I might also suggest if you want...put a coat of something like Meguiars NXT wax...a nano type wax on then a carnauba wax on top of that...you won't believe the depth of shine. Also the nano wax lasts longer so, you don't have to wax as often. You can wash, QD, then do a spray carnauba wax and the car looks new again...I tried this and it is unbelievable how it looks and how long it lasts. Of course I had also washed, clayed, polished then did the above...so, car was totally prepped so, I did not have to do all of that for awhile.

 

After reviewing this post the word "best" is pretty broad, so lets look at it like this:

Best depth...Pinnacle "Souveran"

Best durability...Klasse SG

These are my opinions, not yours.

 

Too true!


...sT

 

Zaino for me...
I've owned 15 different vehicles in the last 15 years since I've been driving and I've tried many many different waxes/polishes. For the last 3 vehicles and 5 years, I've been using Zaino and I see no reason to change, I love it!
It goes on easy, wipes off easy, and its so slick that dirt and bugs practically just rinse off with water!
My car now has 1,400 miles on it and I finally found the time to detail it...
I just got done using the Zaino clay bar, then I used 3M Perfect it II with my electric buffer (to remove all the towel scratches and swirls) and then followed it up with a fresh coat of Zaino...My black SRT-6 looks better now then it did with only 4 miles on it!

 

So we all think we are wax experts? I like Zaino and I don't know why its taking people 5 hrs to wax a Crossfire. I can appreciate what everyone here does to keep their cars clean and shiny and that's the point right?
My neighbor across the street, brilliant guy, Harvard education, he writes computer programs for the government. He washes his brand new Malibu with a push broom. You heard me a push broom. So while you guys are arguing about this wax and that polish think about what I have to look at every couple weeks. I guess the guy is in a hurry but would you wash a brand new car with a push broom?
I was just at a car show over the weekend and I was talking to a buddy of mine who owns a beautiful Candy Apple Red Bourget chopper. He uses something called Wizard Wax. Anybody heard of it?

Pat

 

I got a great buy on my black SRT6 earlier this year. It was a Chrysler program car and I am VERY happy with it, but...whoever had it was not kind to the paint. I had a number of visible scratches. I have been happy with Meguiar's so I tried Scratch X. It did remove some of the intensity of the scratches but did not eliminate them (didn't really expect it) I then used Meguiar's new NXT Tech Wax. Besides all their claims at providing the best shine, it does not leave the typical white residue when buffed off.

OK, I admit it, I am a certified nut case about keeping my cars clean. I spend about an hour per day cleaning everything (especially the wheels, another story...and probably a move to Rotex Gold). I consider this time necessary and therapeutic. My job is all about mental work with little physical activity. Working on the car helps keep me sane. And I do take pride in how it looks.

I have seen some of the pics posted that show before and after swirl marks for various products. It does appear that NO product eliminates them but many do reduce them. When I clean the car in the garage (fluorescent lighting) there is not a swirl mark in sight and the deep gloss finish looks and feels like polished glass. Then it goes out in the sun...ugh! much reduced but swirl marks still there. I tried going back to my previous wax FW1 that kept all of my previous cars (none black) looking great with no immediately visible swirl marks. OUCH! back to square one...horrible swirl marks...a treatment with Scratch X and an application of NXT and looking much better.

So here is my question...those of you with black Crossfires, have you found a product that PRACTICALLY eliminates swirl marks (in direct sunlight)? Do they really almost completely disappear with Zaino Z5 multiple coats? Does Zymol Cobalt really fill in and nearly eliminate the swirl marks or am I achieving as much as I should expect using NXT (about an 80% reduction)?

One last point, I remember reading an article on wax vs polish. Something about was allowing the paint to breath and stay healthy. While polish would seal the surface looking great but eventually causing problems with the finish (paint was smothered I suppose). I can't remember where I saw this "study" (maybe it was sponsored by the American Carnauba Council). Do we have any paint specialists out there that know about this?

 

Here is a photo of my SRT all new and shiny...in the garage under fluorescents (the garage has been edited out, you can see it in the reflection). But take it out into the direct sunlight and UGH!...swirl marks!!!

 

Synthetics and acrylics are easy to apply/remove and gone are the days of "popeye arms".

 

See my post above...
My car in the sunlight looks great now.
IMO the ONLY real way to actually remove towel scratches and swirls from the clear coat (not just fill them in) is to machine buff them out with a electric or air powered high speed buffing wheel, Do not confuse this with your typical $20 orbital buffer/waxer.
If your not experienced with a high speed wheel/buffer, you can burn through the clear coat.
I use 3M products Profect-it 3000 Swirl mark remover made for air or electric buffers and a 3M foam polishing pad for the buffer.
This method will actually remove the wax/polish and light scratches/swirls, it buffs out the clear coat on the car.
When your done, its like brand new paint again and needs to be waxed.
I also only use microfiber clothes/towels on the back cars, anything else I've found just scratches/swirls it all over again.

