Car wax & polishes

[Johnnie]

I'm going to be waxing my truck and my wifes car real soon. I've been doing a little research for the right products. I honestly don't feel like claying, waxing, polishing, etc.. I think I've found the right product that will take care of everything. Klass All-in-one polish and wax. I hear it's one of the best available on the market. http://www.autopia-carcare.com/kus-kla-10.html

I also read this great review by a DavidB (is this the same DavidB from SMF).
Klasse review

I want to take off a few minor swirls on my wife car and remove some of the gunk on both of our cars, nothing major.


What do you guys use and perfer? Does anyone know if I can buy Klasse at a local store or car dealer?

Thanks,

J

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Johnnie
Keep it Wet

[jww]

I am a traditionalist and am not much of a fan of all-in-one polishes. As much work as it is, I prefer my trusty old Turtle Wax paste and then do my Karate Kid routine.

"Wax-on. Wax-off"

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Wendell

Resident Woolfat Evangelist & anglophiliac. Have you hugged a sheep today?

[Johnnie]

From what I've read Turtle Wax is very abrasive and dusty. Klasse seems to get rave reviews by many high end car owners.

J

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Johnnie
Keep it Wet

[Trumperman]

Johnnie,

Do you own a buffer? When I lived in California I was turned on to the products here: www.meguiars.com/ I buff, polish, and then wax with Eagle Wax. It lasts over a year. Just my $.02

Bill

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Don't think......shave.

[Johnnie]

[Crunchy Frog]

http://www.zainostore.com/

These are the best products I have ever used. Pretty easy to use, but with fantastic results. Plus it smells great. Once you try it, you will never go back.


Larry C.

[Cavman]

Astro Shield is the best product I have ever used. Far & away the longest shine of any polish in my experience. Don't know how to post a link. It is huge in boat racing.

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John

Just smile & wave boys, just smile & wave. (Madagascar)

[Austin]

John, Klasse is a great product. I use it to polish razors. I buy mine at www.klassedirect.com . Lately, I have been using a product called Prima from www.detailersparadise.com .

[GregCavi]

I am a professional detailer, so I have high credentials on this subject. First off, to get the best out of your car detail, it is vital to at least wash, clay, and do a light polish. Although klasse AIO used to be a fine product, it was reformulated about a year ago to to meet new VOC compliance standards and is no longer the great product it used to be. If you want an all in once type product, go for Zaino All in one. It is a great all in one product that will polish and seal your paint. I would also highly (HIGHLY) recommend getting the Zaino clear seal. Clear seal is a product that is applied to the paint, and it self dries to your paint, no walking away. Durability on clear seal can easily exceed 6 months. That means no waxing your vehicle for 6 months. Just hand washes.

I have spent thousands of dollars on products, and tried everything under the sun. I can safely say that Zaino is the best of the best. While looking at the prices on the site (www.zainostore.com) you might think they are a little pricey, but the product is applied so thin to the paint that it will last a very long time.

If you don't want a full out detail, get this:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-TRIP&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=2

A price breakdown on the above package: You can get a car fully covered in the clear seal with 1/4-1/8 oz. The all in one will take about 1/4-1/2 oz per vehicle. The Z8 spray sealant (excellent after washes) will last a very very very long time.

If you want full bling, order one of the big packages from Zaino. Everything is the best in the industry IMHO.

Greg

[Johnnie]

Thanks Greg. What do you think if I just went with the Zaino AIO? Would that give me a good finish without having to do that other stuff.
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-AIO&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=0

I'm really not into car detailing over even washing my car but it's something that needs to be done and I don't want to pay an arm and a leg to get both cars done.

J

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Johnnie
Keep it Wet

[GregCavi]

You could definitely go with the ZAIO only. I would highly recommend, however, a thorough claying prior to application. If you use only ZAIO, you will want to reapply 3-4 times a year to maintain protection.

Greg

[Johnnie]

Do I need to reapply it every 3-4 months because it's ZAIO or because all cars should be maintained every 3-4 months?

Clay huh? Damn! If it's necessary, what brand do you suggest?

Also, is there a big difference between using Meguiars vs. Klasse or Zaino?

Can ZAIO be bought locally?

Thanks for the help.

J

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Johnnie
Keep it Wet

[GregCavi]

[Johnnie]

Thanks Greg. Once I figure out what I'm going to do, I'm sure you'll be hearing from me.

Will the finish last longer if I use Zaino Z-2, Z-3or Z5? I'm not looking to polish every 3-4 months.

Thanks,

J

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Johnnie
Keep it Wet

[GregCavi]

The most durable finish IMHO would be ZAIO then Z5pro and Z2pro (can be swapped) then Zaino Clear Seal and Z8. This finish should easily last 9 month. I wouldn't be worried about polishing with ZAIO every 3-4 months. TO apply it to a car, it should take about 10 minutes TOPS.

Greg

[Johnnie]

[GregCavi]

Think of it this way:

Initial, first application.

Wash
Clay
Zaino All in one

--- 3-4 months down the road

Wash
Zaino

(should take about an hour to wash and reseal the vehicle.)

etc. etc.

If your car is garaged, you can probably get by with claying once a year, but if it sits outside, you will want to perhaps go with 2 times a year.

As for applicators, The zaino applicator is best for the zaino polishes.

Feel free to pm me and I will help you through.

Greg

[ARenaissanceMan]

It's also important to pick the right wash product. Products formulated with detergents, no matter how good the brand, strip waxes and speed up the frequency with which you need to wax. Turtle Wax and it's ilk are wax killers. This is important to remember after you've spent 7 hours doing the Zaino routine.

Some new brands are going with oil based washes that remove dirt without stripping waxes.