Some advice please on Collinite and using it correctly

N

NJRonbo

New member
Hello everyone!



Found this forum by accident when doing a search on detailing and car wax. Looks like a really great group here and I look forward to discussing detailing.



My first post is being held up in the approval process all morning and afternoon so I am reposting questions I have already. Have a few questions to ask and would be appreciative to any individuals who have time to answer.



Just bought a 2010 Cadillac RSX.



The dealership offered me a complete GlassCoat Simonize for $500. It is a teflon coating for the exterior paint and everything inside. It protects the seats from ink and other stains and the carpet from dirt and vomit.



However, we all know these dealer Simonize jobs are money-makers, and for that reason I have reconsidered doing it. Instead, I am going to protect the car interior and exterior myself on a budget.



That is where I need your help.



I don't know much about car wax as you will soon find out. However, I know what is good because thanks to forums like this one I got turned on to ZAINO. Thought it was the best out there until I just read about COLLINITE 845 liquid and 476 paste. Just ordered one of each.



QUESTION 1: Do I need to apply pre-prep prior to use? With ZAINO I had to use ALL-IN-ONE prior to using the wax as there was some sort of better bonding if I used both products. I hated it, because it took two separate wax and buff jobs on top of the initial wash and hand dry. Can I just apply the wax without any pre-prep?



QUESTION 2: Does the wax need to be removed every few months before applying another coat? Never removed old wax in my life. Is it really a bad thing to just keep reapplying wax on top of wax after a few months?



QUESTION 3: It is winter here on the East coast. I will be applying the wax in 40 degree temperature. Will that prove to be a more difficult process than applying in the Summertime?



QUESTION 4: Should I combine Collinite 845 and 476 doing one coat of each or is it overkill? If I do both, which should go on first? If I do one, for the winter, which would you recommend?







Any other tips you can provide will be most helpful. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
 
You need to have a good, prepped surface for maximum durability. Do you HAVE to prep it? No, but you should do something, like clay, as a minimum. You can certainly use the ZAIO if you still have it. There is really no way around a prep step, although a cleaner-wax or AIO is an attempt at that.



No, you don't need to remove the previous wax before you apply more. However, over time the surface will degrade to the point that it needs to be "prepped" again. If you reapply the wax frequently, the need to prep will be extended to a longer interval, generally speaking.



Applying during the winter will be different. The wax may take longer to flash and may smear more during removal.



The 476 is more durable than the 845, in my experience. There is a bit of argument here about using both in combination. A normal procedure might be to use the more durable under the less durable, however some contend that the higher solvent content of the 845 (which is purported to be basically a liquid version of 476) will remove some of the 476 under it.



As far as your other comments, good call on skipping the dealer protection package. Are you in NJ? Whereabouts?
 
Some good advice from Setec, as always.



My added advice is to wait for a nice day and do a wash and wax. I really like 476 for the winter, remember apply super thin.



In the spring and after some more reading you can do more prep and make the paint pop.



Interior could also wait if you just keep it clean until spring.



And congrats on your 10,000th post Setec.
 
Yes, do the simplest of steps to get the care ready to survive the winter.



A good wash, as mentioned above, to have a nice sealing surface is great.



Follow that with whichever of the two you like. Shake the Collinite 845 very well until you have a nice liquid wax. Apply a normal thin coat and remove with a microfiber towel. 476 is supposed to be more durable but a little more awkward to work with. If possible, give the wax some time to cure, say a few hrs. or overnight (inside) if you can and re-apply a second coat. if your using 845, it's very easy. (Or, maybe do some of the car in one and the balance with the other, just to see how they compare for your use.....can't hurt anything and I am sure they both will work well.)



In my case here in Western NY, I used Optimum's Opti-Seal sealant as the first coat and added 845 on top of it.....but, many product combinations work, including a just a coat or two of your Collinite waxes.



BTW, you ought to post where you live in your posts. While you said the NE, it helps to know where in order to give the most pertinent advise.



A well washed car and a couple of coats of either Collinite product will do you well. As they said above, you can get into more surface prep & other product application options in the Spring.



In trade for our info.....just post us some opinions, pictures and a review of your new Cadillac. Would love to hear what you honestly think of their new model.



Good luck and happy holidays!! And, nice car!



See ya. :wavey



salty said:
Some good advice from Setec, as always.



My added advice is to wait for a nice day and do a wash and wax. I really like 476 for the winter, remember apply super thin.



In the spring and after some more reading you can do more prep and make the paint pop.



Interior could also wait if you just keep it clean until spring.



And congrats on your 10,000th post Setec.
Click to expand...
 
Gents,



Thank you so much.



Generally I hand wash and sham dry my vehicle.

Now that it is winter I can't run the hose so I take it

to a local place that has brushless automated washing

with someone hand drying afterwards. Best I can do

under these conditions.



Unfortunately no garage space to store the car so it

really is exposed to the elements.



Are you in NJ? Whereabouts?
Click to expand...



Eatontown
 
NJRonbo- Welcome to Autopia!



Just a few things to add to what the others have posted:



No, you don't need to strip the old wax every time you apply more. It's a wait and see, case by case thing. A quick going-over with some kind of prep product like the Zaino All in One will help a lot.



With the Collinite, I like to do a "476S sandwich". That is, apply some 845 Insulator wax, let it dry, and buff it off. Then apply a coat of 476S over top of *that*, again, let it dry and buff it off.



Wait until the next regular wash, and do one more coat of 845.



I find that the underlying, initial coat of 845 makes the 476S application go smoother/easier with no downside. The final 845 coat, which is really optional and can be done after a while if you'd prefer, is sorta just a "finishing touch".



I would strongly advise you to do the "sandwich" thing as opposed to doing multiple coats of 476S, which can sometimes lead to very frustrating problems (and this is coming from a guy who *does* do multiple coats and has for years...save yourself potential grief).



The hand-drying after a touchless wash inevitably results in residual dirt getting ground into the paint (hello, swirlmarks!). If there's any way to find a touchless wash that uses a blower/touchless drying system, that'd be *WORLDS* better.



Or, if you *have* to use the hand-drying, consider bringing your own MicroFiber towels and some Optimum No Rinse carwash solution; have the guys spray the ONR on before drying with your towels. Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy, but I used to do something *VERY* similar (different product from ONR, otherwise the same thing) when my late father wanted one of his cars washed/dried that way. The carwash guys thought I was nutty, but a nice tip took care of that ("hey, if that's how he wants it done I'll take his money") and I bet they even looked forward to my visits.
 
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