View Full Version : Wax choice
Just new to these forums and noticed this thread. I've got a Pearlescent black Leon (forget the correct name).
The car was protected with Autoglym LifeShine and in the past have always used Meguiars products since discovering.
Unfortunately I'm unable to wash my car by hand myself, but always use the local hand wash garage and have to say I've never had a problem. I recently just waxed it with the NXT Tech liquid. I always try to wipe off excess dust with a nenette mop and regularly use the Meg NXT Speed Detailer/Quick Detailer.
I'm always keen to try new products though and curious what alternatives you guys have and would work good on this pearlescent black.
Thanks
Rubbish Boy
29-06-2010, 16:57
Are you looking for a direct alternative to the products mentioned or just other products to use?
There's plenty that will work well on pearlescent black just depends really how much work you want to do and how much money you want to spend. :)
Just new to these forums and noticed this thread. I've got a Pearlescent black Leon (forget the correct name).
The car was protected with Autoglym LifeShine and in the past have always used Meguiars products since discovering.
Unfortunately I'm unable to wash my car by hand myself, but always use the local hand wash garage and have to say I've never had a problem. I recently just waxed it with the NXT Tech liquid. I always try to wipe off excess dust with a nenette mop and regularly use the Meg NXT Speed Detailer/Quick Detailer.
I'm always keen to try new products though and curious what alternatives you guys have and would work good on this pearlescent black.
Thanks
Are you looking for a direct alternative to the products mentioned or just other products to use?
Either really, just curious what's available
There's plenty that will work well on pearlescent black just depends really how much work you want to do and how much money you want to spend
Don't want to spend megabucks and nice if it is easy, but just keen to get the best out of my paintwork.
I never seem to get a decent deep shine on it but then I'm thinking that is more down to the fact it's pearlescent and not a gloss.
The paintwork is nice and glossy and beading well with rain but would just like to get a better shine if possible.
Rubbish Boy
30-06-2010, 15:32
Okay.
For alternatives to the products you mentioned, something like Mark V Fast Wax (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=107) as a replacement for the tech wax (i'm presuming it's the spray on liquid one you are using) and Mark V Showroom Finish (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=63) as a replacement for the Speed detailer. Slightly different, not identical, but both easy to use and will work well on pearl black.
To get the best from your paint though, I would suggest spending a bit more time on your preparation stages.
Firstly after washing I would suggest claying, using something like the Bilt Hamber Soft clay (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=96), this step makes a big difference. It will strip off any contamination that has stuck to the paint and will leave a glassy, smooth finish.
Then I would suggest a pre wax cleaner, if your paint is in good shape then Lime Prime Lite (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=75) will be good. It will further deep cleanse the paint and leave behind a glossy film which makes a good base for a wax.
Then a couple of coats of wax, as for the wax well any of these will look good, just depends on what suits your budget really:
Rain Forest Rub 250ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=4) or 30ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=238)
Purple Haze 250ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=2) or 30ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=229)
Blue Velvet 250ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=22) or 30ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=232)
Juiced Edition 200ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=46) or 30ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=252) (My old Black Magic Ibiza finished with Juiced Edition http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=221995)
Supernatural 200ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=98) or 30ml (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=68)
You'll easily do a Leon 2 or 3 times with a 30ml pot (if not more), so they are good way to try them out without commiting too much money.
The waxes listed are also a bit different to what you have been using as they're paste waxes rather than liquid, they're not really any harder to use, just apply very thinly and they're a breeze to use.
ok thanks. The NXT I use is a liquid but not a spray, just apply it using the disc mit that it comes with. I have clayed in the past, but not on my current vehicle, again using the Meguiars clay.
As far as I can tell, it does have quite a glassy feel at the moment. Just noticed lunchtime though that although the water was beading on it with the slight rain we had yesterday, there are lots of spots of like sand all over the bonnet that has been left behind :(
Rubbish Boy
30-06-2010, 16:09
ok thanks. The NXT I use is a liquid but not a spray, just apply it using the disc mit that it comes with.
In that case the Mark V Dazzle (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=108) will be a closer alternative. It's a cream liquid product.
As far as I can tell, it does have quite a glassy feel at the moment.
If you really want to get the best form the paint, definitely clay it, unless it's been done recently of course. Even brand new cars need claying, the amount of fall out that gets picked on the journey from the factory to the dealers is incredible.
wow looks good. think I'll have to sort some of that clay then, not sure if my Meg clay still any good.
Stone chips look good, was it just a case of touching in gently with colour? Unsure what you did there.
You seem to have very nice shine there with that Uno.
Always like it to look it's best. Would these items you suggest help stop what I mentioned about 'sand' spots on it when it rains?
Sorry for so many question, just nice to catch an expert
Rubbish Boy
30-06-2010, 17:47
Stone chips look good, was it just a case of touching in gently with colour? Unsure what you did there.
The stone chips were done, by cleaning them out, laying in some colour and then building up layers of clear until slightly proud of the repair. I left that as it was for a couple of weeks to harden up, you usually get a bit of sinkage from the new paint too. During the detail I then sanded down the raised up new paint and polished up accordingly.
Always like it to look it's best. Would these items you suggest help stop what I mentioned about 'sand' spots on it when it rains?
Not a great deal that can be done there really. The dirty rain drops will bead up and leave their mucky deposits whatever you use. Somethign like Auto-balm (http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=88) tends not to bead up the water quite so much as a wax, but it still does a certain extent.
Sorry for so many question, just nice to catch an expert
No probs. :)
just to give you an idea, out of a panel pot of SN, I have done my ibiza twice, a mk2 leon, a megane and still have enough to do 1 or 2 more cars....
also I have a panel pot of orange crush (a soft wax) and that has done a megane and a fabia and barely dented it
Right, looking at making a purchase
Thinking then some of the Soft Clay, following by Lime Prime Lite and then Juiced Edition be best for Black Pearl?
Would I need a polish in between the Lime and wax to enhance the gloss or would the Lime provide enough
Thanks again
Rubbish Boy
06-07-2010, 14:38
Yep, that combination will look very nice on your colour. :)
Whether or not you need to polish would really depend on the condition of the paint.
Clay -> Lime Prime Lite -> Wax is usually enough for paint in good shape.
Clay -> Compound/Polish -> Lime Prime Lite -> Wax if the paint is oxidised, flat/dull or scratched.
The Lime Prime Lite can be considered a very gentle polish, it doesn't have any abrasives though so won't cut back any paint or remove scratches, but will add depth and gloss.
Great thanks.
What about the wax though, just been told that Carbanuba wax won't have much effect because my car has been treated with Autoglym Lifeshine and it won't break through that
Rubbish Boy
06-07-2010, 15:11
Well firstly carnauba wax doesn't need to "break through" anything, it will sit on top of what ever is there and the thin film of wax left behind will be what you see. Ideally products like to be on nice clean paint to achieve the best bond, but a natural wax tends to sit happily on top of sealants.
Secondly claying, polishing and pre-wax cleansing will leave very little, if any, lifeshine behind, if there's any still there any way.
So unless you want to preserve the life shine I wouldn't worry about it at all, it will be long gone.