Ok. Let's open up the polls again. It's pretty clear that people are really enthusiastic about Zaino. However, for those of us with less financial resources than others, let's get some opinions.

Anyone who has tried both Meguiars and Mothers, or has first-hand seen the difference, tell us your opinion. Which do you think is better?

 

I use meguires on my max, my dad uses mothers on his truck... I've never used mothers on my max yet, but they're both pretty close, i'd go with meguires.

 

I do the billion (not 3) step megiaurs.. it looks great, cept my cars black.. so it doesnt look great long. :>

I dont use the burgandy bottles, i use the tan ones.. glaze/polish, paste hitech yellow.. multiple layers of both...

i dunno who's been using the zainos.. but if youve noticed, at some of those detailer shows, like 20/25 of them use meguiars..

just a thot. besides, zainos does cost too much for too little, even tho its supposed to last a long time. that guys gotta be banking.

 

nm

 

I have always used Meguiars. Not the Maroon bottles, but the Mirror Glaze line that comes in the tan bottles. Show Car glaze #7 and Hi-tech yellow wax #26 is a great combination. Finish off with the quick detailer, and the results are great!

 

Zaino is cheaper. Don't think in terms of the cost of the bottle, think in terms of how much use you get out of that bottle. My $60 purchase of zaino is enough to last about 8 years for 1 car because I only need to do it twice a year. Seriously, I've done my car twice so far over the last year, and looking at the bottles, I have used less than 1 ounce of each step. Less than an ounce a year with an 8 ounce bottle gives you a lot of life on that. So, if you spend $60 on your first supply, that's $7.50 a year. Waxing my car monthly with meguiars three step and gold class wax, I spent more than that per year, not to mention I had the extra hassle of having to use it monthly, so if you factor in your time into this, Zaino is even better. I do my car in the spring and in the fall, and that's it, it just lasts.

But if you like waxing your car montly, go for it. But hit the link in my signature for more info on carnuba waxes...

 

So does everyone like the Mirror Glaze (tan bottle) better than the other Meguiars wax lines? Currenly I use the Gold Class Wax (black bottle) and the Deep Crystal Polish (maroon bottle). I've never seen the tan bottle Meguiars. Can anyone be more specific about the tan bottled Meguiars?

 

The stuff in the tan bottle is caller their Mirror Glaze line and is numbered. You should be able to find it at any auto store like Trak Auto or Autozone.

 

of Meguairs for most of my ar care. I use the maroon stuff for the leather conditioner--once every one or two months and the wax. It is alright, but I am not sure if it lasts that long. I do see that on the bottle it says "carnuba wax" on it which I hope can last some time. Tomorrow, actually, I will do a nice wash off everything and then reapply the wax on it a few times and get ready for the winter times *brrrrr*

I think their stuff is pretty good. In fact, I think the wax is shiner and nicer than the other brands such as turtle wax and polish2000 brands I have used before.

=)

 

C. 3M

=)

I use to use Meguiars Mirror Glaze, but gave 3M a shot.. and I'm still using it.

When I picked up my Miata, it had a badly oxidized front end.
<img src="http://www.cyberhosts.net/~gotrice/personal/miata/misc/3m01.jpg">

<img src="http://www.cyberhosts.net/~gotrice/personal/miata/misc/3m02.jpg">
3M took care of it And those pics are before I polished/waxed the front end.

This isn't a great pic (getting dark outside), but it shows you the amount of reflection/shine that the 3M is capable of (reflection off the hood and passenger side door). My 90 Z had 130,000ish miles at the time of this picture.
<img src="http://www.cyberhosts.net/~gotrice/personal/3/26.jpg">

 

I use meguiars leather cleaner and wheel shine and i like their products...

Ant

 

[/I][/QUOTE]

The stuff in the tan bottle is caller their Mirror Glaze line and is numbered. You should be able to find it at any auto store like Trak Auto or Autozone. [/I][/QUOTE]

Which numbers/names of the Mirror Glaze line do you use? Thanks.

 

Number 7 is the polish. It really brings out the shine and makes the paint smooth. Follow this up with an application of #26 wax. The polish has to sit for at least 30 minutes before buffing. The wax needs maybe 5 minutes. If you have lots of swirls, you may want to try swirl remover #9 instead of the #7. If your paint is really hurting, then you have to try a fine cut (#3) or maybe a medium cut (#6 maybe?) cleaner. But only use these if the other products don't help. I stick to #7 followed by #26. Then, finish off with the spray detailer (i don't remember the number but could be #34).

