I know what you mean about the car cover, I use an indoor car cover, and I use Adams products on my vette, if I throw the cover over it, it will just slide right off, once I get one mirror pocket on then its easy after that.

 

I've been using Sonax Polymer Net Shield ( http://www.autogeek.net/sonax-polymer-net-shield.html ). The protection and beading are a level above traditional sealants (including bird bomb protection). The dirt shedding ability is also a step above; for example, the car stays noticeably cleaner after a rainstorm (not perfectly clean, of course, but cleaner). It also looks great.

It's not the easiest to apply and remove, however, in fact it's a bit of a pita. Specifically, it's not slick when applying or removing the product, the applicator and towels drag. I find a MF applicator works better than a foam applicator. Apply to a small area, then remove immediately. Ultimately though, it's not as enjoyable to use as others. However, the added effort is worth it. What the draggy, somewhat tacky feel tells me is that it's strongly bonding to the surface. This product seems somewhere between a sealant and a coating, and from what I understand is recommended for maintaining/boosting a coating.

I also use their Brilliant Shine Detailer after a wash to help boost the PNS. It's similarly as unuser-friendly as the PNS, but it noticeably refreshes the base coat. I find it's easier to use when applying with a damp MF towel (using distilled water). The product spreads more easily. Then immediately go over/clear out the finish with a dry MF towel, as usual.

 

good post...I used it on my camaro and got tired of it being "grabby" when you applied...still have two cans of it here...tried it on my windshield for a long trip, really did not help. Now Sonax wheel cleaner is really great stuff...

 

Thanks.

Sonus ION Paint Coating supposedly offers similar performance to PNS, but is more user-friendly. I haven't tried it yet, so I don't know for sure. But, it's probably worth a try.

http://www.autogeek.net/sonus-ion-paint-coating.html

 

I also use the Grand Finale but try the Zaino Z -CS it is even better.

 

So does that mean that Blue Coral, Turtle Wax, Simonize, Poly Gly Cote, Kit, and the many other 60,70, and 80s solutions are out.

On my red or blue C6s I could see the differences in better products, but on my white C7 I am not able to see the difference.

 

Yes, using urethane and clear coat has changed the entire process. Those good ol' waxes had cutting agents to take oxidation away and if used on todays water based paints would remove much of the clear coats after a few times. Stick with what people talk about here and forget the good ol'days of taking and entire day to wax a car in the shade...new era, better era.

 

I know I said you can not tell in photos, but for what it is worth, both Ferraris were waxed with Zymol Concourse Glaze. Not shiney, deep. Note reflection of lights and the garage door opener on the roof of the garage.

i only partially agree with this. For example, the Zymol waxes (that you order from them, not the stuff that you buy at Walmart called Zymol but is really turtle wax) has no cleaning agents. Also, once the car is prepped (most of the work) you can wax the car with Zymol in maybe 45 minutes. Benefits are, allows the paint to breath (some high tech polishes look good at first but over time cause the paint to become brittle), provides a very very deep shine if car is prepped properly. Many of the new high tech waxes appear to get their benefit by adding something that makes the car shiny, but one loses the depth. The difference is impossible to see in a picture, (although I included one anyway).
With a properly prepped car, Zymol is easy to apply and provides a very deep shine (like you are looking into the paint). Never seen this with a synthetic. Other downside of Zymol and products like it, is they wear off quickly. If car spends a lot of time outside a controlled environment, you will need to reapply at least every 90 days. Now, where I agree with you is if we are talking about inexpensive cleaner waxes, they have unnecessary abrasives that just unnecessarily wear a well maintained paint finish.

So, depends on what type of shine you want. Wet or deep? How long you plan to keep the car (if a long time and you are using a synthetic, make sure it does not cause the paint to get brittle), how much ongoing maintenance you are willing to do. Someone above said it is like asking about flavor a of ice cream. No one right answer. I use Zymol on my expensive, fun cars that I never intend to sell (specifically their concourse Glaze). Very expensive but one container lasts a very very long time. On my daily drivers, we use a sealer/polish. Looks shinier, less maintenance, not the deep warm shine though. And, probably harder on the paint however, not planning to keep DD 15-30 years.

 

Collinite 845 Insulator wax.

 

Did the same, tried the latest and greatest and easy to apply on my prior Vettes. A friend who parked his Vette next to mine at work always looked better! He swore by Zaino. However his procedure looked to complicated for me, mix the polish and apply several coats etc.

When I got my C7 I found a procedure that Sal at Zaino says is a good way to use the product. Because of my dark color he recommended their Z5 polish without mixing followed immediately with CS, indicating it sets the polish. I do clay bar first. As you say love the CS, apply and let dry, 5 minutes. I use it straight on my wheels, CF side skirts and CF splitter.

Easy and quick and good enough for me.

 

 

It's hard to beat LIQUID GLASS! Even has a Corvette on the can!

 

Can't beat Adams for the money!

Prep is indeed everything, a "wax" for a final top coat for max shine, sure. But - it's all about a sealant for protection.

 

Collinite 845 and Meguiar's NXT are all I ever use. Collinite on bright colors (also works great on wheels) and NXT on darker more subdued colors. Both are affordable, available, easy on/easy off, give a glass coated look to the paint and last a long time. I drive my cars and do not plan on doing Pebble Beach or Amelia Island anytime soon.

 

I have used over a dozen finishing products over the last 10+ years, and I could not tell you which ones have done the best at the job, but what I can tell you is Glen e is correct: prep is key before you use whichever product you use to seal/wax.

Even those prep products don't vary wildly from each other. Is one polish better than another? Is one polisher better than another? I have three R.O. polishers, and each is best for for a particular job. I certainly have an opinion for the one I would choose, if I had to choose only one, for the Vette (which is different than the one I would choose for my truck).

This is my C6 at 200,000 miles, and the view you are seeing is original paint.




Sure, I'm always looking for a new and improved product, but chances are when I go out to the garage, I'm just as likely to grab an old product to do the job.

There is no magic bullet.

 

Exactly Lisa, running around trying to find the "ultimate product" is a ridiculous waste of time. I have taken a hood ,divided into three sections, in one I put NXT, the next section put blackfire ,in the next section put Rejex. Three months later you can't tell a damn bit of difference between anyone of them. So then you had to look at which one is the easiest. And clearly because there is no buffing with blackfire that's the winner for me. When the gloss is the same, I go for which one gets me back on the road the quickest.

In short, it doesn't matter what you use, lay down a good polish job with an orbital, and apply what you like. It's all good . Now you just have a choice whether you want to buff off that white Haze or not.No one manufacturer has magical chemists.

 

In fact it is hard to convey how little you need to use! If you use too much the polish is hard to remove! So it not only wastes the product it makes it harder to use! I had talked to folks who used it and read lots of comments and all said the same thing! However the first time I used it I learned in a small section-put on too much and it's hard to buff off!

Love the Zaino CS as a way to set one application of polish (enough for me) without having to do any mixing. Also nothing to throw away after mixing! It's apply and let dry and it is also - use very little!

As you say, lasts a long time if used correctly!

 

This might be the most calm, informative, mature "which wax is best" thread ever in the history of CF

 

 

I use Meguiar's Ultimate here. No problems whatsoever, easy to apply, and the shine looks great.