Recommended detailing and wax products

[BlueLions]

Hi all, Now that warmer weather is here, it seems time to apply a wax to my newer Equinox. Any recommendations on products that I should use? I am looking to keep this simple, and hopefully not do clay bar, polishing, etc. I am upgrading from my old Blazer that I have for 24 years to this new Equinox, and I want to make sure that I’m doing this right with the newer vehicle, lol. So far, I have only done the spray wax from the car wash. I mainly want to protect the surface as it makes sense, and go back out and enjoy the vehicle

 

[RIT333]

I have been using Maguire's Ceramic Hybrid wax, and it seems like a great product to and easy to use.

 

[BlueLions]

Awesome! Thanks for the tip. Nice to hear that they have a ceramic hybrid product and looks straightforward to apply.

 

[CocoaJeff]

You can't go wrong with the Maguire's line of products.

 

[PoManNox]

Turtle wax ICE seal and shine is pretty decent.

 

[dowop]

What do guys recommend to get swirl marks out?

 

[Lee]

I use Maquire Cleaning wax twice a year and every once in awhile for a quick detailer I use Wash Wax All from Aero Cosmetics.

Any name brand paste or liquid wax should work fine if you use it once or twice a year.
Any spray wax that you spray on and wipe dry does not give much protection.
Here's my wife's 2008 Malibu when she traded it a couple months ago.

 

[dowop]

What about swirl marks?

 

[RIT333]

I find that a random orbit polisher does a great job to get rid of swirls. Combine it with Maguire products, and avoid car washes.

 

[Lee]

and avoid car washes.

Avoid the ones with brushes.

 

[GaryM]

Hi all, Now that warmer weather is here, it seems time to apply a wax to my newer Equinox. Any recommendations on products that I should use? I am looking to keep this simple, and hopefully not do clay bar, polishing, etc. I am upgrading from my old Blazer that I have for 24 years to this new Equinox, and I want to make sure that I’m doing this right with the newer vehicle, lol. So far, I have only done the spray wax from the car wash. I mainly want to protect the surface as it makes sense, and go back out and enjoy the vehicle

I use a ceramic sealer on my 2025 RS made by Turtle Wax. Lasts a year and provides good protection. Not super expensive. If you've had it for a while it's best to clay it first to get any embedded particles off the surface just to help get a better adhesion for the ceramic coating. I have a black Corvette as well. Stuff really makes the black pop. Water won't stick to it at all.

 

[twizforpros]

Optimum No Rinse lets you wash in the garage out of the sun. I agree stay away from car washes. I think you'll need clay or a polisher (I've always avoided for fear I'd make thinks worse) to get rid of the swirls. Ceramics are great but I believe the better ones are best applied by a professional. Ours came with a 3-year guarantee so all I have to do is wash. Our detailer used System X.

 

[LormaD]

Hi all, Now that warmer weather is here, it seems time to apply a wax to my newer Equinox. Any recommendations on products that I should use? I am looking to keep this simple, and hopefully not do clay bar, polishing, etc. I am upgrading from my old Blazer that I have for 24 years to this new Equinox, and I want to make sure that I’m doing this right with the newer vehicle, lol. So far, I have only done the spray wax from the car wash. I mainly want to protect the surface as it makes sense, and go back out and enjoy the vehicle

The questions are: a) Are you performing the work? b) How much and how far do you want to go for the ultimate shine and performance. c) is time more valuable, or is money more valuable.

The last questions first, if you have no time, get it done by a reliable detailer in your area. Obviously it will cost you more, depending on what you want.

The unwritten process to detail the exterior is as follows. I'm not saying to do this. I'm just elaborating on the process vs a "one bottle solution".
1) wash car (no need to dry at this point)
2) iron oxide: spray (readily available) for removal of industrial dropouts that are on your paint, especially metals. You will know if your iron oxide spray turns from clear to purple as it reacts on your car body.
3) rewash car and dry spot free.
4) clay bar to remove any remaining residuals.
5) Polish with either polishing cream or something a little more aggressive like rubbing compound. The swirls can be polished, the scratches can be localized with a little more aggressive polishing compound (you usually only need this for a bad scratch).
6) Wipe car down with isopropyl alcohol.
7) Use a good quality ceramic/graphene coating. I cannot comment on one brand over another, because whatever ceramic coating you use they will not last that much longer than a first rate wax (imho). One of the main reasons of using a ceramic coating over wax is ease of application, and much higher water sheathing and beading. I'm being honest, I used some of the major non commercial ceramic coatings and they are leave a great shine and sheathing action. They just won't last more than a year.

For those not in the "know", or lack experience... you can buy a all in one step polish and shine type of product. It will look good "enough" over the present state, you will save time and money and you do not need any powered tools to apply other than elbow grease. It won't last more than a couple of months. It won't bead much after a month or so. It won't protect much beyond a few months.

I've posted on the matter because I caved in and received my brand new 2026 Chevrolet Equinox on Thursday, and I dropped it off to an authorized Icon Rocklear detailer. I am not endorsing the product, I'm just sharing what I most recently did. The vehicle requires to be left for 48hours for the service to be done with an additional caveat that it remain dry for at least a week. And, no washing within the next 30 days. It costs a fortune. Would I do it again? I'll let you know in a year's time. It's supposed to last a really long time (over 10 years lol)

Cheers,