I would like to find one that does a decent job, isn't gritty and does a good job of hiding the swirl marks in the paint.

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1997 XLT Teal 4.6L Flareside 4x4 ORP. Automatic, Reg. cab, 3.55LS, tinted windows, bug deflector, Dual exhaust, K&N Generation 2 air filter, BullDog keyless entry/remote start(installed myself), Modern 16" wheels, bedliner, Covercraft tonneau cover, White faced gauges, electronic shift on the fly, Clarion ADX5655z Double Din Cassette & CD, 4 Pioneer TS-A6865 speakers and superchip. Going to add headers.

 

http://www.meguiars.com/
Zaino is great also, the Z5 does a good job with fine scratches. I use Zaino on my vehicles but Meguiars on customers autos. I have to wait 6 hours between coats of Zaino, and I myself do not believe it lasts as long as the #26 Carnuba yellow paste.

 

yes, meguiars all the way. ive always used it, and always will. if you dont like it, your just plain nuts.

 

ME, mudder, biged, ss97ford, and alot of the texaschapter guys use Zaino. its great stuff

 

A couple of years ago, I changed over to the lineup from Mequires.... body cleaner, polish and wax...... gold class. Makes my red show off well. I use an obital and usually polish with a lambs wool bonnet.

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1997 XLT Supercab, 2wd flareside.
Very bright RED.
Exterior mods:
4x4 bumper and fogs.
Stull Billet, bladerunner, Hyper lites, pro-beam covers.
Bugshield, window tints, vent visors.
Pirelli S/T Scorpions, gas shocks, 2 inch drop, slash duals.

Interior mods: Audio System
Clarion 9375, 12 disc changer.
Amps: Rockford Fosgate Power 500, Soundstream 364.
Sub: Single 12" RF HE2 under rear seat that was raised 4 inches.
Sats: Front; Diamond Audio Hex s500.
Rear; JBL 6" mids and MA Audio silk tweets.

 

Hooooo, boy! Here we go again. Asking what wax is best is like asking a Good Ole Boy which beer is best. You're gonna get 20 different answers, and they're all pretty much correct. Let's take a different angle. If you're using a good wax (and there ARE many) the results will depend on how well you've prepared your surface, and how well you apply it. Personally, I've pitched my Meguiar's and Turtle waxes and use Blitz Wax exclusively (and Erazer Clay and Acrylic sealer products, and Meguiars "Final Inspection). I'm completely satisfied with this combination of products. Undoubtedly, there are other combinations, equally good, such as Meguiars and Zaino. Some swear by Zymol, but I found that wax too "fussy" to use and has this odd greasy base that I'm at a loss to term properly; and it's expensive as hell.
Check this out:
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/

 

meguiars with a mothers gold clay bar.those babys work!!!!
Jim

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97 4x4 ORP 4.6l
flareside supercab
rear blackouts
westin step bars(black)
side window louvers
lund shadow wiper cowel
true duals 5 in tips
k&n F.I.P.K
17in' wheels 265/70 Bridgestone dueler A/T's
ventshades
tinted windows 5%


[IMG]Dscf0024.jpg[/IMG]

www.f150world.com/southernthunder

 

Zaino, nothing beats Zaino. No swirls here. If you could see my truck and person and touch the paint, you would swear I have the nicest black paint job around.

------------------

Patrick aka Mudder or MR.Daylighter of Arlington Texas (D/FW), member of the Texas Chapter club DAYLIGHTER edition F150 ®, Black 98 S/S S/C F150 4x4 0RP 5.4 V8 3.55ls, 4" Rancho suspension lift with RS 5000 shocks, Ramsey Pro 8000 hidden winch, Grizzly roll bar, Superwhite Bulbs, 2 Baja back up lights, 2 KC 57 Series 5x7 100 watt long range lights, 2 KC 55 watt fog lights (all-season kit) 10 165 watt KC Daylighters, 2 chrome, 4 Stainless, 4 black ( with 4,214,000 candlepower total, I come alive at night), Manik grill guard, Westin step bars, Rhino Taillight guards, Magnum bug shield, Sonic aluminum treadplate 36" tool box, Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust, Airaid High Flow system, Lighted Ford logo on tailgate, 285/75/16 BFG AT/S KO, American Racing Baja wheels, Pro Comp headlight blackouts, Red Top Optima battery, personalized plates, Cobra 18WXST CB radio with 3' whip antenna, Escort Laser/Radar detector, Nokia cell phone, a Mobil Speed Pass on the back window, 3 F150World stickers, a Texas Chapter of F150World.com sticker, a BIG WHITE scrip KC sticker on the back window and a DAYLIGHTER sticker on the front windshield, and yes, I also have been infected with the infamous door crack. More to come for the Daylighter: JBA headers, superchip, 1 more Daylighter for the front, 2 KC reverse Lights, PIAA fog lights to match head lights, tint, BFG 295 AT/s. If you would like to see pics, email me at Mudder@TexasChapter.com
Also the Moderator of the Ford Trucks vs. GM trucks and Ford trucks forum over on fordvschevy.com so check it out.

Also check out www.F150World.com/Mudder

See all my pics at my zing.com site: http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4294059243

 

No doubt in my mind that you've got a bee-you-teeful finish on your truck, mudder.....But never say "Nothing beats xxxx". Ain't true. There's LOTS of excellent products to use out there. If you looked at my Blitz'd black clear coat.... with a shine, depth and appearance so wet-looking.......and blew on the hood, you'd cause ripples!

