Wash/wax products?

[Black_H3]

Ok, first off I was told not to wax the hummie because the paint was still "settling"...no clue ( dealer put 2 coats on before I picked it up). Mine was built 07/05 if that makes any difference on when I can start waxing.
My question is when should I start waxing it and what product/s should I be looking at? I did buy a gallon of "Kit" wash that seams to work pretty good, but I didn't use the recommended mixture because I'm not sure what to use.
Any recommended wash/wax products or just grab the wifes dishing washing soap and have at it? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Black_H3]

Ok, first off I was told not to wax the hummie because the paint was still "settling"...no clue ( dealer put 2 coats on before I picked it up). Mine was built 07/05 if that makes any difference on when I can start waxing.
My question is when should I start waxing it and what product/s should I be looking at? I did buy a gallon of "Kit" wash that seams to work pretty good, but I didn't use the recommended mixture because I'm not sure what to use.
Any recommended wash/wax products or just grab the wifes dishing washing soap and have at it? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Webb70]

Please do NOT use dish soap (too harsh) on your new clearcoat paint. Use carwash specific soap or you can damage the finish.

[H3OH]

I'm going to be using Meguiar's new stuff that people swear by, nxt Generation Tech Wax. People on the Vette forums are saying it rivals Zaino. I've used their older products on all of my vehicles and they are outstanding. I will say that the NXT Generation glass cleaner is the best I've ever used and it smells great!

I used the Car Wash gel this weekend and it's awesome. I'm also waiting for the paint to cure before I start waxing. They say 3 months is the rule.

All I need to find is the All Metal Polish for the chrome and wheels and I'll be set!

Edited with link....

Meguiar's nxt Generation Product Line (http://www.meguiars.com/whatsnew/nxt05.cfm)

[signals34]

What would be the best stuff to use on the the black trim, handles, mirrors and the bumpers...

[H3OH]

See above signals34. I've updated it with a link.

It's the Tech Protect under the NXT Gen line.

Meguiar's Tech Protect (http://www.meguiars.com/whatsnew/nxtproduct_page.cfm?SKU=G12924)

[h2co-pilot]

These guys are sponsors of this forum and I'm sure he could answer some questions.

http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/1261090531/m/9761090531

[H3Lady]

We just used Meguiar's NXT

EASY ON AND SUPER SHINE.

But heres the kicker....after 12 hours, while the car is still in the garage not getting dirty, use the new Teflon wax on top of it.

Nothing stick to my car, nothing and the water just sheets off without drying...

[H3Witch]

I've used Zaino for years on all my cars...it's more expensive but it works! The shine is unbelievable and they now have an easier way to apply it with just one coat. I tend to use several - it lets me spend more the with the new addition! Soon.......

[km406]

Hey all, is that true about the 3 month curing rule for the paint. I received my H3 in the last week of June, and I have just waxed it in early August, what do you think? Should I have waited?

Thanks

[MUH_HUM]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by km406:
Hey all, is that true about the 3 month curing rule for the paint. I received my H3 in the last week of June, and I have just waxed it in early August, what do you think? Should I have waited?

Thanks </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I suspect you're fine 406. I've heard that of newly painted cars but not sure of something that is fresh off the assembly line.

Any paint and body men (sorry ladies) out there?

[DeLeon]

Upsss... I had no idea about that 3 month wait time before waxing.. I waxed mine a week after I got it.. the paint looks great until today.. hope it stays that way, I thought that waxing it would protect the new paint, not damage it :-S

[jp's-h3]

Two words.

----CLOTH DIAPERS----

[jp's-h3]

I've owned show cars and cloth diapers are the only way to go. super absorbant and very soft!
you can find slightly used one's (washed of course) at your local diaper service. I paid $23.00 / 2-dozen large diapers.
These should last for at least a couple of years.

