car wax---which one?

[Chrishazle]

No-one has really addressed the difference between a polish and a wax. In my experience it is the polishes that dry white and leave a residue in all the little nooks and crannies - that's due to the filler material in a polish, in there to mask any little scratches and swirl marks. However, a polish does give you the initial shine. A wax goes over the top of the polish to give the extra gleam and protect what's below.

I used SRP for years and cursed the white stuff in all the cracks and crevices. I now use AG's Bodyshop 01B hard polish with a DAS6 DA polisher, but still have to go round with a quick detailing spray afterwards to get rid of the residue. I then wax the car with AG HD wax and a damp applicator pad - goes on and buffs off very easily and gives a good finish.

Everyone has their own favourite - I normally say there's every make under the sun from A for Autoglym to Z for Zymol, and someone will swear each one is the best. AG HD, Collinite, Dodo Juice and Zymol all seem to have many fans, others either swear by Swissvax or swear at the price of Swissvax!

 

[dulayj]

im sure the product is good but the advert is so cheap !

 

[billywhiz]

Or...... Learn to make your own, just like me

Wet look, High gloss, beading & sheeting.

 

[BTB 500]

I cant believe how dusty the unside of that fridge is.

That's a safe, not a fridge

 

[mikec32]

That's a safe, not a fridge

Haha, I've added more to that collection since that photo.

If I showed you a photo of all my gear, you would all think I had a serious car cleaning problem. But at least my customers know they only get the best!

 

[sarangimaster]

Carnauba here, works a treat!

 

[benzers]

I'd go for Collinite,

 

[Mblinko]

Auto-Glm Super resin polish first

then

Auto-Glm High Def Wax

This gets my vote, HD wax is easy on, easy off, expensive but a pot will last quite a while on my 560, longer if yours is smaller

 

[Mblinko]

Here you go, take your pick.

Surely you don't use that stuff, it looks far too pretty a display to disturb, let alone open

 

[Dand]

Auto Gylm HD Wax is worth a look. You can buy it from Halfords and its easy to use and it produces a nice shine and beads well. Ive not tried it yet but ive heard Dodo Juice is pretty good too. From what ive seen the Rainforest rub they do is quite a bit cheaper than AG so that could be worth a look. im hoping to try that next.

This is my car after one coat of the AG HD Wax

 

[sirius9]

For Silver cars.. Seal with FK1000p and then Autoglym HD wax... cant go wrong with the combination... will last 4-6 months...

 

[Sorry Pete]

I'm a Collinite fan here. I don't relish having to wax the car so the longer the interval the better imo. They did a durability test on detailing world with the leading brands, and Collinite 915 lasted longer than 476. I don't think you can go far wrong with either.

I've got the 476, and one coat lasts a good 6 months. A little goes a long way. The way things are going, this tub will last 10 years. Excellent beading and shine.

Good prep is the key though, these are the steps I went through over 2 years ago, and the paint still feels glassy smooth:

Wash
Clay
Wash
Machine polish with Autoglym SRP (16 hours over a weekend!)
Wax
Leave 24 hours
Wax

 

[andyrno1]

Have got a Zymol hard case full of products which is good but i also like Autoglym HD wax which works well and is really cheap off 'the bay' or amazon.
Ultimately most great results reflect the amount of effort put in regardless of brand!

 

[BlackMercs]

Without a doubt try and get hold of a bottle of Q Polish No.8. I have three black Mercs and could not find anything that didn't leave marks and swirls everywhere. I bought mine at one of the car shows but I think it is available on-line.