Wax or Sealant? Carnauba or Advanced Chemistry?

As a kid, Da Guy can remember using Tide on his folk’s cars, lots of Turtle Wax and Armor All. When Da Guy ultimately got his own first ride, like most people in those days, he used local pharmacy and super store products to maintain his vehicle and thought that was pretty dang good. Why in the world did micro scratches keep increasing on his paint job, the inside of the windows fog within hours of his detail job, and the dash seem to collect so much dust? Uh huh, well, now he knows… Many years have gone by since those days. Times, dozens of products, experience, and yes, a full-time job with a steady income to afford better products changed a lot of things. When Da Guy bought his original Lexus SC300 Coupe back in ’95, one of da car jockeys at the dealership told him about Zymöl. He forked over a small fortune at the time for a starter kit, and the next morning was applying his first round of nothing but true quality products on his ride. Well, he was hooked on using da good stuff on his new toy and has never looked back at those run-of-the-mill products.

If you’re trying to make up your own mind on the complex “wax vs. sealant” debate, you should check out comparisons on the web such as Guru Reports, this FFCars.com article, or many other enthusiast forums out there. You’ll find lots of references to the latest generation of advanced car care products from dozens of companies, and a lot of passionate people supporting their products and techniques they call their own. Da Guy’s favorite system is Zaino Bros’ Show Car Polish. He became a convert in the late 90′s as this new chemical technology started to come into it’s own. For more than 10 years now, Da Guy has stripped the wax off his new rides the day they each arrived home, replacing dealer-applied wax with 3 layers of Zaino before his first cruise around town. It likely will be the same on all his future rides as well, as Da Guy likes it done his way these days.

If you’re a purist or just in to carnauba wax — Da Guy still considers Zymöl one of the best. It’s a lot of work that does not last as long as sealants, and you’re going to have sore arms, hands, and fingers, especially after that HD-clense when you do the work by hand, but the results are worth it for carnauba enthusiasts.  You’ll be amazed at the huge range in prices you can pay for quality caranuba.

You’ll also find if you research this topic enough, some like to add “warmth” to the Zaino and other sealants by applying a layer of their favorite carnauba on top of their polish regime. It won’t last as long as the Zaino, so you’ll get to do it again before not too long, but detailing is sort of an art and all about the look you enjoy. For Da Guy, he spritzs a bit of Z6 or Z8 (even better!) finish spray sealer over the Zaino Z2 on his ride, and wipes it off with a 100% cotton rag before those special excursions. It looks like a million to him!

Favorite Products — the ones Da Guy uses these days

Updated February 13, 2012

Da Guy has tried lots of products over more than 40 years taking care of his family’s, own, and friend’s rides. He seems to always be trying some little something new, but two product families have definitely become the foundation of his detailing arsenal, namely Zaino and Griot’s products. His selections are not always black and white decisions, but more like “shades of gray” in what product over time, with his experience, appears to generate the best result for his eye.  Balancing durability, ease of use, cost, and the resulting look is a challenge with the wide range of detailing products on the market today.  Da Guy remains open to trying and adjusting products and methods, as reviews and experience grows with new things that come onto the market — just like his switch from carnauba wax to polish many years ago. Here are the key products Da Guy is currently using to maintain his rides. Happy detailing!

Car Cover

• Covercraft Form-Fit is what Da Guy used to cover his coupe inside the garage — nice, soft, and subtle. Check out a photo of this in the Coupe Photo Album. There are a number of different types of covers available from Covercraft, so check out their site. Buy it from any number of retailers. AJ-USA has provided Da Guy with some great pricing in the past.

Dry

• California Water Blade. Da Guy knows what you’re thinking, but this really does a magnificent job quickly taking most of the water off after washing your car, leaving zero scratches with it’s surgical grade material, requiring only a touch up with 100% cotton towels at the end. He would never be without it. Finish with your favorite microfiber waffle weave towel, and you’re on your way.  The trick is, just be sure you wipe it clean and don’t run over dirty panels while you’re sweeping the water away.

