QuestionQUESTION: Bob, what wax do you recommend for the best protection and shine? Are you familiar with Rejex? Is it a stand alone product or should I use it a month or so after waxing?
How often should I condition my leather seats? What products do you recommend that I use.
Also, are there any tricks or tips you can offer? No matter how I try to get my car really top notch it never seems to be as good as when I take it to a detail shop. It is driving me crazy.
Thank you
ANSWER: Johnnie,
I am sorry I have never heard of Rejex.
The trick to do doing the exterior of a car properly is preparation. Washing, polishing are the two most important steps. These steps help remove dirt from the paint surface in preparation for the wax. The wax we have used is called Collinite # 845 Insulator Wax. Used properly one application will last six to eight months with hand washing. Six months with a carwash.
Without knowing what year make and model of the car, answering the leather seat question specifically will be tough. Generally, seats should be cleaned monthly. Conditioning every three months. I prefer lexal products for conditioning. A soft damp towel and some all purpose cleaner on the towel when needed will clean well. The Mr. Clean sponges do a wonderful job, but take a little getting used too. Wipe with a dry towel. Vacuum weekly especially in the cracks and where the stitching is.
Tips and trick come from doing the job so long. I have forgotten more of those than I could outline for you.
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QUESTION: Bob, Thank you so much for you prompt and informative answer. Your answer did lead me to a couple of other questions.
Do you recommend the paste Collinite # 476 Insulator Wax or the liquid Collinite # 845 Insulator Wax? What do you think of Collinite # 915 or is that an overkill? (yes sir I looked them up) Here my ignorance shows; You said it was a two step process, washing and polishing, but I thought polish and wax were two different things? What do you use for polish? If I remember from the days of my youth we would use polish to remove old wax and scratches then we would wax.
My car is a 2009 Nissan Altima. Someone mentioned "mink oil" for the seats? I hate to sound "doubtful" but the leather seats in my car today don't seem to be the same quality of leather seats 15 years ago. So if you think lexal products are the best then that is what I will go with.
You said clean seats every month and condition them every three months. I thought when you cleaned seats it removed the conditioner.
What about cleaning the dash may I use the same product that I use on the seats?
I am not trying to be argumentive, I am just trying to understand so I can get the best results.
Thank you once again,
Johnnie
AnswerWelcome to the inexact world of auto detailing. Everything is gray. Let me try to answer each question as you posed it.
Do you recommend the paste Collinite # 476 Insulator Wax or the liquid Collinite # 845 Insulator Wax? What do you think of Collinite # 915 or is that an overkill? (yes sir I looked them up) INSULATOR WAX # 845 DO NOT KNOW ABOUT #915
Here my ignorance shows; You said it was a two step process, washing and polishing, but I thought polish and wax were two different things? PROPER CLEANING PREPARATION IS TWO STEP PROCESS, WASHING AND POLISHING. WAX PROTECTS ONLY.
What do you use for polish? DUPONT #7 IS BACK ON THE MARKET. I HAVE ONLY TRIED IT ONCE AND IT DID A GOOD JOB
If I remember from the days of my youth we would use polish to remove old wax and scratches then we would wax. DON'T KNOW HOW OLD YOU ARE BUT THIS IS OLD SCHOOL. SCRATCHES IN CLEARCOAT FINISH ON NEWER CARS CAN'T BE JUST POLISHED AWAY WITHOUT A BUFFER,
My car is a 2009 Nissan Altima. Someone mentioned "mink oil" for the seats? AGAIN OLD SCHOOL, NO GOOD.
I hate to sound "doubtful" but the leather seats in my car today don't seem to be the same quality of leather seats 15 years ago. So if you think lexal products are the best then that is what I will go with. THE NEWER LEATHER SEATS ARE THINNER LEATHER AND HAVE A PVC COATING TO HELP PROTECT THEM. THAT'S WHY CONDITIONING IS NOT AS CRITICAL AS IT USED TO BE. SOME WILL ARGUE THAT POINT. BUT BELIEVE ME I HAVE DONE ENOUGH CAR SEATS TO KNOW THAT CONDITIONING IS NOT AS CRITICAL AS IN THE PAST.
You said clean seats every month and condition them every three months. I thought when you cleaned seats it removed the conditioner. SEE ABOVE
What about cleaning the dash may I use the same product that I use on the seats? YES BUT NO PRESERVATIVE. DO NOT MAKE THE DASHBOARD SHINY
I am not trying to be argumentive, I am just trying to understand so I can get the best results. NOT ARGUMENTATIVE, ALL GOOD QUESTIONS
