Newb Question about wax

ThunderBolt · 02-01-09, 02:06

I've been using Meguire's products for quite some time now. I use a Flex 3401 and Meguires compound 83 for polishing my paint. I've been using Meguire's synthetic 21 lately and I really like it. Can anybody suggest a better wax to use? Don't get me wrong, I really love the stuff, but if there's something out there that works better on Red I'd like to give it a shot.

Thanks in advance!

Ron.

Accumulator · 02-02-09, 10:09

ThunderBolt- Welcome to Autopia!

Judging by the (great) appearance of your truck, since you like the Meg's 21 I sorta think you oughta just stick with it instead of starting down that search-for-the-ultimate-LSP road. Seriously.

The products that are generally considered to look wonderful on red (Meg's #26, Pinnacle Souveran, and the boutique waxes from Zymol and others) are either very expensive or short-lived (or both).

Guess I'm just not prone to giving really fun advice on this subject, but I think that once you find a LSP (or any other product) that simply *works* for you it pays to just stick with it... At least until you have a really good reason to try something else.

If anything I'd just try doing an even better job of polishing. After you get things great with the #83, do a few finish-polishing steps, wrapping up with a burnishing/jeweling that's *almost* functionally non-abrasive. IMO there's usually a pretty significant opportunity for (perhaps subtle) improvements you can effect by refinining your polishing and that can make a much bigger diff than some other LSP. Even when you think it's "perfect", there's often some even more gentle product that'll make it even a little bit better. And then you can experiment with some kind of glaze (use something that's #21-friendly) to see it that will add anything.

GLuXuRy · 02-02-09, 10:43

dont have any advice

just wanted to say that your Truck looks great .. two thumbs up on those wheels too

akimel · 02-02-09, 10:59

Must resist the search for the ultimate wax ... must resist ... must resist ...

Accumulator's counsel, as always, is sound and reliable. If you have found a sealant you really like, stick with it.

But I understand the desire to try something new, to discover for oneself if there's another wax out there that might provide an even better shine.

Given that you have been using a sealant, how about trying a carnauba? One wax that I definitely want to try in the not-too-far future is Victoria Concours Red. I mention this here because I have read many reviews in which it is said to do something "special" for red cars. I don't know if folks are imagining it or not, but I do know that red cars get mentioned a lot in connection with VCR. And for a carnauba beauty wax, it is reasonably and competitively priced. One of our fellow Autopia members, Bence, is quite pleased with the product.

But beware of the search for the ultimate wax! Bruhahaha.

ThunderBolt · 02-02-09, 03:45

Accumulator, thanks for your response. I ended up buying buying the 64OZ jug of the sealant 2.0. I also have a gallon of compound 80. It is less abraisive. I think I'll use it next time.

GLuXuRy, thanks for the compliment!

akimal, thanks for the info. I might just try some carnauba for ***** and grins.

Ron.

XRL · 02-02-09, 06:03

if you're just looking to spend money on waxes, try the BOGO Fuzion at Autogeek, it's supposed to be good, and since it's more of a synthetic type than carnauba (or so i've read and heard) it'll probably look like a better version of the Meg's.

Outside of that, experiment with some stuff locally, see what type you like. Some people like the look of a sealant, some like a carnauba, some like a synthetic wax, some like a mixed, etc. See what you have locally available and check out a few things. I'd recommend checking out Turtle Wax Platinum Paste (i know, it's better than you'd think), its like $7 at target and is pretty damn decent for the price. Maybe you can source some of the Mother's Carnauba wax locally, maybe try Meg's 26 if you can get it locally, etc. There's definitely lots of good waxes out there to try. You might want to check out the review section for some ideas on what to try.

ThunderBolt · 02-03-09, 01:19

Thank you.

TSIBrian · 02-03-09, 11:12

Would you happen to be from the Detroit area?

ThunderBolt · 02-03-09, 11:53

No I am not. I'm located in Spring Texas. Spring is roughly 35 miles North of Houston.

TSIBrian · 02-03-09, 12:16

Ok, was curious because there is a Lightning with the red oval and similar wheels (weld racing) that I've seen in the area. Nice looking truck btw.

ThunderBolt · 02-03-09, 12:21

Yeah there are quite a few of us out there. My wheels are centerline Matrix 5's. Thanks for the compliment.

YouTube - Lighting vid

Legacy99 · 02-03-09, 02:19

Sharp looking truck. If you like #83, stick with it, but as accumulator said, doing a final polish with a no cut pad will yield you better results than any wax would. Prep work is the most important step in achieving the best results. I just happen to like Menzerna 87MC on a blue pad as my last step to polishing. Your truck looks amazing, but doing the above will add another 10-15% in the gloss factor aside from any wax that you may choose.