Best wax for the black Z?

Cmike2780 · 06-21-2010, 10:10 PM

I just used Turtle Wax Black Box a few days ago. It came out ok and there was some noticeable differences in depth. It hides some minor scratches and the pre-cleaner got most of the water spots out. I'm not sure how long it will last, but I'm guessing its around 3-4 months since its a carnuba wax. Its not a miracle product, but for an over the counter, its one of the better ones i've tried. I would use caution when using polishes if you have no prior experience with using rotary buffers. The paint on the Z is very soft and you could burn the paint. It seems even bird crap can burn thru the clear coat in 2 minutes, I can't imagine what a harsh abrasive will do to it.

Chris`I · 06-22-2010, 02:24 AM

As the other guys have said though, the biggest contributor to the final finish is the prep, make sure the paint is clean, contamiant free and swirl free, and a good wax will make it look deeper and protect the paint from more contamination meaning next time around the whole process is easier.

I have used loads of different kits before (bar Adams) and Dodo Juice blows them all away. It seems to have made it to the US ( Dodo Juice USA ). If you can get Dodo where you are, I recommend Lime Prime (paint cleanser/polish), Supernatural (wax) and red mist (detailer/sealant).

This is what the above combo did to my 40th:

The Weapon · 06-22-2010, 02:42 PM

I've been combating swirls with your typical OTC stuff on my Magnetic Black Z since the day i picked it up from the dealer and just recently i got into the Adam's products and holy cow what a difference.

I followed Junkman's technique and i have to say he's advice is dead on especially with the Revive Polish. I took it a step further and after the Machine Superwax i put a coat of American Paste Wax really brought out the deep liquid shine look. The Z is swirl free for the first time since probably ever. I love getting out and parking and just looking at the light reflect off it. My wife has asked me to stop because she says i'm looking like a douche constantly checking out my own car. haha.

06-22-2010, 02:54 PM

Yeah OP you would be surprised the difference polish makes. I have Meguiars line and it works great. Wash, paint prep, polish, then wax. Very time consuming but the end product is great

Junkman2008 · 06-22-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Weapon

... My wife has asked me to stop because she says i'm looking like a douche constantly checking out my own car. haha.

It is IMPOSSIBLE not to look back at it 5 or 6 times!!! I try and limit myself to 3 looks but dang, it's like sex!

TBSS2008 · 06-22-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

It is IMPOSSIBLE not to look back at it 5 or 6 times!!! I try and limit myself to 3 looks but dang, it's like sex!

Glad I'm not the only one that does this. My wife says I pay more attention to the car then her.

As far as polish goes I have always used Zymol really good product. I usually wash my Z with turtle wax car wash with microfiber sponge, then dry with a microfiber towel, and then apply the Zymol with an orbital waxer.

StealthZ · 06-23-2010, 06:11 AM

for an all in one if you have a machine polisher/orbital, try Pinnacle XMT360 or Meguires d151. They have light polishes and built in sealant and look really good. it will clean up light swirling very well.

Daishi · 07-06-2010, 01:26 PM

I use my porter cable dual action with menzerna polishes and wolfgang paint sealant 3.0 has been very good to me. Very glossy and smooth shine.

RomRox · 07-08-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Weapon

I've been combating swirls with your typical OTC stuff on my Magnetic Black Z since the day i picked it up from the dealer and just recently i got into the Adam's products and holy cow what a difference.

I followed Junkman's technique and i have to say he's advice is dead on especially with the Revive Polish. I took it a step further and after the Machine Superwax i put a coat of American Paste Wax really brought out the deep liquid shine look. The Z is swirl free for the first time since probably ever. I love getting out and parking and just looking at the light reflect off it. My wife has asked me to stop because she says i'm looking like a douche constantly checking out my own car. haha.

I cant wait for my Americana Paste Wax to come then!!!

Mine's swirl free as we speak and I already think it's pretty shiny! Im really hoping for good stuff with the Americana Paste wax! Can't get here fast enough!

Junkman2008 · 07-15-2010, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RomRox

I cant wait for my Americana Paste Wax to come then!!!

Mine's swirl free as we speak and I already think it's pretty shiny! Im really hoping for good stuff with the Americana Paste wax! Can't get here fast enough!

How did that Americana work for you?

RomRox · 07-15-2010, 02:54 AM

Good timing, Junkman! My package from Adam's just arrived today and again it's missing the applicators for the Americana Paste Wax! (My last order was missing applicators for the interior leather conditioner, but Dylan set me up with a decent discount on this current order) .... anyhow, I do have one cheapy yellow generic wax applicator I can use.

