wax / polish

[max3456]

With all the car finish products out there on the market it is hard to pick the best ones. Anyone out there find any waxes or polishes with great results? I have tried several, but nothing I would say great things about. I have a dark green TB in Texas where you can cook an egg on your hood. I need protection from the sun and a great shine, without hours of labor rubbing and buffing.
Thanks

[rodeo02]

I've had great luck over the years with NuFinish.

Joel

[agolfingcop]

Go online to zaino brothers wax.( zainostore.com )It is a complete system you use. It take a little time the first time you use it because you have to take any other wax you have on it off. But once you do that it goes on easy and comes off very easy and make you finish look wet. lasts for several months between applications and work best with dark colors I have a 03 in the gold finish. Just my 2 cents worth.

[balboasdelight]

Originally Posted by rodeo02

I've had great luck over the years with NuFinish.

I'll second NuFinish. Easy to use, good shine, lasts a long time.

If you want to use a traditional wax (NuFinish is a sealant -- not the same thing), use a pure carnauba wax. Meguiar's is a good brand name. If your paint has swirls in it or is really oxidized (dull, matte), use a good polish first (Meguiar's makes a full line of products, all good), wash it, then wax separately with the pure carnauba wax.

Most mass-market auto waxes (Turtle wax, etc.) include abrasives, and claim to polish and wax at the same time. Not enough abrasives to do a good job polishing; too much abrasive to leave a clean wax layer. It's more work, but you'll get a MUCH better finish by polishing (if necessary) using a good polish, and waxing with pure carnauba wax.

For the ultimate finish, find a book or blog about preparing a show vehicle. Those guys are practically polymer chemists, and have 4-, 5-, up to 10-step processes for cleaning, polishing, sealing, waxing, etc. If you're that into it, invest in a circular buffer. For most of us that drive the truck on real roads, maintaining such a finish is far too much work, but it does look awesome.

Good luck, and post some pics.

.

[wrparks]

I'll third Nufinish. I used to use it in my teens to polish and clean up tractors during the winter. Works wonders on a finish that has been out in the sun for 12 months. I know I know, polishing a tractor? Hey, the resale is higher when they look good and at these prices it's worth it. Then again, it was mostly busywork.

[max3456]

I gave NuFinsh a try and you are right. Easy to apply and a great shine. I will never use wax again.
Thanks

[rodeo02]

I just polished our TB up the other day with NF. It really is a nice/easy product to use. It does seem to hold up for a long time as well. They (used to) market it as "The once a year car polish", but that is stretching it!

G/luck
Joel

[Ascender06]

Rodeo02! Great to see on this board. Thanks for the NF reccomend, hopefully I'll get some time this weekend for the exterior.

Does anyone have any good reccomends for engine cleaning? I just hosed down my Passport with the Auto Genie, but I hesitate randomly spraying the engine compartment of the new Ascender.....

Thanks!

[balboasdelight]

Originally Posted by Ascender06

Does anyone have any good reccomends for engine cleaning?

Gunk! Degreaser (white can), followed by Engine Brite (blue can).

Drive directly to a car wash (if you drove too far, open the hood and let it cool a while). Go at an odd time so nobody lines up behind you. Spray on, let soak, and rinse off. Rinse from a distance; keep the high pressure spray off of electronic modules and wiring (at least you don't have to worry about being stuck there because your points got wet. yes, I'm that old.)

Wear latex/vinyl gloves and goggles (not glasses). Of course you will look silly but it only takes one splashed drop to cause immense pain (bad) or eye damage (worse).

.

[rodeo02]

Yessir, gunk, engine brite or simple green are great for super dirty, greasy engine compartments. I've also found some of the dollar store spray bottle degreasers work excellent as well. I use the leftover wash water and spray my engine bays with the hose every time I wash the cars. Engines look brand spanking new. Cant stand a dirty engine!

Joel

[phewop118]

Is it okay to spray the whole engine bay down with a garden hose w/spray nozzle? There's nothing that would be damaged, right?