 

I use Meguiars gold class swirl reducer first then their gold class wax afterwards. Not a swirl to be found on my truck.

------------------
1999 Brt Red XLT F-150 Ext Cab Flareside Sport pkg:4.6L, 3.55 gears, keyless entry, cd, tinted windows, K&N, Gibson Super Truck,Superchip,
Ventshade wind deflectors,Herculiner, Lund X-terminator bugshield, Kenwood Speakers, CDC front fascia w/fog lights

 

I wash my truck a lot and quite often go further with a good polish or wax. There's a lot of products out there that have "the good stuff" in'em. "Good stuff" meaning whatever you need to accomplish what you need to. The clay bars some mentioned are certainly a step that takes time but is worth it if you need to remove the "barbs" you feel when you run your hand over a clean truck. Personally I use Meguires Body Scrub with an orbital mostly in the spring and fall and anytime I notice any roughness. But anything that keeps the rough stuff off your paint is a must.
I've used a lot of different polishes and find several to be very good. Mequires Gold is my current choice. Now it gets down to preferences..... Clearcoats are paint but not in the sense of the word. "Paint" with color has pigments which, according to color, degrade over time. Clearcoats have solved most of the problems inherent to "paints" by coating them with clear protection. I'll save yall the techie stuff but clearcoats are not pigmented and don't "have" to be waxed although it doesn't hurt them. A good clean and polish is required though. Now, those of us who love to spend time with our "pride and Joy" do add a wax job on top of everything else. No hurt but very little gain.
DOI is "eye of the beholder". Swirl removers are great for darker colors but the same results can usually be had by letting wax or polish dry, remove it and then apply a second coat and remove while it is wet. You'll be amazed at the resulting DOI.
To sum up all I've said, removing contaminants from the surface is the most important step in taking care of your "paint". Get you a clay bar or some non-abrasive clearcoat cleaner and you'll find everythng else goes on and comes off much easier with great results.



------------------
1997 XLT Supercab, 2wd flareside.
Very bright RED.
Exterior mods:
4x4 bumper and fogs.
Stull Billet, bladerunner, Hyper lites, pro-beam covers.
Bugshield, window tints, vent visors.
Pirelli S/T Scorpions, gas shocks, 2 inch drop, slash duals.

Interior mods: Audio System
Clarion 9375, 12 disc changer.
Amps: Rockford Fosgate Power 500, Soundstream 364.
Sub: Single 12" RF HE2 under rear seat that was raised 4 inches.
Sats: Front; Diamond Audio Hex s500.
Rear; JBL 6" mids and MA Audio silk tweets.

 

ZAINO!
www.zainobros.com

------------------
2001 F150 Lariat SuperCrew White Leather 4x4 w/slappin 5.4L V8 3.55LS
Class III Tow Pkg w/1.02 Radiator
Sliding rear window
6 CD changer
Mods
Huskey Liners
Westin Steps
Michelin LTX M/S 17"
-------------------------
1999 Epedition XLT White Leather 5.4 4x4 3.73 6 CD changer Class III Tow Pkg W/2.00 Radiator Michelin LTX M/S 17"
-------------------------
2000 Camaro SS LS1 M-6 Hurst Convertable Leather 6 Cd Changer
Mods
SLP Stainless Exhaust
NO RAIN...

 

Mudder -

Are you up for a challenge to se who has the best black paint around???

I use Zaino, too...

------------------
VENOM 99

• Y2K F-150 SuperCab XLT 4x4
• 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS ORP, Trailer Tow
• Extang BlackMax tonneau
• BedRug
• Alpine CDM-7857 CD/Receiver
• Cobra 18 WX ST Weatherband CB Radio
• envious of those with the chrome steel 5-spoke factory wheels

www.students.uiuc.edu/~cellariu

 

For ease of use and a long lasting, Maguire's Cleaner/Wax. Consumer Reports found it to top the charts over others especaily how long it lasts. I also use the Deep Crystal I think it's called and their Carnuba then in between the #34 Finishing spray. That also is great for cleaning bird poop and bugs. Not that it cuts it, but it's a liquid and polishes that spot protecting the paint.

For bad scratches/swirls, #2 but be gentle. If I do the whole shabang, I finish off with #7. Now it's a pain to use, but once you've waxed, take #7 inside a soft terry rag and let the oils come through and use that. You can use the #7 as intended but I've found you better be ready to polish like crazy or have a good buffer. Also, I usually start with the claner wax, an then do the carnuba, Deep Crystal or #7 becuause it makes it much easier as well.

Now the confesion, I haven't even waxed my Expy yet. I did my Jeep once a month but this Expy is too big and with a child now, time is invaluable. I've done my wifes Volvo but it's really easy compared to the thought of the Expy. I do use a good car wash soap (Turtle Wax or others) so it still beads water since I've been easy on it. I aslo believe deeply in that the number #1 thing whether you wax or not, is to keep it clean, and clean it right! That will keep the finish like new.

Sorry, I made a double Latte and I'm peaking on my caffine high.....

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2000 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION 4x2

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!
• Airaid FIPK
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust
• Hellwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
• Xenon Super White Head and Driving Lights
• Clear Corners
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!
• Front Polyurethane Anti-Sway Bar Bushings Shipped
• Edelbrock IAS Shocks Ordered

-->Come share my Addiction<--