Which wax removes fine scratches...?
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See http://www.carcareonline.com/clean_paint.html
Good site with lots of good information. The main page is http://www.carcareonline.com/ of course.
Good site with lots of good information. The main page is http://www.carcareonline.com/ of course.
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Eric-
I have always had good luck with the Meguiar's 3-Step Wax System. The first step cleans the surface, the second is a polish that helps get rid of the swirl marks and the third is a carnuba wax.
I assume the car in question is a dark color? The three step system does wonders for dark colors, but probably isn't worth the effort on a lighter colored car.
good luck,
Jeff
I have always had good luck with the Meguiar's 3-Step Wax System. The first step cleans the surface, the second is a polish that helps get rid of the swirl marks and the third is a carnuba wax.
I assume the car in question is a dark color? The three step system does wonders for dark colors, but probably isn't worth the effort on a lighter colored car.
good luck,
Jeff
I have not personally used Meguiar's 3-Step, but I have tried their wax and been disappointed with ease of application and durability. Others have posted negative opinions of 3-Step in prior discussions here, though.
I have enthusiastically recommended 3M Imperial Hand Glaze for cleaning and polishing, and One-Grand Blitz for wax, in prior threads, and continue to do so here. Blitz leaves a deep liquid finish that is amazing on my friend's black BMW and my SBM IS300. You can find 3M glaze in most chain auto parts stores with decent sized car care aisles, and I get Blitz from the Web site I originally mentioned. They just finished a special on it! No association other than as a satisfied customer.
My opinion may only be worth what you paid for it, though!
[This message has been edited by mkaufman (edited October 20, 2000).]
I have enthusiastically recommended 3M Imperial Hand Glaze for cleaning and polishing, and One-Grand Blitz for wax, in prior threads, and continue to do so here. Blitz leaves a deep liquid finish that is amazing on my friend's black BMW and my SBM IS300. You can find 3M glaze in most chain auto parts stores with decent sized car care aisles, and I get Blitz from the Web site I originally mentioned. They just finished a special on it! No association other than as a satisfied customer.
My opinion may only be worth what you paid for it, though!
[This message has been edited by mkaufman (edited October 20, 2000).]
I agree with mkaufman. 3M IHG and One Grand Blitz wax is the best combo. I have a black IS3. Minor scratches are very noticable on any black car. After using 3M IHG and Blitz, it removed a lot of the minor scratches. I'm not sure if it actually removed the scratches or if it covers it up. But it looks great. Definitely recommend it. Pep boys sell 3M. I think you can only get Blitz wax via web. Hope this help.
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From my experience, these products merely "cover up" fine scratches and swirl marks. The polish fills them in, and they are exposed again after the polish starts wearing off. I have a Black IS and it's amazing how easy it is to get those fine little scratches even when being very careful (cotton washmit, and cotton towels). You can only see them when looking very closely in direct sunlight or at night under very bright lights (like a gas station). I haven't found the answer yet, except to keep waxing.
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Check out http://www.zainobros.com
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I have to agree with mkaufman. The 3M and Blitz combo is one of the best I've tried (and I've tried almost all of them from AutoFom, FinishFirst, Meguiar's, Turtlewax). I'm getting tired of the black paint on the S2000 that it will be my last black car. I also went to carcareonline.com to get the stuff. If the S4 guys swear by it, it's good for me too!
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Spectra - did you buy that stuff? I was looking at that, Zym and the 3M stuff...what did you get....the Z2, Z5 and Gloss spray? I have an SBM also and I'm looking for something a little better than Mothers or MacGuires. Let me know what you got and the kind of shine it provided.
Thanks
Agent Smith Out
Thanks
Agent Smith Out
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I didn't know Meguiars was so universally hated. The only reason I recommended it was that it worked well for me. Durability hasn't been an issue for me, but I tend to put on pretty heavy coats of wax.
I started using it after it was recommended to me by my Grandfather and Uncle. They are very meticulous about their cars, so I figured their endorsement meant quite a bit. Times have probably changed since they started using Meguiars so my (and their) advice may be a bit out of date.
Back when I used to be on a BMW mailing list, everybody fell all over themselves about Zymol. I have never tried it myself, but a lot of people really like their products.
Didn't Consumer Reports name it (Zymol) the best overall wax in a recent comparison? I'm not sure what their test methodology was, however.
Jeff
[This message has been edited by Jeff Taylor (edited October 20, 2000).]
I started using it after it was recommended to me by my Grandfather and Uncle. They are very meticulous about their cars, so I figured their endorsement meant quite a bit. Times have probably changed since they started using Meguiars so my (and their) advice may be a bit out of date.
Back when I used to be on a BMW mailing list, everybody fell all over themselves about Zymol. I have never tried it myself, but a lot of people really like their products.