Like I did with my other Adam's products, I plan on "testing" it out on a different vehicle (also black) first, before I use it on the 370.

Anyhow, I spent the last few days prepping the 370 for the Americana Paste wax, but obviously can't do it now without the applicator. I washed it, went over the car with a service light to find every minor swirl/clearcoat scratch. I found 10 areas that could use work, fixed it the best I could. (BTW, when i say areas, im talking minor lines that u wouldnt see unless u took a light to it at several angles... i've become a perfectionist after the porter cable arrived! hate it!) ... long story short, its ready for the Americana, just dont know if I should wait another week until the applicator comes in. If I wait, then i'll test it out on the X6 with the generic applicator.

Junkman2008 · 07-31-2010, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RomRox

Good timing, Junkman! My package from Adam's just arrived today and again it's missing the applicators for the Americana Paste Wax! (My last order was missing applicators for the interior leather conditioner, but Dylan set me up with a decent discount on this current order) .... anyhow, I do have one cheapy yellow generic wax applicator I can use.

Like I did with my other Adam's products, I plan on "testing" it out on a different vehicle (also black) first, before I use it on the 370.

Anyhow, I spent the last few days prepping the 370 for the Americana Paste wax, but obviously can't do it now without the applicator. I washed it, went over the car with a service light to find every minor swirl/clearcoat scratch. I found 10 areas that could use work, fixed it the best I could. (BTW, when i say areas, im talking minor lines that u wouldnt see unless u took a light to it at several angles... i've become a perfectionist after the porter cable arrived! hate it!) ... long story short, its ready for the Americana, just dont know if I should wait another week until the applicator comes in. If I wait, then i'll test it out on the X6 with the generic applicator.

So what is the verdict?

RomRox · 08-01-2010, 03:23 PM

Hey Junkman,

the car is near perfect. Its been awhile since my last post about the initial results. Since then i've washed the car twice using the two bucket method along with the foam gun.... dried with Adam's waffle weave great white towel... just lightly wiping... no swirls or scratching the clear coat other than what I simply cannot remove without those focus pads (i would think).

I HAVE paint corrected once after the first wash only because ppl keep touching my paint! I was gonna do it again after the second wash but after my attempts at correcting the first two times, im convinced its unfixable without those focus pads? I also used Adam's techniques in trying to get them out, but they're still there, maybe to a lesser degree. For one clear coat scratch i did what YOU did in your one video and just leaned on the PC on that one spot cuz it wasnt going away! lol And, its still there!

I just don't know whats up with this paint. Anyhow I still say my car is still in the top 99 percentile in terms of how flawless the rest of the car is.

I'll try to take pictures in direct sunlight the next wash and i'll try correcting those "problem scratches" ... and show you what i mean.

GTLAW · 08-01-2010, 04:13 PM

Guys, here is where I Will be buying all my stuff from.. They have everything

Detailed Image - Premium Auto Detailing Supplies

bullet1 · 08-02-2010, 02:59 PM

I have always been pleased with Meguiars #20 Polymer Sealant. Lasts quite a long time as well...

06-22-2010, 02:24 AM	#17 (permalink)
Chris`I Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Posts: 65 Drives: 10 370Z 40th 7AT Rep Power: 15	As the other guys have said though, the biggest contributor to the final finish is the prep, make sure the paint is clean, contamiant free and swirl free, and a good wax will make it look deeper and protect the paint from more contamination meaning next time around the whole process is easier. I have used loads of different kits before (bar Adams) and Dodo Juice blows them all away. It seems to have made it to the US ( Dodo Juice USA ). If you can get Dodo where you are, I recommend Lime Prime (paint cleanser/polish), Supernatural (wax) and red mist (detailer/sealant). This is what the above combo did to my 40th: __________________ 370z Quartz Black Edition / 40th Anni 7AT (95 / 370) In the UK? Check out the UKs best 350z/370z specific club www.350z-uk.com / www.370z-uk.net

06-22-2010, 02:42 PM	#18 (permalink)
The Weapon Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 286 Drives: 370Z Tour/Sport Blk Rep Power: 3371	I've been combating swirls with your typical OTC stuff on my Magnetic Black Z since the day i picked it up from the dealer and just recently i got into the Adam's products and holy cow what a difference. I followed Junkman's technique and i have to say he's advice is dead on especially with the Revive Polish. I took it a step further and after the Machine Superwax i put a coat of American Paste Wax really brought out the deep liquid shine look. The Z is swirl free for the first time since probably ever. I love getting out and parking and just looking at the light reflect off it. My wife has asked me to stop because she says i'm looking like a douche constantly checking out my own car. haha. __________________ Boosted Performance Comp Turbo - Tuner- CJM Fuel Return- Modified Berk CBE- ZSpeed Stage 4 Clutch - Southbend Flywheel - Tuned by Seb ~650whp - HKS Coilovers - SPL - Focal Audio 4 way Active - Audiocontrol DSP - Work CR 2P

