JDN

Or maybe every six months. RejeX just keeps on shining, feeling slick, and bubbling water.

Ray Hull

With today's paints, and clear coats, I think frequent washing and polishing is more important than waxing. I've gotten lazy over the past few years, having a silver E39 that, except for tar spot removal, didn't show much of my efforts. Now that I am back to black, I'll probably try to be more diligent at polishing

My polishing routine has been limited to spring and fall with an electric buffer machine, and a Simonize (I think) two-stage liguid polish and sealant. I apply them with a great deal of care (as not to burn paint on edges, etc.).

Bottomline to me is: Polish more often and, if you want, have the "wax" applied at the carwash. I gave up on the carnuba grind decades ago; hope they've gotten it so that you don't have to use a chisel to get it off anymore.

I also like Maguires products and use their liquid polish and touch-up spray on my bike, below at its 40K milestone.

Cheers,
Ray Hull

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/2541612-lg.jpg

converted2bmw

It's very hard to wax (or polish) ones car here in the UK as the weather is almost always too cold, too wet or too dark, so I don't touch the wax normally till, at the earliest the first sunny weekend in Feb/March, which you might have to wait until April/May for!

And then in the summer the sun is too hot for polishing, well washing as well because the water just dries before you can wipe the car down and leaves streaks and water marks everywhere.... damn it. It's impossible, i don't bother really unless im in the mood and the weather is right.

Spartacus_33

Ray,

The new carnubas apply like butter..... and come off very easily....... no more grind. I'm speaking specifically of Pinnacle, but I've heard the same for PS2.

tachyon

I applied 5-6 coats of Zaino on the car when I first got it. I've refreshed it with a new coat or two every 4-5 weeks.

At the six month mark I expect to put down another 4-5 coats (spring cleaning!).

Ricracing

Waxing always wears down the paint a bit.
Just look at your waxing cloth, it has the color of your car.

So in my meaning it's not good for the paint to wax it all the time.

A couple of times a year should do it.

Ray Hull

That's interesting as I always heard that there was no such thing as "soft" carnuba--the stuff is like cast iron and that's why it works and lasts so well. Must be a blend of some sort, but if it works easily, I'll have to dab some on and see what happens. Thx.

Ray

TexaZ3

You got to be kidding! First of all, wax is non abrasive in any way! It is a protective layer that shields your paint from debris, moisture/oxidation, sunlight, etc.
Polish on the other hand IS abrasive, but still very mild! In addition, most (if not all) modern BMW's are clearcoated, and if you are seeing color on the waxing cloth, you are cutting through clearcoat, and it is VERY bad! Clearcoat is sprayed relatively thick, and it should last at least 10-20 years with normal waxing and polishing 1-2 times a year.

Ricracing

[/quote]
You got to be kidding! First of all, wax is non abrasive in any way! It is a protective layer that shields your paint from debris, moisture/oxidation, sunlight, etc.
Polish on the other hand IS abrasive, but still very mild! In addition, most (if not all) modern BMW's are clearcoated, and if you are seeing color on the waxing cloth, you are cutting through clearcoat, and it is VERY bad! Clearcoat is sprayed relatively thick, and it should last at least 10-20 years with normal waxing and polishing 1-2 times a year.
[/quote]

Sure, all BMW's have a multiple layer of clearcoat and with sensible waxing the paint will shine.

But still, abrasion is the idea with wax, if not much, but anyway.

Therefore I still say, that spring and fall waxing, 'couse of the protective layer the paint gets,
is recommend.

heezy545i

I use a synthetic wax/polish called einszett which is similar to Klasse, but is much easier to apply. Ideally, I'd like to do the whole clay, polish and wax every 4-6 months, but I haven't done it in awhile. With silver though, I don't notice much of a difference.