Wax suggestions, please!!

B

Boongie

New member
Hi all:

I am new to this site and also new to high-end car care products. I have a new Dodge Grand Caravan with silver metallic paint. In doing searches on this site, it seems that three car waxes get recommended the most. I have summarized what I have read below and am looking for any thoughts from you experts:

1. Blitz wax: the most durable of the three, very good shine, but leaves a residue on plastic trim.

2. Pinnacle Souveran wax: the least durable of the three, excellent shine, can be used on urethane bumpers and plastic trim (per the manufacturer).

3. P21S wax: durability in between Blitz and Souveran, excellent shine, should not be used on bumpers and plastic trim (per the manufacturer).

4. Zymol Creame wax: I was orginally interested in the Zymol product line but cannot find a lot of information about it on this web site other than some of their waxes are overpriced.



I am leaning toward P21s or Souveran but would like some feedback. Also, is there any benefit in staying within a product vendors line (such as using Pinnacle for wash, wax, wheels, etc.) or do most of you mix vendor's products?



I have also read that some of you apply a carnauba wax first then apply a synthetic product like Klasse, Blackfire, or Zaino. Is this really worth the effort with a silver metallic colored vehicle?



Finally, I would like any recommendations on other car care products such as:

1. wash

2. pre-wax cleaner (and do I really need one with a new car?)

3. aluminum wheel care

4. interior plastic trim and dashboard care

5. fabric treatment

6. washing and wax wipe materials (microfiber seems more popular than cotton cloth)



Sorry for the length of this message, but like I said, I am new to this kind of stuff (having previously used Turtle Wax).



Thanks in advance for any feedback!
 
I'll only comment on your pre wax cleaner question.

Mothers clay bar before you wax for the first time with what ever you use will really improve your paint finish.
 
P21S OR BLITZ OR if you have the money SOUVERN any of the 3 will make your car look nice. How long do they last 5-7 weeks but that's the beauty of it you can wax again and waxing is THERPY
 
I would suggest that you do a search on each of the products you are considering, but DavidB's book, or at the very least, go over his articles carefully, and then ask more specific questions. Having said that, I can address a couple of the questions.



1) Pre-wax cleaner. This will remove stains and old wax. Won't remove swirls. I would only use this if you have already waxed the car already, but as kbshadow suggested, you should clay bar, probably after a Dawn wash. There are always contaminants such as rail dust, even in new cars. The Pre-Wax cleaner won't take care of that. The clay bar will make the paint silky smooth.



2) Carnauba-polymer. You have that backwards. Doing a search will net you answers. Many people will wax on top of Klasse, but not only with a pure carnauba, as the ones you have listed. Polymers will not bond on the top of the wax.



If you are willing to wax at least once a month, any of the waxes you have listed will be greated. But the results are going to depend on your prep, so don't skimp on that part.
 
Welcome to Autopia, Boongie (not your real name, I assume).



I highly recommend purchasing The Autopia Guide To Detailing. For newbies to this level of detailing it is a great foundation of info on not only products but tools, tips, and techniques. I think its a must have for all newbies. You can get it at www.autopia-carcare.com.



Another publication I highly recommend is The Wax Test magazine. They tested 46 waxes and polishes and offer detailing analysis of each. Since they do not accept advertising and are not affiliated with any product mfr or supplier, their testing was about as unbiased as you can get; some of their commentary is pretty harsh. You can buy it at www.thewaxtest.org.



Start with some solid fundamentals and info then decide what products you want and what your detailing strategy will be.



Good luck.
 
For a silver car, I guess you should use Paste Glaz instead of souveran. That's what Pinnacle recommends (box says so). Besides, it 's a bit cheaper and last longer than Souveran if I remember correctly.
 
all your choices are fine.

The downside for Zymol is durability, It fades after a few days. That is why people in this forum do not recommend it.

:bounce
 
My suggestion :



Go One Grand from Soup to Nuts.



They have the products for all your detailing needs.



I wish I new this in 1978 as it would of saved me

a lot of money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top