Going for the 1st wax on my silver 323i - what products should I use (Please be specific about the name & type so I can find it). Do I need a pre-wax cleaner or anything?

Also - buffing: only by hand or electric buffer?

Thanks

i would get some finish first from
www.finishfirstpolish.com
then get some one grand blitz from
www.carcareonline.com

put the finish first on first, let it stay over night, buff it out in themorning.....then put some of the blitz wax on and you can buff it right out 15-20 minutes later. your car will look awesome. i'm not affliated in any way with either of the two brands listed above, i've just been really satisfied with their products, i've never had an electric buffer so i've always done it by hand by following the instructions that came iwth the product. 100% cotton terry towels are the only thing i use....

I use Mother's California Gold carnauba cleaner paste wax. Pretty easy to use. Wipe on, let it dry, wipe off. I wax by hand, but I know folks who use a buffer. Liquid wax is easier to use (wipes off with less effort), but I find it doesn't last as long.

I definitely agree with the One Grand Blitz wax. It's great stuff and gives your finish a nice deep gloss that lasts pretty well and looks deep enough to swim in.

I like using 3M Hand Glaze to clean the paint prior to waxing. Does a nice job removing small scratches and swirl marks.

For buffing, I use old flannel shirts/pillow cases. It's about the safest and softest material you can use on your finish.

It's difficult to answer this question without you providing more details.

I saw that your car is a 2000 BMW. That means you have probably had it close to one year. Do you wash it often? Since, you have yet to wax it...my guess would be no.

My advice is to take it to a professional detailer and pay 150 bucks and get a full detail.

Then what you should do on a go forward basis is wax your car more often. You don't need to wax the entire car all the time. Each time you wash it...just concentrate more on the hood, top, and trunk.

I would not machine buff. It only takes a little mistake to burn the paint. Leave this to a professional.

With your color...the product being used is not that important. Many companies make good waxes and polishers.

FYI -

I've only had the car about a month (not a year) and I wash it weekly.

The car was previously a "BMW executive special" - so I honestly don't know what they did with it though... It looks like it's last wasnt' THAT long ago though....

thanks

I use Meguiars (maroon bottle). I have been pleased with the results. I just found some Zymol in the garage I didn't know was there. I am going to try that next time. I heard it was good stuff.

I use meguiars also... I'm happy with it... I have tried 15 buck for a bottle waxes and was not happy... I even had one wax damage my paint on my firebird... heres from a few days ago with meguiars...

Yup, Meguires! Great stuff.

used maguires, just finished... looks good!

thanks

Oh - any ideas for getting wax off rubber trim??? oops.....

I'm a Zaino fan myself. Kind of a pain to apply the first time around, but the stuff last FOREVER and looks great...Here is a link to some NSK's dude site where he tested a few waxes...Interesting info!

http://www.nsxsc.com/nsexcitement/waxtest.html

Here's a link to the Zaino Website...Not a whole lot of frills, but the guy knows his stuff.

www.zainobros.com

I'd follow the instructions they have on their site.

http://www.zainobros.com/files/application.htm

Wash w/ Dawn to get all previous waxes off, then use a clay bar to get any impurities out of the paint. From there, I guess use the wax of your preference..

Damn, I feel like friggin Zaino rep...I promise I'm not...:)...Just like the stuff...YMMV

trkmedic69 Oh - any ideas for getting wax off rubber trim??? oops.....


I have heard... and tried it once... had pretty good results... to
use one of those white erasers...

zaino has very good mouth to mouth representation..

I would buy it.. but its expensive... good polish...

Bump up!