Glass, Windows, & Windshields

• Aquapel. A super exterior windshield treatment by PPG Industries, lasting longer and not hazing like Rain-X. Find it online via eBay for best pricing. Buy multiples, as each applicator is for a single use and you’ll get a better price break.
• Covercraft UVS100 Heat Shield is da best for inside the front window when you park your ride outside in the hot, sweltering heat. Buy it from any number of retailers. AJ-USA provided Da Guy with some great pricing in the past.
• Duragloss Water Spot Remover #505 does just what it says. It won’t take off blemishes left too long that etched into your glass, but it’s worth a try before more drastic polishing is attempted.  Try putting quite a bit on a clean towel, let it sit on top of the spot for a while, and see if that helps break it down.
• Griot’s Garage
• Glass Clay is what Da Guy first uses to get ride of crud and water spots that won’t come off the windows
• When clay or Duragloss Water Spot Remover won’t do the trick, Fine Glass Polish is what Da Guy uses with water spots that won’t come off the windows. Try it by hand before resorting to machine, and be sure NOT to do it to any windows that have special manufacturer coatings on them (like many Lexus on the front driver and passenger side windows).
• P21S Windshield Wash Booster is added to the washer reservoir and makes a difference
• Stoner Invisible Glass does the very best job — even better than the Griot’s Window Cleaner and those that swear by ammonia and newspapers! Look hard and find the non-aersol version to help the environment online or at at your local WalMart or Target. Be sure to “shake it up” before you squirt the stuff and only use a proper microfiber towel that you keep dry to the touch, avoiding streaks.

Interior Car Scent

• Griot’s Garage New Car Scent is just like Da Guy want’s it, not some bubble-gum or fake tropical sorta stink

Leather

Two options are used in Da Guy’s arsenal.  Zaino products have been used for years and have worked well.  On very light colored leather, Da Guy is using Leather Masters products these days, as his research and feeling is their Leather Protection Cream does a really good job putting a layer of protection over the coating on semi-analine leather, such that if a stain (from new, dark, blue jeans) can be wiped off without too much trouble.

• Zaino Z9 Leather Soft Spray Cleaner works
• Zaino Z10 “Leather in a Bottle” Treatment and Conditioner is fantastic for your leather and oh, that smell!

or

• Leather Master Leather Cleaner (be sure to get the right kind based on type of leather you have)
• Leather Master Leather Protection Cream

License Plate Frames & Holders

• Gunther Gifts is where Da Guy has had his customized stainless license plate frames made for years.  Great quality and turn-around.
• Skene Design Low Profile Front License Plate Bracket is the perfect solution when you don’t want to drill holes in your front bumper

