Kev - the Swissol idea is the same - build up layers to increase the depth with each coating. A seperate product is used to remove all the wax.

Pappy - We are not talking about polishes. If I had a new acrylic paint job, I would wait 2 weeks at least to let it go nice and hard before polishing it - that is necessary as acrylic is not glossy "off the gun". But modern 2-pack finishes are glossy off the gun.

What we are talking about here with Swissol, and I presume Zaino, is applying a wax to seal the surface and enhance the shine. No abrasives or anything like "polish". Just a protective coating.

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

Hymee - no problem, I guess was I was using the term polish incorrectly. Thanks for the clarification - now I'll have to decide between Swissol and Zaino. Since my car is always exposed to the elements I'm keen to get some protection on as soon as possible.

 

Damn SCO, I wouldn't have figured you the one for black mail!

Actually, I think the trick will be to buy her a set of her own car care bits ( I got her a 6 with everything that opens and shuts, so that she wouldn't complain about the 8).

Funny really, long cardboard boxes keep appearing in my office, then both my car and the boxes vanish for a couple of days ... then the 8 reappears with extra parts on it - and nothing's been said.

I'll put it to the panel - am I getting away with it or am I up for the most expensive christmas present known to man?

(I haven't been hearing the snippets of conversation about a beagle either!)

 

Kev - He he :D ... Wasn't intended to be blackmail... just thought the missus might get on the forum one day to see what you've _really_ been up to with your (correction) her hard earned

Wish a rotary accent or two would magically appear in a box at my office in time for Santa (hint for my missus if she reads this - but ask me first so you don't pay too much )

I offered to by my better half a new car and she's actually not interested. She's pretty happy with the "old" car and doesn't want to park anything new at her work seeing they're great bump parkers there. However, I'm going to spend a few dollars on it to bring the brakes up to scratch (machine the discs and softer pads) and get new shockies. I used to think it wasn't a bad drive until I got the '8.. now it feels like a Hyundai Excel with flat tires and no brakes.

BTW - you didn't answer my question :p

 

That's because I'm really thick and stupid and really didn't understand ... or thought you meant beers

What sort of car has your wife got?

 

I was trying to ask .. how much did your Zaino kit cost... but failed miserably at asking clearly.

The "old" car is a Ford Laser Lynx... basically a Mazda Astina with a Ford body kit, mags and ABS. Great car for driving around town... just weighs too much for it's little 1.8L engine and has far too much body roll.

 

The kit's going to cost abou $200 (it's a "pro" kit that has everything in it) - I really am thick

My wife's first car was a Mazda 323 that she had for 10 years. Unfortunately, I got her addicted to Audi's for a while, very expenise kiddie buses! But now she's very happy in her 6 ... mind you there was now way she was going to settle for anything less than the entire accessory catalogue (I still can't figure out why she wanted roof racks and a tow bar!)

 

That's not as much as I thought it would be... especially when I compare it to the $60 or so I spent on low end Meguires stuff... looking forward to hearing how you go with it.

 

Okay, as a wrapup on this.... anyone since ordered Zaino or Swissol and got any recommendations on the products/dealers?

 

I feel very downmarket reading this thread. Having only a slight insight into the formulation of polishes, etc. I can hazard a guess that none of the ingredients are so rare, highly refined or high-tech that they justify the enormous price. I suspect that the price charged has a lot to do with how they want to position themselves in the market. Do you want to be the Patek Phillipe, Rolex, Seiko or Swatch of the polish market? (And here's where I have to duck the incoming munitions), qualitatively I suspect that there is little difference between the very top and the nearly bottom of the market.

If you think about the way this stuff is marketed - you need our pre-clean followed by our deep clean followed by our sealer, followed by our polish followed by our post sealer, you see it is very similar to the way women's facial products are sold - exfoliaters, deep cleansers, base coats and finishers (ever tried to argue with your wife about leaving one out). I guess a lifetime in the trenches of science has made me a cynical old bugger.

So in my depths of peasantry, I have used Nu-Finish, which retails for ~$14 at SuperCheap. This goes on like a dream (even in the sun, although I do it in the shade), wipes off without a streak, and lasts and lasts. I just do a normal wash, let it dry thoroughly overnight, and Nu-Finish it the next day. They recommend putting on another coat within 30 days of the first for maximum durability. I suspect it is polymer-based, and may have some silane in it, because they say to slightly dampen the rag before applying.

I thought I'd go one better with baby. I put on a second coat in 7 days after the first, and I'm putting on the next coat next week. Already people comment that it looks like its glazed.

 

Labrat,

I do agree with both your points.

- They all choose a position in the market, and charge accordingly.

- I have used Nu-finish in the past, and it gives a great result.

I do feel the Swissol worked very well. It did not require 5 applications of various layers. Just a cleaner, and a wax. Then they recommend to wash with the "compatible" wash...

But yes, maybe my impression is tainted by wanting to feel good that I paid for an expensive product.

I am impressed though with the swissol product, and I get plenty of great comments on the paint finish of the '8.

BTW - What is silane? or was that a typo on silicone?

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

Silanes are compunds which are used to bond to various surfaces. They are molecules which have one end which will react with surfaces which have water attached to them (and just about every solid surface has water on it - at least at the molecular level), and another end which will dissolve in oily substances. Chemists call the water loving bit "hydrophilic" and the oil loving bit "hydrophobic". Anyway, if you want an oily/waxy polish to adhere to a surface, a compound like a silane is a great way to go. We had our brickwork waterproofed by a silicone formulation which also contained a silane. The silane latched onto the brickwork, and the silicone latched onto the silane - neat!

I use a wax-and-wash car wash because the small amount of wax in the shampoo will adhere to the polish and make it last a bit longer.