For a guy who only wants to do it once a year.

Thanks in advance yall.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

Wax once a year? What?

Get some Meguiars, the NXT stuff holds up pretty well. I think I went 8 weeks between waxes and it was still good.

But that is my backup, I'm lazy dont feel like actually waxing, wax.


I usually wax then go over with a quick detailer every week to keep the car clean.

I use Zymol cleaner wax on my truck because its cheap and you don't have to let it dry so I can do my truck in a bit over an hour. Seems to last 3-4 months, I last did my truck in late June and I'm noticing water is starting to stop beading on the hood and roof so I'm due for another coat.

http://www.amazon.com/Zymol-Z503-Car-Cleaner-Wax/dp/B0009JKIRC

2-3 times a year is about as ambitious as I get these days with waxing.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'll second The Don's recommedation on the Meguiars NXT - I've had good, long lasting results with that. But never a year. I can't think of anything that's going to last that long. You could probably get away with 3 times a year with that product.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

Kit has Carnauba wax. It's cheap and good.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I like Zaino, it lasts real well.

That said I refuse to get into the wax flame wars.

Pick a GOOD quality wax and use it as directed , Mequairs would be very high on my list.

I would also recommend twice a year, spring and fall as a minimum for a good wax job.

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KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.

According to a professional on this site, No Wax may be the best policy.

just keep the paint clean

search for posts by JMK

well claying the paint cleans it but then you need to seal and protect it.

hence using a sealant then a wax

It's all in the polishing PAD

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Meguiars is good stuff, I recommend it. There are a number of different types of waxes out on the market, but mainly fall into two categories: Carnauba and synthetics. There are also a mix of the two (which I prefer) that give predictably mixed results. Carnauba generally gives you a nice DEEP shine, makes the paint glow with depth and clarity but tends not to last as long, especially in the summer. IIRC the melting point of carnauba wax is 180*F, which, on the surface of a dark car in the summer sun, can be achievable. It also wears off much more quickly, so reapplying is necessary more often. Synthetics don't give as much of a deep shine (though some claim to) but usually last much much longer on the surface and do not need to be reapplied every few weeks. Synthetics also have a higher tolerance for surface heat when applied so if you can't find a cloudy 70* day it os okay, and some will allow you to wax the whole car before you start buffing. NXT is a synthetic IIRC, sounds like it fits your requirements

I use a synthetic-carnuba mix, which is sort of in the middle of longevity and appearance.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

car detailing is like oil discussion.. everyone has their opinion and own way of doing it.

so good luck!

I haven't read his posts, maybe tonite I'll search for them.

Technically I'll agree, but you are going to have to be willing to wash and clean it very regularly.
Also a good polymer wax versus vs cheap stuff.

Wax also helps to keep things from sticking, and water from sitting.
Somewhere, I think it was a seminar by a local detailer, he showed the problem is that rain contains acids, yea acid rain, as it sits on the surface in droplets, the acids etch a small ring in the clear coat.
He had some microscope pics of the effect minor, yes, but cumulative.

Most waxes also help with some minor sunscreen effect.

Thats why I recommend 303 for the plastics etc that you don't wax.

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KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.

take a look at JMK 's posts on the subject.

he was a paint maker for a very long time and was involved with numerous long-term field tests involving waxes and their effects on paint.

He said paint lasted longer without wax on it.


in general, the reason we paint metals is to protect them... do we need to protect the protector as well?

ditto!!

Thats why I stay out of the flame wars.

Get a GOOD wax and follow the directions.

Also it will be much more effective if you apply it to as clean a surface as possible.

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KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.