Best Wax

[CaptAlex300e]

I would like a good wax that will have a great gloss, and that will do a good job of protecing my paint during the winter months. I've used Gold Class and was not very pleased with the results.

I had my 1987 300E painted this past spring. The color is CABERNET RED METALLIC/CLEAR-COAT. It was painted it's original color. Mannnny color coats and mannnnnnnnnnny clear coats. It was wet and block sanded at the final stages of both color and clear coats. It looks better than new. It has always set out of doors with a car cover. After the cure time I tested the major brand of waxes. At the end, after all of the multi-step waxes and clays, I settled on Emerald Series Turtle Carnabu Wax. It gave me ease of application and buffing, as well as the depth you get with the high priced spread. My 300E still sets out of doors with the cover on and the Emerald Wax applied. For touch-up I use Meguiars "QUIK DETAILER". I don not use any combination of wax and cleaner. I don't won't any swirl marks on my Clear Coat. I use what ever car wash that I find on sale by the gallon. My original paint lasted 12 years and still had gloss, but the Love Bugs got to him on a trip and destroyed the front surfaces. That's it, Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

You know who, Donald
still retired
driving my old Benz

[anthonyb]

I'd venture to guess that paint quality has more to do with the end-result than the type of wax used. I used Emerald Class for awhile, then discovered that Gold Class was easier to apply and offered a marginally superior gloss - but that might have also been due to the fact that I clayed the car before I put on the Gold Class.


anthony

[CaptAlex300e]

About claying the car, when should it be done? My car was painted this past spring, and is perfect. Should I clay it anyway. Also what does claying do for you, aside from cleaning the surface of the paint.

[anthonyb]

The general consensus seems to be a couple times a year, or whenever your paint finish doesn't feel acceptably smooth and clean. If your car was just painted, I'd think that you probably wouldn't need to do anything besides polish and wax for awhile... but I'm sort of a least-effort-required kind of person.

Claying is supposed to clip off the bumps and pieces of dirt/oxidation that get embedded in your paint. It probably takes off a small amount of paint, but the clay bar I've used is so soft I have a hard time seeing how this would happen. If you do decide to get a clay bar, I think the best ones are the Mother's and the Clay Magic ones. Buy a bottle of quick detailer to use as a lubricant, the stuff that comes with Mother's is pink (as opposed to clear), and streaks a bit.

anthony

AhthonyB, I was told to clay the finish when you could feel surface bumps. Since the new finish has been only less than a year old, I haven't felt these irregulaities. I'm in total agreement that the quality of the paint is the bases for the super paint job. Mine was painted with M/B OEM paint. In feeling the surfaces, hood, top, trunk lid and the tops of the fenders, I've felt nothing. These surfaces get the extra treatment, whereas the sides get less. I'm sure there are better waxes on the market than The Turtle Wax Emeralds Carnabu. The original paint was waxed with Meguir's products, but what I'm using now works fine. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston

Donald
still 65 and retired
driving a W124030
with 168,863 miles

Many car enthusiasts have their preferred brand that they swear by. But for a scientific evaluation check out the May 2000 edition of Consumer Reports (check your local public library). They evaluated 26 car waxes in 5 different categories. The categories where gloss, durability, cleaning, ease of use, and scratching/hazing. The overall winner was Zymol Cleaner Wax which was also the most expensive wax tested at $16.00 US. Surprisingly the expensive waxes didn't dominate and the popular Meguiar's Gold Glass finished 12th. I was also surprised by the fact that Prestone Bullet Wax finished 2nd as I figured it was just a lousy easy to use wax for all the lazy people.

Mr.W123 yes I read the report in Kroger's magazine section while my wife was shopping. Now ain't that cheap. I have enough wazes that I've personally tested to have a garage sale. I tried the high priced spread and when it's all used up I'll use the lazy mans stuff, Turtle Wax Carnabu. I'm sorry that my 1987 300E isn't ready for The Bothers Three something or another, or the $16.00 stuff. Happy Trails Beep Beep from still shinny Houston!!!

Donald
wax on, wax off, every 2-3 weeks(nothing better to do)
to tired for G.M.
driving my old tub w124030 300E
loving every mile

Meguiars Carnauba Wax is my favorite. For Compounding, Polishing, glazing, etc. it's 3M all the way!

Patsy, I've used Your favorite Wax and I too find it super, I'm not aware of 3M as grading. I'm retired and the only past time I have is my '87 300E. I wax it every other week, so you see any carnabu with out a cleaner will do for me. One that gives me Gloss and Depth and at a good price. I've tested a bunch and the way I do it Turtle Wax Emerald Carnabu for me. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston!!!

Donald

I recently purchased Zaino Brothers, a two step process that is easy to use, has great gloss and seems to hold up. Don't let the two step process scare you. You put step one on and follow with step two without removeing step one then let dry completely before removeing. Comes of easy wiht no white dust. Great product. Only available mail order at zainobros.com

Shaf, I've used the Zaino Brothers Wax and truely loved it. It's everthing you say it is. My objection is 1) mail order and 2) cost. I'm using a single step and costs less. I wax quite often so the long life doesn't bother me. You are right it is SUPER. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald.
wax on, wax off.

Hello,

I have used the gold class and wasnt very impressed either. I use the Medallian polish/wax. It is much better. It is about $20.00/bottle and comes in a black bottle.

It works really well on black and other dark color cars. Just make sure you clean the paint, polish, wax, etc. Cutting steps will affect the look in the end.

Hi Johson you old scalliewag, You're right don't do any short cuts, as I remarked, I wax so frequentily that any of the straight waxes, no cleaner so no swirl marks, work for me. The Meq's touch up is super too. Happy Trails Beep Beep from lots of wax Houston.

Donald
wax on, wax off

You might want to try a product called Duragloss (Duragloss.com)easy to use liquid that leaves a wet look finish that lasts well in the Arizona sun.

Zonajoe