Longevity Wax

J

JPW

New member
I'm somewhat new to car detailing. Last year I did as much research as I could to understand what might be best and ended up purchasing about $250 in Zaino products. I washed the car with Ultra Dawn to try and strip the wax, carefully spent hours claying the car, used Zaino All in One as a foundation (recommended), and then put on about 2 coats of Z5 and then 3 coats of Z2. Finally, I sealed it with some Zaino CV (I think that is what its called) synthetic polymer. The car did look very good and the paint felt like smooth butter. Basically, I followed their optimal directions to the letter.



My problem is I wasn't very happy with how long it lasted. All that work took 2 days and maybe about 20 hours for me. I only washed the car with Zaino's car wash product, but felt the buttery smooth finish leave after only maybe 2 months. I've now resorted to putting on a coat of Z2 every time I wash the car, just to keep the foundation protected and maintain the buttery smooth feel. It is very time consuming to do it each and every time.



So my question is, does anyone have any confidence in perhaps another product that really lasts? I drive the car about 70 miles every day and I know that is part of the problem. When it is parked, it is always garaged so I'm sure that helps. I don't mind putting in the hours to do a good detailing job, but it would be nice if I could find something that would require less maintenance than washing and waxing each week. It would be nice if I could find something that could retain the buttery smooth finish through many maintenance car washes, but I might be asking too much. Am I?
 
getcha said:
Collinites products last 476 - 845 - 915



Finish Kares products last 1000P - 2180
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Admittedly, I am a newbie with car detailing. I can't tell if those numbers are meant to represent something or perhaps a joke. Is it possible to elaborate a bit more?
 
Im very sorry for the confusion. When you have a moment to look around there is a decoder for all the detailing products. We all like to use some sort of alpha numeric code for them



FK1000P - Finish Kare Hi temp Paste wax - its a paste sealant that is super easy to use if you apply it nice and thin and is literally guanteed to last you MONTHS



FK2180- Finish Kare ultra polymer sealant - this will last a long time BUT nobody likes it because it needs to be really worked well into the finish, usually with a finishing pad on speed 4+ on the PC.



476 - Collinite double coat auto wax#476- this is a little tricky to use but is bulletproof - this will get you close to 8 months and often more of protection.



845 is Collinites liquid insulator wax - a liquid wax that is like 15 dollars a bottle that rivals all the super expensive stuff and murders it on durability - this is also a breeze to use. Everyone loves this and 1000P



915 Collinites Marque d'Elegance wax - another paste with a bit higher carnauba content. More expensive but is a little tricky to use sometimes looks good on everything.



Actually all of these look great on everything. Some have just weird application techniques to get the most from them



EDIT: I just noticed you deleted your post?
 
getcha said:
Im very sorry for the confusion. When you have a moment to look around there is a decoder for all the detailing products. We all like to use some sort of alpha numeric code for them



FK1000P - Finish Kare Hi temp Paste wax - its a paste sealant that is super easy to use if you apply it nice and thin and is literally guanteed to last you MONTHS



FK2180- Finish Kare ultra polymer sealant - this will last a long time BUT nobody likes it because it needs to be really worked well into the finish, usually with a finishing pad on speed 4+ on the PC.



476 - Collinite double coat auto wax#476- this is a little tricky to use but is bulletproof - this will get you close to 8 months and often more of protection.



845 is Collinites liquid insulator wax - a liquid wax that is like 15 dollars a bottle that rivals all the super expensive stuff and murders it on durability - this is also a breeze to use. Everyone loves this and 1000P



915 Collinites Marque d'Elegance wax - another paste with a bit higher carnauba content. More expensive but is a little tricky to use sometimes looks good on everything.



