Waxing suggestions

[Bayou Titan]

Hey guys (and gals),

I need some help. I haven't waxed a truck in years because the one I just got rid of was old and scratched and just not worth my time to wax especially since I knew I was going to get rid of it. Now I have a Titan and need to know the ins and outs of waxing.

What type and brand of wax should I use? What proceedures should I follow? I also heard years ago that you should let several months go by (to give the paint a chance to "cure") before applying wax. Any truth to this?

By the way, listed below are the hierachy of my feelings since I got my Titan:

1. God
2. Wife
3. USA
4. Golden Retriever
5. Titan
6. You Guys!

[Bayou Titan]

Originally Posted by dd564

Man, that must be a helluva wife you have! 3 spots higher than the Titan!

My wife is responsible for spending hours on the phone and on the internet, searching dealers in three states to find the Titan with the options I wanted with the color I wanted. She also allowed me to spend money on the Titan that we should have been spending on new furniture for the house. Enough said!

[karlconnell]

Amen brother! You almost brought a tear to my eye Robert...looks like you have your priorities right.

Without a doubt, go with Zaino Bros Car Polish. It's the most amazing product I have ever used and I have used them all.

Zaino Bros web link

I put off doing our new 4Runner last year for a while until I stumbled on many recommendations on several forums about this stuff (Edmunds, 4Runner.org, etc.). It's a bit labor intensive the first time around depending on how thorough you want to be but it's a piece of cake to put on and take off. I put it on the 4Runner about 5 months ago and it still feels like it did when I first applied it. I use Z5 with ZFX and Z6 spray occasionally with Z7 for washing. I put it on the Titan a couple of weeks ago becuase the dealer put some swirl marks on the hood when they washed it and it's like glass now! The best part is it last's for a long...long time.

Karl

[CaliforniaTitan]

LOL OK so we are all a bunch of GUYS that love our WIVES :-)

As far as the wax thing. I put the first coat on mine today. Mothers Canubra liquid. I use this same wax on my Z Car for shows. As far as the 'cure' thing. Thats a new one to me. 30-60days yes on new paint, but with production, transport, etc etc..your probably past the 60 days.

Zaino's as he listed above is very good stuff as well.

chris

[mtbendo]

I like to use The Wax Shop. Seems to work well on dark colors especially. Easy on, easy off. I've used it after using carnuba wax to get rid of the streaks left from the carnuba.

[ttz32]

I like to use McGuire's 3 step application.

[static101]

Well I am sure no one missed me but I have not been able to post for the last two days. Something happened when the new site design went in. John helped me but we still had problems. I am behind in the posts so won’t bore all you guys with my ideas. The truck should be here any day. Was at the dealers three times today cruising in to see if the transport truck had arrived. To no avail. SOON!!! Anyway here is the past due post!!

I have used Zaino Bros Car Polish before and it is great. It does take time. I have an entire kit left if anyone is interested. The only one I use now on my vehicles is Nu-Finish. I find it to the best and easiest all around and I am very picky. It has proven to be very protective on my vehicles.

[Deepwater]

Hi Static10 or 101, (?)

Glad to hear you got info from 70boss. He also was very helpful with my truck. Hope everything goes well with your delivery!
As far as wax, polish or sealers go... Paint sealant or sealers offer the best protection for the base coat/clear coat and should be applied before wax. I have found that Race Glaze sealer works great (it's a little pricey though, but worth it). As for wax or topcoat over the sealer, Zymol is the finest available, it is an old german carriage wax formula from the early 1900's. The Zymol is reasonably priced and I've been getting it from Nappa Auto Parts. It helps if you mist your clean car with water just prior to applying the wax.

PS. I have had troulble with this website also. I keep having to login my user name and passwork everytime I go off the site and come back. Is this what your problem was and how did you resolve it?

[static101]

[quote=Deepwater]Hi Static10 or 101, (?)

I had to cancel my account set up a new one thus static101. I still have issues but at least I can reply and participate. I have to always log back in like you said. John said it had to do to cookies and anti pop-ups but I have corrected both of those items and still have issues not only with the log in but the colors and the smilies. I have heard of the wax you are talking about. Sounds like good stuff. Yes 70boss was very helpful to me. We do have a great membership. Good luck with yours also.

[jd1973]

I'm having a hard time believing there are twelve posts about what type of wax to use on a truck. It doesn't matter much as long as there is wax on the vehicle. The only thing to look at is how oftewn the wax is applied. Since I have a 21 year old son, whatever wax he wants to put on my truck (while I'm on the back porch) is OK.

[aws316]

i prefer just straight earwax

[LanceK]

I recently tried Zaino on my Porsche and wasn't really impressed. It is more complicated to apply than I care for and on my black paint it reflects light more than I'd like. A regular Carnauba wax provides a "deeper" look at least on black. Zaino is a great wax and liked by many, but if you want something simple to apply and/or have a black or dark car you may want to try something else.

Try www.griotsgarage.com

[Howie Kaluha]

I really enjoy the look of my vehicle when its waxed. However, I have only waxed my car personally one time. I am just apt to going up to a detail shop and have some guys do a complete interior/exterior wash and then wax for like $50-$70...too lazy to do it myself, LOL

[Mustard]

I am new around here and the last thing I want to do is start anything.

First off I love my Titan!!!!

I have had the Detail sickness in the past and have since simplified my life.

With all the reading I done the hardcore folks seem to devide into two groups, the Zaino group and the Klasse group. I have no experience with Zaino but have heard great things about it. Blackfire was another product that was starting to get alot of attention before I stopped keeping up with the whole detailing issue.

A great forum to check out for detail is the Autopia forum http://www.autopia.org/

Here is what I do and have been more than impressed. I won't go into great detail since the above link will have more than enough infomation. Been awhile since I have be there so some things may have changed, but again I have had outstanding results.

1. Get a good wash completed
2. Clay bar the nose or everything if you have the time
3. Klasse All-In-One (AIO) the entire vehicle
4. Klasse AIO again (first time only for me, but it is up for debate if this is needed a second time)
5. Anywhere from one to five coats of Klasse Sealant ( I did two coats on my Subaru)
6. Carnauba topper if so desired. I like Pinnacle Souveran. Really pops on top of the Klasse. I don't do this any more since I started using a Quick Detail that has the same sealant that the Klasse Sealant has. The Quick detail is Sonus High Gloss Acrylic Spritz.

Again this is what I have been happy with, I know this can turn into a very passinate issue.

[Sabre66]

I agree with KarlConnell, ZAINO is the way to go. It is labor intensive to apply the first time, but after that using a Quik Detailer (Zaino or Mequiairs) will do wonders in between waxes.

I've used it on several cars with swirls and wash marks in the paint and have basically made the swirls disappear with two applications. After that it was one wax a month and detailer in between for the dusty days.

I am also a big proponent of clay bars for removing oxidation and build up from factory to dealer transport and sitting on the lots. Again time intensive but worth it in the end. Besides if you're gonna have your Titan for a long while you might as well keep it looking it's best as long as you can.

Check their website www.zainobros.com for more info and testimonials.