What wax do you use on your Benz? - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

congonatty · #76 06-13-2004, 04:31 PM

Best to try a few different brand and choose the one that does the best job for your particular car. It all depends on the color, quality and age of the paint job (original/repainted/clearcoat). The best wax/polish wont make a big difference in your car appearance if the paint job is of a poor quality.

jhodg5ck · #77 07-01-2004, 03:52 PM

Auto Glym..I can only get in England though..:-/

Jonathan

jjrodger · #78 07-02-2004, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jhodg5ck
Auto Glym..I can only get in England though...

I think it may be available in the shop at www.autopia.org

It is a good wax, very easy to use and long-lasting, although it leaves quite a lot of dust.

jhodg5ck · #79 07-02-2004, 08:54 AM

Thanks! Last time I went I brought back two Big bottles as I didn't think I could find it here..

Haven't noticed so much of a problem w/ dusting, but I use it most on my white SEC which I would wager hides what dust does show up...

Cheers!
Jonathan

ke6dcj · #80 07-06-2004, 10:07 AM

Currently use:

3M Imperial Hand-Glaze every 6-months
Klasse Glaze & Sealer every month

Klasse is made in Germany, and is acryllic-based and leaves a very slick/wet look & feel which is perfect for the afternoon showers we get here in Florida.

I get Klasse from autogeek.net

Previously used:

1) Meguiar's Professional
2) P21S Carnuba
3) 3M Professional Wax
4) AutoGlym (I really liked, but I like Klasse on "black" much better)
5) One Grand "Blitz" carnuba

BTW: the only constant here is the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze (IHG). I've tried the Meguiar's, P21s, and Autoglym polishes/glazes, but keep coming back to the 3M IHG as the best "glaze" around. Really feeds the paint.

jhodg5ck · #81 07-06-2004, 10:21 AM

I've got a bottle of Klasse that i use on my anthracite car, you are correct it does work Quite nicely on the darker colours. I also use Klasse on my wheels/windows etc..

that 3m stuff is nice as well.. Are you talking aout the white 3m stuff?

Jonathan

ke6dcj · #82 07-06-2004, 11:14 AM

No, I'm using the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze which is tan in color. No silicones.

:-) neil

jhodg5ck · #83 07-06-2004, 11:48 AM

Ah yes, I've used that stuff on my Healey..it works Great on laquer..

I use the finesse it, no silicones or wax, just a Very fine grit, good for taking out 1500-2000 grit wet sanding marks etc..!

Jonathan

psfred · #84 09-12-2004, 10:51 PM

The trick, I have discovered, to any paste wax, especially carnauba base ones, is a VERY thin application. Wipe up a tiny bit on you applicator and rub it in. Literally rub it in, it won't stick if you just wipe it around. Once the applicator is loaded, you can go pretty far on a dab. If you get white stripes, you put too much on.

When it dries, you should have just a faint haze on the surface. Again, if you have visible streaks and stripes, you have too much on there and will have to scrub it off. Much easier to "reapply" to a very thin coat.

To buff out, just wipe gently with a clean terry towel. If you've done it right, the towel will not pick up wax! If the terry drags, the wax isn't dry and/or there is too much. Rub lightly until the shine appears and it feels slick. Happens MUCH faster than applying the wax if you got it right.

You probably need to apply two coats to get full deep coverage.

No kidding about the base finish, either! My 300D has a "cheapo" paint job that features lots of overspray and a nice semi-matte finish everywhere except the top of the car between the rain gutters. A good wax job gives it a nice glow, but not a real shine. I might get a better look if I buffed it out, but then I might just remove what paint there is and expose whatever sun damage the care was painted to hide....

