[KarlSTI]

OK, I've searched & I've read the long thread on Rejex and 3M products and silicone and siloxanes, Mcquiars wax, Mothers claybar, etc, etc...and have come to the conclusion - I have no idea what I should put on my brand spanking new STi the day I bring her home.

Should I wash first with Dawn and then apply Rejex and then wax (which wax?)? Or should I use my Mr. Clean cleaner system with ionization ray gun system I've been using on my Acura? The water is very "hard" here in NE Florida so the Mr. Clean system has been great for the black (Actually dark blue) Acura to prevent water spots, but my STi will be CGM which I figure will be easier to keep clean looking.

I'm looking for what I guess we all want. A good protective coating, a shiny car, no swirl marks, and I don't want to be washing and waxing it every weekend!

So, please chime in with what you've found to be the best products and frequency of use to meet these goals. Thanks!

[soileauj]

If you are using the rejex, they do recommend washing with dawn first. I'd suggest that if you want a really nice smooth finish, wasthe the car, clay it using detailer as instructed, wash it and then put the rejex. It will look like it's wet.

[Paperchasin]

1-wash with dish detergent
2-clay bar (i use mothers)
3-wash again with car wash (anything works)
4-polish (i use liquid glass)
5-wax (mother's)

[BoostJunkie]

for a brand new car, start by washing it with your regular car wash soap. then clay bar to remove any rail dust, dirt, etc. that has been embedded during shipping. Follow with another wash to remove the claybar lubricant. Klasse all-in-one and sealant glaze are my favorite products, start with a coat or 2 of all-in-one, followed by the same thing with the sealant glaze. you can top it with a carnauba wax for extra shine, but it's not really necessary. this will make your car look great, and offer good protection for the paint for months if you wash regularly.

[KarlSTI]

Thanks guys, looks like everyone pretty much agrees on wash & clay bar....I'm not seeing lots of enthusiasm for Rejex yet - still early - so will wait and see how the talley goes for the wax/polish products. I'll total them up at the end.....in my final post.....kind of a poll results deal.

[chancers]

There are lots of good products out there. I think a lot depends on how much time and effort you want to put in. If you don't mind spending lots of time, effort, and money, I think Zaino is the way to go. I'm thinking about buying Zaino's newest final detail spray (Z8). BUt, it (like most Zaino products) is expensive. I use Zaino on my black cars and all I can say is Wow!
Zaino's website is www.zainostore.com

I hear a lot of good things about Klasse (AIO and sealant). It's cheaper than Zaino. Both Zaino and Klasse are synthetic polishes which are quite durable. Klasse products can be found in lots of places (www.autogeek.com and www.autotopia.org). I think I will give Klasse a try when I run out of Zaino.

To get your car looking the best requires paint preparation. Dawn to strip off old wax. Clay bar to remove surface contaminants. Polish, seal, wax. Clay bars are expensive (considering it's a 40cent piece of clay). Expect to pay 15 bucks for 2 pieces of clay and an accompaniying 16 ounce lubricating/detail spray.

If you don't want to spend your weekend rubbing your arm off and waiting for that Zaino stuff to dry (half hour with ZFX and longer without ZFX), consider Formula113 one step wax. Talk about easy and awesome results. Formula113 also makes a nice detail spray (BeadX). Check out www.formula113.tv

I've also used Concours P21S wax (a carnauba wax). Really good stuff, but expensive (about $31 for a small jar). I bought mine at autotopia.org

I hear good things about Souveran wax. But, at 69 bucks a jar, I think I'll pass.

Look into getting some high quality drying and buffing towels. Cheap ones may marr the surface of your STi. I picked up a waffel weave microfiber drying towel and Concours buffing towel(Italian made) Best thing I did. That Concours towel is expensive (15 bucks). But, because it is so good, I gotta buy more. Check out autotopia.org

[Boxer]

Well, I have a dark colored STi (JBP) and live in FL. You might as well do the clay bar although it might not be so necessary with a brand new car. I use 3M polish/swirl remover for dark colors after the clay bar and then Klasse AIO wax along with the same brand sealer(3 coats). The car still beads heavily( I did this back in Nov.) and has a nice, deep shine.