Paint & Polish

• CCS Red Wax/Sealant Applicator Pads are Da Guy’s preference these days.  He has had previous good experience with Blue Perl Microfiber Applicator pads, 100% cotton cloth (including the binding!) over foam pads work as well, such as the ones available from Zaino and many online retailers
• Duragloss Water Spot Remover #505 does just what it says. It won’t take off blemishes left too long that etched into your clear coat, but it will handle many of the nasty spots you can’t get off with a normal wash.
• Meguiars ScratchX does a good job as a last resort on those itty-bitty @#$(*@#$ blemishes when you wanna try to fix it up by hand and don’t want to pull out all the stuff for a multi-step buffing routine. Give it a go when you’ve tried everything else, including Zaino’s ZPC first. Remember to reapply your favorite polish afterwards to re-protect that paint job!
• Griot’s Garage Touch Up Paint Applicators — useful when you have to fix those blasted little dings and rock chips.  Da Guy never uses the brush that comes inside the touch up paint — these really help do a more precise job. Keep both sizes on hand.
• Porter Cable 7424 Variable Speed Random Orbital — when you want to buff out those problem areas, put on multiple coats of wax (heaven, forbid) or even Zaino polish in a single day and avoid those hand cramps, get a “PC”. Shop around for the best price.
  • Griot’s Machine Polish #1, 2 & 3 are Da Guy’s polish of choice when you need to remove those nasty scratches and swirls
  • Lake Country’s CCS Dual Action 6.5 inch Smart Pads™ Foam Pads– Da Guy makes greatest use of Orange and White.  He likes the foam lip on these pads that most others don’t have.
    • Snappy Clean Pad Cleaning Powder to keep those pads clean
  • Zaino ZPC Fusion is an ultra fine polish and what he uses for general swirl removal or as the final polish in his regime
  • Wonderin’ how to use that Random Orbital? Check out the Buffing with Confidence DVD from the guys that know their stuff over at Kleen Car Auto Appearance.  Another great video is Mike Phillips’ Principles of Machine Polishing DVD available from Autogeek.net.
• Zaino Bros’ Show Car Polish provides many of the key products in Da Guy’s normal regime for protecting his paint and ensuring a beautiful shine.  Check out his practical view of exterior Zaino application here.
  • Z2 PRO — Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Finishes
  • Z5 PRO Polish for Swirl Marks & Fine Scratches — wow, does a fabulous job on dark colors
  • Z6 Ultra Clean “Gloss Enhancer” Spray — use as part of the polish process as well as those in-between touch-ups
  • Z8 Grand Finale Spray Seal — the fancier version of Z6 when nothing but the best spit and polish touch-up is the thing!
  • Z18 Clay Bar
  • Diluted Zaino Z7 Car Wash (you may already have some!) or Dodo Juice Born Slippy in a spray bottle works great as a lube
  • Z-AIO All-in-One — a one-application-does-it-all product for those that don’t want to go through the effort of the Z2/Z5 layering like Da Guy does. Amazing results. Also works great on interior clear-coated wood trim.
  • Z-CS Clear Seal — a new “apply and let dry” seal (meaning, you don’t buff it off) for the top layer in your Z2/Z5 regime or on top of your Z-AIO application for a longer lasting polish — Super!
  • ZPC Fusion – Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover — try it by hand for smaller problem areas, before you resort to something more extreme, or as the last set of polish if you’re being more aggressive with your PC Random Orbital
  • ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator Additive for Z2 PRO & Z5 PRO– A miracle. Almost no waiting for your polish to dry, even on colder or more humid days.
    

Plastic

• Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer is a new polymer product that makes your black — black again — without silicon (like Black Wow), so it lasts much longer.  This is a high-end, expensive product, but a 1oz bottle should last a long, long time.
• Black Wow is an alternative Da Guy has also used for years, is a bit less expensive and a little more shiny in it’s finish, but does not tend to last as long as the newer Solution Finish product
• Zaino Z14 Plastic Magic Cleaner & Polish works to take out fine scratches and make your plastic lenses smooth once again

Rubber & Gaskets

• Griot’s Garage Vinyl & Rubber Dressing for helping to keep it aging gracefully, applied with a foam applicator

Sticky Stuff, Bugs, Tar and Other Things that Shouldn’t Be There

• 3M™ Adhesive Remover and Surface Cleaner does a super job when nothing else seems to do the trick
• Auto Glym Intensive Tar Remover works when nothing else does. The drawback is you get to re-polish the area you cleaned-up.
• Blue Painters Tape is what you should use to protect areas you don’t intend to touch when you’re going to do any machine polishing
• Griot’s Garage Interior Cleaner works great with Lint Free Towels to get smudges off plastic runner boards, floor mat spots, excess leather conditioner on plastic areas, and the like
• Wax Blaster Wax Remover does the trick when you get your polish in the dimples of your black bumpers and other exterior plastic areas. You really should have masked the area off with blue tape first, shouldn’t you have?

Tires

The jury is still out for Da Guy on this subject, as he has recently started to use Tuf Shine.

Tuf Shine

This is a new type of permanent dressing for tires, that Da Guy intends to use on his new Lexus 2012 RX450h.  Get the kit if you want to try it, as you’ll need both the Tire Cleaner for prep, as well as the Tire Clearcoat for occasional application.  Check out this terrific video for a how-to.

More Traditional Dressings

Da Guy has tended to switch between these two products every few months the last few years for some unknown reason.  There is a slightly different look to each, and it’s the type of product he uses when detailing his family and friend’s rides from time-to-time.  These wear off and require re-application to keep up the look.  If you are not careful, the Griot’s tends to sling a bit more than the Z-16, but both give good results.  Da Guy uses contoured foam applicators designed for tire dressing (such as Tire Swipes from Eagle One or any number of alternatives).

