Best wax/polish for Winter Grey?

If I remember correctly, P21S is the German company that sells the car wax... S100 imports the wax and sells it under its own name... they are different companies... Let us know how it turns out.

 

I have used Z2 Zaino on the black trim. Be careful because if the grain is too deep you could have a problem.

Yes you can use it in the wheel covers because they are painted silver. Can be used on any painted surface.
I would suggest staying with Zaino because it is truly the easy on and easy off product. The most important thing to remember is to finish you sessions with Z2...... and spray shine. You my apply a coat or two of Z5 but you must finish with the Z2 and spray shine. THAT IS THE TICKET...... If you apply wax over the Zaino, as one of my friends did, it tends to mud the optical depth of the paint to the point where the metal flake in the paint is visible in a small area. When properly applied, you look at the same panel and can see all the metal flake in the paint on the entire panel.

Remember, end you application sessions with Z2 and spray shine. Zaino is easy and used with the accellerator dries very quickly and very easy to remove.
I have a couple of cars that I have used Zaino and the shine lasts up to 2 years. I did process these cars this spring and I was very suprised that they held up as well. One car is out 24/7 and I thought that would be a killer to get back. I washed the car with dawn, Clayed it and used the AI0 and then Z5 one coat and finished with Z2 applying 2 coats. The results were awesome.

Paste wax is a thing of the past. Believe me, I have a garage full of this and that I have bought over the years. I'm sure I am not the only one out here.... Price ranging from 20.00 to 125.00 a container. Only if my wife knew what that stuff cost.

I have a black GS 430 that shines like onyx. Black is test. The proof of the pudding.

In reference to the clear spray seal by Zaino , I have an issue with that product. I think Mr. Zaino should take that product off their lineup. In my case it is the weak link and downgrades the Zaino lineup. ((((( did I say that?))))))
The Z1 pre cleaner has been replaced with the AI0. YOU have to be careful with the new one step because it contains a super mild abrasive. I you apply it and rub too hard I have experienced a slight dulling of the clear coat. The application of Z5 and Z2 brings back the clear coat to an Awesome deep shine.
Your choice of this product will make your life a lot easier.

 

Thats just not true. The two products are different, I have used both obviously and would just simply never choose Zaino over a good quality paste wax. Not that Zaino isn't a good product, because it is, I just don't like the way it looks personally.

The two aren't mutually exclusive, and just because you happen to like it and how it looks doesn't make the alternative "a thing of the past".

 

I've heard Zaino is long lasting (looks/shine), but it doesn't necessarily protect the paint as well as other products on the market.

Also, Duragloss supposedly gives the same results and it can bought over the counter for less money.

 

Naa, Zaino does a very good job of protecting the paint I will give them that.

 

Anyone try Rej-ex? You can only buy it through sites like e-Bay, but I use it on all my vehicles. You just wipe it on and off, and it lasts about 6 months. Makes the car slick to touch, so nothing (like bird doo) sticks to it. Creates a nice shine too. Just make sure not to get it on anything except the body, since it will leave a white residue on wipers, etc.

The military uses this stuff on helicopters, and Porsche dealers use this on their cars. I've also used it on my boat and it repels water so well it actually improves my top speed.

 

What are the impressions of the Optimum line up? I know a lot of people here use the ONR (Optimum No Rinse), myself included. But what about their OS (Optimum Opti-Seal) and OCW (Optimum Car Wax)? I have heard great things on some other forums but I'm thinking they might be biased.

 

Dumb question, but why wax a nearly new car? I mean it has a wax on it from the factory right? I always wait until the following year after the first winter. Not trying to bust you down, but I am curious about the OP's question.

 

To my knowledge Toyota does not wax or seal at the factory but todays clear coats are very robust. With newer technology wax isn't the only choice. I've been doing a lot of research for myself and have decided FOR ME a sealer is a must for protection and I didn't plan to use wax. I am currently using Zaino (from forum recommendations) and am very happy with it. My requirements were (in order of importance):
Easy application
Good protection.
Long lasting.
Good looks.
Zaino scored well in all four categories. The reason easy application is number one is if it's easy to use then I'd be more inclined to do it more often.
I just switched washing methods to Optimum No Rinse and plan to use Optimum Opti-Seal when it's time to clay in a few months. Opti-Seal has gotten outstanding review from some of the other forums i've been reading. After I switch to Opti-Seal, I plan on trying Optimum Car Wax which they say is a combo polymer/carnuba. They sent me a sample bottle but I haven't tried it yet as I still have plenty of Zaino.

 

Or, should I use my Zaino?. . . . of course

 

Big mistake, dawn cuts the waxes and grease on the finish. Then apply the zaino as outoined in the basic zaino application tips you can get on their site.

 

Toyota doesn't wax cars at the factory, but the dealer does as a part of the new car prep. That wax is gone within 2 months probably though.

Cars often need quite a bit of detailing when they are new, claying to remove imbedded rail dust and ferrous contaminants, polishing to remove swirling caused by the dealers "prep" etc.

When its new is precisely when you want to begin proper car care. Its much easier to maintain a car's factory new appearance than to try to restore that appearance.

I have always been happy with the Optimum products I've used...

And to everyone, the world will not end if you don't do a Dawn wash...whether Sal Zaino says it will or not.

 

I like Meguires NXT wax on all my vehicles as it is easy to apply, easy to remove and lasts a long time between waxings... :thumb:

 

are you really starting to regret the winter gray? i love it and just got mine and have a few days to trade in for a different color if i want..bu ti love winter gray. i don't mind a dirty car here and there..it's way better than silver and there's no way i'm getting a white car!!

 

I garage mine and it still gets dirty in a few days and live in sunny SoCal. I still like it!

 

bummers... a barreling truck drove by my Prius when I was driving on the freeway and it hit a pothole... gravel debris fell of the truck and pitted my paint... looks like about 20 nicks in the paint on the right side...