Best Wax (for polishing)?

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Hey all of my vain Rammer cohorts.....

It's far too cold here to be waxing, so I am at least thinking of waxing... .

Any reccommendations on a specific type of Wax that any of you have used to keep your 4/6-wheel beast protected and shiny?

I got a power polisher for Xmas, so once it warms up, I can go to town with it!!! #ad


Shawn

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'99 2500 ISB QC 4x4 5spd SB, Camper Special, Tow package, Intense Blue, Armourthane color matched box liner. AND I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!

 

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Somewhere in the past (previous posts) either scott1 or Steve St. Laurent mentioned what he used along with his power buffer/waxer. I don't have the URL, but you might try the search engine. They're both up your way in the, uh, cooler weather (we're sittin' at about 70 here in Tulsa today), so they might have good insights into what works best in the Great White North, eh. Come to think of it, I believe the thread was called something like "Am I Insane?". Good luck!

BTW, I've been using tap water only to wash (frequently), and Rain Dance paste once every six months for a comprehensive waxing (takes me two days) - but I think this might change as I learn more about what's good for the clear coat...

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Bruce Reynolds - Y2K 2500 QC 4X4 Sport, black 3. 54 auto, EVERY option but Cab Lights. Lots of extras. Performance mods coming SOON. Tag: RAMPAGE

 

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Shawn, According to Consumer Reports, Meguiar`s Cleaner|Wax ( in the red bottle ) or NuFinish (liquid) are the top rated. I have used both. I prefer Meguiar`s. This seems to clean better than NuFinish. Both products are clear coat safe. I have yet to use a better polish then Meguiar`s Cleaner|wax. If you have tons of time, You can go over the truck with a pre-cleaner,then a wax. Maguire`s makes products that are applied in steps. It takes me a whole Saturday to polish the truck once, never mind twice. #ad


I tried the new Rain-X wax. I was dissapointed with it.

Unless your paint is PERFECTLY clean, choose a polish/wax combo product. #ad


[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 01-16-2000). ]

[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 01-16-2000). ]

 

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Shawn,
I just did some body work on my truck and in my opinion nothing beats Meguiars. I had to use the Cutter, then Cleaner/Polish, then the Swirl Free Polish. Looks like glass when you are done. You should not need to do all that if you are just polishing the finish. If you just have light scratches then go to an auto body paint store and get a 32 oz. bottle of Meguiars Swirl Free Polish P/N M-8232 (cheaper in this size bottle than Kragen's I think). DO NOT use a wool pad or you will do more damage than good with a polish. Use the Meguiars W9000 softbuff foam pad with this polish. Run your buffer at about 1700-1800 rpm, very light pressure and keep it moving and flat against the truck so you don't burn the paint. The polish in this product is supposed to break down with use so as not to the scratch the paint. You can follow this up with Meguiars Yellow wax. If you have any doubt about what to do, call Meguairs tech support and they will tell you exactly what to do.
Good luck,
-Fitz

 

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Thanks guys for the info...

I should mention that there are no scratches (god forbid) on the paint - in fact it's only been out of the garage about 6 times since October, when I bought it #ad


So, I guess what I'm saying is that I'm basically looking for that "glass-like" finish - on the currently un-marred paint/clear surface. . just a simple polish. . so it looks like Meguirs is the way to go from what I hear from you all. .

Thanks,
Shawn

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'99 2500 ISB QC 4x4 5spd SB, Camper Special, Tow package, Intense Blue, Armourthane color matched box liner. AND I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!

 

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I also use Meguiars products. They have a website http://www.meguiars.com/ that gives lots of good information. I've been using their products for 6 years. My '94 GMC Sonoma's (which is for sale, btw) paint still looks like a brand new truck and it's been parked outside since new. It's a lot of work but well worth it. On my Sonoma I used their regular line of products (in the maroon bottle) but now I'm using their professional line of products (in the tan bottle). Basically their process is a three step one (once you've washed the truck). There is a cleaner, then a polish, then a wax. All three dry to a haze and then are buffed off. It took about 12 hours to do my QC Ram. They have around 15-20 (just a guess) products in their professional line depending on the condition of your paint. I bought my truck with 24,000 miles on it and it already had pretty bad swirls in the paint so I used the swirl remover. It looks like brand new now. Since your truck was new in October (?) I'd probably just go with a cleaner (fine cut) and a wax. You shouldn't need the polish with a brand new truck. Meguiars has on their website a form you can fill out and they will give their recommendation for your situation. I'd also recommend waiting 6 months (from production date) for the paint to cure and settle before doing anything with it (especially if garaged). I personally clean/polish/wax my trucks twice a year - right after and right before winter.

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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes chapter of the TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc, boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly ss nerf bars, front Draw-Tite receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

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Consumer Reports has been rating the NuFinish (liquid) as the top rated polish ever since it appeared on the market. In my personal opinion (take that FWIW), that stuff is crap! Almost anything outperforms it.

