i have a hugger orange 69 camaro with a 6 month old paint job. the finish is really nice. i don't want to scratch the finish with a bad polish or wax. what are some good things to use to keep the finish clean and scratch free??

Well lets see. A lot depends on how much work you want to put into it. Readily available products like Mequiars are always a good choice.
1)First make sure the car is clean and dry and in shade or a garage. Use a car wash soap (never a powder or crystal) and always dry with a soft towel or squeege (california water blade).
2) If the paint is near new you may not need to polish at all, but usually it is a good idea as it removes contaminants from the paint. It you want a easy one step product that polishes and waxes use Meguiars Cleaner Wax. (Professional Number 6 tan bottle) It removes light oxidation and most tar/road gunk and waxes fairly effectively.
3) If you want to put more work into it Polish first with Meguiars number 7 Show Car Glaze which will polish, remove oxidation, and return vital oils and nutrients to the paint. Then follow with a good carnuba wax. Never use silicone. My choice of a good carnuba wax (liquid) is Super Glaze which applies extremely easy, leaves no white chalky residue and can be put on in sun or freezing temps with the same results. You can also use as a storage wax by applying and covering then buffing off when the car comes out for the summer. It can be purchased at most auto parts or from the waxshop. http://www.waxdepot.com.
For best result wax frequently, I usually do it every month or every other month. With the proper products you do not worry about yellowing buildup. You may check Meguiars website for some reccomendations and tips as well. Http://www.meguiars.com
Hope this helps,
MStarmer

I thought Mcquires couldn't be beat till I was introduced to Zaino show car ploish, its the best and easiest I've ever used!
www.zainobros.com (http://www.zainobros.com)

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Life aint easy when you're fat and greasy

I really like the car care products Griot"s sell.You contact them www.griot'sgarage.com. (http://www.griot'sgarage.com.)
Also, I have heard nothing but good about a wax that th Por-15 company sells. www.por-15.com (http://www.por-15.com)

i use mother's and am happy with it.

Mcquires and mothers all the way in my opinion. I have been using their products for years and have never had a problem and have always been VERY pleased with the results
But I am always willing to try something new!.
Madmikeee

I'm tellin ya agin, you will love the Zaino! I've got Mcquires turning bad on the self since I got the Zaino.

If you apply the Zaino with 100% cotton as recommended you will not get any scratches! It contains no abrasives. Its not for faded paint. It will however, make good paint shine like it never has. The kicker is its easier to apply and remove!

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Life aint easy when you're fat and greasy

[This message has been edited by bigjames4xl (edited 05-01-2001).]

Big J... Where can I pick some up.. I would love to try it.. I may not have a rod at this point but I take good care of the cars I have! http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

Thanks!
-MM-

I gotta agree with big james here, Zaino is awesome!! Only drawback is you can only get it through mail order or a local distributor - not sold in stores. It seems overwhelmingly expensive at first because you've gotta buy like 8 different products. But each one has a purpose and it lasts so long that you really get your money's worth. Whatever polish/wax you use, be sure to use a clay bar on your car first. It feels kinda stupid rubbing a hunk of clay all over your car, but it really helps to get all the crud out of your paint.

Zaino'doubtaboutit!

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Ben - '67 RS/SS350 - Mustangs, meet your NemeSS (http://www.zing.com/picture/p7d9fe8b5dd35dcd12073b1cff9e14e0b/fe9a71cc.jpg.orig.jpg)
"There's an 'e' in Ben, but there's NO 'E' IN CAMARO!!" (no, I'm not an English major....but my wife is! :) )

You don't have to get all the products. All you need is the Z!, Z2(for clear caoted cars), Z5( for swirl marks ans light scratches). I'd say Z5 is optional and it is the most expensive.
They recommend removing all wax from your car by washing it with Dawn, apply the Z1 precleaner/conditioner, then apply the Z2 right on top of the precleaner, don't take it off. Let the Z2 dry at least 1 hour. Then wipe it off. Be sure to use 100% cotton.
A second coat will make it look even better!
Her's the web site, www.zainobros.com (http://www.zainobros.com)

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Life aint easy when you're fat and greasy

Just use a hand glaze once a year on your car .