• Griot’s Garage Long Lasting Tire Dressing
• Zaino Z16 Perfect Tire Gloss

Tools

• Detail Brushs — For removing built-up polish from those places you should not have put it in the first place, and getting the dust out of your interior air vents. Different sizes and types for different purposes available from Griot’s Garage and Autogeek.net.

Towels

• Griot’s Garage Lint Free Towels — disposable, but they will leave a little “white stuff” on your black dash. Terrific for everything else including cleaning up your interior, under the hood or for chemical applications such as buffing off Aquapel — when it’s too messy to use a towel that can be thrown in the laundry with all the others.
• Griot’s Garage Microfiber and Foam Pad Cleaner or Detailer’s Pro Series Microfiber Cleaner  added into the wash cycle with your liquid laundry detergent and microfiber products every few loads (Da Guy does not use this in every single wash), will help remove the residual gunk and make your towels work as they did the very first time
• Microfiber products are the only way to go these days, but BE SURE you don’t have cheap bindings on the edges that will scratch. This is a big, BIG, deal. Many towels that claim to be “100% cotton” use polyester or synthetic threads on the edges — this WILL scratch your vehicle even though the towel itself won’t. Make sure whatever you buy has only silk or cotton on the edges, and if you can’t tell, don’t buy them. Also, look closely how any “made in xxx” tags are attached. If the tags are going to leave part of themselves in the binding, don’t buy ‘um, or RETURN THEM. If you can remove any tags completely, you’re good to go. Also, look for towels that are double sided (yes, some of the cheaper ones only have a usable mat on one side.) Da Guy has three sources you may want to try:
  • Classic Motoring Accessories Big Blue Towel — microfiber at it’s best. One of these waffle weave towels will do your whole ride except on those really cold and damp days when two will do ya.
  • PakShak — the best prices on microfiber of all types, and the distributor is in Hawaii of all places. Try their “waffle weave towel” — it’s the Big Blue Towel equivalent mentioned above
  • Zaino also has some newer “fluffy” microfiber towels that are simply excellent and the best for polish removal and Z-6/8 QD application, but carry a hefty price tag.  If you want THE BEST for these purposes, it’s what Da Guy is using these days.

Vacuum

• Metro Vac N Blow is a very powerful vacuum that will suck up all the dirt and junk inside your ride without the hassle of moving a larger shopvac around your detail area.  Having a dedicated vac is a great upgrade over using your Shop Vac or trying to remember to drag the vacuum from inside your home out to work on your car. There are different remarketed versions of this model out there. Shop around and find one with the attachments and accessories that are best for you.

Vinyl

• Griot’s Garage Vinyl & Rubber Dressing for helping to keep it aging gracefully, applied with a small foam applicator to keep things nice and tidy
• Zaino Z10 “Leather in a Bottle” Treatment and Conditioner works on your interior vinyl, isn’t greasy, and has a terrific smell to boot

Wash

• Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is what Da Guy uses when he wants to strip off any wax or sealents on the paint and start over with his paint protection regime.  Do NOT use this as your daily wash soap and suds!
• An alternative if you prefer a more specialized product and wonderful smell, is Chemical Guys Citrus Wash in a more concentrated form.  Do NOT use this as your daily wash soap and suds in a concentrated form.
• A Grit Guard is what you must have in your 5-gallon bucket. Two are even better to help reduce introduction of swirls and scratches as you wash your ride.
• Optimum No Rinse (ONR) works with a bucket and 2 gallons of water when you have water restrictions not allowing you to wash your ride in the driveway. Da Guy suggests you still go to a coin-op place if your ride is super dirty and you can’t wash around your own place, but this works for most of your other weekly washing rituals.
  • HINT: If you’re a Zaino kinda person like Da Guy, and you use ONR, be sure after you dry to wipe down with a normal application of Zaino Z6 or Z8 using a microfiber or white cotton rag to keep your Zaino look intact.
• Zaino Z7 Show Car Wash is da guy’s normal “soap” of choice when hand washing his ride.  Check out Da Guy’s practical view of exterior Zaino application here.

