? for MineralRob or anyone else who wants to chime in

[travj31]

I know you do a lot of deatiling and was just wondering what type of wax you use? I have used everything from regular Turtle Wax to Zymol and it seems like I'm never satisfied with the end result. I did hear that the new Turtle Wax Ice is supposed to give a great shine, ever use it?

[mineralrob]

I know you do a lot of deatiling and was just wondering what type of wax you use? I have used everything from regular Turtle Wax to Zymol and it seems like I'm never satisfied with the end result. I did hear that the new Turtle Wax Ice is supposed to give a great shine, ever use it?


I've learned to get a really good shine its more important of what was done to the paint prior to the wax. Glaze,polish,paint cleaner etc. I've been using #26 meguiars for awhile. Its pretty cheap and it works great. Honestly i probaly use more polish than wax especially if its a metallic paint. I've only used the turtle wax ice detail spray and it seems to be ok but my friend has used there paste wax and says its pretty good. Wax will def add to the depth of the paint but like i said to really bring out the color imo its the steps before waxing that does it:)

[wick]

I use Topaz from Ardex. Amazing stuff to use. Clay bar it once a year and Topaz it a few times per summer. Nothing sticks to my car. HAHAHAHAHHAH

[mineralrob]

I use Topaz from Ardex. Amazing stuff to use. Clay bar it once a year and Topaz it a few times per summer. Nothing sticks to my car. HAHAHAHAHHAH

Is that the yellow paste wax?? I think i used it before and it worked good also:)

[Chargin2004GT]

Ive used the ICE. I love it. Doesnt leave anything behind...

[no1fordgirl]

I think its TLC, lol........ jk!

Takes alot to keep a car clean. I dont do mine nearly as good as some others, not mentioning any names :P but just the fact that I do try to keep it clean is the key.

I have only waxed mine once this year so far and use the quick detailer every other time for shows, etc. Most of my car is in good shape, so if I just wash and dry it, it shines nice. Put that ICE on it and wow.... it turns out like this ...

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r81/fordgirl_02/IMG_0327.jpg

(This is one of the reasons MineralRob wants my hood) :biglaugh:

[97LaserRed]

I've heard ice is not good. I use the same stuff as rob. I love it. It seems to work the best. mothers is decent as well. Imo

[no1fordgirl]

I think its all personal opinion, as with anything. I also think if you do a good job taking care of your vehicle, most products will give you the results you desire.

I also use Meguiars. I like them both.

Last year, my friend detailed my car for my first car show and he probably used something totally different than I do.

I like that 3M polish too.

I'm by far a detail person... I dont know products as well as some. I just like my car to look good :)

[mineralrob]

I think its all personal opinion, as with anything. I also think if you do a good job taking care of your vehicle, most products will give you the results you desire.

I also use Meguiars. I like them both.

Last year, my friend detailed my car for my first car show and he probably used something totally different than I do.

I like that 3M polish too.

I'm by far a detail person... I dont know products as well as some. I just like my car to look good :)


I agree about taking care of your paint. I think alot of people neglect there car then wonder y it doesnt look as good as others. Personally for me most of the otc(over the counter)stuff works well with the exception of some.


btw tammy ur call looks good in that pic.

[no1fordgirl]

Thanks Rob :)

[03 OW SVT]

I have used both Mothers, and Meguiars, for years and have been very satisfied with both. I usaully detail my car atleast 4 times a summer to not give the paint a chance to look bad.

[2002LXSport]

I used to use Meguiar's and always had success with it (All my cars have been black). I've switched to Griot's Garage and never going back. Griot's has some of the best products on the market if you ask me.

My dad uses Turtle Wax Ice and really likes it. He has a white Impala SS so its real easy to wax and quick!

Here's a pic of mine and the shine.

[no1fordgirl]

^very nice

[pwtmxracing]

try collinite it works well

[Terminated]

I use Meguiar's #26 as well. I don't have a buffer yet so I don't have any polishes, but claybar and #26 seems to work pretty damn well.

[PunisherStang]

what steps do you guys use? i have tried diffrent things, my car comes out nice each time but i want a mirror like finish like i see some people have, i get the mirror like but i guess not as shiny, maybe because i dont really use a polish like rob says.

heres my steps usually tell me whats wrong if anything:

1st i hose the car down to get all the dirt an grim loose an off the car
2nd i fill one bucket with ice wash an water an 2nd bucket with just water, so after i take my microfiber mit an wash a section i put it in the 2nd bucket of water to get rid of all the dirt etc i picked up (read it in a mag)
3rd i dry everything, 1st with a electric leaf blower, and then i go with microfiber towels only an wipe down all the excess water.
4th i tire shine the wheels an wax the wheels b4 i focus on the car
5th i wax, sometimes i use meguirs glaze an then meguirs deep crystal carnuba wax, it comes out awesome, an i have never had my car buffed, but i have tried an claybarred it once. i think one of my biggest problems is i have never had the car buffed EVER lol
im not a swirl monster or anything but i would like to see my car look more shiny like this....http://www.steelcitystangs.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7115&stc=1&d=1217274940

[mineralrob]

Getting your car buffed will make a big diffrence especially since its black.


btw.Also that cobra is def nice and clean from the pic but i could take a pic of your car and make it look just like that. Pics are hard to tell when it comes to all of the fine details .

Also something to consider??

