| Author | Message | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
New member Username: Kaz Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2002 |
I don't feel I have the honor to be here yet, I'm expecting delivery of my 1st 355 this Fri. However, my most recent car was a Blk Twin Turbo and I am really into detail. I have used every wax previously mentioned, including Zymol Vintage which cost $1400..but you get refills for life. Serious research lee me to web guru reports.com. This is an independent org which will send you an excellent report of every wax on the market..they accept no advertising money..the report is $14. So here goes my 2 cents.. 1. Wash with water only when you can. Macguires Gold / Griot's & Zymol Clear are OK. Anytime you use a household detergent you are removing wax. 2. Polish - I prefer P21 over Zymol - any polish should be applied in back and forth strokes in order to avoid swirls. I also use a halogen lamp directly on the area I work on and work small, 2'x2' sections. Rub the direction the wind blows (bumper to bumper). 3. Wax - P21 Footnote - Most waxes contain carnuba, which is hard as wood, and contain petroleum to disolve the carnuba. Now, the controversy is Synthetic Waxes.. Many say why not..just as motor oil has gone synthetic, why not wax. Synthetics have had great reviews..I have not tried it yet, but the Guru Report ranked Zaino as best in class. Finally, here's something I would never have said 6 months ago...but a GOOD random orbital buffer will out preform anything by hand! Only use a Porter Cable 3426..not cheap..about $200 & change if you buy from Griot's....but I guarantee you it will leave no swirl marks, won't burn your paint and will cut your time in half... | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 370 Registered: 4-2002 |
I don't think I could get away with washing that infrequently, as the car is nothing but a mass of bug splats after a few hours operation. I use Rob Garven's multi-bucket method, which avoids a hose ('GT4s will melt into a puddle of rust right before your very eyes when wet). | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 720 Registered: 3-2001 |
I use an old cheap sponge and a hose to wash it 2-3 times a year. Then I wax it with Meguiar's Gold Class every other year. It shines. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Junior Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 101 Registered: 8-2002 |
Eric: See the "concours/detailing" articles online at www.fca-se.org | ||
| Eric Vartanian (Evartanian)
New member Username: Evartanian Post Number: 44 Registered: 3-2002 |
Okay, circular or straight strokes, this is something I've thought about a lot--I still don't know what to do!! When I was first starting out, I used circular--no serious webbing or swirling ever a problem, but still saw some, very minor. Then I heard up and down on vertical surfaces, and front to back on the horizontal surfaces--even tried this method on a newly re-painted car to see if I'd see significant differences. I didn't. But, who knows everyone said to try it. It kind of ended there, and no further experimentation. But, I still would like to know... It's hard for me to accept new methods of things when the original had worked pretty well and seemed to be the widely accepted way. Is this straight stroke method truly the correct and better way? Perhaps I'm taking this too seriously, but nevertheless, I don't want ugly circles on my new paint when the car is finally done. Thanks guys, and sorry to kind of throw the sub-topic on this thread. | ||
| Todd (Tkrefeld)
Junior Member Username: Tkrefeld Post Number: 66 Registered: 11-2001 |
I use a leaf blower to dry mine. NEVER use a cloth to try. and when polishing use straight strokes, NOT circular.....Notice how we never saw a close-up of Mr. Miagies cars?? | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Junior Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 99 Registered: 8-2002 |
I don't have the paint-on-the-cloth problem with Finish First, not since the first 2 coats were put on the car several years ago. The car now looks like it's got clearcoat on it. | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 360 Registered: 4-2002 |
I have used Finish First, and it does give a nice appearance. However, beware that the claims by some that it will somehow build up and give a protective coat are false. Every time that I have used it, my polish cloth ends up with red paint on it. And, yes, I tried the 'polish once, wait, polish again' routine. The second application still rubs off paint. If it builds up, how come my polish cloth is contacting the paint itself? | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Junior Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 98 Registered: 8-2002 |