Actually all of these look great on everything. Some have just weird application techniques to get the most from them



EDIT: I just noticed you deleted your post?
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I really owe you the apology. I responded too quickly and after I made the post I started doing some searches with the numbers you gave me and found they reflected actual products. Thank you very much for passing on all the extra detail. It is hopefully helping me get away from my newbie status :)
 
No apology necessary, hopefully it helps some. Start reading though, and get a cup of coffee cuz you'll get sucked in :)
 
Oh and Meguiars #16 if you can get your hands on a can of it>



You could always choose a wax and then get a spray wax like OCW or DGAW to top it when you dry or right after. It would take 5 min and you would never have to worry about then
 
I am sure some zaino fans will post up comments on why you did not get durability they seem to claim they get.
 
I don't think you are asking too much. You could also add a spray wax/detailer to improve the longevity. I use FK425 while drying my car and it really makes a difference on the finish. The finish is super slick when I am done. I recently bought OCW and thus far have used it on my clear bra and hood. I love the finish left by it.
 
Four Star Ult. Paint Protectant, followed by a once monthly app of Optimum Car Wax, after washing. Super Slick, super easy to use.....I have used it for about 7-8 years, and with all the new stuff that arrives, I end up always going back to UPP. Doesnt get enough credit for some reason.....
 
JPW- Along with the good suggestions that getcha posted, I'll add that heavily layered Klasse Sealant Glaze (I go with about six layers) is simply the most durable stuff I've ever used. Washed with Griot's Car Wash, the KSG lasts so long I don't even want to post it as it sounds simply unbelievable.



a.k.a. Patrick- You oughta *know* how much I love UPP on my S8, but I gotta say that, used by itself, it just doesn't seem to last long for me :think:



Maybe I put too much emphasis on maintaining that UPP slickness (nothing else like it!), but that characteristic starts to drop off mighty fast for me (hey, I just realized I've never tried the new version, doesn't it has polycharger in it?).



Plus, it seems to provide next to zero protection against bugs for some reason; the S8 is the only vehicle I have bug-etching issues with, and they happen *fast* whereas my other vehicles don't get etched even though I leave the bugs on for a long time.



Wonder if it's just me :nixweiss I love how it looks, and how slick it is, but I dunno if I'd want to use it on anything except a garage-queen.
 
Accumulator said:
JPW- Along with the good suggestions that getcha posted, I'll add that heavily layered Klasse Sealant Glaze (I go with about six layers) is simply the most durable stuff I've ever used. Washed with Griot's Car Wash, the KSG lasts so long I don't even want to post it as it sounds simply unbelievable.



a.k.a. Patrick- You oughta *know* how much I love UPP on my S8, but I gotta say that, used by itself, it just doesn't seem to last long for me :think:



Maybe I put too much emphasis on maintaining that UPP slickness (nothing else like it!), but that characteristic starts to drop off mighty fast for me (hey, I just realized I've never tried the new version, doesn't it has polycharger in it?).



Plus, it seems to provide next to zero protection against bugs for some reason; the S8 is the only vehicle I have bug-etching issues with, and they happen *fast* whereas my other vehicles don't get etched even though I leave the bugs on for a long time.



Wonder if it's just me :nixweiss I love how it looks, and how slick it is, but I dunno if I'd want to use it on anything except a garage-queen.
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:har:Can you ever just answer a ?. Geee's you really tell your life story in a post! :LOLOL I really like the Colinite 845, IMO 845 and 915 are some of the best waxes hands down! Oh yea for whats its worth I just like giving Accumulator a hard time! :hifive:
 
Barry Theal;1387199Geee's you really tell your life story in a post! :LOLOL ... Oh yea for whats its worth I just like giving Accumulator a hard time! :hifive:[/QUOTE said:
Actually, it's *your* life story we oughta write a book about ;)
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I really appreciate all the posts. This is helping me a great deal. I'm pretty much sold on the FK1000P and excited to try it.



However, I'm not exactly clear how far I need to go to ensure it properly adheres. I just put a coat of Zaino Z2 on my car a few weeks ago. After maybe one or two washes I know it will lose that slippery buttery feel. Is it safe to just wash the car with some Zaino car wash and then immediately add the FK1000P OR should I use something like Ultra Dawn to really strip as much old wax away as I can and then come back with FK1000P? Please don't tell me I have to clay the car again :) I did that about 10 months ago and I have to believe I've protected the foundation since then.