Alot of cars that u see that have the perfect paint never see inclement weather and are probaly very well kept up(not saying u dont keep your car nice). Its another full time job taking care of a black car and most people arent really up to the task. Marks car(u1runit) is a excellent example of a black car that is well taken care of.:)

[Stangman701]

Getting your car buffed will make a big diffrence especially since its black.


btw.Also that cobra is def nice and clean from the pic but i could take a pic of your car and make it look just like that. Pics are hard to tell when it comes to all of the fine details .

Also something to consider??

Alot of cars that u see that have the perfect paint never see inclement weather and are probaly very well kept up(not saying u dont keep your car nice). Its another full time job taking care of a black car and most people arent really up to the task. Marks car(u1runit) is a excellent example of a black car that is well taken care of.:)

Rob is right on this one. It's all in the picture. I'd be willing to bet your paint looks better than mine. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to cleaning. My car has a good bit of swirl marks and could really use a good buffing. Might have to take it to Rob before the summer is over so he can get it looking the way it should :goodidea:

[PunisherStang]

my black pony is garage kept an i wash it with ice wash about once a week. but i def need to get on the ball with a buff job from you rob, but are the steps that i usually do pretty good as i mentioned above? besides a nice buff job of course

[wick]

Is that the yellow paste wax?? I think i used it before and it worked good also:) Yes it is.

[fork5o]

I normally just wash and wax and I'm usually satisfied with how it comes out. I use meguires as well. Plus my car is kept outside cause I still live with the rents

I've been thinkin about a little clay bar action so this thread it great. I've never done it before so what's it take and how's the process go?

[94REDGT]

the meguiars next gen stuff is really good ... the ultimate detail spray is much better than the origional

[03 OW SVT]

I normally just wash and wax and I'm usually satisfied with how it comes out. I use meguires as well. Plus my car is kept outside cause I still live with the rents

I've been thinkin about a little clay bar action so this thread it great. I've never done it before so what's it take and how's the process go?

I'm not that familiar with it but I can tell ya from experience don't do it in the sun. It will cloud the paint.

[travj31]

Rob, if you don't mind me askin'... what does one of your normal detail jobs run on an average size car?

[travj31]

Thanks for all the input on this thread... I'm a clean car freak so all tips and pointers are appreciated.

[mineralrob]

im pretty reasonable.i usually do cars around our size for $80-100.

[PunisherStang]

I normally just wash and wax and I'm usually satisfied with how it comes out. I use meguires as well. Plus my car is kept outside cause I still live with the rents

I've been thinkin about a little clay bar action so this thread it great. I've never done it before so what's it take and how's the process go?
__________________

how i did clay bar was, i washed an dried the car with an ice wash concentrate, then you take a quik detailing spray an spray the bar an the area your going to clay an you only do a small section at a time, then you rub the clay over the area but you just run it lightly over an you will feel the grim etc that your picking up. dont press hard or you can do damage thats what i heard, then you wipe it off an do another section til complete. but every now an then look at the clay bar if its dirty you knead it around a little an do it again. but an important note that if you drop it on the ground, DO NOT USE IT, just get another clay bar an start where you left off.
an you want to do it in your garage or a shaded area.

hope that helps

[no1fordgirl]

im pretty reasonable.i usually do cars around our size for $80-100.


That is pretty reasonable, considering the great job you do :thmbsup:

Do you travel? LOL

[u1arunit]

I use Topaz from Ardex. Amazing stuff to use. Clay bar it once a year and Topaz it a few times per summer. Nothing sticks to my car. HAHAHAHAHHAH

I have that wax as well Rob. It really deepens the shine.



Its another full time job taking care of a black car and most people arent really up to the task. Marks car(u1runit) is a excellent example of a black car that is well taken care of.:)

Thanks for the kind words Rob. If I had to drive my car a lot I would not have gotten black. Black looks great when clean and terrible when not. No in between here. lol

My system of complete detailing is:

Wash
Clay Bar
Optimum polish(only mild abrasive) applied by PC w/ med-yellow pad
Clearkote Vanilla Moose Hand Glaze applied by PC w/ fine pad
Poorboys EX sealant w/carnuba by PC w/ finishing pad
Clearkote Vanilla Moose Wax by hand with fine foam applicator

This is only if I want to start at the beginning though. Most times I only use the glaze, sealant, and VMW or if I just want to top off a near perfect finish I just use the VMW by itself.

It does take dedication to keep a show worthy shine on a black car. :goodidea:

[MBH]

^ very good process and products, Mark. I like where your heads at :)

I'm using up the last of my griot's products, I wanna try something new, although griot's products are pretty user friendly, I'm just hoping for some deeper/wetter results.

Since I don't drive mine much, and I feel like its losing some of the depth in the paint I usually will wash it one day, then the next I'll just apply a wax. I need to order some nice glaze and wax for the car and some new pads.

[u1arunit]

^ very good process and products, Mark. I like where your heads at :)

I'm using up the last of my griot's products, I wanna try something new, although griot's products are pretty user friendly, I'm just hoping for some deeper/wetter results.

Since I don't drive mine much, and I feel like its losing some of the depth in the paint I usually will wash it one day, then the next I'll just apply a wax. I need to order some nice glaze and wax for the car and some new pads.

Thanks Bo! To me, that is part of the fun of having a nice car. Stepping back to admire the results of a few hours worth or more of work. Picking quality products that work well together helps tremendously as well. :goodidea: