Keeping clean and super shiny?

I saw an ad once a couple weeks ago for a product that has no wax in it and is supposed to be better than any car wax product out there. I can't remember the name, but their pitch was good; too good. Apparently the US Navy was so impressed, they bought it to keep their radar mechanisms (exposed to the harshest conditions) clean. Put this stuff on your car and nothing will stick to it. Just hose your car off. Good for something like 125 hosings. How do you guys (and gals) keep your ride looking good with the least amount of effort? Does such a product exist; if it does, is there a downside? Help !!

There is no easy route to a nice, shiny wax job. Buy a good quality wax. Spend the time putting it on and buffing it off...then stand back, and enjoy your hard work. Then, of course, go for a nice long drive to show off your shiny car.
Ron

I've always been a lover of ZipWax Car Wash by turtle wax. It's a soap with wax built in. The directions say to add some to water in a bucket and soap up the car. But, it works much better if you put some on a wool mit and work the mit up to a lather. Then, wipe down the car and rinse.

This is no substitute for a real wax job. But, it keeps the water beading off between waxes. It even makes the rain sheet off the windshield.
-=theron

I keep my ride looking good just by standing next to it. As for the downside, too many damn girls and so little time

Luke: As the ad says 'good for 125 hosings'. That's how many bottles of this stuff they have sold.

is it clear coat?

Luke: I wonder if the product you are referring to is "RejeX"?
This product is made by Corrosion X. I understand the military uses it on helicopters and exhaust stains just wash off. I tried it on my fiberglass MY and the jury is still out since it did not last any longer than conventional waxes/polishes. BUT, the product is supposed to be applied in the shade and allowed to cure before exposure to the sun. This is obviously impossible to do on a boat that is too large to bring indoors. However, bugs always washed right off as did the diesel stains on the transom without any scrubbing. It is very easy to apply and wipe off.

I think I may try it on my Speedster at some point, but I first have to work my way through a Griott's Garage kit of cleaning/waxing goodies I got for Christmas.

Luke:The best product by far that I have found is called the BOM.Amazing Stuff! It will make your finish look like it is a mirror,and give it the appearance of great depth and lustre!Try it,if you don't agree that it is the best,product that you have ever used,I will buy the remaining product back from you!
Website:badtothebom.com

That part about the Navy using it on RADAR mechanisms caught my eye, so I hit up the guys at the Dunkin Donuts coffee shop in Middletown, RI, just outside Gate 4 of the Newport Navy base (any of you ex-Navy guys attend the Under-Sea War College?????)

The response was: "Yeah, sure.....THAT'll be the day when we start waxing RADAR antenna's!"

Just so happens that we had a tech there from Raytheon Marine Systems just up the street, who said that Raytheon's RADAR antenna's and housings are either gel-coated fiberglass (either white or Navy gray) and the antenna's are painted with three, thick, dip-coats of electrically inert epoxy paint over (usually) an aluminum structure. They've just begun to powder coat the antenna's with something they get from another Raytheon division which seems to be holding up well so far (but is not used for all applications and a long discussion of carbon-impregnated paints ensued - don't go there).

Anyway, Raytheon doesn't wax or coat their RADAR housings or antennas with anything and he doubts that the NAVY would either (unless, of course, some BRASS or Congressional Committee-person were visiting, then all bets are off!). Besides, the rain keeps them clean enough that they look great beyond 25 feet - about the closest you can get to an antenna on a boat or ship!!

I also don't know of ANYONE in the sailing market waxing Radome housings - Think about it.......it's a LONG WAY up that mast to get to the Radome!!!

Gordon

Here's the ad I was referring to. I'm sorry, let me try again; here's the the ad to which I was referring. Anyone have experience with this? I assume it's snake oil.

www.5starshine.com/438/porsche-speedster.html

It sure looks like a half baked web ad, but if it works?

Luke

Boy,
I just checked out the Boms.away website and that looked slippery, too. (Pun intended) As much as I love cars, I'm not ready to spend my days off waxing, buffing, polishing, etc; but I also don't want a second rate looking car. Any more suggestions as I understand that running this car through an automated car wash is out of the question. I think I'll probably lean towards an occasional full detailing and pay for it, but am looking for low-cost, low maintenance everyday real world solutions. Thanks in advance,
Luke

Luke,

I don't think you need to do anything exotic, a good wax, Maquires, for example and hand buff and polish it. Then get a dust cover for it for dust protection while sitting in the garage. i assume it will be in a garage. I bought a dust /car cover at a auto parts store, small size, VW Beatle or Miata works well. Think I paid about $50 for it. If the car is outside overnight a lot then it would be prudent to buy a water resisrant cover, more bucks but would be worth it. Does your car come with the full tonneau? If not, get one as this is an interior saver in the summer. You can exit the car, snap up the tonneau and be confident that if showers or tree sap arrive, your interior will be protected.