Thanks again!
 
Barry Theal said:
:har:Can you ever just answer a ?. Geee's you really tell your life story in a post! :LOLOL I really like the Colinite 845, IMO 845 and 915 are some of the best waxes hands down! Oh yea for whats its worth I just like giving Accumulator a hard time! :hifive:
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Who doesn't?? ;) And I got months to make up for...



Totally agree with Getcha. The products he mentioned are cheap and *very* user friendly, with the possible exception of the 476. 476 can be tough to remove if left on too long.
 
JPW said:
I really appreciate all the posts. This is helping me a great deal. I'm pretty much sold on the FK1000P and excited to try it.



However, I'm not exactly clear how far I need to go to ensure it properly adheres. I just put a coat of Zaino Z2 on my car a few weeks ago. After maybe one or two washes I know it will lose that slippery buttery feel. Is it safe to just wash the car with some Zaino car wash and then immediately add the FK1000P OR should I use something like Ultra Dawn to really strip as much old wax away as I can and then come back with FK1000P? Please don't tell me I have to clay the car again :) I did that about 10 months ago and I have to believe I've protected the foundation since then.



Thanks again!
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For maximum longevity, you'll probably want to make sure the paint is completely free of any other wax or sealant before you put on the fk1000p.



Get some of this: Silicone & Wax Remover



It's cheap, and it'll quickly become a go-to product. It'll take any residual wax/sealant off post-haste.
 
I live in a high fallout area. I can get 4 solid months out of an application of Z2Pro and in my experience Zaino does a superb job of sealing out the fallout. Collinite is the only other wax that seems to have good durability but IME it doesn't seal the paint as well and seems to trap contaminants more than Zaino. I find that road salt really seems to imbed in 845 over winter usage.



I'd think less about slickness and more about paint sealing. Test half your hood with Zaino and half with any other product. After 3-4 months test with a claybar and then a good polish. Which ever side produces the cleanest clay and polishing pad is the winner IMO.
 
JPW said:
I really appreciate all the posts. This is helping me a great deal. I'm pretty much sold on the FK1000P and excited to try it.



However, I'm not exactly clear how far I need to go to ensure it properly adheres. I just put a coat of Zaino Z2 on my car a few weeks ago. After maybe one or two washes I know it will lose that slippery buttery feel. Is it safe to just wash the car with some Zaino car wash and then immediately add the FK1000P OR should I use something like Ultra Dawn to really strip as much old wax away as I can and then come back with FK1000P? Please don't tell me I have to clay the car again :) I did that about 10 months ago and I have to believe I've protected the foundation since then.



Thanks again!
Click to expand...



I usually clay my cars twice a year. Just wash the car and then do the baggie test. I would strip Zaino before putting FK1000P down. You can use dawn or an isopropyl wipe down.
 
I'm a big Zaino fan, but have also seen poor durability on daily drivers. I posted about this a while ago, and it was recommended to always use ZFX for better durability. I had been using ZAIO, Z5, Z2 no ZFX (even though I had some on hand) because with ZAIO you can do two layers without ZFX according to the instructions (but according to users here adding ZFX will help durability). I just did my wife's car today with ZAIO, and 2 coats of Z5 ZFX -- I won't know for a while whether durability is improved.



It might be worthwhile giving Zaino one more try with ZFX and see if that helps. Also, I noticed you mentioned 7 layers (ZAIO, 2 Z5, 3 Z2, 1 CS) -- did you do that over the course of a few days? Zaino recommends no more than 3 layers per 24 hours (I think that is true even if ZFX used, but I'm going from memory). If more then 3 layers were done in 1 day, then it may not have cured properly.
 
If you like Zaino, use it and top off with Z8 when it starts to lose its slickness. In my opinion, Z8 is the best product Zaino offers.
 
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