newb questions

[ImpalaMike]

Hey everyone, A friend of mine recommended that I check out this site and i'm glad I did. I am a newb when it comes down to detailing cars. I thought that I knew alot until I started reading these forums. Talk about a wealth of knowledge!! I feell overwhelmed. I have been showing cars at car shows for 16 years and i'm 32 now. I have always used Meguiars but I am wanting to step it up. I am looking forward to learning a lot from the site.

I am looking to make my first purchases from Autogeek but I am very overwhelmed as far as what I actually need. I thought I knew a lot until getting on here. Please excuse my ignorance.

1st. I am trying to find a good sealer/wax combo for my daily driver. It's a 2009 Crystal White Pearl Mazdaspeed 3. The car is kept outdoors.

car wash: Meguiars Gold class shampoo and conditioner
clay Bar: Meguiars G1016 Smooth Surface bar
Meguiars #7 show car glaze
Meguiars #26 Hi tech yellow wax
Meguiars #34 Final Inspection quick detailer

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/solkid/Mazdaspeed/DSC01445.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/solkid/Mazdaspeed/DSC01447.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/solkid/Mazdaspeed/DSC01448.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/solkid/Mazdaspeed/DSC01446.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/solkid/Mazdaspeed/DSC01444.jpg

I am looking for something that will give the paint more pop and a wow factor, I also want to metallic to really pop out. I also want it to be durable since the car is a daily driver and it's kept outside.

Next is my 1964 Chevy Impala. Car is a #'s matching original car with only 54,000 miles on it. It has a factory color on it that was a special order color and I haven't found a wax, sealer combo I have been happy with. It may be because it's just a single stage paint and it won't have the results I would like. The Impala is garaged kept and isn't driven very often.

I use the same cleaners and wax as the Mazda.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/solkid/Impala%20Pics/DSC00143a.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/solkid/Impala%20Pics/IMG_21541.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/solkid/Casper%202010/DSC00817.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/solkid/Casper%202010/DSC00813.jpg


I would like to get some input as to what I should try. I realize both cars have entirely different paint. Ideally I would like to have some products that could be used on both cars with only the waxes being different. Maybe a wax designed for white cars and pearl cars for the mazda and a wax for the Impala that would give it a nicer shine. Both cars have a metallic paint.

As far as application goes, I do it all by hand. Eventually I might look into a electric polisher but not right now.

Now for the kicker. I would like to stay under $50.00 for the wax and sealer combo. Should I try something new or stck to what I have been using?

[Matt S.]

There are a few ways to go if you want to keep it under $50.

If you want something that will bring out metallics, look dripping wet, and be quite durable, go with Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant. You don't have to top this with a wax - 2 coats of the sealant and you'll be good to go.

Then there's DP....for just over $50 you can have DP Poli Coat (very durable sealant) and DP Max Wax which is considered a "hidden gem" and a great bang for the buck.

Either way you go, you'll be very satisfied with the results. The paint looks great on both vehicles, so you shouldn't need much in terms of prep (and wouldn't want to anyways if you're working by hand).

Using Wolfgang alone will be much much easier, but DP is still a great combo if you want to go the 2-step route.

[Dr Oldz]

Try some Collinite 845 for the mazda....$15 bucks and you will be soooo happy with it. As far as the single stage paint....it looks awesome and if it never sees rain , I would just use the number 7 the day of the show and you are set! Matt's suggestion is also good. U will find many many opinions here on this site because they sell so many good products. Welcome to AG and thanks for sharing your pics!

[ImpalaMike]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I would like to hear a few more opinions before making my decision and pulling the trigger on something

[ROMEO]

What about some Menz power lock and top it with p21 100??

[ImpalaMike]

thanks for the advice

[BobbyG]

Menzerna Power Lock Paint Sealer
Collinite 845 wax

[basicabe]

just stumbled upon this thread - gorgeous photos.