[Thejoyofdriving]

Hey guys just wanted to let people know that I do pro detailing part time for exotic cars and i have a pretty good knowledge base that I have collected. I will be happy to give product recommendations(I am not affiliated with any company) or just the run of the mill questions. I am here to help with any questions you may have, just PM me or best shoot me a IM on AOL instant messenger my screen name is also Thejoyofdriving, that way we can talk and have a more detailed conversation.


MY MASTER LIST


Major brands that I have personally used and recommend

Pinnacle
DP
Wolfgang
303
Menzerna

Major brands that I hear are good from other detailers

Zaino
Klasse
P21S


MUST try products in my opinion

Pinnacle Souveran.
Pinnacle Signature Series II
Pinnacle Spray Souveran
Pinnacle Vinyl and Rubber Protectant (For those of you that demand a very matte non shinny finish)

303 AeroSpace Protectant
303 Fabric Protectant (I hear its amazing)

Back To Black Trim Protectant

Menzerna Polishes.....All of them



My Favorite Detailing tools

Pinnacle Foam Gun!!!

New English Wash Brush

EZ Detailing Wheel Brush

Cobra MF Towels especially the Guzzler

[infected07]

Hey man im picking up a 2006 Crystal Grey Metallic WRX STi soon and would love some tips on what products to use. I'm new to detailing but I can do a pretty thorough clean as I always love to take care of my vehicles. I don't have a garage so it does sit outside in the winter so I am trying to find a really nice wax.

Thanks man,

Cam

[M.K. STI]

what's the best waxing product do you suggest? and it's greatly appreciated to have you help us out

[jimmyz]

I want to get into a better detailing system then the current hand wax, I have a black 2007 sti and it shows every little swirl and scratch. I want to know what the best way for an average guy to get a show car shine with very little swirl marks. As of now i just use a hand applicator with a zymol wax. I've tried the clay bar and it seemed ok, not overly impressed, but it seems like when i wash the car its always blochy after a wax, not super slick. Thanks for the advice. Jim

[Thejoyofdriving]

First of all sorry guys i thought i subscribed to the thread and i didnt realize there were posts i thought people would pm me or IM me. but its ok.

Originally Posted by infected07

Hey man im picking up a 2006 Crystal Grey Metallic WRX STi soon and would love some tips on what products to use. I'm new to detailing but I can do a pretty thorough clean as I always love to take care of my vehicles. I don't have a garage so it does sit outside in the winter so I am trying to find a really nice wax.

Thanks man,

Cam

Well i would strongly recommend a synthetic. They have much better protection than natural waxes. I always use synthetics. Personally, I cant really tell the difference in looks and synthetics generally protect better so thats why i use them. I use wolfgang sealant right now. Its nice, but not the best.

Originally Posted by M.K. STI

what's the best waxing product do you suggest? and it's greatly appreciated to have you help us out

Originally Posted by jimmyz

I want to get into a better detailing system then the current hand wax, I have a black 2007 sti and it shows every little swirl and scratch. I want to know what the best way for an average guy to get a show car shine with very little swirl marks. As of now i just use a hand applicator with a zymol wax. I've tried the clay bar and it seemed ok, not overly impressed, but it seems like when i wash the car its always blochy after a wax, not super slick. Thanks for the advice. Jim

Easiest way to make the swirls less noticeable is to use a filler. Some waxes use fillers to hide the swirls. You wont get rid of all of them, but they will be less noticeable. If you have a machine, you could use an "all in one" product also. But note that with pure fillers (Pure Glazes) sometimes bonding problems can occur with trying to apply waxs or sealants over it.

[Thejoyofdriving]

Take a look i just added my Master List of brands and products on my first post.

[Thejoyofdriving]

Did that help guys?

[Igetitpoppin]

I have a question. What would be the best solution for swirls on a white car? I know you could use a buffer/polisher but Im looking for a wax or sealent to help remove them.

[Thejoyofdriving]

Originally Posted by Igetitpoppin

I have a question. What would be the best solution for swirls on a white car? I know you could use a buffer/polisher but Im looking for a wax or sealent to help remove them.

Unfortunately there is no wax or sealant that can REMOVE swirls. But. There are things you can do to "hide" them. One thing you could try is a glaze. A glaze is a liquid that is designed to fill in swirls to try and make the light refract more evenly, thus reducing the appearance of swirls. Dont expect to use a glaze and have all your scratches and swirls vanish, if their apperence is reduced than you should be happy, if your not, bring out the polish. Or, you could simply try a sealant like klasse All in One. Personally i have never tried it, and to tell you the truth it kind of pisses me off as they say that it will "remove" swirls yet it doesnt contain abrasives, which any good detailer knows is literally impossible, you dont put the words "no abrasives" and "will REMOVE swirls" in the same sentence. Its likely that it just uses fillers to fill in the swirls temporarily like a glaze. As far as glazes go, you apply them after polishing(or if you dont polish after you "clean" the paint) but before washing. I hear a lot of people like RMG which is Red Machine Glaze. Never used it and i dont know if its good but lots of people use it. "1Z Einszett pro line *wax* final finish" looks good, i dont even know for sure if its good, never used it and never heard of anyone using it but you could ask around. There are plenty of other glazes out there you could try too. Menzerna makes one, and i have used it but i havent got a chance to test it. Knowing that Menzerna only makes the best is what got me to buy it. Menzerna is the kind of company that has built up the rep that if it makes something, it has to be good. I have some light scratches that i will try filling in this weekend with the menzerna glaze and let you know if it works out or not. Remember the only sure fire way to banish swirls or scratches for good is with polishing. You can always polish by had but you wont get anywhere too fast, and the results will be no where as close to as good with a machine. But if you want to take a non evasive path then temporarily filling swirls with glazes is really the best. It will last for a few months depending on conditions. REMEMBER to follow up with protection(sealant or wax)!!!! As true glazes have no protective properties. ONE IMPORTANT THING TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN USING GLAZES. It has been know that some glazes can cause bonding issues with sealants or waxes. This probably has to do with the oils in glazes preventing the wax or sealant to adhere to the paint. Some glazes will not effect the bonding, some will only adversely effect some sealants or waxes. Its a blind shot in the dark really. Best is to stick with high quality products from good companies that you know have tested the product for compatibility with at least their own waxes/sealants. You can always call and ask, but i wouldnt be al that surprised if they just were like " I donnnno" or just BS u and say "SURE! of course it wont effect bonding" without REALLY knowing the truth about whether it will or not. Its almost like you have to be a chemist these days to make knowledgeable decisions when picking products.

[Igetitpoppin]

Thanks Ill look in to it.

[ToeKutter]

Subscribed. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[Thejoyofdriving]

Take a look at post #9 again guys i added some more useful info.

[Thejoyofdriving]

Im going to be testing menzerna glaze tomorrow(hopefully) and let you guys that are interested in glazes know how it works.

[johannesfrans@yahoo.com]

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[ytsohptwhere]

I got a WRB STi and have TONS of swirls all over it. What procedures/products do you recommend to get them out? I can take pictures if that would help. Its just bothering the living hell out of me