sphereman

Hello.

My brother has a 99 GS400 in BLACK. The car is in mint condition but the paint needs some 'care'. I have never waxed a car before (neither has my brother). And this car has never been waxed. I don't know where to start.

Can I just wash the car and wax it?? I've done search and there were too many threads about waxing. It was almost confusing.

What is the difference between polishing and waxing?? Maybe the same thing??

Experts!! Please help. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.

By the way, I might try Zaino products.

Daddy-O

When it comes to car care, I agree that the usage of the term polish can be confusing. It is used incorrectly by some Manufacturers.

Sure, you can just wash it and wax it. I would recommend a couple other steps...Cleaning and Glazing. Fortunately, you can do this with one product, S100 Shine-enhancing Cleanser.

Call your local Harley-Davidson shop. Ask them if they carry S100 Carnauba Wax and S100 Shine-enhancing Cleanser. These two products will cost about $25 USD *(total) and will last through dozens of applications.

The S100 Shine-enhancing Cleanser will clean and glaze the surface of the paint. It improves surface gloss by removing old wax, minor spotting and swirl lines before waxing. The thick, rich, cream wipes on and buffs off with an absolute minimum of effort. You don't need to use this product everytime you wax.

Finish up with the S100 carnauba wax. There's virtually no chalky, powder residues and it won't stain rubber, plastic, or vinyl trim moldings. It is the easiest wax I've ever applied and buffed off. Because you don't allow it dry to a haze, it's also the quickest.

Oh, it happens to be the best looking wax i've ever used, too.
You will love this stuff.


Zaino makes fine products. People love them and there's no denying the results. My only reservation regarding Zaino products is that you're locked in to using them. You cannot really use other wax/glaze products on your paint once you have gone Zaino. Otherwise you have to remove these products before you reapply Zaino...Not that this practice is bad, IMO, it's just restricting.

Good luck.

sphereman

Daddy-O, thank you so much!!! you are really cool.

a couple of more questions (i am really a dumb when it comes to washing/waxing car )

1. what exactly is buffing (does it just mean using a machine)??
2. what kind of cloth to use for waxing and polishing??
3. how do you know if your car has a clear coat or not (generally)?
Thanks again!

Daddy-O

Buffing, in this case, means to remove the excess wax. This is done easily by hand, particularly with a quality 100% terrycloth or microfiber (MF) towel. I use PakShak MF towels. A great product with a geat proice thanks to the ClubLexus Discount.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=59305

I apply polishes and glaze with a terrycloth applicator. Foam applicators can squeak terribly on the clean paint. Get these at any auto store or auto department.

I apply wax with a foam applicator. These are available at auto stores, too. I buy Meguiar's applicators from WalMart 2/$1.67. S100 comes with it's own applicator sponge.

Rub a little of the paint cleanser on the finish, if some paint color comes off on the applicator, it's probably not clearcoated. 202 Black Lexus is not clearcoated. Your white Lexus is, though.

Get that s100...You'll be glad you did. Good luck.

sphereman

Daddy-O, called a harly davidson dealer nearby but they don't carry s100s. any other store or dealer might have them??

also, do you need to wash the car between each step (for example, cleanser, WASH, polish, WASH and wax?)??

if i can't find the s100 products, i am thinking of doing the mcguires 3 step products (paint cleaner, polish, carunba wax). have you used these before??

thanks.

Daddy-O

Megiar's make fine products. I use them regularly. Their 3-step products are great.

S100 is just so easy to use and beautiful to behold. I was just trying to save a step, as their cleanser performs dual-duty. I've only seen it at Harley shops. Call around some more. You will be glad you did.

You can order it online. Just search on the term "S100 Wax".

