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Hey. I'm new to this group and just bought a new 09' Cobalt. I was wondering what do you guys apply on your cars to still make it feel new. I asked for my friend's opinion and he said I should try car waxes from Yourautomaster as they're really good for old cars because they make the car look new again. Would be great if someone approved of this.
Last edited by spencerfoster; Oct 28, 2020 at 04:24 AM.
I'd start with a good wash, iron decontamination, and clay bar. Certain waxes will only cover some minor imperfections, getting the paint surface clean before application will greatly improve the results.
In all honesty if you're just looking for a good protection for the DFW sun, I'd lean towards a quality sealant from Turtle Wax or Meguiar's. There certainly are more boutique solutions, and probably some products might perform better in some aspects, but for the money and effort something like Turtle Wax Ice Seal n Shine or Meguiar's Fast Finish are hard to beat.
I haven't tried any of CG's waxes or sealants, just their odor remover/new car smell and their fabric protector. I've been pretty pleased with the performance of both.
Do what Ecaulk said. Do a good, thorough clean, and then apply a paste wax. Then after that just use a spray wax or something like Beadmaker as a drying aide whenever you wash it.
Also, remember that no wax or sealant is going to remove imperfections or swirls, at best it will hide them a bit.
If you want flawless paint, have the car detailed or polish it yourself. Case in point, this 12 year old Cobalt posted on facebook this week with 172,000 miles on it after a professional detail (not my car):
I've always enjoyed Sonax stuff (their wheel cleaner is phenomenal), but I've never really gotten too deep into exterior love of the car. I typically don't have the patience for it.
BUT, I might try your recommendation ECaulk. My S5 and my SS both need it.
Originally Posted by colodude18
Also, remember that no wax or sealant is going to remove imperfections or swirls, at best it will hide them a bit.
If you want flawless paint, have the car detailed or polish it yourself. Case in point, this 12 year old Cobalt posted on facebook this week with 172,000 miles on it after a professional detail (not my car):
PICTURES
Black LNF with purple Brembos in California? I wonder if that's Rissa's old car.
I've always enjoyed Sonax stuff (their wheel cleaner is phenomenal), but I've never really gotten too deep into exterior love of the car. I typically don't have the patience for it.
BUT, I might try your recommendation ECaulk. My S5 and my SS both need it.
Black LNF with purple Brembos in California? I wonder if that's Rissa's old car.
I was wondering if I should buy a couple of test parts from a local scrap yard and see how easy/hard it was for me to do some minor paint correction, or just simply take it to a detailer and have them do it.
I was wondering if I should buy a couple of test parts from a local scrap yard and see how easy/hard it was for me to do some minor paint correction, or just simply take it to a detailer and have them do it.
Funny enough, I was considering doing something similar, but mainly to grab fenders for my GF to practice stripping, sanding, and painting on. Fenders are $37/ea at our local Pick-n-Pull.
Wouldn't be a bad idea get a hood, mask it off into thirds, and practice different products, methods, etc.
I've always enjoyed Sonax stuff (their wheel cleaner is phenomenal), but I've never really gotten too deep into exterior love of the car. I typically don't have the patience for it.
BUT, I might try your recommendation ECaulk. My S5 and my SS both need it.
Black LNF with purple Brembos in California? I wonder if that's Rissa's old car.
The Ice stuff works damn well, and it's sooooo freaking easy to apply and remove. Leaves the finish so slick and will last 6+ months, but it's easy enough you can do it monthly.
I had forgotten about Rissa's car until you mentioned it, decent chance it is.
Originally Posted by ProfDNS
I was wondering if I should buy a couple of test parts from a local scrap yard and see how easy/hard it was for me to do some minor paint correction, or just simply take it to a detailer and have them do it.
If you don't start with compound and a rotary you will have a very hard time actually damaging your paint. Now if the car has been cheaply re-sprayed, that might show up quicker and require additional attention, but that is not a failure at polishing its a failure of the paint job.
If you don't start with compound and a rotary you will have a very hard time actually damaging your paint. Now if the car has been cheaply re-sprayed, that might show up quicker and require additional attention, but that is not a failure at polishing its a failure of the paint job.
I was planning on picking up a da from Harbour Freight. I watched several videos on technique, but I'm not confident with my skills lol
Whats the worst than can happen with a rotary polisher? I bought this terribly neglected carbon hood, before and after using polishing compound and a Flex polisher!
Whats the worst than can happen with a rotary polisher?
Burn through the clear coat.
If you don't know what you're doing it's pretty easy to get buffer trails in the paint too, which can be removed by a DA but is an additional step if it wasn't being planned on.
Whats the worst than can happen with a rotary polisher? I bought this terribly neglected carbon hood, before and after using polishing compound and a Flex polisher!
Also, remember that no wax or sealant is going to remove imperfections or swirls, at best it will hide them a bit.
If you want flawless paint, have the car detailed or polish it yourself. Case in point, this 12 year old Cobalt posted on facebook this week with 172,000 miles on it after a professional detail (not my car):