[jp's-h3]

A bit more advise!
Use color match terry cloth towels for your interior.
ie. black terry cloth towel for black interior. Use a white towel and it will leave unsightly lint. --NOT GOOD--

[f5fstop]

The paint guys I talked with in GM plants say give it one week at the most, and sitting in a lot, shipping and then at the dealer gives you a week.
Zaino is great, only thing I use on Vettes, easy on/easy off (and yes, it is a one-step process now). Another great thing of Zaino is you can apply multiple coats without taking off the previous coat. Very expensive, and normally only mail order from Zaino Brothers.
Lasts a long time, and repels bugs and other road garbage.
I use NXT on my Jeep and it is easy on/off and smells great. Seems to last and repel almost as well as Zaino, but a lot less expensive and a heck of a lot easier to obtain. (I will be using NXT on the H3.)
Dishwashing soap is ok for the new modern clear coat finishes, but it will remove all wax and or synthetic polymers (such as Zaino) applied by you or someone else, but it will not hurt the newer paints.
In fact, Zaino recommends using Dawn liquid prior to applying the first coat of Zaino, the Dawn removes any possible wax from a previous owner or the dealer, removes road tar and grim. Once a year I have always used Dawn on my Vettes, then a clay bar, then three coats of Zaino.

[H3Lady]

WOW f5fstop

That is exactly what the old man does, dawn, clay bar and he used the NXT and then the Teflon wax.

We swear by clay bar. We just did the H3 and the white clay bar is now black and gritty.

My son says that the new paints at GM cure very fast, his guy at GM says the most is a 30 day wait.

DO NOT WHEEL ANY GM PRODUCT WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS HE ADDED THAT TO THE PIE. IF YOU GET A SCRATCH, USE HAND POWER ONLY...

[usetosellhummer]

do not use a buff pad or buffer unless you are a pro, swirl city. keep it simple and use non-wax based products. Use the silicone stuff or you will be paying a pro to take the marks out of your clearcoat

[H3wannabe]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3Lady:
WOW f5fstop

That is exactly what the old man does, dawn, clay bar and he used the NXT and then the Teflon wax.

We swear by clay bar. We just did the H3 and the white clay bar is now black and gritty.

My son says that the new paints at GM cure very fast, his guy at GM says the most is a 30 day wait.

DO NOT WHEEL ANY GM PRODUCT WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS HE ADDED THAT TO THE PIE. IF YOU GET A SCRATCH, USE HAND POWER ONLY... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you research any of the detailing websites this is pretty much the recommended process (http://www.detailcity.com is a good one). And yes, you can wax (and should) when you get your truck. As for the car soap, I haven't used Dawn, but know many who do. I prefer Maguire's Gold Car wash.

My typical method is wash with maguire's gold, clay (you will be amazed at the contaminents pulled out by the clay), polish, and seal (wax). The last 2 steps are done with a porter cable 7424 which looks like this:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004SUQ8.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

And makes the polishing and waxing steps much easier and more effective. If you do you homework on what products to use and how to use the buffer you will not get swirls. It's actually pretty easy. Moving up to a rotary (vs. the random orbital above) is more difficult as it is more aggressive (you can get halograms (or worse) in the paint if not careful). I have NOT ventured there yet.

Btw, I haven't heard of a 90-day wait to use a buffer.

H3wannabe

[mannytranny]

I can't believe no one here has ever used a product called "REJEX". It is the greatest for wheels and getting bugs not to stick so bad and is just great for the entire car.
A bottle goes a long way. I have it on both of my vehicles and will be using it on my new H3 as soon as I get one. It lasts on my vehicles for about 4 months.It is so easy to apply. It can be found at http://www.x-autoproducts.com/pages/product_rejex.htm You can read all about it but I can tell you first hand it works!

[km406]

What are you people doing with the metal part of the bumpers...the part below the plastic? Are you applying wax to that too? Curious to see how it responds to wax.

km406

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mannytranny:
I can't believe no one here has ever used a product called "REJEX". It is the greatest for wheels and getting bugs not to stick so bad and is just great for the entire car.
A bottle goes a long way. I have it on both of my vehicles and will be using it on my new H3 as soon as I get one. It lasts on my vehicles for about 4 months.It is so easy to apply. It can be found at http://www.x-autoproducts.com/pages/product_rejex.htm You can read all about it but I can tell you first hand it works! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually, I have used Rejex, they had a group purchase on the Corvetteforum last year, I thought it was good, did a great job with bugs, I felt it didn't give as much of a shine as Zaino.
The other problem is don't ever apply Rejex on a black vehicle in the sun...they warn you about this, but I didn't listen (or read) and it took forever to get it straigtened out on my black Jeep.
One big advantage of Zaino is you can apply in the brightest sun. But Rejex is good too.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[mannytranny]

Both of my street vehicles are black. I saw this first on the CTS-V forum last year. The instructions tell you to keep it out of the sun directly for so many hours to let it cure. I have applied it at about 6:00 P.M. in shade and let it stay there overnight. Only one car gets the garage. Then I do the other and keep it in the garage the next evening.
After the second light coat the car has a deep shine that lasts and lasts. For the effort that it takes it is well worth it.I have also used it on my (red)'63 Corvette and just carry the name and email address with me to all those that ask about the shine on my cars. Technology works!

