Polishes and waxes

Zaino & Pinnacle are my two choices for my cars.
Zaino Products are very hard to get in W.A., most detailer's have their own "special brew" that they concoct with chemical engineers, & are very reluctant to sell you a bottle of their "special brew"
I know of 3 detailer's in Perth, that are in talks with chemical companies, trying to establish their "special brew" as the market leader.
Is this a cost effective way of doing business? Why not let Zaino, or Dodo, or Mezerna do all the testing & development?

I am still liking Dodo's wax, but moving towards Autoglym. I have a Bowdens Clay, but am very disappointed in it - the Meguiars one seems to be the best.

Does anyone know what the best way of removing tree sap is? I have just been using a mild abrasive, but can't keep up with it. The only other thing that seemed to work was undiluted engine degreaser. None of the Tar and Sap Removers (and I'm looking at you Bowdens own) seem to work.

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Originally Posted by Paxton

I am still liking Dodo's wax, but moving towards Autoglym. I have a Bowdens Clay, but am very disappointed in it - the Meguiars one seems to be the best.

Does anyone know what the best way of removing tree sap is? I have just been using a mild abrasive, but can't keep up with it. The only other thing that seemed to work was undiluted engine degreaser. None of the Tar and Sap Removers (and I'm looking at you Bowdens own) seem to work.

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Try the Bowdens engine cleaner, agent Orange i think they call it. You can use it and then follow up with their bug and tar for any leftover bits. I've done it before with bug guts and it has worked.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I had a heap of tree sap land on our runabout a few weeks back, Christ knows where it came from given the amount that landed on it. I had an old seatbelt cover - one of those Velcro pads that you put on the seatbelt for comfort. It has a webbing around it. I used that in a very slippery solution of car wash and it all came off. The webbing would catch on the tree sap and take it off. It was absolute gold, would have been there for days otherwise. Clay would have been useless on this stuff - it was baked on like marble. The seatbelt pad itself was like a sponge with the webbing around it. Worked really well. I'll put a pic up of what I used when I get home

Well I learnt something new today.
Yes I know owning silhouette has its downfalls - more so you can see everything that is wrong on the clear coats.
I try my best doing the right thing but I tell you what, I've been up a creek without a paddle with my Sprint.
From my research asking people in the know and fellow owners FGX paint is thin and soft as, I knew this a while ago spotting chip near on immediately from new lower skirts and typical areas.
I use 2bucket method, I blow dry the beast dry - and on its 2yr anni I gave him a Zaino polish with a brand new foam applicator she looked great upon completion BUT a few days later getting him in better light and outside all I could see was spiders webs everywhere.
I can't believe it.
So the week before last after emailing Waxit I asked who they recommend in Sydney - thankfully a lone operator not too far from home and office.
I looked over his FB page, not any bad comments so I went to visit him and see if I was comfortable and what he suggested.
I felt ok from what he told me and showing me the cars he was working on so I said ok when I'm back from China I'll bring the Sprint up which was this morn.
His lighting was better ofcourse and OMG it was even worse to see, he was sussing me out what I do etc sure I expect some marks will occur from wash's even doing 2bucket but he came to the conclusion it was from my polishing no matter it was Zaino or not but from the foam applicator !
Like wtf, he's probably right but more so it highlighted how frigging soft this paint work is.
He reckons most BSeries to FGX is same and Commys not much better as well.
Euro paintwork is the best full stop in quality - Lexus is brilliant but most other Jap paints are crap as well, worse Rex's he quoted.
Another good comparo to see whilst there was that he had a old Black Pony he done quite a while ago, back because it got its engine worked and the owner wanted him to wash it after all the dust on it and greasy monkey prints but have to say even in that condition the black finish killed mine.
If he gets it to that standard I'll be bloody rapted that he says he will.
I'll find out everything once its all done for I told him no rush keep it for the week I just want it right.
So I'm looking forward to the final result.
I'll find out in detail what he did/does and let youse know.
For Ian, knowing he's into products and me to a degree I sent some msgs last week on a product this guy has raps on which is Nova Jet/Lustre < more so.
Correct me if I'm wrong you have one of these and weren't impressed ? I advised him of this and he reckons your doing it wrong, without knowing whats right or not I can't say but I'll find out more Ian < you used Jet right ?, I suppose my Sprint finished will tell a storey we shall see.
NOVA JET has a deep shine that amplifies reflections & pearls through the paint. It can last up to 6 months when used as a standalone coating. When used as a topper, over an existing wax, sealant or coating it will last 2-3 months.
This guy prefers Lustre, durable Sio2 based spray coating forms a super slick glossy layer over the surface that can also fill in minor defects if need be. As a standalone spray coating expect to see up to 6 months durability.

With an effortless application, Nova Lustre will transform your vehicle. You will reach new levels of gloss and clarity that has never before been reached, along with durable protection, and immense water beading. Maintenance will be effortless, and your car will be looking great all year round.

So Sprint will be coated with Lustre in the end.
Door jams wheels done.

Keen to see some piccies when all done Maurice.

I dont think it is specific to FGX, but Silhouette is just soft full stop. My AU is woeful and worse being a racecar, my mates R Spec is just the same.

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Originally Posted by FTe217

Like wtf, he's probably right but more so it highlighted how frigging soft this paint work is.
He reckons most BSeries to FGX is same and Commys not much better as well.
Euro paintwork is the best full stop in quality - Lexus is brilliant but most other Jap paints are crap as well, worse Rex's he quoted.
.

