Wax preference

[Paul H.]

Re: Wax preference

Polishes are available in a variety of forms and are capable of correcting flaws and imperfections in the paint like swirls and minor scratches. Depending on the level of correction needed, a more aggressive polish may be needed. Use the least aggressive polish to get the imperfection out then use a good wax or sealant to protect the finish. Zaino has a wide array of products for both corrective work and for shine and durability.

[Don L.]

Re: Wax preference

That brings back memories. It took a long time and sore arms but it sure looked good.

DITTO THAT! I remember my dad asking for my "help" waxing his car when I was a kid. HATED that job! Was very difficult vs the other/cheaper products, but man did it shine and last a long time. Didn't you have to wipe the car down with a wet towel or chamois after applying the sealer to "set" it?

When I got my first car, guess what I used? I might still have a can of the sealer in my stash. This thread is gonna make me have to search. I can still remember the smell of the polish.

Thanks for the memories!

[Bill C.]

Re: Wax preference

I use the Meguires Carnuba paste wax - but just 1-2 times per year.
Otherwise , I just use DuraGlass polish all other times.

There is no buildup with the DuraGlass and it REALLY cleans the grime from the clear without removing any CC and it does not leave swirl marks (unless you use a dirty pad or the car is not well washed 1st).

The guy who did my paint recommended that I use wax little as possible.

[Joe L.]

Re: Wax preference

Didn't you have to wipe the car down with a wet towel or chamois after applying the sealer to "set" it?

Don------


Yes

[Lorne G.]

Re: Wax preference

I agree with Paul. I think the Zaino brothers products are the best. I have them to go on easy and provide a brilliant shine.
Lorne

[Steven B.]

Re: Wax preference

I don't have BC/CC on any of my Corvettes, but on my '57 which is nitrocellulose lacquer I have 3m Glaze. On my '78 SA I use 3M Glaze. My '77 (#72 Red) has Meguiars polish and 3M Glaze.

Polish and wax will remove paint. If you have the shine you want now just use a sealer. It all depends on how you are going to use the car, outside alot, stored and shows, etc. Alot of previous posts to refer to.

[Joe C.]

Re: Wax preference

For protection, especially important with olde fashioned lacquer:
Simoniz in the yellow can. 100% Carnauba wax. The real deal, but not for the faint of heart.
Resurrected and now in a gold can and known as "Simoniz Original".

For protecting after polishing BC/CC or single stage urethane enamel:
No protection is necessary, as this paint does not dessicate as lacquer does. I like to use an instant detailing product such as Mothers "Showtime" instant detailer.

Prior to waxing acrylic/nitrocellulose lacquer, acrylic enamel, urethane enamel:
For polishing/buffing/removing dead lacquer paint:
3M "Finesse It" II Finishing Material Machine Polish.

WAX ALONE DOES NOT REMOVE PAINT!

[Joe L.]

Re: Wax preference

For protection, especially important with olde fashioned lacquer:
Simoniz in the yellow can. 100% Carnauba wax. The real deal, but not for the faint of heart.
Resurrected and now in a gold can and known as "Simoniz Original".

For protecting after polishing BC/CC or single stage urethane enamel:
No protection is necessary, as this paint does not dessicate as lacquer does. I like to use an instant detailing product such as Mothers "Showtime" instant detailer.

Prior to waxing acrylic/nitrocellulose lacquer, acrylic enamel, urethane enamel:
For polishing/buffing/removing dead lacquer paint:
3M "Finesse It" II Finishing Material Machine Polish.

WAX ALONE DOES NOT REMOVE PAINT!

Joe------


I believe the original Simoniz (yellow can) had a formulation very similar to Blue Coral Preservative Sealer. However, I don't think either were actually 100% carnauba. I don't think it's possible to make a usable automotive wax or sealer from 100% carnauba. There's a certain maximum % carnauba that it can be, but I've forgotten what that % is. In any event, I believe the original Blue Coral and Simoniz products were right at the limit.

[Joe C.]

Re: Wax preference

Joe------


I believe the original Simoniz (yellow can) had a formulation very similar to Blue Coral Preservative Sealer. However, I don't think either were actually 100% carnauba. I don't think it's possible to make a usable automotive wax or sealer from 100% carnauba. There's a certain maximum % carnauba that it can be, but I've forgotten what that % is. In any event, I believe the original Blue Coral and Simoniz products were right at the limit.

Interesting Joe, as usual, and although the product is made using 100% carnauba, that doesn't necessarily mean that it consists of 100% carnauba. I always used Simoniz exclusively until it came off the shelves (maybe 15 years ago, or so? That was the last time I purchased car wax, at which time it was not available), at which point I began using the Blue Coral, which is very similar in formulation to the original Simoniz.

Actually, I haven't put wax on my '85 Corvette in about 13 years. It never needs it. Whenever I want to freshen it up for a show, I spritz on some "Mothers Showtime".

Here is some info that I found relative to carnauba wax:


"An overview of carnauba wax

You've probably heard of carnauba wax before. Most highly regarded vehicle waxes are crafted with some level of carnauba in the formula, along with oils and natural substances. Carnauba wax is also the choice material at automatic car washes using a spray-on waxing cycle.
Carnauba wax is also the wax of choice among professionals and enthusiasts alike, though in a vastly different form than the automatic wash uses. Liquid or paste carnauba wax produces an unmistakable shine with incredible depth that synthetic waxes just can't match.

