Twice a year wax - any recommendations?

M

mp5_toronto

New member
Just curious...



I have a few friends that will absolutely not wax their car more than twice a year. Heck, these guys didn't wax their cars at all until I got after them. They love how my car looks on a regular basis, but the idea of spending more than a few hours per year waxing seems totally absurd to them.



So, I need something to recommend to them as something quick that is better than nothing, and that will get them a decent shine. I'm thinking just recommending that they get the proper tools (i.e. MF towels, good wash mit, etc.) and some cleaner wax. I've had some decent experiences with Zymol cleaner wax - good cleaning action but crappy longevity. Maybe NuFinish is the way to go. Goes against my autopian ways, but they gotta start somewhere I guess.



Any thoughts?
 
Well you need to suit there needs over what you "want" them to do (microfibers, wax, polish, buffer and so on haha).



Just sell them on the idea of NuFinish.



IF they want to spend a little extra, have them buy Klasse or Zaino, tell them it will lasts 5-6 months and it works better than NuFinish.
 
Thanks for the reply. I figure I'll get them the right tools so that they don't do any more damage to their finish, even if they only use the tools twice a year.



I've tried to sell them on K or Z, but they won't buy the fact that these "online/mail order" products are better than the instore stuff. I've tried, believe me, to convince them otherwise, but they just don't care enough about their cars finish... :argue
 
Try doing a quick clay + polish / klasse on one of their hoods. If they still don't care, give up.



Other than that . . . NuFinish for neglected finishes or perhaps Meguiar's #20 polymer sealant for paint that doesn't need the heavier cleaning and abrasive content of NuFinish.
 
Well, they actually saw my car right after I had clayed and Klassed, and they were impressed. But they thought I was crazy for spending so much time...



Sounds like Nufinish for a neglected finish. I'm not sure I would classify their finish as neglected, but I doubt its had any wax on it for quite some time. Hmm....maybe I'll get them some Nufinish this time, then when they wax in the fall (or when I remind them to wax in the fall) I'll just get them to use #20 or #26.
 
Liquid Glass is another polymer that you can find pretty easily at parts stores (at least around here). That's what I was using before Zaino, and I found it to be pretty durable, shine well, and it's pretty easy-on/easy-off. The biggest downside I found was that it attracts dust for the first few days like nothing else I've ever seen.



Just another possibility,

Tort
 
I would get them onto Meguiars' products as they are readily available in Canada.

For wax, the #26 Hi Tech Yellow lasts long.

They can preclean with the burgandy stuff.

"Meguiars for the tires" is my moto now as nothing beats Endurance.
 
The cars are somewhat new. They certainly aren't old beaters. One is a Grand Prix, the other a Jetta.



I'm guessing they'll only have the patience to apply one product, so I don't want to recommend that they go and buy 2 or 3 different things. They'll just stare blankly at me like I'm crazy :eek:



Meguires consumer line is easy to find around here, although I'd definitely want to push them to the Mirror Glaze line. The #20 sounds decent, although I assume its got little if any cleaning properties. Since their finishes are likely gritty, I'll have to figure something out that they can use once a year or so that will clean. I don't think there is a perfect solution. If AIO had a more powerful cleaner maybe I'd be able to convince them to order a bottle of that. Otherwise I've got a cleaner wax (good cleaner, bad durability) or a polymer like #20 (good durability, little cleaning).
 
Well the All In One is nice but not really made to protect for 6 month without the Klasse Glaze.



I would sell them on the idea of Meguiars polymer sealent in that case.



What would be very ideal would to suggest this:



Buy NuFinish and use it once a year

Buy Meguiars polymer sealent and use it once a year



So the first time they detail it will be the "cleaning" and waxing phase and the second time they detail it will be the "sealing"



If they don't want to go that route, just suggest the NuFinish, they WILL need a cleaner and if they will only buy one product that is the best route to go.
 
I'm almost positive #20 has chemical cleaners but no abrasive. #20 lasts longer then any polymer I've ever used, but is lacking in shine. Before I put my TBird away every winter I #20 and then #26 it. I'll have to post a picture of it since it just came out of storage. Pretty soon I'll be Dawning and the Blitzing it so maybe I can get you a before and after. You can buy #20 in 1/2 gallon jugs and it is fairly cheap per ounce.



I use Liquid Glass on my Explorer and have tried Klasse on our Zuki. IMO both provide about the same protection. The shine/gloss/depth of either I'd attribute more to the prep work prior to applying either sealant. The Mountaineer may end up my first Zaino project on a personal vehicle.



But since these are semiannual jobs and they want an all in one product Nu-Finish is the way to go. $5 bucks and they get an easy on easy off product with some aggressive cleaning and good durability. And at twice a year that bottle will last forever. Have them try this for a little added shine. Apply the Nu-Finish to the car and let it sit in the garage for 8-12 hours before wiping it off. Ron K. got me onto this with polymers and based on my own experience it works.



