While most of what I write or teach is of a technical nature, every once in a while I like to get out of that mode and into something fun! Car fun!

The company I work for is owned by Auto Zone and, while they don't stock a lot of Alfa Romeo parts, they do on occasion have some items that I need for the other eight or nine cars that I own. (Never buy a house with a seven-car garage and a 1200-square-foot second floor!)

I recently read a couple of reviews in the usual car enthusiast magazines about a new product by Turtle Wax that was being given rave reviews. The product is called "Ice" and it is a 100% "clear" synthetic car polish. Now, if you're at all like me, you tend to be a little apprehensive with any of these kinds of "Poly-Razzmatazz Synthetic Technologically Advanced" products, such as this one. The past history of some of them (especially the ones sold in new car dealerships) often left a lot to be desired.

A recent issue of Consumer Reports did an extensive review of just about every polish and wax out there. If you can get it, definitely do so, as you will find that many of the big-buck, big-name products tanked, to say the least! In reading all of these write-ups and the praise for this product, and upon seeing that it was available at Auto Zone, I decided to give it a shot.

I first tried it on the new (for us) British Racing Green Jaguar XJ-6 (X300) that I recently picked up for my wife. Well, let me tell you, I was blown away with the ease of application and the results, and that would be putting it mildly!

One of the best features of this product is that, being a "Clear Polish", it leaves absolutely no powdery residue of any kind. As a matter of fact, it actually gives the different seals, rubbers, sun roof beading, etc. a little bit of sheen rather than that caked-on residue created by regular polishes and waxes. I also found that you can use Ice to shine just about all of the exterior surfaces of your car, including moldings, plastic trim, door handles, chrome, headlight and taillight lenses, etc., etc.

The hype on the label tells you that “Turtle Wax's new Ice Synthetic Polish is the most revolutionary technology ever created for making your car shine”. It goes on to say that it is “the result of years of research by Turtle Wax's chemists”, and concludes by promising you (with the usual money-back guarantee) that “the unique synthetic polymers in Ice allow you to easily and quickly wax your car and make it shine like never before”. 

I honestly have to tell you, that is exactly how I found it to be, as I started out by doing the roof of the Jaguar first and achieved results I had never gotten before with any other wax or polish. It took hardly any effort, compared with the heavy-duty constant rubbing I had to exert with some of the big-name, big-buck polishes and waxes out there in TV Land (read: the Speed Channel)!

So that's it—a little bit of a tip to help you all get ready to show off your little "Italian Jewels" at the different shows that we will be attending this Summer and Fall!

This just added 8/5/06: After reading the above article, Terry Rushbrook reported a special offer from the manufacturer at www.icepolish.com. Check it out!

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