[FMINUS]

Everyday I get at least one PM from the the members of this forum, (not counting the numerous ones from other forums) asking me "what kind of wax is best for my XXX car?" I dont find this as a dumb question, because it does seem like a logical one, I myself have once asked this question.

A couple of the detailers on this forum and numerous others have posted on this topic, but Ill do it again!

Think of the ending result as a score on a weighted school exam. The polishing is worth 90 points and the wax is worth 10.

So even if you get Zymol Solaris and the paint is horrible, you end up with a 10% on your test.... equaling.... an FMINUS

I hope this helps. (or it may of been more confusing LOL)

and I quote Picus below...

Originally Posted by picus

I own Mystery, Vintage, Concours, Concorso, Ital, have a few Dodo samples, 50/50, Vic Wax, blah blah blah; the wax he uses doesn't make a lot of difference. The major issue for you is the paint correction. 95% of the end result will depend on the detailers skill with a rotary. Don't get caught up in wax hype; sure Vintage is rad, but if they screw up the prep it won't matter if they coat it in pure white carnauba picked from trees that bloom every ten years during a full moon; it will still look like ass.

[JOYRIIDE1113]

Eh, the few times I've gotten PM's with questions like this, I tell em I can make Turtle Hard Shell look great over 106ff..

[Neema]

I agree. . . the prep is the most crucial part. I personally use P21s as my wax of choice, preferring it's richer depth and warmth on a black sapphire car, over the glassy look of zaino sealants.

[picus]

You know as detailers we sometimes forget (and I am definitely guilty of this), that not everyone knows some of the "simple" things we've gotten used to; like the fact that prep is way more important than LSP. I guess I'm used to detailing forums where it's a given. I get a lot of PMs about this stuff too, and I usually tell them the same thing. Thing is people will always argue about which wax or sealant is best because it's a tangible thing.

Anyway ya, LSP can make a difference, but bad prep = bad job!

[ScheerSpeed]

thanks for posting the FMINUS im there on the same boat as all you guys!

[L~R~G nor cal]

I would even bump it up to 95%. But once you get the paint perfect after correction, nothing ties it all up better than the perfect choice of wax.

[FMINUS]

Originally Posted by L~R~G nor cal

I would even bump it up to 95%. But once you get the paint perfect after correction, nothing ties it all up better than the perfect choice of wax.

I wouldnt argue with that

[SpecC]

just tried polishing with a rotary today... now i can certainly understand why people pay so much to have this job done. It isn't easy at all but the pros out there make it look REALLY easy

[haper]

Originally Posted by SpecC

just tried polishing with a rotary today... now i can certainly understand why people pay so much to have this job done. It isn't easy at all

There is a learning curve, once you do it a few times it will become easier and you'll get better - kinda like sex.

And remember, even the pros take a lot of time to polish a car correctly; FMINUS took 12 hours to detail a e46 m3 once and that was with another guy helping. so while they might make it look easy they are investing the time.