Wheels & Wheel Wells

• Detailer’s Pro Series Wheel Glaze — occasionally applied after a thorough cleaning and drying, when Da Guy wants to detail his wheels.  This product tends to work better than caranuba-based waxes which just don’t last.
• A no-brainer alternative if you don’t want to try a specialty product, but you already use a sealant on your paint, is to apply and use the same thing on your coated wheels, e.g. Zaino Z2 works just great on Da Guy’s Lexus wheels
• Griot’s Garage Under Carriage Spray — works like a dream on those SUVs where you have a lot of exposed wheel well area.  What a difference it makes!
• Griot’s Garage Wheel Cleaner — this spray is OK for the environment and makes cleaning coated wheels a simple job for all but the toughest dirt and caked-on brake dust
• Griot’s Garage Wheel Cleaner Clay is what Da Guy uses when the spray just won’t do the trick
• McGuard Wheel Locks — the only way to go. High quality, made in the USA, and what Da Guy has used on his rides for more than 20 years with unique key designs, chrome for most makes and even “black” versions to blend in with your other BMW OEM lug nuts.
• Lug Nuts — a couple of options to keep ‘um clean, depending on your needs
• Griot’s Garage Lug Nut Cleaning Brush is what Da Guy used on his BMW to get all that brake dust out of the crevices
• Recessed Wheel Lug Nut Brush from Autogeek.net has a replaceable foam scrubber and is what Da Guy uses on his Lexus
• Wheel Woolies — available as a 3-piece set from Autogeek.net are Da Guy’s latest favorite for cleaning his wheels and getting into any size crevice you need to deal with.  They are pricey, but work well.  Following are alternatives Da Guy has used and recommended in the past:
  
• Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush from Autogeek.net worked well with Da Guy’s BMWs to get at that brake dust.  Unlike most others, these can be bent to help you reach areas you may not get to with other methods
  
• Griot’s Garage Wheel Scrubber Brushes — Reusable synthetic material on a handle that works great getting into most crevices with just enough abrasion to help get through those tough situations. In a package of 3.

Hints & Tips

Initial Detailing of 2009 BMW E93 335i Convertible

Yes, Da Guy is obsessive. As he’s done with each of his last 4 rides, within the first 24 hours of taking possession, he spent just over 10 hours to complete the following:

• Followed the Zaino “Classic Prep”steps
  • Dawn wash (wax removal)
  • Special attention to remove excess cosmoline or shipping goo
  • “Clayed” paint and headlights with Zaino Z18 and diluted Z7 in a spray bottle
• Removed dealer-applied wax where it shouldn’t have been using Wax Blaster Wax Remover
• “Blue Taped” everything (so he didn’t mess it up again!)
• Buffed-out paint/finish problem areas with a Porter Cable using Griot’s Machine Polish #2 & 3
• Followed the Zaino “Classic Basic Process”Z5/Z2 Application
  • Two layers of Z5, one final of Z2, a spray-down of Z6 between each, followed by Z-CS
• Removed remaining window stickers and “gooey” stuff inside and out of the car
• All gaskets and rubber treated with Griot’s Vinyl & Rubber Dressing
• Windows cleaned inside and out with Stoner’s Invisible Glass
• Aquapel application to front and rear windshields
• Vacuumed inside and out
• All interior leather and synthetic material had an initial “feed” with Zaino Z10
  • Final clean-up with Griot’s Interior Cleaner to remove leather conditioner from areas where Da Guy was a little over zealous
• Wheel Wax applied to the rims

…and there was another “feed” of leather conditioner the next day, and yet another on the next!

References

Check out Da Guys’ Favorite Products he uses to maintain his ride or these places if you’re just lookin’ around!

Miscellaneous

• The Art of Detailing by Mike Phillips at Autogeek.net.  The hardcopy or online version of this book does a great job explaining most detailing techniques and is a good way for you to get started on that knowledge.
• Autopia Carport Forums — All the in-da-know guys hang out here.  You know da kine.
  • Autopia’s Free Car Detailing Guides
  • Paint Repair & Touchups — Super “how to do it” write-up by DavidB
• Concurs d’ Elegance of the Eastern United States
• Da Guy’s Zaino Process — Here’s how Da Guy uses the products from start to finish
• Detailing Wiki — Great info organized by problem and solution
• How to Wash Your Car — A super detailed video for the real perfectionist — even more so than Da Guy is!
• Pebble Beach Concurs d’ Elegance
• Zaino Bros’ Show Car Polish Home Page
• Zymöl.com Home Page

Shopping

…and there is more in the Shopping Section of this post

Processing Power

What does Da Guy have?

