Buffer / Wax Advice

saturnkk · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 03:08 PM

I am looking to buy an orbital buffer. Does anyone here use one on there Cobra to Wax it? Which brand/model would you recommend?

Also, consumer reports rates the following liquid waxes 1-3:

1. Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 (69 of 100)
2. Nu Finish (68 of 100)
3. Meguiar's Gold Class Carnuba Plus (68 of 100)

Anyone have any strong preferences in this area? Years ago I was told Zymol (ranked about 7 or 8 by consumer reports) was the best but I didn't really notice a difference over other "top brands"....

Never used paste wax much but they do rate Nu Finish paste with the highest score of all (71 of 100).

Dirty Harry · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 03:44 PM

My favorite is Meguiers Gold Class. As for a buffer, I prefer to apply all my products by hand.

fjrgary · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 06:20 PM

i have a sears craftsmen 9" orbital that does a good job, as for the wax i like the pinnacle line of products. they're not cheap but you get what you pay for. i use the spray wax like detailer, for the top coat i go to the souveran paste. if you're not as anal as i am then mothers liquid carnuba or nxt works well.

saturnkk · #4 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjrgary

i have a sears craftsmen 9" orbital that does a good job, as for the wax i like the pinnacle line of products. they're not cheap but you get what you pay for. i use the spray wax like detailer, for the top coat i go to the souveran paste. if you're not as anal as i am then mothers liquid carnuba or nxt works well.

Consumer Reports didn't rate Pinnacle. Do you like it better than Meguiar's and New Finish? Have you tried those too...

Mothers rated about in the middle of the pack. I used to use 10-15 years ago. I think that I like their leather cleaner/conditioner at that time.

Mother · #5 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 06:47 PM

Which ever polisher you decide to purchase. Use lots of sprayed on water when polishing or you will burn through the finish paint. I have found that an empty Windex Pump Spray bottle, filled with water works best.

scootter · #6 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 09:03 PM

I use the Zanio products. It's easy to apply by hand. I have seen many cars with swirl marks from buffers.
Scott

4pipes · #7 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 09:26 PM

Excellent advice. Zaino lasts for ever and can be dry wash with a few of their products. You can burn the clear coat if you do not use a polisher correctly.

fjrgary · #8 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 09:25 AM

i have to admit the zaino products if used properly do a great job. i seen a black corvette that was done with MANY coats of zaino products, it was the best finish i have ever seen on a car. thought about trying them myself but i could never remember which products to use and in what order. CRS is a bi$ch!!

Varmit · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 10:01 AM

Used Zaino on my Vettes, then tried Adams, like the Adams much better. Use an orbital buffer to apply, the wipe the residue off, and finish with a good Canuba paste. Makes the Black Cobra look like a Black Diamond!!

saturnkk · #10 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 10:16 AM

Mine is red with a the white stripes. I am concerned to use any type of polish that it might leave swirls or damage the clear coat or stripes eventually.

I was hoping to stick with just a wax protective coat to help guard against swirls and paint damage while still leaving a nice mirror shine....

I assume that these multi-step processes bing used are wash, polish, wax?!?

itstock · #11 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturnkk

Mine is red with a the white stripes. I am concerned to use any type of polish that it might leave swirls or damage the clear coat or stripes eventually.

I was hoping to stick with just a wax protective coat to help guard against swirls and paint damage while still leaving a nice mirror shine....

I assume that these multi-step processes bing used are wash, polish, wax?!?

I used the Meguiars DA microfiber Paint correction kit on my car. I removed all of the factory paint swirl marks and I am more than pleased with the results. The DA microfiber kit is damn near fool proof, so no need to worry about burning through the paint or leaving swirl marks. Do it under GREAT light so that you can be certain to get rid of any fresh buff marks.

It's finished with the M21 synthetic sealant which is "basically" the orbital safe version of the NXT 2.0 wax.

Don · #12 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjrgary

i have to admit the zaino products if used properly do a great job. i seen a black corvette that was done with MANY coats of zaino products, it was the best finish i have ever seen on a car. thought about trying them myself but i could never remember which products to use and in what order. CRS is a bi$ch!!

I continue to use Zaino......their web site on product usage

Zaino Bros': Zaino Store

saturnkk · #13 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don

I continue to use Zaino......their web site on product usage

Zaino Bros': Zaino Store

Thanks. Their prodcut line is a bit overwhelming...

Varmit · #14 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturnkk

Mine is red with a the white stripes. I am concerned to use any type of polish that it might leave swirls or damage the clear coat or stripes eventually.

I was hoping to stick with just a wax protective coat to help guard against swirls and paint damage while still leaving a nice mirror shine....

I assume that these multi-step processes bing used are wash, polish, wax?!?

Go to the Adams web site. I had the same concern until I did a bit of research on the subject. I use a buffer with swirl remover, then polish with a buffer then use an applier for the Canuba, it comes out perfect under any light angle. Whe you use the buffer as directed, you will have no problems at all with swirl marks.

saturnkk · #15 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Varmit

Go to the Adams web site. I had the same concern until I did a bit of research on the subject. I use a buffer with swirl remover, then polish with a buffer then use an applier for the Canuba, it comes out perfect under any light angle. Whe you use the buffer as directed, you will have no problems at all with swirl marks.

Thanks. Their products are even more confusing!

scootter · #16 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 04:54 PM

The Zanio seemed confusing at first to me also. Once you buy it and start, it is easy. You can start with the total protection kit. I also use the Z8 and leather conditioner. Stuff goes on clear with no white residue everywhere.
Scott

littlewave · #17 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 04:57 PM

It's a COBRA! Wash it ,throw a coat of wax on it in the spring(any kind!!) and drive that sum*****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :

Oh yeah by hand!

Varmit · #18 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 05:18 PM

all you need is: severe swirl and polish, fine swirl and polish, canuba, then detail spray . dats all

littlewave · #19 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Varmit

all you need is: severe swirl and polish, fine swirl and polish, canuba, then detail spray . dats all

That is all? Do you have time to drive? Not trying to pick a fight. But really? My COBRA is not finshed yet but I had a "69" vette and washed it and used the same wax as my every day driver. I took it to shows but did not enter it. I drove it!

scootter · #20 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 10:31 PM

I have 40,000 miles on my Cobra. Have driven it everywhere from taking the kids to school, to the grocery store, race track, you name it. I use the heck out of all the stuff I own. Cobra, dirt bike, Harley. I don't believe in trailers or using stuff just for shows!! But I do like my stuff to look #1 with the least amount of effort because I have to much other sh!t to do all the time!!
Scott