Didn't Consumer Reports name it (Zymol) the best overall wax in a recent comparison? I'm not sure what their test methodology was, however.
Jeff
[This message has been edited by Jeff Taylor (edited October 20, 2000).]
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Is the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze/Blitz wax combination recommended even though swirl marks/fine scratches are not on the car surface, yet. I plan on using the Blitz wax, but is there benefit to using the 3M IHG immediately. Are there protective properties in the 3M polish? Car is only 3 weeks old and only 2nd wash, No marks yet... (so far).
thanks
thanks
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Zaino is great stuff, I highly recommend it. Besides the polish, I also use their car wash and clay bar to remove contaminants. It gives my SBM a nice shiny "wet" look. I first use Z5 polish to remove fine scratches and swirls marks. You can keep on stacking the Z5 polish until you're satisfied that all scratches and swirls are removed. Then I use a coat of Z2 which is supposed to be more optically perfect, to finsh it off. The end result is very satisfying and supposedly long lasting. While the process will be tedious, you only need to do it once every six months.
Here's a list of everything I got:
Z-1 SHOW CAR POLISH LOK PRE-CLEANER AND GLOSS CONDITIONER
Z-2 SHOW CAR POLISH FOR CLEAR COATED FINISHES
Z-5 POLISH FOR SWIRL MARKS & FINE SCRATCHES
Z-6 ULTRA CLEAN "GLOSS ENHANCER" SPRAY
Z-7 SHOW CAR WASH
Z-18 ClayBar
#314 CUSTOM 4x5 POLISH APPLICATOR (a couple of them)
It's probably more expensive then your run-of-the-mill store bought wax, but it's worth it.
Here's a list of everything I got:
Z-1 SHOW CAR POLISH LOK PRE-CLEANER AND GLOSS CONDITIONER
Z-2 SHOW CAR POLISH FOR CLEAR COATED FINISHES
Z-5 POLISH FOR SWIRL MARKS & FINE SCRATCHES
Z-6 ULTRA CLEAN "GLOSS ENHANCER" SPRAY
Z-7 SHOW CAR WASH
Z-18 ClayBar
#314 CUSTOM 4x5 POLISH APPLICATOR (a couple of them)
It's probably more expensive then your run-of-the-mill store bought wax, but it's worth it.
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Check this link...they have the 3m clear paint protector (rocks etc) and all the 3M wax...anythoughts about this? http://autosupermart.com/shopcart/3m/3mall.html
What exactly does the clay bar do for you?
[This message has been edited by Agent Smith (edited October 20, 2000).]
What exactly does the clay bar do for you?
[This message has been edited by Agent Smith (edited October 20, 2000).]
A_GreyIS4me, don't use the Glaze unless you need to!
Guys, visit http://www.carcareonline.com/clean_paint.html like I recommended at the start of this thread. If any of the information on that page is incorrect then speak up. I'd want to know and so would they. If it's all accurate, here is the glaze quote: "GLAZE: A glaze usually denotes a superfine friction type of cleaning agent, usually with essential emollients and lubricating oils and may even contain some mild chemical cleaners. Glazes will usually remove mild swirl marks, scratches, refresh the paint with oils and smooth out the finish."
Here is the clay quote: "CLAY: Literally a plasticene/abrasive mixture used to smooth new paint and remove over spray. This type of product must be used with lots of lubricant. The technique of using a clay is a learned skill. Use too little lubricant, or get contaminants in the clay, and you have moved into scratch city. This is one product that is the fast lane to trouble if not used with extreme care. I do not recommend this product as a general paint cleaner. You literally grind off a layer of paint. Should be used as was intended, to remove paint over spray."
I have only used the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze once, to remove *very* hard water stains from my trunk lid.
Read. That. Web. Page.
Guys, visit http://www.carcareonline.com/clean_paint.html like I recommended at the start of this thread. If any of the information on that page is incorrect then speak up. I'd want to know and so would they. If it's all accurate, here is the glaze quote: "GLAZE: A glaze usually denotes a superfine friction type of cleaning agent, usually with essential emollients and lubricating oils and may even contain some mild chemical cleaners. Glazes will usually remove mild swirl marks, scratches, refresh the paint with oils and smooth out the finish."
Here is the clay quote: "CLAY: Literally a plasticene/abrasive mixture used to smooth new paint and remove over spray. This type of product must be used with lots of lubricant. The technique of using a clay is a learned skill. Use too little lubricant, or get contaminants in the clay, and you have moved into scratch city. This is one product that is the fast lane to trouble if not used with extreme care. I do not recommend this product as a general paint cleaner. You literally grind off a layer of paint. Should be used as was intended, to remove paint over spray."
I have only used the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze once, to remove *very* hard water stains from my trunk lid.
Read. That. Web. Page.
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