Waxing your STi

Chris05STi · 07-26-2005, 04:45 AM

OK, heres a question, what do you guys/gals use to wax your subies? I am gonna buy some wax, but only want the best for the STi. Talk about the process as well, maybe be useful for others reading. Show pics if you wanna! Thanks

***Nachos Libres*** · 07-26-2005, 05:13 AM

Ok, there are several good waxes/polishes available. Meguairs is one you can get in your local store, but I have been using Zaino (from www.zainobros.com) for several years and can attest to the fact that the more coats of this you use, the wetter and deeper the paint on your car looks. Zaino has also saved the finish of my paint several times, including when I scraped a painted pole with my front bumper on my old SVT. It left a ton of yellow paint from the pole on my blue car, and looked hideous and I thought I would have to repaint my bumper, but since I had like 30+ coats of Zaino, all I had to do was get a towel and some windex, and the paint from the pole came right off. The small, hairlike scratches that were left were eventually covered up with Zaino as well.

Here's what you will want to do if this is your first coat of wax/polish.

1. Wash the car.
2. Use a solution of water, or water/soap, and claybar your entire car, doing small areas at a time and using a towel to immediately wipe the area where you clayed. Claybars can be bought from the website I listed above or at a local auto parts store.
3. Wash the car again to rid the car of any extra clay that may have been left from the previous process.
4. Apply wax or polish
5. Remove wax or polish

Zaino is great because you can apply it in the sun or shade, and doesn't take very long at all to dry (30 minutes for me). You can then immediately wipe it off, which comes off easily with a towel, or wait as long as you want to take it off (I've waited 24 hours before). If you buy the ZFX version of Zaino you can then immediately apply another coat, or if you are like me and that's too much work, you can wait at least 24 hours to apply another coat. One coat is definately enough to protect you for 6 months, but I try to do 1 coat at least every other week because the more coats you do, the better and wetter your car looks.

There are also some techniques you want to use when waxing/polishing (or at least with Zaino). When applying on horizontal surfaces (i.e. hood, trunk, roof, etc.) you want to use a front to back motions. When applying on vertical surfaces you want to use up and down motions. I don't know if this applies to all waxes/polishes, or just Zaino, but it helps with the optical displays of the polish and causes your car to reflect better over time.

***VSGTS14*** · 07-26-2005, 06:40 PM

don't wax in direct sunlight or heat...if the wax is hard to take off, then put the car in the sun to soften it...but with waxes now this isn't typical.

i use meguiars....not much money and it works.
i love their polish and the NXT lineup.
i wax my car when i know it needs it...NXT tech doesn't last as long as others

www.autopia-carcare.com

zaino is awesome if you can justify the cost, eventually i plan to buy it.

WE_R_ND · 07-26-2005, 07:02 PM

Another vote for Zaino. Get a microfiber drying towel also. They make all the difference in the world.

Sti-lysh · 07-26-2005, 07:12 PM

Rejex.... Love it and you can do your wheels as well. I do recommend claying and polishing first.

STi05' · 07-27-2005, 12:39 AM

I have a package coming in tomorrow that has a Porter Cable orbital buffer, lots of Microfiber cloths and Menzerna polish, glaze, sealant, then a spray over quick detailer. Its some German company and they seem to make some fine stuff. Ill be putting up pics once I've waxed her up

AndrewSS · 07-28-2005, 05:11 PM

onegrand blitz wax or P21s concours looks is what i use on my cars.

chancers · 07-29-2005, 09:56 PM

There are lots of good products out there. I like Zaino (but expensive, time consuming, some learning curve), P21S, and Formula113. Make sure you get a good applicator, buffing towel, drying towel. If you go with crappy towels, say hello to more swirls on that cheap Subaru paint. Don't you just wish someone would invent a clearcoat that is swirlproof?

But, it's more than just waxing your car. Paint preparation (dawn, clay bar, polish, wax) is key to the best results.

shftat6 · 07-30-2005, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sti-lysh

Rejex.... Love it and you can do your wheels as well. I do recommend claying and polishing first.

Heck, I use Rejex on the car, wheels, lenses, windows, black trim around the windows, mirror, and B pillar...almost the whole car top to bottom.

Works great!!

Edit: Don't you hate how the rotors rust up when you wash your car, then you end up cleaning the wheels again after your first drive so they don't look nasty from all of that stuff coming off.

