I have never done more than a quick wax job on my car, but I decided to do it right this time.
I just used the clay bar for the first time, and I must say it is a nice product. You think you did a good job washing until you use it, and then you will see. Then I used the 3 step meguiars cleaner/polish/wax system. It took alot of time, but this is the best that my car has ever looked. I used an orbital buffer for all the phases. My paint looks so deep and the metallic flakes really shine. It is very pretty. I would recommend these products to anyone. I know they are not the best, but they also did not cost an arm and a leg like my friend's who just spent $100 on wax. I only spent $10 for the clay bar and $15 for the three bottles of meguiars.

 

Good for you!

Your friend paid $100 for a wax alone? Yikes! What was it anyway?

 

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I don't think it was just wax, it was one of those Zaino kits or something.

 

Good Job! Keep up the good work!

Side Note: There is a Zymol wax that costs $1100 but you get lifetime refills from what I heard.

 

Whaddya trying to do Prinz, encourage people to buy Zymol??

I'm not a user, but if your friend bought Zaino it's is good, durable stuff. The only problem is, it works best with paint that is in pristine condition or is well-prepped before hand (ie, it's less forgiving). Zaino doesn't sell any products that will remove oxidation or hide/remove swirls all that well, so for most users, 3-step systems will end up working better for them even if it's shorter lasting.

 

I love my orbital (PC 7424) I think it makes whatever you use look better. I use a clay bar twice a year. I agree that good prep is the key to a great wax job.

Prinz...I saw that $1100 Zymol, too. Let's see, with free lifetime refills and 10 guys chipping in...it might be workable!!

 

Bman: No way, jose. I just mentioned it.

Blues: Thanks, but I'll stick with my Klasse, S100, and Souveran.

 

Which products did you use?
What kind of steps did you follow through the whole process of preparation, claying...

 

Well I'm not 96sleeper, but since he hasn't chimed in yet...

A full "enthusiast" paint detail would (basically) include the steps he has done, which is clay, polish/compound, glaze, wax. (Note this is a traditional routine.) I'm not sure which clay he used, but Mothers and Clay Magic are generally liked better than the Meguiar's kit.

The 3 step system from Meguiar's is called the Deep Crystal system and comprises of Step 1 Pre-wax Cleaner (your light abrasive polish), Step 2 Polish (a glaze actually ), and Step 3 Wax, which you could substitute for another pure cleanerless wax if you want. Mothers also makes an identical system which people seem to like a lot as well.

Keep in mind that this system doesn't have anything very strong in it abrasive-wise, so don't expect miracles if your paint is in poor shape.