Detailing Question for ya'll?

[thunderman]

I used 3m hand glaze this weekend and man did it shine up my car good! But... there are some more scratches and marks that could come out with better polish:

What is a good polish, and a good wax?

Also, what is good for cleaning and conditioning leather?

[scott540]

I used 3m hand glaze followed by blitz wax for the last couple of years. This time I used a clay bar. Meguires paint cleaner, polish and their new NXT wax. The car looks new. I've never seen it so shiny or white. Gotten a few comments form people who used to say how great it looks but now they can't believe how new it looks. My arm still hurts though.

[George M]

did someone say detailing? :-)...can give you a few polishes to consider. You need to go a bit deeper to get the scratches out. A glaze is more a mascara than a paint improver....has oils and fillers that obscure imperfections not repair them....not a bad thing...if fact most helpful but you need to repair your clearcoat a bit before you go glaze. 3M SMR (Swirl Mark Remover) is very popular medium level polish. Macquires Step #2 is an old reliable polish between a cleaner and wax. The latest is Einszett Metallic Polish...the cats a$$ of polishes...real good stuff. I have turned up the heat on my detailing skills and bought a Porter Cable Random Orbital. If you are a real car guy and want to make your car to glisten..buy a PC...the orbital of choice among top details. Use an orange pad with SMR or Einszett Metallic Polish then white pad with P21 GEPC which is a hybrid glaze/very light polish with gloss enhancers and finish with a top pure carbuna...not cleaner carnuba...lot of good choices out there....P21S paste carnuba is one of the best.
HTH,
George

[thunderman]

SO the macguires #2 is a polish? will it shine and get rid of the imperfections? Also, that einzett stuff, is it good for that as well? I am a total newbie, so I really do appreciate the help. I am already addicted lol.... My wife is like "great, another hobby for a man addicted to about 5 million things" including golf, working on flowers and garden stuff, playing socom on playstation, playin with my 9 month old.... and on and on

[scott540]

yeah, step 2 is the polish I used before the wax.

Check out this site:
www.autopia.org

some good articles on there.

[Dan in NZ]

What's the difference? I'm venturing into the world of polishing and waxing next week, before my first driver training/track day. I also want to make the chrome around the windows shine, but nothing seems to work.

I saw a special on Macguires (sp?) the other day, so I thought I could just get a x-step system or something? What works great and is easy? Is that stuff just called "step 2".

[John 535is (Sydney)]

Dan, you can just use step 2 if the finish is already good. Mine (also alpine white) had not been polished for some time, so using the #1 first takes out a lot of the grime etc off the paint. Also makes applying #2 real easy. Both are very mild liquid based easy on / easy off treatments. I have not ventured into the wax (#3) yet. We are still under water restictions for the last 6 months so washing the car is a very rare occurance.

John 535is (Alpine white 1989)

[Super90]

Let us know how long the NXT wax lasts. Very curious. I too have been a 3M hand glaze and Blitz Wax guy for a while. Have been very happy. Makes the car look nice and the wax is easy to apply and buff and lasts a long, long time. I like shiney cars as much as the next guy, but long lasting protection trumps the super deep glossy shine criterium on my daily ride.

[Super90]

George, how long does the P21S last? I have heard great things about the shine, but that it is better for the garage queen (OK, I have one too!) than it is for the daily ride. What does your experiece show as far as that is concerned?

That's the whole reason I use the Blitz Wax. Always looking for a better mouse trap, but I have to admit, that stuff is pretty tough to beat as far as easy to use and long lasting!

TIA

[Steve N]

I can give you a second vote for the P21S. I have used it for years and think it lasts longer then the Blitz. BUT, the best part is that it won't mark up the black trim. I even wax some of the trim and it deepens the blackness (is that a word). It's worth switching just for that purpose. I have a can of Blitz if anyone wants it.

George, how long does the P21S last? I have heard great things about the shine, but that it is better for the garage queen (OK, I have one too!) than it is for the daily ride. What does your experiece show as far as that is concerned?

That's the whole reason I use the Blitz Wax. Always looking for a better mouse trap, but I have to admit, that stuff is pretty tough to beat as far as easy to use and long lasting!

TIA