Same Old Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
From: Bealeton Virginia
Same Old Question
I want the best AND easiest polish for black. Black is beautiful and/or black sucks. Depends on how you look at it. I want it to hide minor swirls and scratches which are inevitable with black, in my opinion. I want something that won't stain the rubber and/or plastic. I don't care about longevity because it's garaged and I don't drive it that much.
To date, I have tried:
1) Zaino - Don't like the "system" approach / Costly
2) Rejex - Like it / Too much dust / Stains rubber
3) Carnuba - Pain in the butt to get off / I might as well rub baby oil on my car.
4) Ibiz - Like it / Dusty
5) I have shelves full of many others that I tried once that just plain suck. Name it, I have it.
After reading here, next in line are Adams Butter and Griot's. I'm leaning towards Adams and went to order this morning. The calculated shipping for the Butterwax and a couple MF towels doubled the cost. What's up with the crazy shipping cost? It was normal UPS Ground.
To date, I have tried:
1) Zaino - Don't like the "system" approach / Costly
2) Rejex - Like it / Too much dust / Stains rubber
3) Carnuba - Pain in the butt to get off / I might as well rub baby oil on my car.
4) Ibiz - Like it / Dusty
5) I have shelves full of many others that I tried once that just plain suck. Name it, I have it.
After reading here, next in line are Adams Butter and Griot's. I'm leaning towards Adams and went to order this morning. The calculated shipping for the Butterwax and a couple MF towels doubled the cost. What's up with the crazy shipping cost? It was normal UPS Ground.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,744
Likes: 2
From: The King of Bling
St. Jude Donor '10
For black I highly recommend Zaino. Definitely my first choice and the best of both worlds. 
Since you don't care about durability and already said you don't like Z I would probably recommend Souveran next for you. It really lacks durability but for black it is one of the few carnuabas that look good. You need to do 1 panel at a time and WOWO. But if you thought Zaino was expensive, you better sit down before ordering PS.
Or since you said you don't like carnuaba either maybe you should just use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. Similar to PS, it too has NO durability but goes on and off super easy and looks great like Zaino.
Since you don't care about durability and already said you don't like Z I would probably recommend Souveran next for you. It really lacks durability but for black it is one of the few carnuabas that look good. You need to do 1 panel at a time and WOWO. But if you thought Zaino was expensive, you better sit down before ordering PS.
Or since you said you don't like carnuaba either maybe you should just use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. Similar to PS, it too has NO durability but goes on and off super easy and looks great like Zaino.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
http://www.pinnaclewax.com/pisoinkit.html
Not let me first off remind you its a carnauba. Little different in that it wipes off immediately before drying and comes off easily. Durability is about 4 weeks and washing with Pinnacle soap and using Crystal Mist (spray) after each wax will help with longer durability.
Cost is considered expensive, but also the best of the best. No cheap parts here or store bought products. If looking for that consider NXT. Right now you will receive free shipping , a no hassle guarantee, and using code SMARTSHOPPER2 thru sunday will save an additional 15% off versus the forum discount of 10% always.
What I will remind you is there are no shortcuts to keeping a black car up. You will need to wash --- clay --- polish --- protect in order to keep it at its top. If you prefer All-In-One then again NXT or Klasse AIO are your choices. Both are relatively inexpensive and look well on black. Finish Kare and Chemical Guys would be the next choice over your listings.
Not let me first off remind you its a carnauba. Little different in that it wipes off immediately before drying and comes off easily. Durability is about 4 weeks and washing with Pinnacle soap and using Crystal Mist (spray) after each wax will help with longer durability.
Cost is considered expensive, but also the best of the best. No cheap parts here or store bought products. If looking for that consider NXT. Right now you will receive free shipping , a no hassle guarantee, and using code SMARTSHOPPER2 thru sunday will save an additional 15% off versus the forum discount of 10% always.
What I will remind you is there are no shortcuts to keeping a black car up. You will need to wash --- clay --- polish --- protect in order to keep it at its top. If you prefer All-In-One then again NXT or Klasse AIO are your choices. Both are relatively inexpensive and look well on black. Finish Kare and Chemical Guys would be the next choice over your listings.
Last edited by Killrwheels@Autogeek; Oct 11, 2006 at 07:51 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,739
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
You might want to try Top of the Line's "Trade Secrets" carnauba.
It doesn't dust, very easy to apply and remove and looks really good on black. It's also priced very reasonably at $37. It won't have the durability of a sealant but you already mentioned that durability wasn't an issue.
http://www.topoftheline.com/toltradcarwa.html
It doesn't dust, very easy to apply and remove and looks really good on black. It's also priced very reasonably at $37. It won't have the durability of a sealant but you already mentioned that durability wasn't an issue.
http://www.topoftheline.com/toltradcarwa.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I've been a long time advocate for Adams Premium Car Care Products and for good reason, they not only work, they extremely well.
I've been using car care products for 40 years and have used most of them, some products no longer exist. With the exception of the last 18 months, I've used Meguiar's Professional Car Care Products for 10 years or more.
About 18 months ago I tried a couple of car care products from Adams. I've got to say their performance blew away that of Meguiar's and I've been using them and promoting them ever since. Adams products are easy to use. They go on easy, come off easy, and the protection lasts for quite some time.
