I found a good deal on a door and bumper for my daily driver so I am trying to get the car looking good again after a few months of abuse, college, and winter weather. I have some scratches that probably won't go away but I would like to give it a good cleaning and wax soon. I went looking around on a detailing forum and they are way too in depth for what I am trying to accomplish.

So, for the Edd Chinas of the bunch what would you recommend as a good choice for a long-lasting wax that I can buy locally? I have a clay bar I can try but then I need to seal up the clean paint.

I use Meguiars liquid wax. That plus a clay bar makes the Civic shine nicely.

As loathed as it is by the detailing snobs, NuFinish actually gets some decent results and lasts a LONG time. It's been improved over the years.

If you clean the surface first (i.e. claybar) then Meguiars NXT 2.0 is pretty good as well. Smells nice, too.

gamby wrote: As loathed as it is by the detailing snobs, NuFinish actually gets some decent results and lasts a LONG time. It's been improved over the years.

+1 on NuFinish. Last year, I read tons of detailing forum posts on the 'net, then went out and got some fancy equipment, potions, etc. I had some NuFinish already and used it after working on the paint with the new gear, despite what the forum experts said about it. I think it works pretty damn well on my car, which lives outside and sees constant rain for a good chunk of the year (Seattle). it was about 10 bucks for the tin and it's at pretty much any chain parts store.

NXT here, too.

These were both done with NuFinish (however, they were polished first)

The haters on autopia still managed to hate because I didn't use their boutique stuff and I wasn't one of their gurus who gets nut-swung regularly.

Oh--I also applied it with an orbital buffer and a soft pad--makes a huge difference on the final result vs. doing it by hand. Much smoother, even finish.

I like Poorboy's Natty red/blue or AutoGlym HD wax.

Zymol.

The end.

+1 for NXT

I've used Nu-Finish for years. It's cheap and it lasts. I used it once or twice a year on my '89 626 and when I sold the car after 14 years the paint still looked great. That car never saw the inside of a garage.

I've tried fancy, expensive waxes including Zymol, but I don't think they compare favorably with the stuff in the orange bottle.

Joshua wrote: Zymol. The end.

In the early 2000's maybe, but there are some new players in the game that blow Zymol out of the water.

I use NuFinish but I also like Liquid Glass.

I had heard NuFinish can be a bit of a nightmare if you ever need to touch the car up, apparently it is very hard to clean out of the paint. But, that would be good if you don't need to do touch ups.

For a daily driver, a sealant like NuFinish is fine. Since you mentioned you wanted easy to maintain (long lasting), sealants are the way to go. Another inexpensive sealant, which has a mild polish to boot, is Poli-Seal, which I have used on my daily driver. I also like Meguiars NXT 2.0, the Klasse twins (AIO/SG), and AutoGlym Super Resin, but these require a mild polishing step for paint in good condition. A few other good items like:

• A good shampoo like Meguiar's Gold Class or Crystal something or other. :) Optimum No Rinse is great stuff, too.
• A microfiber/lambswool wash mitt or automotive wash sponge
• microfiber towels (for drying and wax/polish removal). Costco has a 36 pkg bundle for $17.
• microfiber pads for product application
• Detail spray (fingerprint removal ;)

This can all be purchased at Walmart or autogeek.net. Another good and inexpensiive polish/wax combo is Meguiars ColorX. In any case, I recommend a two bucket washing method - one suds bucket and one rinse bucket:

• suds up the mitt or sponge and wash a panel
• rinse sponge/mitt
• repeat :)

Use a leaf blower or shop vac or compressed air to get those nooks and crannies dry. You can clay bar or use cleaner wax if you want.

All this stuff can be applied by hand. And a little goes a long way with sealants.

edited: for clarity and spelling

I love me some ONR

Optimum's whole line-up is pretty fantastic.

aircooled wrote: I had heard NuFinish can be a bit of a nightmare if you ever need to touch the car up, apparently it is very hard to clean out of the paint. But, that would be good if you don't need to do touch ups.

Not anymore. They re-formulated it a few years ago. Comes off VERY easily now. When applied with an orbital, it's literally effortless to remove.

http://www.colliniteautomotive.com/products.htm#super476s

or

845 insulator wax...

Definitely not the most user friendly, but they really do last the longest.

Nitroracer wrote: that I can buy locally?

This part is falling by the wayside (autogeek notwithstanding).

Basically, everyone has a system they swear by. Most work great.

BTW--Griot's Garage One Step Sealant is phenomenal, even if it doesn't last nearly as long as they claim (1 year--lol). Has to go on with a buffer, though.

Another vote for Collinite 476 - I used that in the UK on several of my cars that I parked outside (lots of airborne contaminants etc) and it held up really well.

Which reminds me I need buy some, but I want to buy a polisher first.