Simoniz??

[GPowner]

Has anyone had any experience with Simoniz paste wax? I'm talking about the solid kind in the short metal can.

I bought the last few cans at a local auto parts store a few years back. I've always found it very long lasting, but difficult to apply.

Also, if you like the wax, how in the world do you get it off the car?? I've had problems with the wax leaving an opaque 'film' on the car.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[GPowner]

.

[chows4us]

Siminoz? Yikes, thats about 1955 technology

[royal4mac]

Wow, come join us in the '50's thread. Simoniz was the first car wax I remember putting on my dad's caddy. I still remember the short yellow can with red lettering. Brown stuff that had a unique smell. Really tough to get off.
Anyway, try the new stuff, it is pretty impressive with new polymers etc. A lot of technology has been thrown into the art of "waxing" cars.

I personally like Zaino, but alas, there are people who love many other products. Very personal choice.

[dimini]

Originally Posted by chows4us

Siminoz? Yikes, thats about 1955 technology

Chows,

speaking of old technology, and slightly OT, what's your opinion on Rain-X and Armour-All? Are there newer technologies and better products than these?

[Detailers Paradise]

Originally Posted by dimini

Chows,

speaking of old technology, and slightly OT, what's your opinion on Rain-X and Armour-All? Are there newer technologies and better products than these?

Just as I was about to start typing, I noticed that you addressed the question to Chows! Well, I'm here now so I'll answer your question anyway if that's ok!

Yes, there are definitely better products than Armour All these days. As it's been often discussed already on this forum, I would suggest doing a search for "303" or "303 Aerospace Protectant" or "Prima Nero". Meguiar's and Griot's also have similar products.

The main difference between old school and new school in this category is that the newer stuff has much better UV protection and little to no greasiness. The 303 AP tops the charts in UV protection. The biggest advantage of strong UV protection, IMO, is that it greatly reduces/eliminates that nasty film that builds up on the inside of your windshield.

I've heard people talk about Rain-X type products on here before but I can't think of any names. Just do a search for Rain-x and I'll bet the rain-x-like products will pop up.

-Heather

[chows4us]

Originally Posted by Detailers Paradise

Just as I was about to start typing, I noticed that you addressed the question to Chows! Well, I'm here now so I'll answer your question anyway if that's ok!

Yes, there are definitely better products than Armour All these days. "303 Aerospace Protectant" or "Prima Nero". Meguiar's and Griot's also have similar products.
-Heather

Heather, thats cool

ArmourALL avoid like the plague. You will not see anyone who is really into their cars using it.

303 does very well on exterior vinyl. It protects it from the UV.

For the interior, their are Sonus products (one of the NAM vendors) but I use Pinnacle Vinyl cleaner from autogeek.net

NEVER use armourall on your tires ... In fact, I've read if you really want the best performance from tires, never use any wheel dressing (for whatever reason). However, few people are going to follow that line of reasoning.

As to RAINX ... RAINX is very cool. I use it all the time.

My CS has no rear wiper on a large sloped hatch surface. Nobody likes the rear wiper on the car. The consensus from virtually everyone is just RAINX... Drive along and the rear hatch is clear.

[alpinamike]

Don't even use it, try NXT. And welcome to the future..lol

[chows4us]

Hey, but wait ... its an antique!!!

One word ... eBay!!!

[GPowner]

Thanks

[GPowner]

Thanks guys. I'll try selling it on ebay.

[Morris9982]

I wonder if I should get rid of my DuPont #7 wax....

[Detailers Paradise]

Originally Posted by GPowner

Also, if you like the wax, how in the world do you get it off the car?? I've had problems with the wax leaving an opaque 'film' on the car.

If you reeeally like it, despite its old school status, you can spritz the paint with a little quick detailer spray (any kind will do) after you buff off the wax. This should remove that hazing film you're seeing on the car after you buff off. Also, sometimes you'll get this haze 24 hours after you buff off the wax and/or it will reappear after this timeframe even if you've already QD'd the film off right after buffing. Quick Detail spray is the answer in either situation!

I'm not a big fan of old paste waxes simply because they're a pain to buff off. However, if you like the look of a carnauba, you already have this wax so use it! With the QD trick, it should be much easier to work with. Most of the suggestions on this thread are for synthetics, which give a much different look (even though they are more durable and easier to use). I'd try a synthetic before selling your old school wax on eBay... then decide which look you like best. Or, better yet, use the synthetic first and then add a top coat of your paste wax for the best of both worlds.

On the one hand, part of me wants to say toss your old wax and get into synthetic waxes (or at least better quality carnaubas). On the other hand, you already have the old wax and might be able to still use it, depending on what look you like. (If you like the carnauba look and want to toss your current wax anyway, get some P21S carnauba... great similar look and extremely easy to use!)

-Heather

[hugh]

Real old-fashioned Simonize???
Use it for your wood floors.