07-06-2010, 01:26 PM	#23 (permalink)
Daishi Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 683 Drives: 09 370z 6Speed Rep Power: 16	I use my porter cable dual action with menzerna polishes and wolfgang paint sealant 3.0 has been very good to me. Very glossy and smooth shine. __________________ Cobb Tuned \| Injen Intakes \| Fast Intentions Long Tube Headers \| Fast Intentions TDX Catback 18" Resonators CF Mufflers \| Tommy Kaira Hebi Bebi Shift Knob \| 19x9.5/19x10.5 Five Axis Design S5:F w/ 245/40/19 - 285/35/19 Hankook Ventus V12's

08-01-2010, 04:13 PM	#29 (permalink)
GTLAW Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbia MD Posts: 373 Drives: Black ??? Rep Power: 14	Guys, here is where I Will be buying all my stuff from.. They have everything Detailed Image - Premium Auto Detailing Supplies __________________ 2013 6MT IPL GrSh\|V-Leds\|OSRAM \| SWIFT \| H&R \| CUSCO \| HKS \| 3M \|

08-02-2010, 02:59 PM	#30 (permalink)
bullet1 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 101 Drives: 370Z Black - Touring Rep Power: 14	I have always been pleased with Meguiars #20 Polymer Sealant. Lasts quite a long time as well... Last edited by bullet1; 08-03-2010 at 01:50 PM.

06-22-2010, 02:54 PM	#19 (permalink)
blue660r01 Guest Posts: n/a	Yeah OP you would be surprised the difference polish makes. I have Meguiars line and it works great. Wash, paint prep, polish, then wax. Very time consuming but the end product is great

06-23-2010, 06:11 AM	#22 (permalink)
StealthZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 356 Drives: '14 GTR Premium Rep Power: 16	for an all in one if you have a machine polisher/orbital, try Pinnacle XMT360 or Meguires d151. They have light polishes and built in sealant and look really good. it will clean up light swirling very well.

07-15-2010, 02:54 AM	#26 (permalink)
RomRox Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 110 Drives: 10 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 14	Good timing, Junkman! My package from Adam's just arrived today and again it's missing the applicators for the Americana Paste Wax! (My last order was missing applicators for the interior leather conditioner, but Dylan set me up with a decent discount on this current order) .... anyhow, I do have one cheapy yellow generic wax applicator I can use. Like I did with my other Adam's products, I plan on "testing" it out on a different vehicle (also black) first, before I use it on the 370. Anyhow, I spent the last few days prepping the 370 for the Americana Paste wax, but obviously can't do it now without the applicator. I washed it, went over the car with a service light to find every minor swirl/clearcoat scratch. I found 10 areas that could use work, fixed it the best I could. (BTW, when i say areas, im talking minor lines that u wouldnt see unless u took a light to it at several angles... i've become a perfectionist after the porter cable arrived! hate it!) ... long story short, its ready for the Americana, just dont know if I should wait another week until the applicator comes in. If I wait, then i'll test it out on the X6 with the generic applicator.

08-01-2010, 03:23 PM	#28 (permalink)
RomRox Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 110 Drives: 10 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 14	Hey Junkman, the car is near perfect. Its been awhile since my last post about the initial results. Since then i've washed the car twice using the two bucket method along with the foam gun.... dried with Adam's waffle weave great white towel... just lightly wiping... no swirls or scratching the clear coat other than what I simply cannot remove without those focus pads (i would think). I HAVE paint corrected once after the first wash only because ppl keep touching my paint! I was gonna do it again after the second wash but after my attempts at correcting the first two times, im convinced its unfixable without those focus pads? I also used Adam's techniques in trying to get them out, but they're still there, maybe to a lesser degree. For one clear coat scratch i did what YOU did in your one video and just leaned on the PC on that one spot cuz it wasnt going away! lol And, its still there! I just don't know whats up with this paint. Anyhow I still say my car is still in the top 99 percentile in terms of how flawless the rest of the car is. I'll try to take pictures in direct sunlight the next wash and i'll try correcting those "problem scratches" ... and show you what i mean.

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