing a procedure that is better

than many other post wash procedures.


Legacys response is short of like telling someone to get their vehicle repainted,

when they were talking about fixing a chip or scratch.


Yes, we understand that there are better processes.

Why not try and get the best result from short time processes?

Some people just do not have the time or desire to go 100 percent.


Obviously, the OP got good results, as he stated that many people were turning heads.

Either, you can understand that his method worked for him, or you can essentially call

him a liar. The detail divas will do the second thing almost all the time.



Thanks for your time posting OP. I do have a question for you.

Have you tried any other spay waxes?

I've tried the common ones you find at the local auto store such as Mothers and Meguiars. Besides Pinnacle the only others that I've used with the Optimum Detailer have been Optimum's Spray Wax and Wolfgang..which is more a sealant. I think using ONR WW/Instant Detailer and just about any good LSP will achieve similar results as mine.

 

[raybay30]

Here's a picture about a day after I applied the instant detailer and wax.


 

 

[Scottwax]

Looks great in that picture! 

 

[apme123]

Mine is wetter then yours

 


My daily driver 2002 S2000 Suzuka Blue


 


Rotary polished with HD Uno  and  M205


 


and Sealed with Ziano Z5 pro

 

[Scottwax]

Mine is wetter then yours

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


My daily driver 2002 S2000 Suzuka Blue


 


Rotary polished with HD Uno  and  M205


 


and Sealed with Ziano Z5 pro

Wanna bet? 


 


Optimum Hyper Polish, Opti-Seal and Optimum Car Wax.