Just ask a local Corvette nut what kind of wax he uses, have fun.

Bruce

Bruce,
AS usual, thanks for the sane advice. It will be garaged, but my last car that I spent extra time on waxing, it seemed to attract dust. It was actually better looking before than after. Actually, immediately after was the best, but right after that, it seemed to get ditier faster and never got as new looking after a wash. AS if a barrier had been set-up. I don't want to spend a lot of time fixing it up, just to spend more time fixing the problems that creates. If anyone understands my confusion, please let me know that I'm not losing my mind. But my limited experience has pointed out that the more time you spend on your finish, the more time you will spend getting it back to that point. It will be garaged, and I'll have a cheap car cover when it's garaged. I also have a tonneau cover for the unforseen cloudburst. Tips?
Luke

I'm with Bruce.......go over it twice a season with McGuire's and it should look super! The full tonneau is a great idea, too......getting mine fitted soon!

Luke,

Re: Your last post. I would use caution in covering your car with a "cheap" cover in the garage, or anywhere else for that matter.. Some of those el cheapos tend to scuff and also adhere with any humidity... doing bad stuff to your shine/pant. The fiberglass Replicas will show scratches, swirls, and imperfections if you aren't very careful. Silver is a better color for keeping it looking good. (I have black). (I'd go with California Car Cover Co.)

I'm with the majority, in that I use McGuires products. Use the carnuba vs the synthetics.. don't skimp on quality buffing towels/cloth and take your time in applying the wax... nice thin coats with full coverage. Buff out and get 2 coats on. In between waxes (2-3) a year, I use McGuires detail spray after I have washed and dried the car... really keeps it lookng pristine. Of course you'll need chrome cleaner, tire swipes, metal polish, and top/interior products. A neat quick clean up for your Canvas Tonneaus and Vert Tops is those small rollers with 2 sided masking tape... roll up the lint, etc.

John Leader uses a product (detail & wax) that he swears by... I think I've seen it in Tweeks. I might try it this Spring. Can't recall the name of the stuff, guess I need to check with him.

Anyway, congrats on the new toy. Hope to run into you at one of the meets someday.

I use and recommend Zaino. I have black cars and I've never found a wax that really did justice to black. Zaino is not wax. It's easier to use, lasts longer, and looks much "deeper" than wax on a black paintjob. Extra bonus: no static, so, car doesn't attract dust. It's really good stuff. Unfortunately, you can't get it in stores.
www.ZainoBros.com

You guys AMAAAZZE me!!

Luke I've used 5 Star shine products on three of my cars. It does exactly what the company claims it does. I've spent as much time waxing and polishing cars as any other and 5 star beats them all.
I guess like any other product thats new, people are resistant to change.

I've had car guys ask me what I used to wax my car even when it was filthy dirty because the shine was unbelievable.

What? It's 60 bucks or somthing... Give it a try.

Or like these other guys, you can keep grinding all the dirt, pollen and crap that sticks in your carnuba wax product (pick your favorite brand) into your paint every time you wash your car.

Or better yet, mabey you have a local Duncan Donut shop where you can go and get sage-all-knowing-advice about everything from the sage-all-knowing advice club that hangs out there...

Marcos

easy Marcos, have another donut.

Duncan does make darn good donuts tho.
ed

keeping on topic... I can POLISH several off.

Hmmmm, I knew Duncan made Yo-Yo's but I guess they moved into the doughnut market now. Watch out Krispy Creme!

Bruce

''Polish'' and ''polish'' ,their meaning changes when you use the BIG p. HA ha

Ahhhh.....you West Coast guys don't know what you're missing.

All you get out there is Krispy Kreme and Starbucks and those prissey "tea" houses serving that herbal stuff. Around here on the East Coast, and especially in Rhode Island where they started, Dunkin Donuts is EVERYWHERE!! Seems like they're on every corner and everyone goes to a coffee shop somewhere.

Years ago there used to be a two-part Polymer-based car finish called "Blue Coral" which was a PITA to apply, but didn't create static, did not attract dust, and looked super deep and shiney for up to six months. Is that stuff still around?

And Marcos: Where can we get 5-Star polishing products? I'm not knocking them, just thought it strange that the Navy would have enlisted personnel waxing radar antennas way up off the deck! I checked out 5-Star's patent (love that Google!) and it's for real and sounds similar to the "Blue Coral" stuff I mention above. I wouldn't mind trying it if I can find it somewhere around here. BTW: the patent states that the electro-chemical bond between the polymer and the base paint occurs at temperatures over 68 degrees....do they recommend that you finish off the application by letting your car sit in the Sun for a bit to "bake it"?