They don't come any better than Adams.
Visit their website www.adamspolishes.com
I've been using car care products for 40 years and have used most of them, some products no longer exist. With the exception of the last 18 months, I've used Meguiar's Professional Car Care Products for 10 years or more.
About 18 months ago I tried a couple of car care products from Adams. I've got to say their performance blew away that of Meguiar's and I've been using them and promoting them ever since. Adams products are easy to use. They go on easy, come off easy, and the protection lasts for quite some time.
They don't come any better than Adams.
Visit their website www.adamspolishes.com
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville GA
I can't think of too many products that can fill or hide swirls yet do not stain trim or leave some kind of residue if not used carefully. These characteristics are mutually exclusive, for the most part.
Megs NXT will do the job you want it to and it does look good on black. As long as you can apply it carefully you should be OK.
I don't think you'll find anything from Adam's or Griot's that will be different than the stuff you've tried but feel free to drop more $$ in your search.
Also, I don't think the typical pure carnauba paste wax will do what you want either. Whether its Pinnacle, P21S, TOL, or whoever, they all deliver similar results, results you've already experienced.
Dunno what to tell ya..... I can throw out combos and products all day long but there aren't a lot of magic bullets out there. I've owned several black and dark colored cars and they looked their best after I spent the time and busted my butt detailing them. In the end it was mostly about process and effort and not much about product.
Megs NXT will do the job you want it to and it does look good on black. As long as you can apply it carefully you should be OK.
I don't think you'll find anything from Adam's or Griot's that will be different than the stuff you've tried but feel free to drop more $$ in your search.
Also, I don't think the typical pure carnauba paste wax will do what you want either. Whether its Pinnacle, P21S, TOL, or whoever, they all deliver similar results, results you've already experienced.
Dunno what to tell ya..... I can throw out combos and products all day long but there aren't a lot of magic bullets out there. I've owned several black and dark colored cars and they looked their best after I spent the time and busted my butt detailing them. In the end it was mostly about process and effort and not much about product.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 51
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
Nothing's easy...
...with black but I use Klasse AIO first, after a stripping wash and clay rub down. Then I wait a day and re-wash and then apply a coat of Menzerna's FMJ. Both the AIO & FMJ are friendly to the rub-strip and door handles on my C4, even to the grain in the light lenses. Not much dusting with the FMJ and absolutely no dusting with the AIO.
FMJ is not very durable but if you Q/Detail it after washing it lasts a fair amount of time, say maybe a 2 to 3 month period for me. Mine sleeps outside in the summer and so far that combo works for me. The two are easy to use & don't take much time on a clean car to apply. Ofcourse this stuff does nothing to hide any paint defects but at least I have some protection on the car always.
JMHO.
Tom
FMJ is not very durable but if you Q/Detail it after washing it lasts a fair amount of time, say maybe a 2 to 3 month period for me. Mine sleeps outside in the summer and so far that combo works for me. The two are easy to use & don't take much time on a clean car to apply. Ofcourse this stuff does nothing to hide any paint defects but at least I have some protection on the car always.
JMHO.
Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma WA
Originally Posted by bretfraz
...... In the end it was mostly about process and effort and not much about product.
100%After hearing the raves about Zaino I thought I'd try it, so I did the process on my black 92 yesterday. Its nice, but honestly not quite as nice as when I use my RO buffer, polish and quality wax.
Everyone is looking for that magic product that will give show shine, with the least amount of effort. I could by the products bulk, package it up and call it Rick's, show a couple before and after pics and probably sell a bunch.
Shiny paint and the search for the miracle wax reminds me of fishing and always searching for the miracle lure. And I know in both instances, its more of a matter confidence in your product and how you use it than what it is.
I have to go now, both to the sporting goods store along with a quick stop at Autozone.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,066
Likes: 3
From: Milpitas ca
For Black I would use Zaino but since you don't like it:
Adams Butterwax and Revive Polish. Buy the BSG spray too. I was impressed by the shine it left.
Pinnacle Souvern. Probably too costly for you since Zaino is too costly for you.
Top of the Line. Close to Zaino but more than one application is needed.
Adams Butterwax and Revive Polish. Buy the BSG spray too. I was impressed by the shine it left.
Pinnacle Souvern. Probably too costly for you since Zaino is too costly for you.
Top of the Line. Close to Zaino but more than one application is needed.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
this product is the easiest product I have found and looks great
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1516404
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1516404
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
From: Bealeton Virginia
Thanks to everybody for your input. I do appreciate it. Everyone has thier favorites. Looking through this section of the forum makes it hard to decide what is best.
The one thing I have noticed is that AutoGeek is on top of most of the posts. I can appreciate that he has a product to sell and money to make, but I can sense a devotion to quality.
Based on that, my next purchase will be from AutoGeek, regardless of what I choose to buy.
The one thing I have noticed is that AutoGeek is on top of most of the posts. I can appreciate that he has a product to sell and money to make, but I can sense a devotion to quality.
Based on that, my next purchase will be from AutoGeek, regardless of what I choose to buy.