[GPowner]

Originally Posted by Detailers Paradise

If you reeeally like it, despite its old school status, you can spritz the paint with a little quick detailer spray (any kind will do) after you buff off the wax. This should remove that hazing film you're seeing on the car after you buff off. Also, sometimes you'll get this haze 24 hours after you buff off the wax and/or it will reappear after this timeframe even if you've already QD'd the film off right after buffing. Quick Detail spray is the answer in either situation!

I'm not a big fan of old paste waxes simply because they're a pain to buff off. However, if you like the look of a carnauba, you already have this wax so use it! With the QD trick, it should be much easier to work with. Most of the suggestions on this thread are for synthetics, which give a much different look (even though they are more durable and easier to use). I'd try a synthetic before selling your old school wax on eBay... then decide which look you like best. Or, better yet, use the synthetic first and then add a top coat of your paste wax for the best of both worlds.

On the one hand, part of me wants to say toss your old wax and get into synthetic waxes (or at least better quality carnaubas). On the other hand, you already have the old wax and might be able to still use it, depending on what look you like. (If you like the carnauba look and want to toss your current wax anyway, get some P21S carnauba... great similar look and extremely easy to use!)

-Heather

Thanks Heather. I'll try it. By the way what IS the difference between how synthetics look and carnuba? Just curious

[chows4us]

Originally Posted by GPowner

Thanks Heather. I'll try it. By the way what IS the difference between how synthetics look and carnuba? Just curious

The only real difference is that carnaubas will give a much deeper, glossy look, mostly on the darker colors ... more of the wet look. The best of all worlds is to layer carnauba over a synthetic sealer as that seems to be the trend for car shows. Even when the carnauba wears off, the synthetic sealer is still there

[GPowner]

Originally Posted by chows4us

The only real difference is that carnaubas will give a much deeper, glossy look, mostly on the darker colors ... more of the wet look. The best of all worlds is to layer carnauba over a synthetic sealer as that seems to be the trend for car shows. Even when the carnauba wears off, the synthetic sealer is still there

Sounds good chow. So Zaino Z5, then Simoniz! At least I'll try it.

[dimini]

Hey Heather,

Thanks for all the great info. on this thread and the claybar thread. I had a couple containers of armour-all (and rain-x) getting dusty out in the garage from yesteryear and didn't know whether to pitch 'em or use 'em. Now that I own a car that's loaded with black plastic external parts, I should probably take care of the plastic, too. I'll look into 303.

[umberto]

Rain-X...I've used, but like Z6 detailer from Zaino better, but the 'newer ' Rain-x is 'Aquapel' (but I've never used it but some people on this forum use it and like it)

[El_Jefe]

rainx is a great product. I just used it for the first time 2 weeks ago. fantastic effect for rain on a highway. I didnt use my wipers much at all. one bottle spreads really far. I think I could do it many times. I dont know why some say aquapel is a better buy. it cant possibly last as long as all the uses in a cheap bottle of rainx. dollar wise, i think rainx wins. local 5 and 10 has it cheap than most places so thats my new friend. I am unsure how to clean it. I have used some NXT window spray on it, I try not to use anything on it besides washing it when i weekly wash my car.

yes i washed my car today it was 45 degrees. Sometimes I wash it 2x a week so this is going to get numbing soon

[jwardell]

Originally Posted by El_Jefe

I dont know why some say aquapel is a better buy. it cant possibly last as long as all the uses in a cheap bottle of rainx.

It does in fact last as long. And you don't have to go out and polish your windshield and do a 2-step rain-x application every other week for eight months.

[El_Jefe]

carnauba's shine well but nothing compared to a synthetic. wet look = synthetic and depth of colour is from natural wax normally. I asked a lot of people around here about which direction I should go and they said that for a green metalic I should be using a natural, high carnauba content wax for depth. Everyone is stunned by the depth of green on my new mini. People stare at it. It's a very peaceful look. Anyone who says the paint is not that great on a mini hasnt used natural based products on it to show the depth of the metallic fleck.

I would LOVE for non natural to be the better shower of colour and depth! If anyone knows of a synthetic that could be near the same or the same as my griot's paste wax, please relate! I am going to be trying dealer paradise's ps21 thing which also a natural wax next to see if it can get even better. Durability is a major issue though. I can tell naturals do not last that long and so I want to go synthetic if I could. Octaneguy felt that I would be happier with naturals for the depth effect vs wetness.

[Mark C.]

Here's my take... On a dark colored car, the depth of shine produced by a quality carnauba is truly incredible. That said, if my car wasn't a daily driver, I'd use only carnuaba. However, IMO it's always worth it to keep an acrylic base on a daily driver as there are so many things attacking the finish...

[El_Jefe]

that does make sense. I guess my weekly washing and claybarring before I wax each time might fix most of that or all of that though.

[Mark C.]

If you have the time to wash, clay, and wax every week, then more power to you

Originally Posted by El_Jefe

that does make sense. I guess my weekly washing and claybarring before I wax each time might fix most of that or all of that though.