[murdock]

I know these types of questions probably come up often but I have searched and I am still overwhelmed by the amount of products available today. It seems that everyone has their opinion on waxes and polished which makes it harder for someone not very informed to make a decision.
So I am looking to get started and I just picked up a new graphite G8 and I am looking to get it protected as soon as possible. Since it is new the paint looks pretty good and doesn't really need much correction (if any). I don't have a rotary buffer so I would like to just apply something by hand.
I have used Zaino in the past with good luck but I don't have any experience with other polishes and waxes. I would potentially like to try something else, a carnauba wax or something like that. I don’t what’s up with sealers and top coats so I have no idea where to begin.

Can some of you experts please recommend what exact products I can get started with?

Should I just stick with Zaino? Can I top Zaino with something like Zymol Carbon to get the best of both worlds?

I would like to purchase a 'kit' so I don’t have to mess with figuring out where to get a bunch of separate products.

Oh, and I am on a budget so staying under $100 would be best.

Thanks in advance!

[911Fanatic]

How often would you like to reapply wax/sealant to your vehicle?

[murdock]

I enjoy 'waxing' my cars but I put it off in the winter so I guess something that lasts 4 -5 months would be best.

[haper]

even though your car is new, it could probably use a quick polish - but i understand you don't want to go there right now. so here are some general notes i have on sealants and waxes i've collected over the past few months from posts.

sealant and waxes are very subjective so you'll get different recommendations from different ppl.


sealant

jet seal 109 $40
best if left on for 12 hrs, remove, then repeat (wrong ?)
best is left on for an hr or two, then left cure for 12 hrs, then reapply
but can be as little as 30 mins
hand or machine applied – machine I smuch easier, even and thinner
wipe off w/ dry MF towel
what is sealant:

chemical protectant that adheres to the paint
gives that wet look (conversely, wax gives a deep warm look)
lasts 2 – 6 months (depending on conditions)
wax lasts only 2 – 6 weeks
you shouldn’t apply sealant over wax

to remove

wash w/ concentrated car wash or CG Citrus Wash & Gloss
ISA wipe down

zaino

zaino says to just clay and apply sealant
they don’t offer or recommend paint correction
they use the name ‘polish’ for what I think are their ‘sealant’ products

From zaino site on what to buy to get started:
So for the ultimate, your shopping list includes ZFX, Z-2, Z-6, Z-7, Z-18 and a couple of #314's applicator pads. For minor imperfections, pick up some Z-5.
Minimum ZFX and Z-2


ZFX is the quick dry / cure agent to use w/ Z-2
Z-2 Pro is the sealant for all newer cars
Z-5 is basically Z-2 w/ some swirl filling additives
Z-6 is a QD
Z-7 is their car shampoo
Z-18 is their clay
Z-8 is a ‘grand finale’, sounds like a heavy gloss that also protection that doesn’t last very long. to be used after washes for that quick shine-up
Z-CS is a clear seal that wipes on and dries w/o the need to remove it. should be the LSP. its not meant to replace Z-2 Pro, but instead you layer them, Z-2, Z-CS, Z-2, Z-CS or Z-2, Z-2, Z-CS.

wax

is optional if you’ve used a sealant
most ppl use it over sealant to get protection of sealant but warm look of wax
sealant vs. wax
wax is a natural protectant that sits on top of the paint, does not adhere
wax gives a deep warm look
you can apply pure-wax (w/ no cleaning agent) over sealant
zymol – cheaper line received bad reviews; expensive, hard to use, doesn’t last

recommendations lifted form a post of FMINUS's
Zymol line, start with Glasur and move up, all the rest below are junk.
swissVax line, start with Saphir and move up.
p21s 100% carnuba – too expensive for what it gives
p21s – not good

name the list I really like:
#1 Vintage
#2 Concourse

Other waxes I love:
VW Red
SV Mystery
SV Concorso
SV Smaraged
Z Glasur
Z Atlantique
Supernatual
RB OE
TOL Trade Secret
CG 5050
CG 53
FK Pink Wax
Souveran
Lusso Oro
Collinite Insulator
Collinite Marquise

[murdock]

Thanks haper.
I think I'll stay away from SwissVax and Zymol as it sounds like their cheaper products are not that great and their great products are too expensive for me.
I am certainly not opposed to a machine polish but I don't think I am going to purchase a PC right now.
So I guess I will start with a polish (Zaino) and layer on some kind of wax after that.
However, can I go back to Zaino after applying that layer of wax?

	PC Porter-Cable Orbital Buffer 7424 or 7336. One of the most famous tool used by a variety of detailers, from weekend warriors to professional detailers.

[haper]

Originally Posted by murdock

So I guess I will start with a polish (Zaino) and layer on some kind of wax after that.

you'll get differing opinions, but if you want to use wax then i would choose a sealant like jetSeal. i don't have much data to support my recommendation except if you look at the detailers here, you will see the majority top jetSeal w/ wax while they don't often top zaino w/ wax.

might i suggest jetSeal and CG 50/50 or Lusso Oro, would fit your budget and many detailers here have used that combo. i've used jetSeal w/ zymol and jetSeal w/ no topper w/ good results.

Originally Posted by murdock

However, can I go back to Zaino after applying that layer of wax?

you shouldn't top wax w/ anything other then a quick detailer or quickie spray wax. sealants - jetSeal, zaino and such - are designed to adhere to clean paint surface. if you apply them over wax they don't have a good surface to adhere to. worse they can lift up the wax while you are apply the sealant and cause smearing and other problems.

as a rule, b4 applying any sealant you need to remove anything that is already on the paint. you do this w/ by washing the car with a heavy concentration of car shampoo (CG citrus works great for this) and then follow this w/ an IPA (1:1 solution Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) / distilled water).

[murdock]

Cool, Thanks, I will look into JetSeal.

Can you recommend a vendor to get this from along with the wax?

Anyone try out TropiCare yet? I haven't seen many opinions on this forum about them.

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

Jet seal did very little for me... looks were ok, did not blow me away...

The main *pro* about jet seal is that is is so easy to put on and take off that a cave man could do it.. the other pro is that it can be layered within 30 minutes

Save yourself some dough and get some duragloss 105 or 111 if you want to get a sealant...

The main reason you dont see people topping zaino with a wax is because most zaino users are die hard sealant guys and would consider putting a wax on it blasphemy.

If you want a great wax for a small amount of money that offers GREAT durability go for Collinite 845 Insulator Wax... search for my black G6 write up to see just how great it looks... It is a VERY underated wax, I think because of it's low price it often gets over looked....

[murdock]

Alright so I have heard some good things about Collinite. So should I put the duragloss down before the Collinite or does the Collinite just work over top of the virgin paint?

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

Originally Posted by murdock

Alright so I have heard some good things about Collinite. So should I put the duragloss down before the Collinite or does the Collinite just work over top of the virgin paint?

I belive 845 is not a pure wax meaning it has polymers (sealant) in it... I also believe the solvent content is quite high so you prob would not want to put it on top of a sealant

845 can be had a most napa's, carquests and even some big shops like murrays... I would start off with that if you are just looking to add some *shine* to your ride without getting into a huge process - Like I said it offers superb durability so if your main goal of laying down sealant and then topping it is to get durability with the nuba glow, 845 is for you