Steps
1. Wash
2 Clean paint
3. Polish or Glaze
4. Wax


Call around some more:

California Harley-Davidson/Buell
1517 Pacific Coast Highway
Harbor City, CA, USA 90710
(310)539-3366
(310)539-4848 (fax)
http://www.californiaharley.com


Bartels' Harley-Davidson/Buell
4141 Lincoln Blvd.
Marina Del Rey, CA, USA 90292
(310)823-1112
(310)823-0889 (fax)
http://www.bartels-hd.com


Los Angeles Harley-Davidson, Inc.
13300 Paramount Blvd.
South Gate, CA, USA 90280
(562)408-6088
(562)633-1919 (fax)
http://www.laharley-davidson.com


Harley-Davidson of Westminster, Inc.
13031 Golden West Street
Westminster, CA, USA 92683
(714)893-6274
(714)891-9658 (fax)
http://www.hdwest.com


Harley-Davidson/Buell of Glendale
3717 San Fernando Road
Glendale, CA, USA 91204
(818)246-5618
(818)246-5785 (fax)
http://www.glendaleharley.com/


Hollywood Harley-Davidson/Buell
1000 Universals Studio Blvd.
Suite V112
Universal City, CA, USA 91608
(818)754-6200
(818)754-6203 (fax)
http://www.hollywoodharley.com

Harley-Davidson Anaheim-Fullerton
2635 W Orangethorpe Avenue
Fullerton, CA, USA 92833
(714)871-6563
(714)871-0718 (fax)
http://www.harleyfullerton.com/homea.htm


Van Nuys Harley-Davidson
7630 Van Nuys Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA, USA 91405
(818)989-2230
(818)989-9856 (fax)
http://www.vannuysharley.com


Laidlaws Harley-Davidson/Buell Sales, Inc.
1919 Puente Avenue
Baldwin Park, CA, USA 91706
(626) 851-0412
(626) 851-8652 (fax)
http://www.laidlawsharley.com


Barger Harley-Davidson
22107 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, CA, USA 91303
(818)999-3355
(818)9993434 (fax)
http://www.BargerHarley-Davidson.com


Orange County Harley-Davidson/Buell
8677 Research Drive
Irvine, CA, USA 92618
(949)727-4464
(949)655-0030 (fax)
http://www.ocharleydavidson.com/


Pomona Valley Harley-Davidson/Buell
8710 Central Avenue
Montclair, CA, USA 91763
(909)981-9500
(909)706-4501 (fax)
http://www.pvhd.com/

sphereman

THANKS!!!
You are the coolest moderator EVER!
I will definitely buy S100 as you recommened. YOU ROCK!

sphereman

these S100 can be used on both clear-coated paint and regular paint??

Daddy-O

Yes, clearcoat...Non-clearcoat,. No problem

I even use it on my riding mower.

Here's a pic of my RX 300 hood.
https://www.clublexus.com/photo1/sho...php?photo=7653

sphereman

Daddy-O, One last question and won't bother you any more

Since my bro's car has never been waxed before, he also wants to do claying thingy. Is this recommended? I've heard claying will make paint surface very smooth to work on.

Which product to use?
S100s can be used after claying??

Thanks so much.

Daddy-O

Claying removes contaminants. Claying also removes wax.

Clay after washing and wash again after claying to remove any clay residue.

Test if you need to clay by slipping your hand into a baggie and lightly feeling the paint. If it feels bumpy, then clay. If it feels smooth, don't, because the Paint cleanser will clean most of what the clay will get.

Here's an informational clay link:
http://www.properautocare.com/rempainconov.html

Distilled version:
1. Wash your vehicle. No need to dry it
2. Cut the clay bar into a manageable size. I use a 50g portion of clay.
3. Place the remainder of the clean, unused clay in a ziptop baggie.
4. Flatten the clay so it fits under 2-3 fingers. See attached pic.
5. Spray the lube onto a 3’ x 3’ section.
6. Rub the clay bar over the area. Don't drop it.
7. When the clay bar looks dirty, fold it to expose clean clay.
8. If you feel/see the clay sticking, spray more lube as needed.
9. When that work area feels smooth, wipe off excess lube with a clean dry towel
10. Move on and repeat steps 5 through 9.
11. Re-wash the entire vehicle with car shampoo.
12. Dry entire vehicle.
13. Apply polish/glaze.
14 Apply wax/sealant.
15. Stand back and drool

sphereman

DADDy-O. called around but no luck.
gotta order them online. did a search but couldn't find where to order online. can you help?
thanks.

Daddy-O

Here's the best prices for S100 products online.

http://www.suburbanharley.com

Just search on the term... S100

Shipping will be less than $6. So your total for S100 wax ands S100 Cleanser will be under $27...Not bad.

sphereman

just ordered s100s from them, thanks!

also, some MF towels from Ranney. thanks for this too!!

can't wait.

Daddy-O

Dude,

You are set! Post up some pics when you're done.