I have been using Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax as my paint protection. It's cheap, fast, dummy proof, and gives good results (https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/3...c-wax-my-personal-experience-2.html#post12034). :grin:So what are the recommendations for wash/wax for the Insight?
I talked to the detail guy at the dealer and he recommended a waterless wash product called DriWashnguard. Bought some from him and have tried it 3 times. Gotta admit I'm underwhelmed... It's OK but not good for black trim; leaves white stuff I had to clean off with a good turtle wax cleaner.
So back to square one...
I won't use automatic car washes. I'm in AZ and there's a lot of dust. Currently I use a low-power pressure washer and keep it far back from the car. No soap. It does a pretty good job of getting the dirt off without rubbing but the bugs still require some hand rubbing.
The driwash stuff goes on easy after that but I am not getting the beading I can get with a good wax. But I don't want to deal with paste wax buffing; I'm lazy and want something easy. LOL...
So what's the ticket for finish protection these days?
Interesting info. His next 2-year, ~40 item, side-by-side test will include some of the products mentioned in forum (9HMRFIX, Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic, IPL) so it will be interesting to see the new comparisons...this test of ceramic coatings is interesting-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fznghwnhpza
surprised how well the consumer reports favorite nufinish does compared with some of the $$$ ceramics.
Yeah definitely be careful to avoid the black rubber and plastic trim, but if you can stay on the paint it's a bargain for durability. I can't recall if it's just a wax/sealant or if it also has a light polish ingredient which I try to avoid on new paint. Too easy for me to apply swirl marks with a polish. If this IGL Ecocoat Premier lasts nearly as long as this test suggests, doesn't stain plastic/rubber and is as easy as a spray wax to apply and remove, I'll look over the price tag vs. Nufinish.I actually considered using NuFinish before deciding on HCW but had concerns from amazon reviews about accidentally getting the stuff on places I shouldn't. Since the stuff is so durable it's also really hard to remove.
Going to look into it again when I do my next decontamination around the Fall.
Sorry, but I'm not sure I follow... do you mean it was hard to keep off of plastic trim areas while still getting a good polish on rest of the painted surfaces? Or that it was easy to manage?I’ve used NuFinish in the past and I just could keep it off the trim. So I’m giving it a thumbs down for that reason.
I mean I’m not skilled enough to avoid the plastics trim 100% of the time. I prefer using something that doesn’t require surgical precision to apply without ending up with crummy looking black trim.Sorry, but I'm not sure I follow... do you mean it was hard to keep off of plastic trim areas while still getting a good polish on rest of the painted surfaces? Or that it was easy to manage?
If your wax is in any way ceramic, throw away the microfiber towels after you use them. The stuff will dry and cause scratching the next time you use them.About to apply my first wax job. I've used Turtle Wax Hard Shell liquid for years on my other Hondas and pleased with the results, so that's what I plan to use. I typically do the entire car (in segments) once a year. I know, should do more, but...
Anyhow, this car (Cosmic Blue) is darker than any car I've had in the past, so interested in any thoughts. Just bought some microfiber towels to wipe/buff off the haze as well (previously used regular old bath towels). Should I be fine with Turtle Wax Hard Shell? Any advice on application/removal? Thanks.
I've owned light-colored cars, mostly because the sight of swirl marks would drive me nuts. I'd mostly used "hard wax" that hazes in the past, and used spray wax instead on this car. If you're a fan of Turtle Wax, their "ICE" spray product rated pretty well in post #5 (video) within this thread. For the hard wax, I'd suggest ensuring your car is absolutely clean microfiber towels are new/washed/immaculate to minimize swirl risk.About to apply my first wax job. I've used Turtle Wax Hard Shell liquid for years on my other Hondas and pleased with the results, so that's what I plan to use. I typically do the entire car (in segments) once a year. I know, should do more, but...
Anyhow, this car (Cosmic Blue) is darker than any car I've had in the past, so interested in any thoughts. Just bought some microfiber towels to wipe/buff off the haze as well (previously used regular old bath towels). Should I be fine with Turtle Wax Hard Shell? Any advice on application/removal? Thanks.
Silver is great in my experience for not showing dirt, dust, swirl marks, etc. Plus it generally doesn't look as bad as some other colors when you have to use touch-up paint.I've owned light-colored cars, mostly because the sight of swirl marks would drive me nuts.