Best Wax/Polish for Shelby GT350

[Fstanbrough]

I just purchased at 2016 Shelby GT350 that is absolutely beautiful. I am looking for advice anyone may have related to the best wax/polish that I should use on the car. Also, any suggestions on a car wash gel/soap for hand washing the car. Lastly, how often do you recommend waxing/polishing the car.

 

Thank you, in advance, for providing me with your suggestions,

FS

[twobjshelbys]

I have used the following ritual on 2xShelby GT, a CSX Cobra and my Ford GT:

 

First, at some point when you decide to re-wax after the factory application has degraded. Or wait a year or so, Then:

 

Use a clay bar over the entire surface. You can use the clay bar on vinyl but you MUST move the bar from vinyl to paint or you will get the clay under the edge transition of the stripe. Use any detailing spray with the clay bar. Almost all will bundle theirs with the bar but after it is gone I found I like the Turtle Wax Ice detailer spray best.

 

After the entire car is clay barred use the detailer spray to clean everything up.

 

Then apply two coats of Turtle Wax Ice paste. Use the paste. Do not use the liquid in this step. The beauty of the Turtle Wax product is that you can use it on the plastic parts like splitter, front grille parts, etc. without leaving a residue. Applying it liberally to these parts make it so much easier to remove dead bug goo later on.

 

After the ice is applied wipe everything down one more time with spray detailer. This will help remove any final swirls.

 

 

Spot cleaning is best done with the detailer. If you need to wash it use the turtle wax wash as it does not break down the wax.

 

Then maybe once or twice during the season use the Ice liquid "wax" AFTER A GOOD WASH AND CLEANUP WITH DETAILER. The liquid wax will restore what is lost during the washings/detailings.

 

This process/material should last you a full year. I would, in the spring, then wash the car with harsh (yes, really) dishwasher soap to remove all of the wax and start over (with clay bar). Lather, rinse, repeat.

 

Also, if you have a black or dark colored car, as the third (ie, after two years) get a professional detailer to buff and polish. The above process will leave behind some "microscratches" but I found them to be OK for two years worth. That said, black paint and OCD are mutually exclusive. My wife will not let me have a black (or dark blue or british racing green) car again.

 

P.S. The so called "California dusters" are almost your worst enemy. If you're cleaning after arriving at a car show a spray detailer and a well worn very soft microfiber towel is better and will not leave the microscratches as bad as the duster.

Edited April 14, 2017 by twobjshelbys

[Adam Campbell]

I use various products from:

 

Chemical Guys (butter wax,Inner Clean, Diablo)

Adams (In & Out Spray)

Meguires

Griots

Mothers

[SicShelby]

I just purchased at 2016 Shelby GT350 that is absolutely beautiful. I am looking for advice anyone may have related to the best wax/polish that I should use on the car. Also, any suggestions on a car wash gel/soap for hand washing the car. Lastly, how often do you recommend waxing/polishing the car.

 

Thank you, in advance, for providing me with your suggestions,

FS

 

Congrats on your new GT350!

 

I think you're going to find quite a few different preferences when it comes to detailing your ride, and that's what it will eventually come down to - what you prefer.

 

I'll echo the "care" steps twobjshelbys posted.

 

If you're looking to just maintain what you have, do that - wash with two buckets (one soap, one for rinsing the mit after you wash) and Dawn dish soap to remove everything that is on there. Clay the car, then wash again.

 

Once you've done that, you're down to the bare base of the paint and clear coat.

 

I use a sealant to give the paint that initial "shell" of protection, then a glaze to "magnify" the paint, then a nice carnuba wax to really bring out the paint.

 

Depending on how much you drive the car, I would do that at least once a year (for just a summer fun car).

 

If you do that process, buy a good car wash soap, don't use the Dawn.

