Buffer / Wax Advice

[55312]

Back to the original question.........

I use Griot products and the orbital polisher they sell. I've been using them for years now and am happy with them. It takes the better part of a weekend in the spring to wash, clay, polish and wax but it's only once a year and gives you a good opportunity to see whats going on with the body. After that, I use a California duster and the spray detailing cleaner.

Tim

[blown871]

a good wax... and really keep up on it with a good spary wax....
the car will continue to shine.....
--
(I have another car that I do this with.. and have had the car judged favorably at some shows)
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... If I had my choice....DRIVE it....I am very guilty of overthinking anything in the winter months in upstate NY.. and creating more work for myself... and spending $.....
Life is too short....

just my .02

[rgnbull1227]

Originally Posted by saturnkk

Consumer Reports didn't rate Pinnacle. Do you like it better than Meguiar's and New Finish? Have you tried those too...

Mothers rated about in the middle of the pack. I used to use 10-15 years ago. I think that I like their leather cleaner/conditioner at that time.

I also use Pinnacle. Been using it on my exotics since the mid 90's and best I've used and I've tried them all. Way better than Meguiars in my opinion.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by blown871

I am very guilty of overthinking anything in the winter months in upstate NY.. and creating more work for myself... and spending $.....
Life is too short....

Bench racing and imagineering is the only way we get through these "non-driving" months here in New York! However we do appreciate our cars more than than those 12 months a year SoCal guys do....the two best drives of the year are the first one and the last one......................

[rpatton3]

I agree. Bench racing and cold weather projects are all some of us do til spring.

[Varmit]

Originally Posted by littlewave

That is all? Do you have time to drive? Not trying to pick a fight. But really? My COBRA is not finshed yet but I had a "69" vette and washed it and used the same wax as my every day driver. I took it to shows but did not enter it. I drove it!

takes about 2 to 3 hours and a couple of beers

[Bod]

Anyone using the Surf City Garage products and are they rated ??

[GLS-BDR226]

Originally Posted by 55312

Back to the original question.........

I use Griot products and the orbital polisher they sell. I've been using them for years now and am happy with them. It takes the better part of a weekend in the spring to wash, clay, polish and wax but it's only once a year and gives you a good opportunity to see whats going on with the body. After that, I use a California duster and the spray detailing cleaner.

Tim

I too use Griot's products and the orbital polishers. I've been very happy with the results.

[cdog]

I would recommend something like the Porter 7424. See a good starter kit here: XMT Porter Cable 7424XP Light Swirl Remover Kit FREE BONUS! A DA Polisher is very easy to use for car polishing. I would start with 5.5" pads.

It's not the wax that makes the car shine, it's the polishing procedure.

For waxes, a lot of people recommend Collinite 845. Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax

I like to use a polymer product, like Blackfire wet diamond (BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection, paint sealant, synthetic sealant, blackfire sealant) followed by a traditional carnuba wax.

Autogeek has a good selection of high-end products, better stuff than you see at local stores. And some tutorials.

[Rjw289]

Try P21S Polish Enhancer and finish with P21S Carnauba Wax via hand application. Unbelievable products that are nice to painted finishes. Can purchase at carcare online.com

You can also call Larry the owner there for advice as he sells all the major products but has his favorites. He is a wealth of information.

Good luck.

[NFLDMNBB]

I use Griot's products and their orbital polisher. I have used many brands over the years and have owned many black cars. Each spring I use polish then Groit's Show Car applied twice per their instruction video. After letting the first coat and dry. I've had many compliments on the depth of the finish and many questions on how it’s done without any swirl marks. I use the orbital to remove the dried wax and then lightly spray with their detailer and a micro fiber. I will admit I prefer Mothers or Wizards Detailer over Groit’s Quick Detailer.

My 2.5¢

Roger

[MaSnaka]

I have been happy with the Zaino products. And when it comes to working on the Cobra I always think...Yeah! I'm working on a Cobra! Lifes is good.

John

[zedog]

I have been using Zaino products for many years and still do with amazing results. My SPF is black and I get the the best results from Pinnacle carnuba products. I recommend the Poter Cable 7424 orbital polisher as mentioned earlier.

[Mastiff107]

Over the years have used Zaino, Zymol, 113 and all of them on my black Harley, '38 Chevy and Cobra. Mothers new Reflections blows them away. Never seen a deeper shine. I wax mine a lot so Carnuba based are not an option as I don't want to have to strip wax every so often, as I have in the past, it will give you buildup which is visable over time. NXT is what I use on my outside car as it gives a good shine which will last for 6 months easy. I wouldn't use a buffer on a regular basis as I am in no big hurry and have seen real messes in the hands of a non-professional (or without significant experience) plus hand waxing gives me a legitimate (appearing) excuse to stay out in the garage for long periods of time, drinking beer and stareing at my toys.

[bret a ewing]

Agree with the PC 7424 with the 6.5 in pad kit. I use Griots orange pads for application and pre-polish, grey for polish application. I find 3m Perfect-it to work about the best. Wax, I try to find the highest % Carnuba content without getting ridiculous, P21s is a good general purpose example. Certainly you can spend thousands for Brazillion carnuba......I would like to see a side by side comp before making a judgment.
Example of PC.
DI Packages Porter Cable 7424 XP 6.5" Starter Kit | Free Shipping Available - Detailed Image

[avdcav]

Here is the magic shine recipe for the non high speed polishing guys

6" Variable Speed Dual Action Polisher
Also buy the matching compounding , polishing and finishing pads $4.00 each

3M Perfect It Compound and Polish Kit Buffing Pad Foam 39060 39061 39062 | eBay

That is th 3m 3 part perfect it kit , there is nothing better " 3m spends more in r&d for a product than most companies make in. Lifetime.

And I have tried every wax made on my Porsche cars yes I have actually spent $600.00
On a bar of wax . Without a doubt the best sub $200 wax is Lusso oro you just cannot beat it for the money.

Lusso Oro

In the beginning I posted the hf polisher " I'm serious here for the guy that's does not want to put out the $400 for a Bosch or porter this thing is amazing. Bering a little noisy but who cares.

The 3m and lusso will easily last you 3 seasons. Try this recipe and you will agree,

[saturnkk]

Novice question here:

Do you polish around your stripes or over them?

[avdcav]

Over them " the majority of our cars are base clear
Clear coat over color so it's really just one coat your working on.

Feeling the raise of height at the stripe seam is normal.
Painting seamless stripes is big money so you don't see it that often.

[lippy]

I have used a Snap-on/Blue Point pneumatic orbital with 3M orange pads. It works fine but it's honestly no easier than doing the work by hand, IMO.

A few years ago I started using Zaino products and I have to say they: (1) are super easy to apply and take off (they claim you can even do it in the sun), (2) look great, and (3) last a really long time, especially for cars that aren't daily driven. There are a lot of waxes/protectants that look great, but the ease of use for the Zaino stuff is the top benefit for me.