 

wheww. tired from the waxing and buffing and washing. But I was wondering how long does an application of the Meguiars Canaruba wax last? I put on two coats and then waited. Does it last a good 6 months or so? Need it to protect over the winter since this winter is going to be cold and all that salt is going to kill the paint here in NY.

tell me a god 4-5 months!!

PLEAASEE!! =)

 

A couple of coats should last a good 4 months or so. The first coat you put on will only last like 2 months, but if you have been waxing regularly, it should be ok through the winter. Generally, natural waxes do not last as long as synthetic waxes.

 

was in august--middle of august when I purchased the Meguiars wax and I put on about two coats--and then I buff it and it is now about three months later and the wax is pretty much gone. In any case--I hope the couple of coats I put was good enough...but the natural canaurba wax seems to work very well, but it is the longevity of it that concerns me.

I don't think in about another month or two, the weather out there will permit me to do my hand wash and wax...

what the heck do you guys do in the winter? leave it alone or do you wash your cars still?

 

Sure, if you don't drive it I've never had a carnuba wax last more than a month with the car parked outside in the elements. I may last 6 months if you cover it and don't drive it... The sun will really kill it too, meguiars is just carnuba, parrafin, and silicon. When it get's hot, wax melts and silicon evaporates. There goes your shine and protection. Waxes will probably last longer in the winter because it won't get so hot, but typically in the winter you have harsher elements, more rain and snow, road salt, etc. So how long it lasts is really dependant on how long it's exposed to the elements. If you don't drive much, it may last all winter...

 

so what do you guys use to cover the max up for the winter months when there is the harsher elements and can't get a good chance to wash and wax the car?
is canaruba parrafin similar to the natural wax/oil of caranuba wax--

is there anything that can provide a longer protection than what Meguiars has to offer?

thanks =)

 

Number 7 is the polish. It really brings out the shine and makes the paint smooth. Follow this up with an application of #26 wax. The polish has to sit for at least 30 minutes before buffing. The wax needs maybe 5 minutes. If you have lots of swirls, you may want to try swirl remover #9 instead of the #7. If your paint is really hurting, then you have to try a fine cut (#3) or maybe a medium cut (#6 maybe?) cleaner. But only use these if the other products don't help. I stick to #7 followed by #26. Then, finish off with the spray detailer (i don't remember the number but could be #34). [/I][/QUOTE]

Thanks UMD.

 

What about Meguiar's Gold Class?

 

has not done much for me.....it doesn't last at all....i have zaino, but have been too lazy to use...if weather permits, I will have to do the zaino before winter.......i have a bang of swirl marks on my green 95se.......what should i use to get rid of it?

 

Try a swirl remover like 3M or Meguars #9. If you have Zaino, doesn't it come with a swirl remover as part of the package?

 

Anyone else have comments about what wax they use and/or which wax is best?

 

I use all the Meguiars products and I'm very happy with them. I wax my car 2-3 times a year. I keep my Max very clean, dust it off reguraly, the second I get a chance I wash it after rain or snow, etc. My paint looks nearly brand new except for all the little paint chips in the front. I've got a black car that is much more prone to fading, but my car looks perfect after 4 years of life. I can always see a good reflection and color within the reflection. I've used Zymol, Meguiars, and NuFinish and I'd say Meguiars and Zymol are pretty close in shine. I've seen Zainoed show cars before and they looked very good BUT they were all brand new Camaros and Trans Ams. It's hard to tell what they'd look like 4 years from now. The Zaino shine isn't that incredible. 3M makes some stuff that makes a deeper shine and gloss. I'll probably try that next. BTW, I absolutely love Meguiars Quick Detailer. I live by the stuff. This stuff lifts dirt like no other and it keeps me from having to wash my car all the time.

Deathwish-
You waxed you're car every month? Are you crazy? No wonder your finish looked so bad. All the buildup of the natural waxes will make your finish look like crap. You need to strip the old stuff and then apply the new stuff. This includes washing the car, stripping the old wax, applying a polisher, and then 1 thick coat and 1 shallow coat of wax, and then a quick spray of water, and drying to bring out the shine. Pretty much a 4-5 hour process.


Dave