Decent Car Wax/polish?

[monya]

Recommendations chaps/gals

After a month the paint looks ok from a distance but up close plenty of hairline scratches/marks popping up. Now I'm not a guy who regularly cleans the car - more likely to have it done at some wash/valet place for a tenner but I could invest some time applying a decent polish/wax to help prevent too much grime, bird crap etc but have not a clue what to buy which will last. Easy application necessary for sure

[Red Yaris 54]

For ease of application and good general shine "Autoglym Aqua Wax" is probably one of the best.

It is supplied in a pump spray pack with 2 microfibre cloths and can be applied on a damp car after washing.

Priced around £13 a pack it will give several applications and a good "easy" shine that requires much less effort than some of the traditional waxes do.

[Norfolk n Chance]

Autoglym Auqa Wax is ok...

But a far better product to use would be Autobrite's Cherry Glaze. It will clean, polish, restore and protect your paint.

I've seen the effect this stuff has had on a 20yr old car and the finish it gives even to paintwork that old is outstanding

[Hou]

Forgetting wax for a minute, the small scratches etc will be coming from the wash place you are going to, the only way to really stop these swirl marks is to wash the car yourself using a mitt!

As for the polish/wax question........realistically you could do with both. No point putting wax on a poorly prepped surface as it won't stay for too long. You either need an all in one which is the one Norfolk suggested or one of each.

Steve - Getting commission from AG or just not tried anything else? AG auquawax is just a carnauba based QD really, with several better ones on the market.

[Red Yaris 54]

Steve - Getting commission from AG or just not tried anything else? AG auquawax is just a carnauba based QD really, with several better ones on the market.

Not on comission from Autoglym (It sells itself on quality alone)............Tried out many polishes/ preparations easily available from local supply over many years of car ownership and find the Aqua wax one of the best all rounders that is currently obtainable anywhere.

Remember the OP wanted something with easy application for a one month old car not to "tart up" some ageing paintwork...........No point in using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut!

[timberwolf]

My gut feeling is that you have to put in the graft and time to get the longer lasting results and higher levels of protection. The instance type products from what I can gather will give you quick results, look great, but require more frequent use.

Spend more time, or even pay someone else to do some professional detailing, and it won't need to be done as often, and you'll be able to just wash the car each week.

[Hou]

Steve - Getting commission from AG or just not tried anything else? AG auquawax is just a carnauba based QD really, with several better ones on the market.

Not on comission from Autoglym (It sells itself on quality alone)............Tried out many polishes/ preparations easily available from local supply over many years of car ownership and find the Aqua wax one of the best all rounders that is currently obtainable anywhere.

Remember the OP wanted something with easy application for a one month old car not to "tart up" some ageing paintwork...........No point in using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut!

How is it one of the best all rounders available anywhere when you have only tried the ones easily available in your local area??

The OP commented on the scratches and marks on his paintwork even though the paint is quite new, something that AG AW wont get out!

Timberwolf has a point, in that the more effort you put in now, the less in the future.

[Red Yaris 54]

Steve - Getting commission from AG or just not tried anything else? AG auquawax is just a carnauba based QD really, with several better ones on the market.

Not on comission from Autoglym (It sells itself on quality alone)............Tried out many polishes/ preparations easily available from local supply over many years of car ownership and find the Aqua wax one of the best all rounders that is currently obtainable anywhere.

Remember the OP wanted something with easy application for a one month old car not to "tart up" some ageing paintwork...........No point in using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut!

How is it one of the best all rounders available anywhere when you have only tried the ones easily available in your local area??

The OP commented on the scratches and marks on his paintwork even though the paint is quite new, something that AG AW wont get out!

Timberwolf has a point, in that the more effort you put in now, the less in the future.

I think that you misunderstood the term "Local Supply"..........Not something that is only available in my area but something that is available on any high street and not from "specialist" internet suppliers that are here today and gone tomorrow!

[Hou]

So you have tried all the products on offer at all the large online sites like clean your car, motorgeek, oppie oils, elite car care etc etc that have been running for years? Which in YOUR definition of local supply means they could have also supplied you. As they are not here today, gone tomorrow, if they are still around. Just like another company I know will be as it grows in size.

And they are just the ones from the top of my head.

What you really mean is anything you can pick up in halfrauds!

Please feel free to give your definition of "specialist"

[dervdave]

Recommendations chaps/gals

After a month the paint looks ok from a distance but up close plenty of hairline scratches/marks popping up. Now I'm not a guy who regularly cleans the car - more likely to have it done at some wash/valet place for a tenner but I could invest some time applying a decent polish/wax to help prevent too much grime, bird crap etc but have not a clue what to buy which will last. Easy application necessary for sure

Monya, best thing for you to do is to give the car a polish to diminish most of the swirls then put on a sealant which will protect the paint longer than wax.(up to 1 yr in some cases)

[Hou]

Well to a point, really the best thing you can do is to seal then wax. Anything that claims to last up to a year though I do not believe

[dervdave]

Anything that claims to last up to a year though I do not believe

Not wanting to get into an arguement situation I suggest you check out Nanolex and/or Gtechniq products for examples of sealants which will last well over 1yr :)

[Hou]

Oh I know the claims dude, but just think it is a bit of marketing spin (1year on a car doing 1k a year and kept in a garage). I think 6 months is a good length of time to be realistic.

[dervdave]

Oh I know the claims dude, but just think it is a bit of marketing spin (1year on a car doing 1k a year and kept in a garage). I think 6 months is a good length of time to be realistic.

Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion bud, especially if they are speaking from experience of the products.

Are you ?

[Hou]

You are right everyone is. Having not tried those exact products I cannot prove they are wrong, but then again most people believe claims when waxes claim to be 100% carnauba, or 50% which would be impossible.

I have learnt a lot about marketing spins on things lately, so like I said I don't believe anything to last 1 year but would love to be proven wrong

[monya]

Thanks for the advice folks. Looks like you pays yer money....

Guess I'm not convinced about whether the car is worth spending £250+ for a good sealant job, when, if bumped/scratched, another visit will be needed and on and on..

[Hou]

You could always do it yourself, the products will cost you far less and there are plenty of guides about for doing it :)

[Agape]

Hi, I am new here,

Today I washed my IInd Gen and then applied cold wax/drier - its amazing stuff as its concentrated / you need to mix it with water 1:300 ratio, apply on wet car,windows with sprayer then dry it with microfibre. Sweet result. Made in Ireland Pinky in Colour. Got 500ml bottle (will last for years) from guy who's running own private car wash in Dublin.