07-26-2005, 04:45 AM	#1
Chris05STi I Has a Turbo Timer Car: 2005 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Every single one! Location: NJ Posts: 9,663 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (27)	Waxing your STi OK, heres a question, what do you guys/gals use to wax your subies? I am gonna buy some wax, but only want the best for the STi. Talk about the process as well, maybe be useful for others reading. Show pics if you wanna! Thanks This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-26-2005, 05:13 AM	#2
*Nachos Libres* Moderator Elite Car: 2005 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Underglows Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 8,553 Join Date: Jul 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Ok, there are several good waxes/polishes available. Meguairs is one you can get in your local store, but I have been using Zaino (from www.zainobros.com) for several years and can attest to the fact that the more coats of this you use, the wetter and deeper the paint on your car looks. Zaino has also saved the finish of my paint several times, including when I scraped a painted pole with my front bumper on my old SVT. It left a ton of yellow paint from the pole on my blue car, and looked hideous and I thought I would have to repaint my bumper, but since I had like 30+ coats of Zaino, all I had to do was get a towel and some windex, and the paint from the pole came right off. The small, hairlike scratches that were left were eventually covered up with Zaino as well. Here's what you will want to do if this is your first coat of wax/polish. 1. Wash the car. 2. Use a solution of water, or water/soap, and claybar your entire car, doing small areas at a time and using a towel to immediately wipe the area where you clayed. Claybars can be bought from the website I listed above or at a local auto parts store. 3. Wash the car again to rid the car of any extra clay that may have been left from the previous process. 4. Apply wax or polish 5. Remove wax or polish Zaino is great because you can apply it in the sun or shade, and doesn't take very long at all to dry (30 minutes for me). You can then immediately wipe it off, which comes off easily with a towel, or wait as long as you want to take it off (I've waited 24 hours before). If you buy the ZFX version of Zaino you can then immediately apply another coat, or if you are like me and that's too much work, you can wait at least 24 hours to apply another coat. One coat is definately enough to protect you for 6 months, but I try to do 1 coat at least every other week because the more coats you do, the better and wetter your car looks. There are also some techniques you want to use when waxing/polishing (or at least with Zaino). When applying on horizontal surfaces (i.e. hood, trunk, roof, etc.) you want to use a front to back motions. When applying on vertical surfaces you want to use up and down motions. I don't know if this applies to all waxes/polishes, or just Zaino, but it helps with the optical displays of the polish and causes your car to reflect better over time.

07-26-2005, 06:40 PM	#3
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 08 Chevy 2500HD Fav Mod: a new 08 STi Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 9,967 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	don't wax in direct sunlight or heat...if the wax is hard to take off, then put the car in the sun to soften it...but with waxes now this isn't typical. i use meguiars....not much money and it works. i love their polish and the NXT lineup. i wax my car when i know it needs it...NXT tech doesn't last as long as others www.autopia-carcare.com zaino is awesome if you can justify the cost, eventually i plan to buy it.

07-26-2005, 07:02 PM	#4
WE_R_ND Spec C Club Fav Mod: Track Time Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 2,267 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Another vote for Zaino. Get a microfiber drying towel also. They make all the difference in the world.

07-26-2005, 07:12 PM	#5
Sti-lysh Professional STI Racer Car: O5 OBP STi Fav Mod: Volk LE28N Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 835 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (2)	Rejex.... Love it and you can do your wheels as well. I do recommend claying and polishing first.

07-27-2005, 12:39 AM	#6
STi05' The Next Petter Solberg Car: 05' STi CGM/Silver Fav Mod: Recaro Sports Location: Mercer Island, Wa Posts: 976 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	I have a package coming in tomorrow that has a Porter Cable orbital buffer, lots of Microfiber cloths and Menzerna polish, glaze, sealant, then a spray over quick detailer. Its some German company and they seem to make some fine stuff. Ill be putting up pics once I've waxed her up

07-28-2005, 05:11 PM	#7
AndrewSS S204 Racer Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: RCE T2 Coilovers Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,642 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (21)	onegrand blitz wax or P21s concours looks is what i use on my cars.

07-29-2005, 09:56 PM	#8
chancers Junior STI Driver Car: 04 STi wrb Fav Mod: not even a radio yet Location: Texas Posts: 79 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	There are lots of good products out there. I like Zaino (but expensive, time consuming, some learning curve), P21S, and Formula113. Make sure you get a good applicator, buffing towel, drying towel. If you go with crappy towels, say hello to more swirls on that cheap Subaru paint. Don't you just wish someone would invent a clearcoat that is swirlproof? But, it's more than just waxing your car. Paint preparation (dawn, clay bar, polish, wax) is key to the best results.