The burgundy bottle Meg. Cleaner Wax is also a good one step but doesn't have the durability.



Or... do as my Dad. He had his bottle of Gold Class fall out of the garage cabinet last winter and the brittle plastic og the bottle split. So he took that and his bottle of Nu-Finish into the house, let it thaw and dumped the Gold Class into the bottle with the Nu-Finish. Last time I visited his vehicle and my little sisters Neon looked pretty good.
 
Forgot about Collinite #845. Very good and very durable carnuba. Also reasonable but I've always had to special order or order through the net.
 
Ok so this is what people are saying:

<strong class='bbc'>An all in one type product:[/b]

NuFinish

<strong class='bbc'>A polymer sealent[/b]

Liquid glass
Meguiars polymer sealent

<strong class='bbc'>Wax[/b]

Collinte Marque
Collinte Fleetwax
Collinte #845

I know all of these responses can kind of confuse people and waste alot of time if you need to go back and find something.
 
I think NuFinish is disgusting and won't recommend it. If you read the instructions you need to apply two coats for the product to perform as advertised. NuFinish stains plastic trim and is physically difficult to apply & remove. The only real benefit I see to NuFinish is that it's a pretty decent paint cleaner.

I think Meguiar's #20 is also a poor selection. It's a polymer sealant-type product, not a whole lot different than Z2 or SG. Your friends will need at least one polishing step prior to #20. What are the chances they'll do that? Zero??

For a true one-step I think AIO would be great but they're not gonna buy it so don't bother pushing it on them.

<strong class='bbc'>Geekysteve[/b] tested a huge variety of one-step products. If he doesn't chime in you may want to PM him and get his comments.

For a good quality one-step, I like Meguiar's #6 cleaner wax or Meguiar's Medallion. Medallion is great on new or nearly new cars and they claim it's their longest-lasting product. I've had great success with #6 over the years especially when applied by buffer. The shine and durability is between Gold Class and Medallion.

I've also had good luck with Eagle One Wet polish. An all-around good performer.

Even the Turtle Wax version of Zymol is decent.

Good luck. I know exactly what you're going thru. Ya know, if they like your car so much, maybe you could detail theirs for a small fee. Maybe not for money but for dinner one night or drinks at the pub all night or a hook up with a fine *** hottie. All those have worked for me. Be creative.
 
The thing is, whatever they use has to last 6 months.



Seems like none of us have a good all around answer, we all use numerous products for different task's. I guess we're too good for the common folk :nixweiss
 
I feel I should jump in here, since I am an avid Meguiar's #20 Polysealant user. I put it on both of my vehicles on a nice day in early November 2001. I haven't waxed my Ranger since then, while I #20'd the Lancer this past Saturday. The beading and shine is still incredible on my Ranger!



I have no doubt that#20 would be great for your friends. Everyone here is right about it not having much cleaning action to it. I use the "consumer" level cleaner and polish... then hit it with the #20.



Good luck with your friends.... I hope you can convince them. It sounds like they aren't willing to go as far as you in keeping their cars in good shape. :(
 
(1) All of us know that no product will last 6 months, especially a one-step. Maybe Zaino or Klasse will last if multiple coats are applied, but that's it. So it's pointless to discuss a product that doesn't exist.

(2) MP5 never said his friends needed/wanted a product to last 6 months. He said they didn't want to wax more than twice a year. Since most products are worn off within 90 days, his friends car's will be without protection for some amount of time.

(3) I have lots of friends, family, and acquaintances like MP5's. What I've found is that if you recommend a product that they can buy in a store, that's easy to apply & remove, and makes their cars look OK, everyone's happy. I know what my friends really want: They want <strong class='bbc'>me[/b] to detail their cars for them. At no charge. I'm tempted (sometimes) but if I do that I make sure I get something out of it. If MP5 feels compelled towards this direction, he should use the same tactic.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by bretfraz [/i]
[B(3) I have lots of friends, family, and acquaintances like MP5's. What I've found is that if you recommend a product that they can buy in a store, that's easy to apply & remove, and makes their cars look OK, everyone's happy. I know what my friends really want: They want me to detail their cars for them. At no charge. I'm tempted (sometimes) but if I do that I make sure I get something out of it. If MP5 feels compelled towards this direction, he should use the same tactic. [/B]</blockquote>
Tell me about it! :rolleyes:

Nufinish is decent for the people who don't like to detail much. It will clean and protect for a decent amount of time.

I hate to say it but if you want your car to shine then you need to detail it more often, no way around it, you cant beat around the bush, oh well, some people never learn.

I would just give them a bottle of nufinish and tell em to go to town twice a year, if it doesnt work out, who gives a rats arse, you told them they needed to invest more time into the car in the first place. Why do it at all if you wont do it the right way. Might as well not do anything because if you do something and your not happy you wasted your time, if you dont do anything at all ............ at least you saved your time.
 
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