Also: It depends on what info you want as to which coffee shop you hit (both here, and wherever YOU are). Around here, the local fishermen hit the "Bess Eaton" shop up near the docks up in Fall River or the "Common Lunch" (which just burned down last night - a shame) on the town common in Little Compton , The hobby Sailors (like me) go to "Coastal Roasters" near the Standish Marina in Tiverton, while the people who build boats for a living hit the Bronx Bagle in Bristol (all of these places are, at most, 20 minutes apart).

And over near the Navy Base and Undersea War College in Newport, the Officers and College Professors hit the Newport Creamery near gate 5, while the NCO's, contractors and enlisted folks do Dunkin Donuts near gate 4. Again, within 20 minutes of here.

You go to the most likely place and ask your question, and if they can't answer it there they probably know who to send you to. It also helps to be retired and have the time to go there, and be easy to talk to in the first place! I walked into Dunkies and over to a uniformed Navy Chief (Chiefs always know EVERYTHING) and said "You guys ever heard of waxing Radar antenna's on Navy boats?" and reported back what I heard.......that's about it. I never knocked Luke's discovery or 5-Star (it may be great - don't know, never used it), I just had a logical question and went to a logical source for an answer. I haven't yet heard about a kit car or street rod hang-out coffee shop around here yet, but I'm still looking!

Besides - it sure beats trying to figure this stuff out by yourself!!
gn

Thanks Gordon,
for defending the venerable donut shop, researching the 5 star mystery and being eloquent beyond my range. I think I'm going to look into the 5 star stuff, because it sure sounds easy. If it's not everything it claims to be, I'll report back and go more traditional (labor intensive) routes.
Luke

Gordon,

Thanks for waxing eloquent,(pun intended.) Blue Coral, ah, a name form the past. The future wife and myself spent an entire weekend applying that stuff to my black Healey 3000. It did look super when finished but don't think I have the arm strength to endure that 2 stage process any longer. I will admit it really deepened the black on the car, forget how long it lasted in the Illinois climate but it was the one and only time I used it. Had to do tiny areas of the car and rub, rub, rub! Whew, I get tired thinking about the work. I think they still sell it though.

Bruce

That stuff sounds a bit like Liquid Glass. I've used it before and it did do what they claim but then so do a lot of other waxes for a lot less....

I use the Mother's system ... I think there's 4 or 5 steps. Any quality product should do a good job. In some places there may be special considerations though...like if you like close to a factory (or downwind in the prevailing winds) that spews out stuff.

Brian

Luke (and others): Just for the hell of it, here's the link to their patent:

patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&r=1&
l=50&f=G&d=PALL&s1=5081171.WKU.&OS=PN/5081171&RS=PN/5081171

Interesting reading.......

I need a wax job so I can wear my bikini this summer. Any suggestions?
Ron

Not to Worry, Ron! Just ring up the "WaxMaster"!

BD

Sorry Gordon, for knocking the donut shop boys (or you). Meant no harm, musta lost my head for a moment.

As for 5 Star Shine, seems to be pretty cool stuff. Two parts, one a clenser/prep solution, the other a cream, like a cream wax, that contains teflon. Both are encased in an ionicly charged solution. One positive the other negative. Wash the car with the first solution twice, let it dry on the second time, then, dry and polish with the second as with any other cream wax product. The positive and negetive charges of the two solutions suck the teflon onto the paint.

Lasts five years, don't need soap, dirt washes right off. Really, Would I joke about somthing like this?!

By the way I live in Jersy aprox 1/2 Hr from Manhattan. Got more than a few double D's around here also. Like 'em fine I do...

Marcos

Oh and...

www.5starshine.com if your interestred.

Marcos

Marcos: Thanks for the info.

I mentioned Blue Coral earlier and it was a two-part thing, too, but the second part was really hard to put on and if it dried out (like in the sun) it was almost impossible to get off - I had to cut it with gasoline once, it dried so fast before I could buff it out.

Your stuff sounds a lot more "user friendly".

Just reread you're post again Gordon.

They do recomend leaving the car to sit in the sun when finished for a time. The shine seems to deepen after it spends some time in the hot sun.

Marcos

Really user friendly. No different from any other wash and wax, only from then on its a piece of cake. All of which wouldn't matter much if it didn't work, but the shine really is amazing!

Marcos

Bill, now that's a funny picture.
Ron

I think I'm going to have nightmares. Can I sleep with the light on?

Marco, no offense, but I went to the site and it was so cheesy I couldn't stop giggling to myself. It may be a good product, but the web site seems like a real 'come on'.
Ron

Hey Ron, no offence taken. It's not MY web site. For that matter, I didn't help design or run it.

My car sure shines tho!

I ques this might not be for sale in the US, but it's THE WAX to be used here in Europe.
www.autoglym.com/index2.html
Even the Queen uses it...