MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - Do any of you use polishes before wax/sealant?

rrypma · #1 06-29-2003, 09:55 PM

It seems that the majority of you have had good results and use (after washing) and cleaning (clay bar, etc.) a good synthetic system like Zaino or the natural waxes like Zymol. Do you any of you actually go through the trouble of applying a layer of polish that inserts itself between the paint and the actual wax, as many detailing articles speak of? Or, has that become an outdated method...

rrypma · #2 06-29-2003, 09:56 PM

Oh, and you call me Ryan...because I was given that at birth. :smile:

pooky13 · #3 06-29-2003, 10:15 PM

My MINIs build date is April 2003, therefore I must wait 6 months to apply any polishes or waxes per my dealerships' detailer and sales person. So in October, I'll be able to start detailing Pooky Jr. properly. I've only had her for a little over a week now.

I do intend on using ZYMOL HD-CLEANSE to clean the surface first before using the ZYMOL carbon wax on my MINI's finish. :smile: So far, regular washing has kept her clean and shiny due to the "paint prep" the dealership has applied on the paint.

Casey · #4 06-29-2003, 10:52 PM

Yes, I do use a polish before wax....most people go for the quick easy route, and that is fine, some of us are a bit more insane and are willing to spendy ungodly hours detailing our cars....if your willing to spend the time I do recommend using a polish as well as a wax. Personally on most colors I find that zaino with a topper of p21s wax works the best....gives great results and great protection. It really is only once or twice a year that the full treatment is needed...between that just keep laying on the p21s and every 6 months washing in dawn(will remove the p21s but not the zaino) and then apply a few more quotes of zaino followed by more p21s. After a year determine if you need to clay the car again and start over...this is just based on how many containments are on the car and how smooth the surface still is.

Personally I've never been a real fan of zymol - doesn't seem to last as long as p21s or zaino and I have always seen better results with these. Additionally the HD Cleanse won't do nearly the job that claying the car will so if you are going the zymol route, clay the car before you use HD Cleanse.

Hai_Le · #5 07-07-2003, 05:24 AM

Yes, polish before wax. Have always used Megiuar's 3-step detailing package. The downsize is it takes longer; the plus side is that you'd need to do it maybe twice a year. My twice-yearly interval is late spring, early summer, and late fall, early winter (before all that road salt gets on the car).

Bird · #6 07-07-2003, 08:07 PM

Why do you have to wait six months before you wax it? I got mine in May and the bugs and birds have been at it so I was thinking of using a clay bar and wax soon. But maybe there is something I'm missing about the new car thing. . . . Anybody?

Casey · #7 07-07-2003, 08:15 PM

you do not have to wait 6 months to wax it - if you were to get your car repainted you would want to wait, etc...but with modern day painting techniques coupled with the time your car was painted till when you took delivery gave more then ample time to cure. Dealers themselves wax the cars before you take delivery.

letsmotor · #8 07-07-2003, 08:15 PM

I didn't get any warning about waxing too close to the production date either :???:

Have I screwed up my paint somehow :???:

Hai_Le · #9 07-07-2003, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Why do you have to wait six months before you wax it? I got mine in May and the bugs and birds have been at it so I was thinking of using a clay bar and wax soon. But maybe there is something I'm missing about the new car thing. . . . Anybody?

My twice-yearly ritual was on a car without a clear coat. Am told detailing products are (very mildly) abrasive, so in the interest of having some color left on the car...

Plus, after a coat of paint-cleaner, a couple coats of polish, and a couple of wax (i.e., the Meguiar's 3-stepper), I did not want to look at polish or wax for another 6-mos...

As to bugs/birds' droppings, I've had good luck with a soapy wet kitchen towel with a coarse weave. Does take some elbow grease, however.

pooky13 · #10 07-08-2003, 01:07 AM

>>
>>

Quote:

Why do you have to wait six months before you wax it? I got mine in May and the bugs and birds have been at it so I was thinking of using a clay bar and wax soon. But maybe there is something I'm missing about the new car thing. . . . Anybody?

>>

Hi,

Per my dealership sales person and detailer, "Perma Plate" paint protection was applied on my MCS therefore waxing wouldn't be needed for some time. I took delivery of my MINI on June 19th. I spoke recently to a new BMW owner who said the same thing (Perma Plate) as far as not applying any coats of wax, except maybe a spray detailer like "Meguiar's Quick Detailer" long as it doesn't contain any wax.

It's up to you guys if you wanna apply waxes on your brand new MINIs. I feel more secure in waiting it out 4 to 6 months before using my ZYMOL brand products. I may try Zaino after I use up all my current products though.

Davbret · #11 07-09-2003, 12:47 PM

Oh no!!! Not Perma Plate!!!

Perma Plate is a silicone that is applied as a paste to the car and buffed off. Leaves a "silky" feeling to the paint, but leaves it unable to be shined by wax/polish as you're never touching the actual paint, your rubbing wax on silicone.

HIGHLY/STRONGLY reccomend NOT doing the PermaPlating. Maybe after a couple years of agressive washing it will have worn off, but hardly any sooner than that. I'd say you've got ALOT longer than 6 months to wait!!!!

R

pooky13 · #12 07-10-2003, 01:03 AM

>>HIGHLY/STRONGLY reccomend NOT doing the PermaPlating. Maybe after a couple years of agressive washing it will have worn off, but hardly any sooner than that. I'd say you've got ALOT longer than 6 months to wait!!!!
>>
>>R

I actually didn't know they did the special "paint prep" until I called the dealership after a few days later to see when I could wax the car. If I had known, I probably would have asked they leave the finish alone. Oh well, I'll do what I can to keep her looking good in the meantime.

wuidoy · #13 08-13-2003, 01:41 AM

Perma Plate!

Anyone else out there with perma plate? Can the synthetic Zainol be put on top of this perma plate? Excuse me if I am wrong, but can't this perma plate be some form of clear coat?

pooky13 · #14 08-13-2003, 02:36 AM

>>Perma Plate!
>>
>>Anyone else out there with perma plate? Can the synthetic Zainol be put on top of this perma plate? Excuse me if I am wrong, but can't this perma plate be some form of clear coat?

After the freak out by Davbret :smile:

wuidoy · #15 08-13-2003, 10:47 PM

>>After the freak out by Davbret :smile:

Sweet MCS Pooky13, I will do the same thing and tell the dealer to not perma palte but just good old wax. Time to order that Zainol!

pooky13 · #16 08-14-2003, 02:10 AM

>>
>>Sweet MCS Pooky13, I will do the same thing and tell the dealer to not perma palte but just good old wax. Time to order that Zainol! :smile:

fins,

We got another ZAINO HEAD here....

fins4284 · #17 08-14-2003, 05:47 AM

great to have another believer in our fold!