Peter

phantoms · #85 09-13-2004, 07:42 PM

I use Meguiars NXT and I'm very impressed with it. For a paste wax, it goes on easy, comes off easy, leaves an incredible shine and seems to last a while. Waxxed about a month ago and have only washed since. Still shines and beads like I just applied it.

porkyluck · #86 02-18-2005, 06:21 AM

i'll put these guys inexpensive products against any listed above! GREAT STUFF!

http://www.duragloss.com/

Sydney Benz · #87 02-20-2005, 02:05 AM

I swithced from Auto Glym to Meguiaurs NXT Tech Wax. Very impressed with the NXT. Still haven't decided how often I will reapply

gmercoleza · #88 02-21-2005, 12:53 PM

I recently obtained a very small sample of Zymol Vintage that a friend uses on his Porsche. It cost him $1,500 but Zymol will refill the container indefinitely at no additional charge, so it's like a lifetime supply. We melted his container over the stovetop in a small saucepan, then poured a little in a jar for me (enough for about 6 to 8 applications). You keep it in the fridge until needed. This is the stuff they use when entering a vehicle into concours events. I have used other Zymol products, and have used Meguiar's, Mothers, etc. I have never experienced anything quite like this wax. After applying, it looks like the paint on my 14 year old 300E is dripping off. My car never looked like this, even with the more expensive $45/container Zymol I have used previously.

You must use Zymol HD Cleanse to properly clean down to bare paint, then you apply the Vintage wax by rubbing a tiny bit between the palms of your hand (to melt it) and then massaging directly into the paint with your palms. Just rub/buff off with a clean terry cloth. No dust, no white chalk residue. This stuff actually resembles beeswax; it doesn't dry to a haze or anything. It has the highest carnauba content of any wax, and blends both yellow and white carnaubas. In addition, it contains essential natural oil extracts, something I've always liked about Zymol's products. Most other waxes can produce pretty good shine and can protect the paint, but they don't really focus on "feeding" the paint. Paint has oils which evaporate, causing it to dry out eventually (especially here in TX). I like the fact that Zymol's products feed the paint with essential oils to keep it hydrated - sort of like how lotion can keep your skin soft and pliable. Other waxes don't seem to put any emphasis on feeding; they only seem to be concerned with appearance and shine.

This stuff is different from the blue Zymol paste cleaner wax you can get at AutoZone. The blue stuff is really a cleaner wax and has clays and other cleaning agents in it. Don't get me wrong, I believe the blue Zymol is the best off-the-shelf cleaner wax out there. But it doesn't have a high carnauba content, therefore it doesn't protect your paint as well or last as long as Zymol's professional products.

You must see it to believe it - pictures wouldn't do justice. My paint now looks better than that on some of my coworkers' new cars - despite the fact that my car is 14+ years old. I'm happy to now have a source to get this stuff - I would never have been able to try it otherwise.

By the way, I still use the blue Zymol on the bottom plastic cladding since it's somewhat dull from the years (no point wasting $1,500 wax on it). Once I repaint it, though, it will definitely get the good stuff.

Lou K · #89 02-21-2005, 12:55 PM

For anyone who is interested I detailed my car this weekend, a '05 SL 55 AMG, black ceramiclear paint. I used Menzerna Intensive Polish, followed with Menzerna Final Finish (applied with a Porter Cable dual action buffer) and finally Meguiars #16 carnauba. Turned out beautiful looks like Black Glass. The ceramiclear paint is truly a bear to work with. The Menzerna polishes work great but they are time consuming. I tried 3M rubbing compounds with a Porter Cable dual action machine to see the difference. The 3M product did nothing to the paint while the Menzerna's did polish out scratches; great polish that will work with the new MB paint.

I also did a small section of another black car that I own that does not have the ceramiclear with great results and it was much easier to use.

Lou K

#90 07-20-2005, 08:10 AM

Time for input from the heathen faction. Since 1987 I have used Collinite Insulator Wax on every boat and car I have owned. First found it at Capt'n Andy's in Boca. Since I moved back to Tennessee, I call Collinite and have them drop ship it.

It lasts for 6 months easily on a boat in salt water in the S. Fla Sunshine. On the cars, I have always decided to re-apply before it stopped shining and protecting.

If you are from the "part of the joy of owning my Benz" side of the family, disregard this. But if you want to wax in the spring and fall and spend the rest of the time on the golf course, boat, islands, and then drive the car all winter, this is the real deal.