Another trick I learned from Zaino, which does help, is to never use a circular motion when washing, drying, or waxing it, only use a up/down motion on the side panels, and front to back motion on the top panels.

 

Since I personally hate repetitious "drudge" work, but also love a shiny car, I long ago developed my own procedure.

Porter Cable makes an excellent orbital buffer, their model 7424. Using it and a foam pad, I can quickly wax any car with NO swirl marks. If I am redoing a heavily oxidized car, I will use my Makita rotary polisher with a 8" wool pad, then finish with the Porter Cable. Got the Porter Cable idea after watching the local detail shop guys using one.

I've found the machine makes more difference than any of the waxes I've used, including the Zymol, Meguiars, Mothers etc. I did do one test - Using side to side comparisons (each side of the car with a different product) Rain Dance beads water the longest.


Henry - Black '05 Xfire 6 speed

 

Rain Dance, they still make that stuff.

 

Good question - hadn't thought about it. Last time I looked I saw some on the shelf, but that was a bit back. I'll look next time I'm in the parts store.

Reason I hadn't been using recently, is that as I said, I am using an orbital buffer to apply the wax. So I primarily look for one that is compatible with this use.

Seems to me wax is another one of those things, like motor oil, supercharger vs turbo or blue state vs red, etc. That are difficult to debate rationally - people have surprisingly strong opinions about the most unusual things.

hp

 

I use a quality, low rpm orbital buffer and the Meguiar's 3 step system...

Step 1 - Cleaner - Removes contaminants down to the paint/cleared surface.
Step 2 - Polisher - Polishes the base painted/cleared surface.
Step 3 - Wax - Adds depth and protection to your newly polished surface.

This is a full 3 step process meaning you have to apply and remove the Cleaner, apply and remove the Polisher, apply and remove the Wax and every step done with a quality low rpm orbital buffer. Also, have a bunch of clean wax remover pads and change them whenever they become caked-up with wax. This will assist with the cleaner/polisher/wax removal and enhance the polishing at the same time.

This process will leave you with a long lasting shine that you can be proud of and others will envy.

NOTE: Use painters masking tape around the rubber window moldings and do your waxing out of the sun... it makes the job alot easier. NOTE: Even if the hood is hot from runnung the car, give it a half an hour to cool as the heat will bake the wax on and make it harder to remove.

PLEASE, DO NOT USE YOUR BLACK & DECKER GRINDER OR OTHER HIGH SPEED ORBITAL TOOL UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCED IN AUTOBODY REFINISHING.

 

I Just Got A New 2006 Crossfire Roadster, Black In Color. I Found That Liquid Lustre Ultra High Gloss Is Great For A Black Car. Easy To Put On Easy To Take Off. You Can Put This On Glass To. Its Hard To Find But I Bet You'll Like It.

 

Agree 100%.

 

Griots is good stuff, especially their new Paint Sealant, its VERY easy to apply and remove. Even though they say this product is for the person that doesn't get to wax their car very often it does last pretty long, but for an even better job, use their "Best of Show" wax. They gave a tip for using it and getting the most out of it, check it out. You apply a coat of it on the entire car and let it sit for about 12 hours, then apply another coat right over the top of that and then remove. Its more work for sure but the results will speak for themselves. If you want something that's close to that they suggest applying a coat and letting it sit for 2 hours and then removing it. Griots has the best leather products too, trust me!

 

Gotta go with the 3 step meguiars. Waxed my black crossfire with it and took it to work where my boss swears by Zaino and even he said it looked better than his and he went and bought some of the good stuff. There's a 3 part waxing video on there website thats pretty interesting.

 

I HAVE A BLACK CROSSFIRE AND I USE LIQUID LUSTRE. IT WORKS GREAT EACH AND EVERYTIME I PUT IT ON THE CROSSFIRE. IT'S EASY TO GET OFF THE CAR AND JUST LOOKS GREAT.

 

Meguirs NXT works good if doing it by hand, if you're using a buffer Adams Machine polish followed with Adams Machine wax.
Check out my post with pic. of end results using Adams and Porter Cable buffer on black.
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ad.php?t=18903

 

I just ordered the Klasse AIO and GSG kit with applicators, microfibers, and a microfiber cloth. I hope I'm not disappointed.