Favorite polish?

[TuxBlackSHO]

I reckon this would be the correct subsection for this. So, what's your go - to for waxing or polishing your SHO? I need something to make this Tuxedo Black Metallic really pop.

1, 2, 3, go!

 

[Choppa]

I use nothing but Adam's products. Flawless performance for me on my cars.

 

[shaker281]

I've been through plenty of brands from Adam's to Zaino. Right now I use 4-star ultimate paint protection (lasts pretty good) on my GT500, but actually can't tell the difference in look over Maguire's NXT, which is relatively cheap and available basically anywhere. Turtle wax ICE has the nice advantage that it is clear and leaves no residue on the black trim which is all over our SHOs. Of course , if you have a black car, I highly recommend you get a DA polisher and compound and pads and polish the paint before applying the sealant. Might consider a clay bar too, to start things off. Going to take all day, better buy some beer.

https://www.autogeek.net/four-star-ultimate-paint-protection.html

 

[limited02]

I've got Meguiars Ultimate Compound, Meguiars M205 and Harbor Frieght DA polisher ready to go. Hit my car hard with the 205 when I first bought it and that helped, but the paint was pretty trashed by the last owner. Once I get time to clean it up, I'll top it with McKees 37 Paint Coating.

I currently wash it and top it with blackfire crystal seal. Stuff is super easy to apply and does a great job.

 

[shaker281]

Never tried the polymer paint coating products like McKees 37 or Blackfire Crystal Seal. I'll have to check those out. Sounds like the paint equivalent of RainX!

I find the McKees Krystal Vision Glass kit interesting too. Getting the glass to look good seems sometimes harder than correcting the paint. And easy to overlook.

 

[SHOdded]

CarPro has excellent products for polishing, depending on how deep you want to dive. Do you feel comfortable with a DA or is a rotary easy peasy for you? Part of the problem is to get the right combo of products no matter what brand you choose so it doesn't a) take up too much time, b) create excessive dust, and c) leave your wrists hurting. Cars come with way too many curves these days, so having different size pads handy is a must. Some spaces you can only use your hands/fingers to get into, polishers just won't have the control to handle them. If you have carbon fiber parts or graphics/decals, that presents extra challenges.

 

[Chris Horner]

I start with a Mother's clay bar, then use Meguiars polish and then top with their ultimate liquid wax. Easiest stuff I've ever used and very happy with the durability. I have the pearl white and it really makes it pop.

 

[Matt M PA]

When I detailed for others, I almost always used Klasse AIO. Mild Cleaning ability, good shine and seemed to last.

On my cars, I used to use Zaino and still think they are great products, but moved onto Duragloss' products. Their tire dressing is awesome as are their polishes-waxes. However, the AquaWax is something I use after washes and like a detail spray. Makes the surface slick and shiny.

I just did my SHO and Excursion (and Lincoln before them) with the Duragloss Enviroshield. It's a ceramic coating that is supposed to last 2 years. I first wash and then clay bar. Next, apply the Squeeky Clean that comes in the kit to prep the surface. Then, apply the coating. Basically, spray on an applicator and apply to surface.

The SHO came out very nicely....but the Excusion amazed me. I did the project over a few nights when I had time. After a couple days, it seemed like as it cured it got shinier. Looks great, feels slick. So far so good...

 

[TuxBlackSHO]

I greatly appreciate the replies.

It's been since I owned my 79 Bronco (late 80's) that I've cared so much about what my car looks like. The Bronco was oxidized pretty bad so I paid a guy from the local Ford dealer's body shop to buff it out on a Sunday and man, she looked like brand new when he was done.

So I've been watching videos on YouTube and am looking forward to making this tuxedo black metallic really pop. The front 3 feet or so may be beyond help (stone chips) but I feel confident that I'll be able to tackle the remaining swirls and scratches.

Now to start acquiring the needed machines and chemicals....and warmer weather here in The Mitten.

 

[Matt M PA]

I know we all like pics...if you've seen pics of the SHO, you know how it looks with the coating. Here's my 2005 Excursion just after I finished the coating.

Off topic alert....I am amazed at how close the SHO is in length to the Excursion...

 

[shaker281]

... The front 3 feet or so may be beyond help (stone chips) ...

What I usually do to minimize the stone chips is to apply touch up on the larger ones first, then use Langka to flatten those out. Let the paint dry completely and go easy, so as not to inadvertently remove all the touch up paint. Then I use a micro brush or touch up applicator with a retractable "pin" tip to apply paint to the many tiny chips. After that dries, I use the DA polisher with a foam pad and polishing compound to blend those touch ups a bit. The Langka does not work with the tiny chips, as it tends to completely remove the paint from shallow repairs. Finally apply the wax/sealant. It takes a bit of practice and will not ever be perfect, of course.