Maybe because I'm getting older but I like to think its becasue I'm getting smarter. These days the only product I use is Turtle Wax Express in the spray bottle.

Here's why:
-I can do the whole car in about 20 minutes therefore I spray wax my car just about every time I wash the car.
-Provides an excellent high gloss shine.
-You don't have to worry about the wax residue that you often see along the pin strip, weatherseals, and other areas of trim where it is diffulcult to remove when you use a paste wax.
-This wax leaves no hazing and will not even slightly scratch your clear coat.

Look at your paint at an angle where you can see scratch marks in the clear coat. My paint has virtually none and what is does have is probably from the washing process.

Granted, I'm not detailing my car for a auto show and I know there are some excellent products out there, but for my time and money this product does a great job. My paint looks as good as the day I drove home from the dealer.

Also-Be careful what towels you use to wax your car. Many people use old bath towels that contain synethic fibre that scratch you clear coat. To check, get a match and light the corner of the towel. If it has rayon or nylon you will know by the way it burns. I buy cheese cloth rags that are 100 % cotton and seem to work good.

Any thoughts or comments ???

 

Orbital buffer and Maguires Gold Class no complaints. I usually wax my max twice a month and do the 3 step process every other month. I've tried spray on waxes and I notice they dont last for crap and it doesnt bead up water as well.

 

Thoughts or comments?

You seem to know what you are doing and talking about.

Using the Express Wax is fine, as long as you keep it up the way you do, since it won't last as long as a "real" wax. The only downfall of this product is that it doesn't have any light abrasive cleaners in them like most waxes do, which isn't very critical if you use it often, but usually paint could use a light polishing over time.

You know about the burn test - good for you!

What kind of mitt are you using for washing? Just wondering if there's room for improvement at all.... If you don't have many swirls I am guessing not, but you never know.

 

Your absolutely right, the express wax has zero cleaning ability. I used this stuff from the day the car was new so I never really had the need for a cleaner wax to date. I use a bug/tar remover for any tough grime or dirt along rocker panels etc.

I use a sponge for washing (the kind that comes from the bottom of the ocean) and (this is a little bizzare) I add about 1 oz of vegtable oil to my soapy water to make it extra slippery. Some oldtimer taught me this years ago. Its probably bull**** but old habits are hard to break.

 

Hmm, I heard of that tip before at some point... the only thing is I think it'd be like the other tip of tossing a cap of wax into the bucket, in that it'd probably eat up some of the detergent. Personally I seldom find that a good shampoo needs more lubrication unless it's really cheap or old stuff. Maybe switch to another (better) shampoo if you think it's not slick enough, but make sure you are mixing it up at the right strength first. 1oz per gallon is almost universal with a few exceptions.

I know of several people that swear by sea sponges too. Normally sponge use gets a huge bashing (and deservedly so), but genuine natural sea sponges seem to be the exception. It must be their really porus and uneven structure or something...