 

I get my products from Detailed Image. Many will recommend Adams, Meguiars, etc. They are all good poducts. This is what I use:

 

Clay bar http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Accessories-M12/Gentle-Fine-Grade-Clay-P347/200-g-S1/

Sealant http://www.detailedimage.com/Blackfire-M32/Wet-Diamond-P205/16-oz-S1/

Glaze (I use Chemical Guys EZ-cream glaze, but looks like they are moving on to better alternatives) http://www.detailedimage.com/Chemical-Guys-M31/Black-Light-Hybrid-Radiant-Finish-P529/16-oz-S1/

Carnuba Wax http://www.detailedimage.com/P21S-M14/Concours-Carnauba-Wax-P83/62-oz-S1/

 

Happy detailing!

[twobjshelbys]

The process is what you need and almost every e uses the same process. The choice of what products you use is a wash (pun intended). The stuff you buy at walmart esp turtle wax performed as well as vanity products that cost 3 4 or even 5x as much. Some argue they last longer but if you stay on the cycle I described then it doesn't matter since turtle wax lasts longer than the one year I described. I did the same process on my truck but didn't renew and it worked the same after 2 years if all outside parking as it did the first day. I haven't done it since because it took two days. Trucks have lots of surface area

[twobjshelbys]

Dawn or other detergents are only for use before claybar. If you want a regular wash I use the turtle was wash and follow up with spray detailed to get rid if the swirls from the wash and dry that are left behind. Then use liquid wax after that on every 2nd or 3rd wash.

 

Note that what we call wax in most cases is technically a polish. MMost polishes are ok on plastic parts and won't leave a residue. If you are in certain then try a small spot but I used the turtle wax everywhere even on vinyl stripes. I assert that is part if the reason my stripes didn't fade

[Secondo]

I won't be surprised if the guy wants to sell his car after reading all this.

[Frank S]

The process is what you need and almost every e uses the same process. The choice of what products you use is a wash (pun intended). The stuff you buy at walmart esp turtle wax performed as well as vanity products that cost 3 4 or even 5x as much...

Sure, and it's true: Most products that have been around a while will do the job quite well. For the amount of time you (might) spend using them, you should be certain you like their contribution to the working environment. I'm talking about odors: Pick a product that pleases your olfactory sense. So far, I like the Meguiar stuff, a little sweeter and less chemical-like than most others I've tried.

[SicShelby]

I won't be surprised if the guy wants to sell his car after reading all this.

 

[Fstanbrough]

Thank you to all of you that commented on my question. It is greatly appreciated and I found it to be very useful. I will be off to the store first thing in the am to pick up the supplies.

 

Thank you again,

FS

[Carnut12]

I've always been a Zaino Brothers fan.

 

That said I'm now older and have young kids, time is short, so I use a good detailer.

 

I highly recommend having a professional clean up the paint and apply one of the new coatings (Ceramic Pro/C-Quartz/Opti-coat are a few), that is the route I take now, technology has far surpassed the days of waxing multiple times a year.

 

Good luck!!!

[07gt500conv]

[Fstanbrough]

Everyone,

 

Thank you again for the great advice.

 

One final question - what is the primary difference between the detailer and spray waxes?

 

Thank you,

Frank

 

[mhr1961]

Everyone,

 

Thank you again for the great advice.

 

One final question - what is the primary difference between the detailer and spray waxes?

 

Thank you,

Frank

 

Shelby #2.JPG

[mhr1961]

The differences will depend on the brand but basically the detailer will have more lubricant to facilitate cleaning with some wax boosting effect. The spray wax is more for boosting the existing wax coat. Like every other topic you are going to get different answers. I mainly have used Meguiars product on my 2008 Shelby GT and the paint and stripes still look like new even after 30,000+ miles.

Edited April 20, 2017 by mhr1961

[Gasman12289]

Menzerna products from autogeek.net is the best stuff out there. I detailed cars for 15 yrs and hands down it is the best!!!

[Techsan]

Well if you want an additional 2 cents of advise. Look at Chadwick's Triple Play. By far the best in my opinion. I haven't washed my car in over a year (and it's black) and the shine is as deep as anyone out there. Look at the link below and explore the site. I didn't believe it until a buddy of mine with a Shelby GT tried it and I was sold.

 

https://chadwickstripleplay.com/