[pknowles]

I need some advice about protecting the paint on my Camaro. Since I autocross my car a lot, I'm way more concerned about using a product that protects my paint from greasy tar like cone marks then getting that ultimate shine like the waxers want. Right now I polish and wax my car with Meguiars 3 step using mainly steps 2 and 3 and I do that twice a year. I love the way it looks but it seems to hold up for about 2 months depending on conditions, but I'm way too lazy to wax my car more then twice a year. Cone marks and dirt easily wash off up to about 4-6 weeks after waxing, but after that time frame, marks are stubborn to get off.

I really don't want a show car shine but I want to know if some of these products like Zaino or 5 star shine work the way I want them to work? I.E. protect the finish of the car without having to put it on more then once or twice a year. If I could get a product to really work for 6 months or even a year, then I'm willing to pay extra for it.

Have you guys tried these products and how did they work? And yes I feel stupid for asking a question like this.

This post has been edited by pknowles: Apr 6 2008, 02:33 AM

[00 SS]

WD-40 kicks ass on cone marks. I've used this before as well. For removing any old wax, I've always just washed the car with dish soap. It will strip most any wax or polish in one washing. Then I use the claybar in the problem areas. I only go to these extremes once a year. Otherwise, I just wash (with car soap) and add a layer of Z5.

I ruined a paint job when I was a teenager using dish soap to wash the car regularly, so I know haw hard it is on wax and paint. Don't use it unless you intend to strip all protection off the paint.