Apple iMac 27″ (mid-year 2010 version)

• 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7 (Quad Core)
• 8GB 1333 MHz Memory

Accessories

• Apple Battery Charger
• Apple Magic Mouse
• Apple Magic TrackPad

References

Here are some of the places Da Guy has used, uses today, or has investigated somewhere along the line in his pursuit of Apple computing.

• Apple Computer
• Bare Feats — independent Apple performance information
• Da Guy’s Home Computing Peripherals
• MacMost — a super site with hundreds of practical how-to videos and more.  Use it and subscribe to Gary’s very useful and timely information.

Lexus

• Dealers & Service of Special Note
  
• (2011) Lexus Sales at Lexus Escondido (California) — ask for Jim Biggie
  
• (2011) Lexus Service at Lexus Escondido (California)
• Forums & Clubs
  • Club Lexus — Da Guy is known as BertL around Club Lexus
  • Lexus Enthusiast — lots of Lexus news
• Lexus.com is the official site
  • Bluetooth — Official site with cell phone connectivity FAQs
• Toyota-Lexus Pressroom — has some good stuff

Miscellaneous

• Blackstone Laboratories is a place where you can get your ride’s oil analyzed
• Car Insurance Vehicle Ratings on MSN Money is a great place to check. You may be interested in what you find.
• Edmunds.com has a lot of new and used prices & reviews
• HD Radio — the place to go if your ride has this capability and you need more info about it
• Kelly Blue Book is the place many people go for new and used prices & reviews; Just beware that KBB Trade-in is almost always higher than any dealer will offer — it’s more practical for personal sales
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is the place to look to find out the history before you buy a used car
• Pebble Beach Concurs d’Elegance
• Sirius XM Satellite Radio
• Tax Friendly Places to Buy a Car — a little dated now, but this Kiplinger article from 2006 is interesting just the same
• Top Tier Gasoline — did you know major manufacturers such as BMW and Toyota actually recommend certain gasoline dealers over the other? Read this to find out why and who.
•  – Da Guy has been a member since True Delta started up, and has been contributing his rides’ stats for years.  This is a super, independent site where you can research real experiences on purchase, service, mileage and more.

Shopping

The primary sources where Da Guy obtains his auto accessories, detailing stuff, parts, and the like

• AJ-USA — great prices on accessories, Covercraft products and Lloyd mats
• Autogeek.net — great stuff to maintain the look of your ride, along with helpful hints. Check out the additional discount via Club Lexus.  These guys run various sales and at times have free shipping, so keep your eyes open.
• Canine Covers — combine these custom covers with an appropriate harness and protect your dog and vehicle on your travels. Shop around the Net for best pricing and material/color options, as many sites resell these made-to-order items from Covercraft.
• Detailed Image — good products and helpful info to maintain your ride. Check out the additional discount via Club Lexus.
• Griot’s — lot’s of speciality branded products. When you want the best, you’ll probably find it here. Great service and a lifetime 100% money back guarantee.
• Sewell Lexus Parts — the BEST prices and service.  Check out the additional discount via Club Lexus
  
• Lloyd Mats — great custom “protector” mats for your ride if you can’t fine OEM versions to your liking. Get them from AJ-USA for better pricing.
• PakShak — generally the best prices on microfiber of all types, and it comes to you from a distributor in Paradise to boot
• West Coast Specialties — is the place to go in the San Diego area if you need auto damage or paint repair. Specializing in the luxury brands such as BMW, Ferrari, Mercedes, Masserati, and Porsche
• Zaino Store — your source for the best polish and sealants on the market. Da Guy does all his ordering on the web, as there are few local distributors around the country and world.  You can contact Sal via Zaino’s web site with questions — he always seems to be available and is always helpful.  Check out Da Guy’s practical view of exterior Zaino application here.