One Step Maintenance Product

C

cdmc

New member
Hi,



I posted this question over at Mequiars and really didn't get a very good answer. I am looking for a one step product that I can use to maintain a good finish on a Silver BMW X5. I live in northern California, so the climate is mild, the car is garaged except when driven (it is not driven to work as my wife uses it) and is driven about 500 miles a month. Because it sees so little mileage, it gets washed about once a month because it just doesn't get dirty.



So my question is, for someone that is busy, what is a good one step product that can be used to maintain the finish once every three months. I don't want anything two agressive and don't have the time to spend 8 hours every six months. I want something easy to use, and I have a PC to apply. The products I thought of are:



1) Meguiars #20



2) Meguars Gold Class Wax



3) Not a one step but easy, P21s paint cleaner and Blitz Wax (what I used to use).





Thanks
 
cdmc said:
So my question is, for someone that is busy, what is a good one step product that can be used to maintain the finish once every three months. I don't want anything two agressive and don't have the time to spend 8 hours every six months. I want something easy to use, and I have a PC to apply.
Click to expand...





ColorX or Duragloss 101
 
Isn't the 66 a bit agressive for ongoing use? It is the same abrasiveness as the 80 which would seem to be to much for maintence?



I looked at the Werkstatt stuff, how about the Prime Carnauba?
 
cdmc said:
Isn't the 66 a bit agressive for ongoing use? It is the same abrasiveness as the 80 which would seem to be to much for maintence?...
Click to expand...
The great thing about #66 is its versatility. Neither #66 nor #80 is "all that aggressive" and you can easily back down on the bite by using finishing pads, slower buffer speed, faster arm speed and less pressure. But if you need to "go at it" you can even use a rotary.



To minimize your workload a cleaner/wax is definitely the ticket. As long as you have a good wash regimen and aren't installing swirls you can use a less aggressive product like ColorX or #6.





PC.
 
cdmc- Heh heh, for some of us 500 miles a month is hardly low mileage :D (17K on my '85 Jag, 23K on my '84 RX-7, 11K on my '01 S8, etc.).



As mentioned, the abrasives in #66 won't be a cause for concern. They're actually milder than the ones in #80 even though they're rated the same (Mike Phillips uses #66 on finishes that #80 micromars). #66, Color-X, #6, or any of the other all-in-one/cleaner-product choices..you won't go wrong with any of those. But keep 'em off black trim unless you *know* your choice won't stain.



*I* would apply a quick coat of Collinite as a topper (you could do it after the next wash). The added durability would make it *easily* worth the time and effort. Let the cleaner-wax do the work, then let the Collinite provide the protection. In fact, *whatever* you go with, I'd top it with Collinite.



FWIW, my family/friends who couldn't care less about detailing just love the above approach.
 
The above recommendations are very good and would meet your needs, but I would make one suggestion. Use the cleaner wax of your choice, BUT when you wash your car, use a spray wax or booster wax like OCW, Mothers FX, DG AW to enhance appearance and restore some protection. Several of these types of products can be sprayed while the car is still wet - you remove them while drying the car...very fast, convenient way to keep your car looking nice.
 
cdmc,



I read your thead on the Meguiars forum but didn't pick up on the fact that your BMW is almost a "garage queen". Almost any process and product should keep it "lookin' good" for six months. You have had a bunch of good suggestions. Pick the one that fits. Just remember that synthetics do last longer than carnauba wax. What would I use? Probably NXT. With this vehicle being garaged as much as it is, the cleaners in NXT should do the job. NXT appled with a pc and polishing pad has even more claning capability.



Tom :cool:
 
Thanks for all the advice. I am thinking I might try the Werkstatt stuff that was recommended several times just for the heck of it. I prefer the look of wax and it appears that the Werkstatt gives a lot of this in a synthetic.
 
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