What do you recommend as the best wax for a white car? I know it's harder to get a "mirror" type finish on white versus a dark color. I was thinking of: Klasse, Zaino, Meguirs, or P21s/P100. Thanks!

I like P21S/S100. Easy on - easy off, very durable for carnuba.

If you like flat mirror finishes, and your paint's in good if not excellent shape (no scratches/swirls), then go Zaino or Klasse.

Actually, the reflective properties for white are just as good as any other color, it's all in the prep.

I agree with Hal. Prep is 90% of the shine.

I just did two different white cars this past week -- a 1989 325i (mine) with no clearcoat, and a 1997 Z3 with clearcoat. On the Z3 I used 3M FI-II Machine Polish followed by 3M Swirl Mark Remover, then I follwed that up with Klasse All-In-One and one coat of Klasse Sealant Glaze. I topped that with S100.

On the 325i, with no clearcoat, I did the same process except I substituted 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound for the FI-II Machine Polish. The FCRC is much more agressive. Otherwise all the steps were the same.

Both finishes look pretty awesome.

My paint is pretty good, considering it's 11 years old and bakes in the Florida sun. The only problem area is the hood where the clear coat is flaking off in round, circular patches. I have about 3 spots like that. I was quoted $350 to take the paint down to metal, repaint, clearcoat. Does that sound like a fair price?

That sounds like a damn good price if the shop is decent. Sounds almost too cheap to be good, honestly.

Originally posted by bmw325iman
My paint is pretty good, considering it's 11 years old and bakes in the Florida sun. The only problem area is the hood where the clear coat is flaking off in round, circular patches. I have about 3 spots like that. I was quoted $350 to take the paint down to metal, repaint, clearcoat. Does that sound like a fair price?

sounds way too cheap for a quailty reshoot. MAACO? The bad thing is once it starts flaking, it's going to get worse. I've got a couple of questions out there about reclearing, but haven't heard back from anyone yet. How big are the round patches? Got pics?

Heck I'm in G'ville. I'll probally be down in O-town sometime this summer. I can take a quick glance at it when if you want.

The auto body shop was recommended to me by my bimmer mechanic (who touches my car when it's something I can't/won't do). The mechanic has several cars (MBs, BMWs) and some hotrods that this guy has painted for him. I've seen them and they did a great job. So I don't have any fears that he won't do a good job, just didn't know if that price is in line. I will try and get some pics, just don't know how well they will turn out. Some patches are the size of a dime, others are about the size of a quarter.

BTW- Just to reclarify, the $350 is just for the hood, not the entire car.

It sounds in line for a quick sand/repaint/reclear on a hood. If it's a strip down to metal, prime, basecoat and clear, it sounds too low.

He told me he was gonna take it to the metal. And then all of those other steps you mention (I'm too lazy to type today). Sounds like a deal! I'm gonna try and get some pics of my flaking clear coat this week and post them here.

Damn Ben and Hal ... you guys have conflicting styles ...one swears by Klasse and the other swears by S100 ... heheh ... sorry, I find that kind of amusing ...

$350.00 for the hood -- it's a good price ... I was quoted $700.00 to do the hood.

Originally posted by NoSoup4U
Damn Ben and Hal ... you guys have conflicting styles ...one swears by Klasse and the other swears by S100 ... heheh ... sorry, I find that kind of amusing ...

$350.00 for the hood -- it's a good price ... I was quoted $700.00 to do the hood.

Actually, both of us swear by S100 (yes I was evil and told him to try it as a topper - now I just have to get him to use the shine enhancing cleaner and :redspot ). He likes AIO for the cleaning aspect - I don't see it, it's OK for synthetic applications, but really needs SG to shine. Notice he takes 2 days to do a full detail - I usually take 4 hours..That's why he can use SG and I refuse to. Now if SG was an apply, and buff ala S100, I'd be all over it. Ben waits a minimum of 2.5 hrs to buff. He prefers somewhere on the order of 12 hrs from the time of application to buff off....It's just not worth it IMHO.

Yessss it'sssss wooorthhhh ittttttt!

Originally posted by Ben Carufel
Yessss it'sssss wooorthhhh ittttttt!

Put down the stoner's...You've had too much:devillook

Let's put this in perspective....Do you think Lauren's mom would be happy either not driving her Porsche for 2 days or driving it with white haze on it still?

Nah, she doesn't have to have it off the road for just two days. I would do all of the work on the first day, then apply the SG. I'd let that sit overnight and the next morning (around 6) buff it off. Then I'd throw a coat of S100 on. Should take an hour or less to buff the SG off and apply the S100. Then her mom will have her car for that day.

:dunno