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mannytranny:
Both of my street vehicles are black. I saw this first on the CTS-V forum last year. The instructions tell you to keep it out of the sun directly for so many hours to let it cure. I have applied it at about 6:00 P.M. in shade and let it stay there overnight. Only one car gets the garage. Then I do the other and keep it in the garage the next evening.
After the second light coat the car has a deep shine that lasts and lasts. For the effort that it takes it is well worth it.I have also used it on my (red)'63 Corvette and just carry the name and email address with me to all those that ask about the shine on my cars. Technology works! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

As I previously mentioned, I failed to read or listen to the instructions (someone actually told me about the sun). http://hometown.aol.com/f5fstop01/images/banghead.gif
I would say that any of these items mentioned: Zaino, NXT or REJEX are great and will protect the vehicle finish. (I still say NXT smells the besthttp://hometown.aol.com/f5fstop01/images/crazy.gif )

[MxHonda]

I am going to try the NXT. I have a stock pile of Menzerna and Klasse for the BMW but have heard great things about the NXT on the BMW forums too.

[TimJ]

Have you guys tried the California Water Blade. I picked one up the other day and used it tonight. I got SCRATCHES!! It is not supposed to scratch! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

The only positive thing is that the microfibre drying towels I picked up work AWESOME!! Where have they been all my life!

[H3OH]

Looks like f5fstop and I love the smell! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Glad he could back me up on the nxt gen line. It truly is good stuff!

[Black_H3]

Tried the Kit wash/wax
Kit Wash/Wax (http://www.kitwax.com)
... not so good. It does ok on the body but makes the wheels all greasy. I am going to try some of the new Meguiar's NXT this week and see how it goes.
Already washed my hummer 3 times in the 2 weeks I have owned it....does this mean I have a problem http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[TimJ]

Black_H3,

I have been wasing my black H3 at least three times a week since I got it a month ago...I was also thinking I might have a problem.

Is there a support group we need to start...I.L.W.M.H.T.M.A. (I Love Washing My Hummer Too Much Anonymous)?

[Brian200001]

No... don't use NXT on your hummer. Its a great "shiner" product but if you are driving a green or black hummer (or whatever new hummer for that matter) its not going to "NOURISH" the paint. Products like NXT and turtle wax, etc. are "Polymer bonding type" waxes.

You do not want to "seal" new paint and inhibit it from breathing.

Paint is much like your Skin. It needs to breathe and it needs moisture. These polymer bonding "shiners" that call themselves waxes are not good for the new paint. They seal the pores - they don't let the paint breathe -- and for dark paint that oxidizes more, these polymers don't add much in the way of oils for nourishment.

USE ZYMOL. --- NO, not the ZYMOL you can get from the local auto store or drug store. That ZYMOL is crap. Go to zymol.com and pick a wax that best fits your color. The wax runs 45-100 bucks. (but there are crazy exotics that run 1,500).

Bottom line, you want a car wax that does NOT SEAL the paint and does NOT BOND without giving oil and nourishment that feeds the paint.

People with Black and Green Hummers, you'll know what I mean when you wax your H3's with something like Zymol and look at the hood. The hood of the car tells all

[H3OH]

Anyone who sells a "Schpritzer Bottle" as a product can kiss my ass. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Only kidding. Is it me, or does Zymol's website suck? Click on bottle to find out more. I'd like to know exactly what it is before I click on it...a ****ing Schpritzer Bottle. LOL!

Our Schpritzer Bottle is the most comfortable sprayer available. The classic flask design is the easiest to grip, spray and place in a pocket during use. Made from clear, recycled PET (soft drink bottles) with a metered, self-siphoning head.

They can self-siphon my head. http://www.smileys.ws/sm/erotic/00000005.gif

"The Classic Flask Design" - can I fill it up with Whiskey? Now we're talking!

Seriously, it sounds like I'm taking my H3 to a damn massage parlor with Zymol. I mean do you think gearheads are going to want to read descriptions like...

