best wax W/O a buffer?

MSP#735

Member
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2005 Acura TL
ok so EVERYONE and their mother has a buffer BUT me. i am old fashion and i prefer to apply and remove by hand. any suggestions on what wax/polish/sealant to use? i am extremely anal about the conidition of my car and since i will be purchasing a home WITH a garage, it will only get worse! thanks ahead of time for all suggestions.

i currently am using NXT but am definately up for trying something else.
 
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First of all, you must realize that polishes, waxes, and sealants are three very different things. I also prefer to apply waxes and sealants by hand, but when it comes to polishes or paint cleaners, the use of a polisher will provide superior results in far less time. Using a polish by hand is possible, but it takes a lot of time, and removing swirls by hand is a very labor-intense, frustrating task.

My favorite sealants are Wolfgang Deep Gloss and FourStar Ultimate Paint Protection. Waxes would include Nattys Blue, Nattys Original, and Meguiars #16 Paste Wax.
 
Mr Detailer said:
First of all, you must realize that polishes, waxes, and sealants are three very different things. I also prefer to apply waxes and sealants by hand, but when it comes to polishes or paint cleaners, the use of a polisher will provide superior results in far less time. Using a polish by hand is possible, but it takes a lot of time, and removing swirls by hand is a very labor-intense, frustrating task.

My favorite sealants are Wolfgang Deep Gloss and FourStar Ultimate Paint Protection. Waxes would include Nattys Blue, Nattys Original, and Meguiars #16 Paste Wax.
Where do you buy them?
 
Meguair's Hi-Tech #26 is a great cleaner wax.
3M Imperial Hand Glaze is a fantastic product.
3M Perfect It III is an outstanding rubbing compound if needed.
Meguairs #82 Swirl Free Polish is great a getting out swirl marks with a pad.

A body shop supply store will have most of these or you can buy them online. I've never scratched a car or ruined a finish using any of those products.
 
natty's blue FTW!!! I'm really happy with my combination of zaino sealants (they call them polish, but they are sealants), along with Natty's carnuba wax on top of that for extra shine.

And don't worry, i don't have a buffer either!! A buffer is pretty nessesary for polishing, and removing scratches and swirls, but you can still make your car look real good without it (at least thats what i keep telling myself, haha).

Oh, and i find that Mr Detailer has more detailing knowledge than you can imagine, and he has yet to steer me wrong!!
 
I've been hooked on using Zymol Cleaner wax and then using Mother's Pre-wax cleaner, then using Mothers Reflections car wax and top coat. I agree about using a cleaner with a buffer (just makes it easier), but I have done it by hand if you have the time. Mother's reflection stuff is awesome. Zaino stuff is supposed to be great too, Zymol is great but a tad expensive. Waxes are like women...gotta find one that your comfortable with and does the best job :D
 
mzdalvr said:
I've been hooked on using Zymol Cleaner wax and then using Mother's Pre-wax cleaner, then using Mothers Reflections car wax and top coat. I agree about using a cleaner with a buffer (just makes it easier), but I have done it by hand if you have the time. Mother's reflection stuff is awesome. Zaino stuff is supposed to be great too, Zymol is great but a tad expensive. Waxes are like women...gotta find one that your comfortable with and does the best job :D
Ok, thats a little redundant!
Z cleaner/wax, then Mothers Cleaner Wax? You just wasted an entire step, then you used a polymer atop a Nuba. Another no no!
The Zymol CW is a duster, and the protection it provides is minimal at best. The Mothers is definetly a step better. The Reflections is a great sealant. You'd be better off using that energy towards a true polish, the topping with the Reflections.
 
ibiz wax is the only thing you need. It's kinda pricey, around $20.00 for 16oz. but, with enough searching online you can find a good deal. Take it from me previous speed owner and a second place taker at nopi in ATL, GA 2005 and a tail of the dragon driver(roof surfer). How else can you get that kind of slide on your roof from just a 25mph flip over.
 
jmv said:
natty's blue FTW!!! I'm really happy with my combination of zaino sealants (they call them polish, but they are sealants), along with Natty's carnuba wax on top of that for extra shine.
natty's blue over zaino? how do you find that applies/buffs off/lasts? i know zaino's claim that all other products don't work with theirs, so i'm kinda curious about this... i've personally applied zaino over top of aio/wsg/natty's blue (pretty detiorated though, it was applied about 2 months before i did the zaino and i work along refinery row so wax, etc, doesn't last too long with the rail dust, etc) and had no issues... how is durability?
jmv said:
Oh, and i find that Mr Detailer has more detailing knowledge than you can imagine, and he has yet to steer me wrong!!
hear, hear!! paul is THE source for any and all detailing knowledge or questions (first)
 
well i don't really know, i've only had that combo for about a month now. I guess i never really figured that having natty's over top of the zaino would really impact the life of the zaino that much. I dunno?? I never thought about it much. Maybe paul knows.
 
I don't think the solvents in the Nattys would have much of any negative effect on the Zaino. The added protection that it would provide should offset any weakening of the sealant that may be caused by the wax's solvent content.
 
I love Meguiar's #21. It's easy to use: wipe on (thin layer), let it sit for 20 minutes, wipe off. There's no buffing or working it in needed as is the case with NXT, and there's no buffing it out. It really is wipe on and wipe off, with mild pressure.

Initially, NXT looks better, but then NXT fades pretty quickly. Meguiar #21 stays for 4-6 months, excellent beading still. It's synthetic.

It's my new favorite. You can find it in a Meguiar's Professional products store (like an autobody supply store).

Here are some photos, all of this is M21:

(fresh M21, a couple of weeks after application)


(4 months later)


(4 months later)


If you can't find Meguiar's #21, I also liked Mother's Reflections. It's also synthetic, but not as much as #21. It's just as easy to apply, wipe on, wipe off (I don't even think there's a wait). However, Mother's doesn't last as long, it lasts about 3 months (maybe even 4, but I never had it on for that long).

For what it's worth, here is the Mother's photo:



And the final assortment, this was Zaino Z5 (not the Pro version, the regular version), 1 layer after 4 months:



But go with Meguiar's #21! I promise you'll love it.
 
I forgot to say: CLAY! CLAY! CLAY!

If you don't clay before waxing, you're not going to get nearly the results you should be getting!


Also, while Meguiar's #21 is my favorite, it's primarily because of the combination of looks, durability and ease of use. If you take out ease of use, I am still itching to try a full 3-layer application of Zaino Z5-Pro, but I haven't had the time.
 
great info Astral!! i am going to buy some this week. any other products you suggest? i am currently using NXT, and a combination of Meguiar's Detial Spray and Turtle Wax ICE. Im also about to switch my car shampoo (i am currently using Turtle Wax as you Wash) suggestions on that would be great also! My paint is a year and s few months old (minor if ANY swirl marks) just trying to keep it that way. maybe a good cleaner wax and a polish/sealant. thanks ahead of time and happy waxing!
 

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