Key item, regardless of products used, are 100% cotton or other non-abrasive cloths/towels. Especially with dark colors, you will be swirl-o-rama if you skimp in this department.

[MKIVSupra]

Here is basically what I did right after I bought my STi...

1. wash
2. clay
3. polish with 3M swirl remove
4. had a clear bra put on
5. polish with Menzerna Final Polish II using my Porter Cable polisher
- they make a more intense polish but since the car is new I felt it does not need it
6. Klasse All In One
7. Klasse Sealant Glaze, about 3 coats over a few days
8. Finally a few coats of Pinnalce Souveran carnauba wax

To specifically answer your question about a good cleaner/wax I would suggest Klasse All In One. It is a good synthetic product that will last a few months. To get about 12 months of protection, follow the AIO up with a coat of Klasse Sealant Glaze and your done.

[allwheelsdriven]

i just put on a coat of P21S wax and am very happy with it...

[KarlSTI]

Thanks guys! The final tally is something like:

1. Wash - Dawn/mild dish soap (3), Non-specific (3)
2. Clay bar - yes (5), may not need if new (1)
3. Wash - car wash soap
4. Rejex (1), Liquid Glass (1), Klasse AIO, (3) Zaino (1), 3M Polish Swirl Rem
(2), Menzerna final Polish II
5. Sealant - Klasse (4)
6. Wax - Mothers (1), Carnauba unspecific (1), Concours P21S (2), Pinnacle Souvern Carnauba (1)

So, I think I'll:

1. Wash with Dawn
2. Clay bar
3. Wash with car wash soap
4. Klasse AIO
5. Klasse Sealant(3 coats)
6. Wax - Carnauba (undecided on brand)

Thanks for the great input and links for products and "how to info".

[MKIVSupra]

Your plan looks good. Just to add, you might be happy enough with going up to Klasse Sealant Glaze and just applying as many coats as you want/can. I am real anal when it comes to detailing my cars so I go one step further for that little extra and probably a little overboard. I wish I spent half the time keeping my house clean. Anyway, once you go to the carnauba wax you can not go back to Sealant Glaze cause it will not bond to carnauba wax, you will have to start over with Klasse AIO to strip the wax off. Carnauba does not last long so you will have to apply a coat at least once a month or so depending on the conditions your car is exposed to. I like adding carnauba over Klasse cause it gives the paint a little better depth and color than a synthetic. It might not be worth it to you, so it's up to you. What I usually do every spring is try to bang out the whole detail and then get a few coats of sealant glaze on within the first couple weeks. Then I apply a coat of carnauba every so often, usually every 2nd car wash, throughout the summer and fall.

[KarlSTI]

MKIV, thanks for the tip. What brand of carnauba do you use?

I just found out that my car will not arrive from Japan until end of June.....DOH! So, I think I'll go buy these products and try them out on my wife's Acura this weekend.....That way if I screw it up, hey, at least it's not on the STI!!!

[Litfuse]

I wouldn't wax a new car for atleast 2 months. You have to let a new paint job cure for a little while. I know it takes a little while for the car to get shipped to the states, but I would still wait a little while. Also, there is a great mom and pop company in California that makes the best wax I have seen, and I have used about every kind of wax I could get my hands on. It's called super finish. It is what all the hot rod guys use on their 100,000 dollar hot rods. Great stuff.

[speedsnice]

I use some of Griot's Garage products,

-wash car with dawn
-Griot's clay and speed shine
-wash car with Meguirs car wash
-Griot's hand polish
-Griot's paint sealent
-Griot's best of show wax

then I sit back and enjoy the shine.

[Neanderthal Racing]

this thread is like a bunch of old women sharing laundry secrets.

don't listen to these coots. their cars all look like crap unless theyre using zaino.