I have used many different waxes and polishes over the years, most of them with pretty good results. Since the purchase of my BLACK Sport Ram I switched to detail products from Griot's Garage (www.griotsgarage.com), located in Fife, WA. Andy Perreault also uses their products (BTW, they are an excellant company to do business with, offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee). I'm very pleased with the results I've obtained while using their products. After the first time I polished/waxed my Ram with Griot's buffing kit, my Ram looked like a black mirror! Absolutely awesome! The buffing kit utilizes trick foam polishing pads (as opposed to cotton bonnets) on a random orbital buffer, so there is ABSOLUTELY NO swirls! NONE! If you presently have swirls in your finish this system can remove them.

I have also obtained very desirable results with Zymol polishes or waxes. The Zymol polishes (light blue in color) can be purchased at most auto parts stores in liquid form (most common) or paste form. Zymol's waxes (expensive) can be purchased from Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories among other places.

Regardless of what brand of polish/wax you prefer, the utilization of a paint cleaning clay is a must. The surface garbage the clay picks up will absolutely amaze you! When finished claying the surface of your Ram it will feel literally, as smooth as glass. Both Griot's Garage and Geno's Garage sell the paint cleaning clay.

Wait until Andy Perreault gets back on line... the master may reveal some of his award winning detail secrets.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (Black) SLT Sport, personalized license plate: BLCKOUT, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Bosch 275 hp. injectors with Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, "Scotty Air System", Glasstite Vision II "canopy", Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights and Super White bulbs, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, and Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system.

SVP of BOMB! heh,heh,heh

 

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Wow, lots of great advise! Here's some more... .....
I had a run in with some road barricades and had a lot of my truck re-painted. The dealer that did the painting told me NOT to use wax on the new or factory paint job. He says it will seal the paint/clearcoat and the wax will help bake the paint. He told me all that is needed is a product such as 3M's Imperial Hand Glaze. He claims the wax companys are screwing people as the more you wax the more it burns and the more you need to wax. I didn't really believe him as I am a wax freak. I went to a paint store in Las Vegas that supply's most shops in this area and they told me the same thing. They said if you feel you must wax it use a pure carnuba paste and make sure to clean it off with the hand glaze before re-applying.
I took there advise and this stuff really works well and is easy to use. Time will tell in the hot Nevada sun! No wax for me, just the cleaner hand glaze... ... ...
Ron

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'99 Quad long bed, emerald green/driftwood, 4x4, 5speed, 3. 55 limslip, Rancho 9000/remote adjuster
Boulder City, Nevada

 

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Well guys I got one that beats Maguiars hands down! "Liquid Crystal Cream" made by Plastone Co. POB 594 Chicago Il, 60499. I have used this on my Harleys, Vetts, and trucks since 1989. I first tryed a test on my new 89 Electra Glide's saddle bag. I polished 1/2 of the top with Maguiars' and the other 1/2 with Liquid Crystal, you could see the HAZE in the Maguiar side, the Liquid Crystal side was "Crystal Clear" like I was looking into a red mirror. I was sold and won't go back. As said in some of the above posts this is to be used on a un-damaged, not faded finish. To restore or buff out flaws Maguiars' makes some of the best products, but for a final polish try Liquid Crystal you won't be sorry. It is kind of hard to find as it is $20. 00 a can, but one can will last me about 2-3 years and I have 5 vehicles. Keep them Rams Shinnin, Dave Hauser

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Dave Hauser, 96 3500 4x4 extended, auto 4:10 LSD, K&N, tow hooks, fog lights, custom front reciever hitch and mount for 8000 Ramsey winch, alum diamond plate box and running boards, Dodge dually mudflaps, tow 18' flatbed, 69 Vette, 89 HD FLHS

 

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Do you know of a Web site for the "PLASTONE" wax? Where do you purchase yours? Thanks!

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99 QC Diesel,5spd, white,Luverne SS step bars, Mopar long mud flaps, A. R. E. cap with walk thru door, SS rock side panels, JC Whitney front bumper 14" guards, BED RUG box liner, diamond plate bed rail and bulk head covers.

 

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I found a bottle of Turtle Wax Clear Coat Paint Sealant, It is a teflon enriched protective coating. It cleans shines and seals. Was $16. 99 and was marked down to $9. 99 plus 50% off of that. Does the mirror finish thing. The water just rolls of the car and does not make little beads like typical waxes. I friend of mine has a used Forest Service pickup (light green) 1966 Chev, and I thought he repainted it because it looked so new. This is what got my attention on using the CLEAR COAT

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99 QC Diesel,5spd, white,Luverne SS step bars, Mopar long mud flaps, A. R. E. cap with walk thru door, SS rock side panels, JC Whitney front bumper 14" guards, BED RUG box liner, diamond plate bed rail and bulk head covers.