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Au model is when Ford changed to the global paint shop here. But I have heard Japanese cars have the softest paint.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VZTRT

Au model is when Ford changed to the global paint shop here. But I have heard Japanese cars have the softest paint.

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Mazda has ridiculously soft paint, to the point where it rubs through on high contact areas in door jambs.

Subaru equally soft. The clear they use is hard to get a good polished surface on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FTe217

Well I learnt something new today.
Yes I know owning silhouette has its downfalls - more so you can see everything that is wrong on the clear coats.
I try my best doing the right thing but I tell you what, I've been up a creek without a paddle with my Sprint.
From my research asking people in the know and fellow owners FGX paint is thin and soft as, I knew this a while ago spotting chip near on immediately from new lower skirts and typical areas.
I use 2bucket method, I blow dry the beast dry - and on its 2yr anni I gave him a Zaino polish with a brand new foam applicator she looked great upon completion BUT a few days later getting him in better light and outside all I could see was spiders webs everywhere.
I can't believe it.
So the week before last after emailing Waxit I asked who they recommend in Sydney - thankfully a lone operator not too far from home and office.
I looked over his FB page, not any bad comments so I went to visit him and see if I was comfortable and what he suggested.
I felt ok from what he told me and showing me the cars he was working on so I said ok when I'm back from China I'll bring the Sprint up which was this morn.
His lighting was better ofcourse and OMG it was even worse to see, he was sussing me out what I do etc sure I expect some marks will occur from wash's even doing 2bucket but he came to the conclusion it was from my polishing no matter it was Zaino or not but from the foam applicator !
Like wtf, he's probably right but more so it highlighted how frigging soft this paint work is.
He reckons most BSeries to FGX is same and Commys not much better as well.
Euro paintwork is the best full stop in quality - Lexus is brilliant but most other Jap paints are crap as well, worse Rex's he quoted.
Another good comparo to see whilst there was that he had a old Black Pony he done quite a while ago, back because it got its engine worked and the owner wanted him to wash it after all the dust on it and greasy monkey prints but have to say even in that condition the black finish killed mine.
If he gets it to that standard I'll be bloody rapted that he says he will.
I'll find out everything once its all done for I told him no rush keep it for the week I just want it right.
So I'm looking forward to the final result.
I'll find out in detail what he did/does and let youse know.
For Ian, knowing he's into products and me to a degree I sent some msgs last week on a product this guy has raps on which is Nova Jet/Lustre < more so.
Correct me if I'm wrong you have one of these and weren't impressed ? I advised him of this and he reckons your doing it wrong, without knowing whats right or not I can't say but I'll find out more Ian < you used Jet right ?, I suppose my Sprint finished will tell a storey we shall see.
NOVA JET has a deep shine that amplifies reflections & pearls through the paint. It can last up to 6 months when used as a standalone coating. When used as a topper, over an existing wax, sealant or coating it will last 2-3 months.
This guy prefers Lustre, durable Sio2 based spray coating forms a super slick glossy layer over the surface that can also fill in minor defects if need be. As a standalone spray coating expect to see up to 6 months durability.

With an effortless application, Nova Lustre will transform your vehicle. You will reach new levels of gloss and clarity that has never before been reached, along with durable protection, and immense water beading. Maintenance will be effortless, and your car will be looking great all year round.

So Sprint will be coated with Lustre in the end.
Door jams wheels done.

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You need a ceramic coating. All of my cars have ceramic coatings except for the cooks as hers lives outside and gets treated like a piece of junk.

You also need to use a high pressure rinse before you start the job. 2 buckets is good but if theres dust on the surface it will cause issues.

As for polishing I never have to, all I do is wash carefully with bowdens gear and use Nova Lustre over the top.

I also snow foam my cars but really don't know if there is any benefit. I have a feeling its a gimmick, a bit like these wheel cleaners getting around (1 bottle lasts 3 washes max). I refuse to use the wheel cleaners.

I had a Silhouette Territory once and said never again (was the cooks car so even worse).

Thanks Dash, yer I know I'm with you on number of these "would you like fries" on these cleaning products.
Mate I have gerni, I pressure wash down each of my Fords, I have the snow bomb as well, heck used it 3times, haven't bothered since, - I had coating put on it the week or 2 after delivery.
Not happy with the outcome in the end, I was going ceramic coating but got side tracked by a guy I know that rated some special BMW coating product - don't know if that is the reason but tbh I've done my best to not mark the clear coat but you know what ? this detailer told me as it is, your never going to avoid this kind of crap unless you have the time in the world that I don't really.
He pretty much has sold me that I'll just take it to him for a light re coat every 3-6mths - I don't paying that so as he fix's up my wash's in between that time makes sense.
We talked about other colours, whites/silvers he hates for they hide so much and you think its looking good but many times its not - you just don't notice it as much as black.
Black he loves for you can see the before and after the best and I agree, love black.
Mrs had the JEEP in black, I don't worry about the cooks car as much, as long as it looks clean that will do just as the black hilux - they are not my loves and the Mrs couldn't care one bit herself as long as it goes a to b.
Now in the CX5, got ceramic coating done from new, I think its bs imo really, what we've had it since March/April, I've washed it a number of times, doesn't beed much at all to me.
I'll give it a quick wax and afterglow next time but wtf its boring conservative silver like who cares :) anything good looking takes more care for thats life in everything, black is the classic example, never boring and damn it pops when dressed up lol.....