No silicon?

I use Mothers detail spray all the time. The car will get a paint job in two years so I'm not overly worried about too much here, but...

The statement was made so strongly that you've got me curious as heck.

Wuzzzzup?


Rick

i swear by simoniz. i mean the real deal, original hand rubbed stuff in the yellowcan, $3.00. a lot of people dont like the work involved in it. i love it! you cant beat the shine and it leaves no residue. if attemting, i suggest talking to someone who knows how to do it first. other wise you WILL have a disaster on you hands. my dad tought me and refuse to use anything else!

Wuzzzzup?

Just trying to pass along some info on an outstanding product. I have no vested interest other than that! Do a search on Zaino at www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index (http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index) . This is where I found out about it.

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Life aint easy when you're fat and greasy

[This message has been edited by bigjames4xl (edited 05-04-2001).]

No, no, no. That was the wrong "wuzzup"!!! I apprecicate getting info on good products. (As a matter of fact, I saw that wax on the counter at NAPA this weekend.)

The right "wuzzup", was directed towards the never use a silicon, statement thing-ee, sorta.

I've heard some mention before of silicon not being a good idea but never heard any real poop on the subject other than , "don't like it", or "don't use it."

So, when the statement was made, I was looking for clarification and the real poop. I'm always ready to learn something new.

Thanks in advance.

Rick
69 RS-SS

I want to know too!
What is wrong with silicone? It sure gets a lot of hype.

Joe

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69 396 w/SS Trim
Badboatdude@CS.com
69 Pics http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1506559&a=11674961

Never use silicone was a statement based on painting and not necessarily waxing. It does work as a wax for sure, but your body man may hate it when you go to paint or do some body work because it is horrible to get off from what I understand. That's why if you look at the back of some of the meguiars polishes/compounds they state they "are paintable". If you don't like fisheyes in your paint jobs dont use silicone...

MStarmer

I use Formula 113. It works great. I buy it by the case and sell it to my friends. It also works great on dark cars because it doesn't have the pasty white film.

502 Bob

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69 Z-502
Body by Fisher and Customized by Fisher
www.mobiletools1.com (http://www.mobiletools1.com)

Meguiars cleaner/wax (liquid) will give you one of the best shines available. Its a great all around product. Its reasonably priced and relatively easy to use but it may not bead water as long as some others.

MStarmer.

YIKES!!! Thank you very much for the info. My car needs to be painted and my plan is to take it apart within the next two years, to the last bolt.

I am afraid I have already done the damage. I have wiped the car down with the Detailers Spray, top to bottom multiple times.

I am tossing the stuff this weekend. When the car does get painted, it will be perfect. Thanks again.


Rick.

Anyone ever use Dry Wash 'n guard? I've experimented with all kinds of polishes and waxes from Mequiar's 5 step process to that european "Zymol" junk. I picked up some Dri Wash 'n Guard at a flea market and couldn't believe it. I used it for a few years until I put the my camaro in storage a couple years ago. IT's kind of a thin blue liquid that you spray on in a fine mist, then just wipe it in. After I applied it, you could drop a dry rag anywhere on the car and it would slide off onto the ground. Whereas waxes kinda feel just a slight bit tacky to the touch, this stuff feels like silk. Only drawbacks are if you let any overspray dry, it's difficult to get off and the product is kinda hard to find. Also, it doesn't stand up to Florida pine tree sap! But what does? Mequiar's and mothers can match the shine (after alot of buffing), but this stuff applies in less than a half hour. Just sharing my personal preference!

Has anyone ever used anti-static? Goes on like Maguires spray detailer, but gives a better shine and smooth as hell. It is a cleaner/polish. I washed, clay barred, and waxed my car, then use the anti-static to keep it clean. My friend gave me a gallon and I use it in a spray bottle, half water/half anti-static. He bought it from a detailing shop. The company who makes is call Production car care (209)943-7337. Good stuff and only $15.00 for a gallon!

englemac, I have a friend that sells the dri wash. E-mail me if you want to get some from him.
Austin