thinksnow

You are exactly right. That's why I used Zaino and Klasse which are polymer sealants. The hardest waxes (#16, R.I.P. etc) will last about 1.5-2 months. A garaged daily driver will, without question, undoubtedly last 8-10 months (using a synthetic final product). Mburnickas, did you have any questions about which products and processes to use? I can probably steer you in the right direction.

I started with Megs; my favorite combo ended with #16 paste. Since that was discontinued, I started playing around with the more elite and finicky products. Klasse offers an *incredible* finish, but at the cost of many dropped F-bombs "learning" how to apply the Sealant Glaze properly. Zaino is expensive and was way too hyped for me to use at first. Curiosity got the better of me, I did a full detail on my dad's car one weekend home from grad school. Eight months later, I asked him who he got to do it again. He responded that it was the original two coats that I had applied so long ago. So yes, it's expensive and definitely has its fanboys, but it's a great great product. Nothing beats the back-to-basics appeal of applying a natural paste wax--synthetics just can't touch it. However, the science is there. Both Zaino and Klasse last and last. If you are an infrequent detailer, those are your go-to products. And an additional tip: look up and learn how to use "clay." Cleaning the paint to that level will extend the life of any product you put on top.

If you don't mind signing into another site like this, check out autopia.org. It's a detailer's forum I used to be pretty active on. I never touched engines due to the fears listed above, but some of the pros on there (Scottwax and others) know exactly how to make an engine compartment look like new, but safely.

"Learning" how to use a rotary buffer, I burned through the bumper paint. On a detailing forum, I was told about paintscratch.com. You will get a primer, the basecoat, and the clearcoat. Done right, it looks perfect and costs about $20.

A neighbor had a 91 or 92 LS with surf racks--he was a longboard rider. 1990 LS400--that is very very interesting info. Funny that they would start making clips for the 430. Lexus Europe is a great idea and not something I would have considered. Why does Europe get all the good stuff (diesels, manual trannys in most cars, now rack systems...)? Glad I wrote the board!

Okay, so I just inherited a 1996 LS400 from my dad with 200k miles. She looks brand new inside and out because she was garaged both at work and at home. Much to the amazement of my neighbors, she replaces a 1988 Honda Accord. I have a big problem, though. I have contacted Yakima, Thule, and Saris. All three say they stopped making roof rack clips in 1994 for this model. The local dealership thought I had three heads when I asked them about this. Has anyone had any success getting something on the roof of this model? I can get a hitch-mounted bike and ski holder, but I cannot put kayaks on the rear! Many thanks, and I will consider a finders fee:) I don't want to be forced to keep my former best friend just to haul toys around. The Accord needs to make someone else in Richmond happy.