If you can't find Zaino Brothers' stuff, you may be able to find Liqui-Tech's "Finish First" product, which is very similar... I've been using it for years and folks find it hard to believe that my 308/QV's paint is really 18 years old (at least most of it!). Their website is www.liqui-tech.com Once you've used Finish First or Zaino Bros stuff, you'll never want to go back to wax! | ||
| John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Junior Member Username: Johndelvac Post Number: 122 Registered: 11-2001 |
I'm with Leonardo. Zaino and Leatherique for sure. If you are not using these products, it is because you have not tried them. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 693 Registered: 3-2001 |
Jimmy, Pledge can really make a car shine.... it's an old trick. But I was told the soft wax can get under the paint and cause it to eventually bubble and peel. Who knows? | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 599 Registered: 3-2002 |
Frank, you'll definitely want something to keep with the car, too, like Dave was getting at. Meguier's has a spray detailer, and Griot's has Speed Wipes. Keep some of those in your trunk with a towel for mud, birds, etc. | ||
| Jimmy b (Jimmy_b)
New member Username: Jimmy_b Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2002 |
A friend of mine won the V8 class in a summer 2001 Concours in London with his one year old red 360 Modena berlinetta. I asked him what he polished it with and he replied, "Lemon Pledge" (a UK brand of furniture polish for wood). I kid you not..... | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1056 Registered: 4-2002 |
frank sorry, dawn as a hand soap...... bruce | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1055 Registered: 4-2002 |
frank dawn as a detergent, does not take off paint, just a drop in the pail.. hi todd...... | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 484 Registered: 1-2002 |
I use Griot's car wash detergent to wash, a real chamois to dry, and Zymol Ital to wax. Also use Griot's Quick-Detail stuff to get bugs & road smegma off after a long drive. Haven't used a clay or a polishing compound yet on either F-car... | ||
| Frank (Fjt)
New member Username: Fjt Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks for your patience. Bruce is Dawn (I assume the detergent) not abrasive. What about daily washing. HAs anyone tried Macquires. Thanks | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 219 Registered: 3-2001 |
I also switched to Zaino, and am hooked. I use all their products, except for the leather treatments. (Leatherique.com for that!) | ||
| Todd Gieger (Todd328gts)
Junior Member Username: Todd328gts Post Number: 192 Registered: 6-2002 |
I use P21s for paint cleansing and P21s for carnuba wax. I haven't tried zymol...but am curious to compare. | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1054 Registered: 4-2002 |
frank this topic is one ofthe top 3 topics discussed here on f-chat, but since your new here, we will help you... for my tr i use" 1- a little dawn to wash and strip most wax off 2- 3m imperial hand glaze to get rid of swirls 3- apply zymol italia wax ( about 60.00) very happy with the outcome good luck, bruce | ||
| Jeff (Jeff_m)
New member Username: Jeff_m Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2002 |
I just used Zaino for the first time and it seems to be some pretty great stuff. Also easy to apply. | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 94 Registered: 8-2002 |
i find the tough to justify zymol argument kind of trivial, especially on this board. On a $100,000 car my view is i'd rather pay the $30 premium and give it the benefit of the doubt...what's the $30 thses days? And it smells awesome.  | ||
| Frank (Fjt)
New member Username: Fjt Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2002 |
Here was my list: To wash- Pinnacle Body Shampoo or Macquires Gold Class. Polish--I need something (Macquires or P21s) Wax--Lots of contraversy Is Zymol Ital worth it or is P21s or Macquires better. Tires--P21s Your comments or suggestions appreciated. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 719 Registered: 6-2001 |
Just water to wash. To polish Maguires #9. Art | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 93 Registered: 8-2002 |
i have been using sonax wash. I actually try just to use water unless there is alot of dirt on the car, then i'll ue the soap. U can use the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze to fill swirls and then i use the Zymol Ital to wax. P21s also makes a great wax. | ||
| Frank (Fjt)
New member Username: Fjt Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2002 |
Build a new garage and bought a 355 and looking to find the right products to wash, polish and wax the car. Your secret tips would be appreciated. Thanks Frank |