Whereas there been 100s or maybe even 1000s of thread on waxes theres proberly none on rubbing and polishing compounds.

So what is polishing compound ? with today confusing array of products on the shelfs all with nice labels saying "Buy me !" on them its hard to decide. The principle job of a polishing compound is to eliminate minor scratches, remove tar grime and old wax build ups on your car. It is properly the most important part of car detailing prior to waxing it and yet not many people understand the need and function of it. I have used many brands polishing compounds and I must say the term "Rubbing" and "Polishing" does not always live up to what their name states. In car detailing circles, a "Rubbing" compound is supposley the harshes of the compounds and is used to remove minor to medium scratches and rub down before repainting a second coat, "polishing" compounds on the other hand is suppose to polish/buff/glaze your paint so its clean and smooth prior to waxing. From the Turtle Wax line of products, their petroleum based Professional Rubbing Compound performs like a combination rubbing/polishing compound and produce very good results, while their regular water based White Polishing Compound(Green label) performs like a Rubbing compound and their water based White Rubbing Compound(Red label) performs like 2000 grit sandpaper and is not recommended since they produce way too much swirls and very difficult to spread and buff off.

 

I never used either of those. 3M Rubbing compound Perfect II is what I use after sanding a clear coat (for new finish paint) with 2000 grit sandpaper to remove blemishes and minor scratch.

 

No one uses compounds or glazes here ?, I figured most of you guys don't know what you are doing anyways, anyhow just spend your time waxing your ride with the wrong methods and for all the wrong reasons.

I guranteed that most of you don't have a clue what you are doing to detail/prep your car for waxing. Most will follow those stupid STEPS(rip off artists at work) offered by Meguirs or Mothers and most can't even tell the difference between a cleaner wax vs a pure wax or rubbing/polishing compound vs a glaze.

 

EdT, have you ever tried the Zaino stuff? Specifically, using the clay bar, then the "compound" product, then the wax? I have a friend who only swears by this.. He had a ~2 years old black RSX, looked better than the brand new ones in the showroom at the dealer, yet it was his daily driver...

comments?
fluke

 

Take a look at www.autopia.org The people there are very good when it comes to washing cars. Many are professionals and make a lot of money doing this.

 

those 'bars' can work wonders, i usually use a prewax cleaner which lifts up a lot of dirt evne directly after a wash, but i only use the prewax cleaner about once every 3 months, then i do one of those "rubbing compound' i guess what you call it, i'd do that about once a month if i get the chance, then the final wax which i try to do as much as possible, there can be certain methods as to when you do it, but basically it isn't practical to do like 3 or 4 phases of treatment every week or so, and you don't need to, usually a bar and a wax work wonders

 

EdT, have you ever tried the Zaino stuff? Specifically, using the clay bar, then the "compound" product, then the wax? I have a friend who only swears by this.. He had a ~2 years old black RSX, looked better than the brand new ones in the showroom at the dealer, yet it was his daily driver...


Hey Fluke, the clay bars are great for spot detailing, but they are not really practical since they come only in small quantities and most often in kits and costs way too much. Dealers and car detailing shop will never use them for those reasons and stick with the true and tried methods like using cleaner, glaze/polish and wax.

Zaino/Zymol are known as an online order exotic waxes(overpriced and overrated for want they are !), but it does not outperform Meguiar's Cleaner Wax Liquid A-1216s wax($14.95 @Cdn Tires) in gloss as tested by Consumer Report.

1. Meguiar's Cleaner Wax Liquid A-1216s offers the best gloss
2. NuFinish offers the best durablity but less gloss than the Meguiar's Cleaner Wax Liquid A-1216s

I personally use Presta Aurora 3000 Glaze(professional stuff !) www.prestaproducts.com for pre-wax and wax with Presta Best Wax or NuFinish http://www.nufinish.com since its much cheaper than Meguiar's Cleaner Wax Liquid A-1216s and the difference is very minor in gloss, I opted for durability more and the important thing to remember is really the prep work prior to waxing , the NuFinish stuff from my experience lasts well over 12 months when washing once a week by machine, so just imagine if you wash your car by hand, it will last over 18 months and it still beads !

 

Im going to disagree with clay bars not being practical. Using clay is an important step that should be done at least once a year. Every 6 months is best though. It removes everything from the surface of the car which you wouldn't normally remove. If you can somehow use other products to get the glassy smooth finish let me know. I dont think you can though because the clay removes everything from the surface.

I have never used Zaino before but from all the reviews I have read on the net it sounds like it is one of the best out there in terms of applying it and the durability of it.

 

A clay bar won't remove everything from the painted surface. I've got little speckles of something on my hood and roof that I can't seem to get off. Tree sap, maybe, but bug & tar remover didn't touch it. I was able to scrub/scrape it off my windshield and sunroof, but I don't want to try that on the paint. My clay bar knocked the speckles down a little, but they're still there. I'm considering taking the car in to a body shop to see what they recommend.

 

clay bars can be used at least 3 times, that mean 3 cars.. to guy above, go to a detailing shop, not auto body

 

Im going to disagree with clay bars not being practical. Using clay is an important step that should be done at least once a year. Every 6 months is best though. It removes everything from the surface of the car which you wouldn't normally remove. If you can somehow use other products to get the glassy smooth finish let me know. I dont think you can though because the clay removes everything from the surface.


1. Clay bars are useless, they were invented and marketed for consumers that know dick about using a polisher/buffer thinking it would help them get that ultimate clean/shine


If you can somehow use other products to get the glassy smooth finish let me know. I dont think you can though because the clay removes everything from the surface.

2. Yes, you can use a high quality glaze to get that just painted wet look, I believe Meguir's No. 2 is glaze which you can get at any car care products store, but I have never used their product yet. Presta Products Aurora 3000 Glaze www.prestaporoducts.com is what I use and gives a perfect shine prior to waxing.

 

clay bars are used by dealerships. a local VW dealer here used clay on my freinds new beetle

 

Wow, all this time my former boss and the detailer down the way were using clay bars for no reason, but hey at least the cars took first place and these are high end classics. Ill have to tell them their years of experience, about 20 years, were wasted on a useless product.

 

Yea. Clay is definately not a waste of time....

So all of these proffesional detailers that use clay are just wasting there time? Seems kind of weird to me that they would take the time to clay an entire car if it wasn't going to help.

Clay gets rid of most of the contaminents that nothing else will. It makes the surface smooth like glass.

 

o all of these proffesional detailers that use clay are just wasting there time? Seems kind of weird to me that they would take the time to clay an entire car if it wasn't going to help.


LoL ... whose paying them by the hour ? ...you, the friendly neighbourhood consumer thats who ! There nothing that a good glaze would not remove that the clay won't and it also blends out swirl marks at the same timne that the clay bar can'r touch. Like I said the clay bars is good for spot or panel work only !