What wax do you recommend and why?

[Throckmorton]

I'm not sure anymore that wax really matters. It's just a layer of stuff on the paint. I hardly wax my Mustang and it hasn't changed appearance in a year of constantly being out in the sun. Water beads? Who cares?

There is a substance that forms a second polymer clear coat but I can't remember what it's called and Googling turns up nothing. Anybody know what I'm talking about? Now that stuff would be worth using.

 

[silicon]

So, I'm finally getting a car I'm excited about and will be proud of - 2013 Fusion SE. And I'm already starting to think about maintaining it and spending some summer afternoons washing and waxing it in the shade with a beer.

It's been years since I've waxed one of my vehicles. My 2008 Altima Coupe was a lease, as was my 2010 Altima Coupe, so I didn't bother babying them. My 2009 Jetta was nothing special. I got it to get me out of the lease on the 2010 Altima and I think I washed it once a year for the couple years I had it. Never saw a drop of wax while I had it.

Anyway... my dad was always a big Turtle Wax fan and that's what I remember using on all my parents cars when I was a kid/teen. I know there's some carnauba die hard fans out there, but I also know there's some newer synthetic waxes that may outperform carnauba.

Any suggestions? I'd probably be looking for an all-in-one cleaner/wax - afterall, this is a Fusion, not a Ferrari.

mothers california gold carnauba wax. does not damage clear coat finishes and lasts a long time.

 

[Jeff7181]

mothers california gold carnauba wax. does not damage clear coat finishes and lasts a long time.

That's not a cleaner wax, though, right? So some sort of cleaner or polish should be used first...

 

[silicon]

That's not a cleaner wax, though, right? So some sort of cleaner or polish should be used first...

for clear coat finishes the cleaner is not needed. only for older finishes is the cutting action of the cleaners needed.

 

[Jeff7181]

for clear coat finishes the cleaner is not needed. only for older finishes is the cutting action of the cleaners needed.

What about surface contaminants? Sap, pollen, overspray, etc.

 

[alexruiz]

I'm most concerned about protecting the pain. I live in Michigan so we get some decent sun in the summer and salt in the winter.

Appearance (although it's sort of a by-product of well-protected paint) is secondary to me.

Collinite 845IW then it is.

However, Collinite has no cleaners at all, so if the paint is not in good shape, you are just coating the bad stuff.

- Pick a clay bar, clay the car before polishing.
- Then, polish the paint. OTC, you can get the turtle wax premium polishing compound, it is a sleeper, works great and it is not expensive. I bolded the premium part as it has it on the label, it is a black bottle. Under no circumstances grab the white can regular TW polishing compound, the 2 products are worlds apart, and the black bottle is probably the best OTC polish. Use a terry applicator.
- Then, wax it. Foam applicators work better for waxing, specially with the 845IW.

If you want to go with an AIO, then mothers california gold carnauba is the ticket, the cleaners are strong enough to take out mild oxidation, looks good,and decent durability. Even if you decide to go the AIO route, don't skip the clay. (The version without cleaners of this wax is called "california gold natural...")

Enjoy the waxing! Post pics of before and after

 

[Jeff7181]

Collinite 845IW then it is.

However, Collinite has no cleaners at all, so if the paint is not in good shape, you are just coating the bad stuff.

- Pick a clay bar, clay the car before polishing.
- Then, polish the paint. OTC, you can get the turtle wax premium polishing compound, it is a sleeper, works great and it is not expensive. I bolded the premium part as it has it on the label, it is a black bottle. Under no circumstances grab the white can regular TW polishing compound, the 2 products are worlds apart, and the black bottle is probably the best OTC polish. Use a terry applicator.
- Then, wax it. Foam applicators work better for waxing, specially with the 845IW.

If you want to go with an AIO, then mothers california gold carnauba is the ticket, the cleaners are strong enough to take out mild oxidation, looks good,and decent durability. Even if you decide to go the AIO route, don't skip the clay. (The version without cleaners of this wax is called "california gold natural...")

Enjoy the waxing! Post pics of before and after

Thanks for the detailed advice!

 

[dud]

I use Meguiar's Tech Wax 2.0 or Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid. Both provide a long-lasting shine and are a pain to apply to my white car.

I'll second the Tech Wax 2.0. It goes on and comes off easily. I use it twice per year. Before using the TW 2.0 (once per year) I use Meguiar's #80 to polish the clear coat:


http://www.meguiars.com/en/professional/products/m8032-speed-glaze-32oz/