Where carnauba wax comes from

Carnauba wax is a rare and natural phenomenon, and a true product of its harsh native environment. The wax is harvested from the leaves of carnauba palm trees found only in the harshest areas of Brazil, and known locally as "the tree of life."
To withstand the rigors of extreme heat and humidity, the carnauba palm excretes a waxy coating over its leaves. This substance is comprised primarily of fatty acids, and forms a clear, glossy coating that repels water yet remains breathable. It's these clear, glossy properties of pure Carnauba, combined with its natural ability to combat the tropical sunshine, that makes it a durable wax for a variety of uses—including automotive protection.
To harvest the carnauba wax, carnauba palm leaves are cut from the tree and dried. Once dried, the wax coat becomes flaky and colored, ranging from pale yellow to brown. The wax is removed either by hand, which involves beating the leaves to dislodge the flakes, or by machine, where the leaves are shredded and the wax layer is removed.
With the wax flakes now removed from the leaf, the harvest is melted down and reformed into large blocks of like-color pure carnauba wax. The wax blocks are then combined with a variety of natural oils to create carnauba car wax.

Carnauba types

Carnauba wax is grouped by color types, ranging from browns to yellow carnauba to ultra-refined white carnauba. The color of the wax directly relates to both the age of the tree from which the wax was harvested, and the care taken in the removal process. The lighter the carnauba wax, the rarer and better performing it will be.
Brown carnauba wax
The most common carnauba color, brown carnauba exudes the properties of carnauba wax but is harder to refine and work with than lighter colors.
Yellow carnauba wax
Yellow carnauba is a rare wax produced only under optimum conditions. The best wax in this class, yellow #1 carnauba, helped earn the nickname "the queen of waxes" for all carnauba. This is the purest, most valued carnauba wax produced naturally.
White carnauba wax
Pale carnauba wax that's lighter than yellow #1 carnauba is only produced synthetically. This includes the rarest of all carnauba wax—pure white. This super-refined white carnauba is wax at its purest form, creating the deepest possible shine and improved ease of use.

Properties of carnauba wax

Because it naturally thrives in the harshest of environments, carnauba wax is the hardest and most protective non-synthetic wax. It has an unsurpassed combination of shine, depth and durability, plus the ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
Pure carnauba wax is too hard to use on your vehicle. That's why carnauba car wax has only a percentage of carnauba contained in the mixture. The higher the content of carnauba, combined with the rarity of the carnauba color, define the value of the wax. Generally, these waxes can't have higher carnauba content than 30%. Any more would be too hard and difficult to apply to your paint.
Some waxes boast "100% carnauba wax" on their packaging, which simply isn't possible. These refer to the wax included in the product as being 100% carnauba, usually meaning #1 yellow or white carnauba for its purity.

Other uses for carnauba wax

Relatives of carnauba car wax are used for a variety of products, many of which you've probably used—or even swallowed. These include candy gloss coatings, pill capsules, shoe polish, paper coatings and furniture finishes.

Longevity of carnauba wax

A fresh carnauba wax job sports unmatched shine characteristics that last. Because it's a natural wax, though, each carnauba wax coat lasts a maximum of 6 to 8 weeks, depending on conditions. After this period, a new layer must be applied to retain the carnauba protective properties and shine.

Criticisms of carnauba wax

Carnauba wax can be a chore to apply and buff onto your paint. Liquid carnauba waxes are easier to use, but they contain significantly less carnauba than paste waxes. Both are difficult to buff to the highest level of shine, which typically requires an automatic polisher to achieve.
Longevity is another concern of carnauba waxes. Reapplication is usually necessary within 6-8 weeks, depending on weather conditions and which carnauba wax you used (liquids with lower carnauba content tend to last 6 weeks, paste waxes can last longer). Those who don't want to wax that often or pay that much attention to their vehicle would be better off with a synthetic wax.
Extreme heat—such as desert conditions—can also be a concern for carnauba wax. If the right factors converge (dark car, bright sun, searing dry heat), carnauba wax finishes will become brittle and streak, requiring re-waxing of the affected areas. These instances are rare."

[Jack U.]

Re: Wax preference

I'll share some hightlights from the research I have done in this area for almost 10 years now.

You're going to get better durability from a synthetic over a carnauba-based product. I used carnauba products for years and got tired of having the car look like I did nothing to it two weeks later. If you leave the car in the garage and out of the weather, it will last much longer. During the summer, carnauba evaporates quickly. Its melting point is around 180 degrees. Synthetics are much higher.

When doing your research make sure you look at products that have no abrasives and low-silicone levels. You'd be surpirsed how many "waxes" contain abrasives. Silicone adds an immediate appearance enhancement but after two washes the product is MOSTLY gone from the surface.

Another rarely know fact is that there are 4 or 5 companies that manufacture the wax-based products you see on the store shelves. All they do is re-label the product for the companies that sell to the public.

Like others who have replied, my protection product of choice is Zaino. Sal Zaino owned a custom body and paint shop for 30 years. He has his own chemist and doesn't re-label his products to anyone else. When he sees a new product on the market he (1) tests it and (2) has it chemically analyzed. In that way he knows he has the best product on the market. He continues to improve his products updating his formula every couple of years.

My philosphy is that you can't make it look good if you can't protect it.