Clear is a unique combination of pure tallow, pure coconut essence oil conditioners and lemon extracts to gently clean and care for
your car.

I might as well trim up my H3 like a poodle! It looks like jars of hair gel from Tony & Guy. LOL!

For $45 to $100 for a jar the size of an airline vaseline jar is nuts!

After saying all that, I'm just one mans opinion in a sea of *******s. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[f5fstop]

Brian200001 I can't agree or disagree about NXT, except to say I have used it on my Black Jeep and there has been no problem. However, I will say that I have used Zaino on four cars now over a five year period and have never had a problem with the paint.
I know hundreds of people who drive Vettes and that is the only thing they have used for years, and that includes two paint engineers for GM and one for Ford (yes, Ford employees drive Vettes) that use nothing but Zaino.
I have also seen six to seven year old black/red/and even a green Vette that have only had Zaino applied and no oxidation in the paint, and I will also add these vehicles have always been in AL, TN, GA, and most were not garaged, they were like mine; driven. (Garage queen Corvettes are a different beast altogether.)
I have heard that Zymol is a great product, but I'll continue to use Zaino, with the confidence gained over the years that it will not harm my paint.
I like the idea I can apply in bright sunlight in the middle of summer. Did it all the time on my White Vette in the hot summers of TN, and it always came off easy, lasts forever, and shined like "wow."
Only problem is you can only order it from Zaino bros website, unless there is an independent in the area who sells the product, and it is not cheap.

(I always figured oxidation was caused primarily by UV rays, at least that was what I have been told by the paint experts I have met in my life. I also learned that the best way to beat UV rays is to make sure the polish/wax treatment contained UV inhibitors.)

[Black_H3]

f5fstop-

Which Zaino products do u use, Z2 or Z3?

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Black_H3:
f5fstop-

Which Zaino products do u use, Z2 or Z3? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Z2, which is safe for clearcoat paint. I believe Z3 is for non-clearcoat paint.
I also use the ZFX additive, versus using Z1.

Now,in the spring when I clay bar the car, I will wash afterward with Dawn liquid dishwashing soap, then apply one coat of Z5 (with ZFX). This removes any possible swirl marks. I then apply a coat of Z2, and maybe the following weekend another coat of Z2.
Then nothing needed until fall, and another two coats of Z2.
What I like about Zaino is that since there are no abrasives, you can apply multiple coats, and it is easy apply, and can be applied in broad daylight at 80+ degree weather. Light cars, not sure if you could do this with a black or very dark cars.

[jkH1+H2=H3]

http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gifI know you guys are going to think Im Crazy, well yes I am.. The Best is with out a doubt , I use Pledge, lemon scented,, interior and works awsome on the chrome accessories.

[xburbman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3OH:
Anyone who sells a "Schpritzer Bottle" as a product can kiss my ass. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Only kidding. Is it me, or does Zymol's website suck? Click on bottle to find out more. I'd like to know exactly what it is before I click on it...a ****ing Schpritzer Bottle. LOL!

Our Schpritzer Bottle is the most comfortable sprayer available. The classic flask design is the easiest to grip, spray and place in a pocket during use. Made from clear, recycled PET (soft drink bottles) with a metered, self-siphoning head.

They can self-siphon my head. http://www.smileys.ws/sm/erotic/00000005.gif

"The Classic Flask Design" - can I fill it up with Whiskey? Now we're talking!

Seriously, it sounds like I'm taking my H3 to a damn massage parlor with Zymol. I mean do you think gearheads are going to want to read descriptions like...

Clear is a unique combination of pure tallow, pure coconut essence oil conditioners and lemon extracts to gently clean and care for
your car.

I might as well trim up my H3 like a poodle! It looks like jars of hair gel from Tony & Guy. LOL!

For $45 to $100 for a jar the size of an airline vaseline jar is nuts!

After saying all that, I'm just one mans opinion in a sea of *******s. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

H3OH, I noticed you have Rubber Mudder mats and Splash Guards along with a Lux Pkg. Do the Mudder mats work pretty well? I plan on using my H3 a bunch down at my deer lease in South Texas yet am concerned about the interior coming in contact with some of the elements down there (mud, blood, beer). My interior is the light tan ltr.+carpet. I've got a game hauler that hooks into the trlr hitch for deer, pigs, etc....but am still a little worried about the interior. Any insight would be appreciated.