Waxes
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 889
From: Ohio
RE: Waxes
Consumer Reports rated a number of the more common waxes. Interesting results.
Black Magic Wet Shine Liquid Wax BM48016 was #1 at $7.00 per bottle.
July 2006
Ratings car wax
Guide to the Ratings
We tested using sample panels uniformly finished with white or black automotive paint, both with and without clear coat. Some were left to weather for 12 months on our testing facility’s roof and others were put into a device that simulates extreme weather conditions. The panels were brought into a lab weekly, where technicians washed and dried them, and applied drops of water to measure beading effect. How well a wax beads, or repels water, is one way to determine whether wax still provides protection from acid rain and contaminants. To test for ease of use and how well products worked to clean and improve gloss on fading paint, we used real vehicles, some of which had rarely or never been waxed. The overall score is based primarily on gloss; durability; ease of use; cleaning; resistance to scratching, swirls, and hazing; and plastic compatibility. We applied a quarter-teaspoon of wax and used an equal number of buffing strokes with each sample on each panel. To assess gloss, we did side-by-side visual comparisons. Gloss-measuring devices exist, but their measurements don’t necessarily translate into what the human eye sees. For our durability tests, we tracked how water beaded to show how quickly the wax wore away. Our cleaning and scratching/hazing tests also relied on side-by-side visual comparisons of test panels. For the ease-of-use tests, we used cars owned by staffers. Price is the estimated average for the size tested, based on a national survey.
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Black Magic Wet Shine Liquid Wax BM48016 was #1 at $7.00 per bottle.
July 2006
Ratings car wax
Guide to the Ratings
We tested using sample panels uniformly finished with white or black automotive paint, both with and without clear coat. Some were left to weather for 12 months on our testing facility’s roof and others were put into a device that simulates extreme weather conditions. The panels were brought into a lab weekly, where technicians washed and dried them, and applied drops of water to measure beading effect. How well a wax beads, or repels water, is one way to determine whether wax still provides protection from acid rain and contaminants. To test for ease of use and how well products worked to clean and improve gloss on fading paint, we used real vehicles, some of which had rarely or never been waxed. The overall score is based primarily on gloss; durability; ease of use; cleaning; resistance to scratching, swirls, and hazing; and plastic compatibility. We applied a quarter-teaspoon of wax and used an equal number of buffing strokes with each sample on each panel. To assess gloss, we did side-by-side visual comparisons. Gloss-measuring devices exist, but their measurements don’t necessarily translate into what the human eye sees. For our durability tests, we tracked how water beaded to show how quickly the wax wore away. Our cleaning and scratching/hazing tests also relied on side-by-side visual comparisons of test panels. For the ease-of-use tests, we used cars owned by staffers. Price is the estimated average for the size tested, based on a national survey.
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1st Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 125
From:
RE: Waxes
I used to do detailing - had my own shop in the DC area. I've used probably everything out there and always came back to Meguiar's products and a few select products from 3M and Production Car Care - and most recently ICE. For over the counter products, I've used Mothers (Reflections and California Gold), Meguiar's (NXT, Mirror Glaze products and Gold Class), Nu-Finish, (stay away...) Turtle Wax and Liquid Glass. Of the recent products, I like Meguiar's NXT and Turtle Wax ICE. The NXT product is good, but is a bit of a pain to apply and remove (esp. on my black car). I really like ICE - you can build layers, has an incredible shine and seems to last reasonably well. Liquid Glass is an ok product - it's been around for years - but has some drawbacks. If you typically apply a polish then it is a solvent based product and will strip the paint when you apply it which I did not like. It also doesn't shine like the other products already mentioned in this thread - but it does last a long time (5-6 months). Nu-Finish is just not a good product - it does last a long time but I wasn't impressed with the ease of use or the gloss.
The key to all of them is to ensure you've prepared your surface correctly. I prefer clay a couple of times a year, then a polish and then your protectant. With NXT and Ice you don't seem to need a polish as the interim step - but I've noticed a much clearer shine if you follow both with their detail sprays. In any case, you should use clean, good quality micro-fiber towels.
Wax is like a religion - everyone has a favorite and is adamant about it... I look for ease of use and for it to last a reasonable amount of time - ~2 months since I wax regularly. I've had my GT for a year and a half and it shines like it was new. There are a few swirls which every car has - but you have to look closely to see them. Interesting thread - it's good to see some of the other methods for keeping our cars clean and that's the important thing!
The key to all of them is to ensure you've prepared your surface correctly. I prefer clay a couple of times a year, then a polish and then your protectant. With NXT and Ice you don't seem to need a polish as the interim step - but I've noticed a much clearer shine if you follow both with their detail sprays. In any case, you should use clean, good quality micro-fiber towels.
Wax is like a religion - everyone has a favorite and is adamant about it... I look for ease of use and for it to last a reasonable amount of time - ~2 months since I wax regularly. I've had my GT for a year and a half and it shines like it was new. There are a few swirls which every car has - but you have to look closely to see them. Interesting thread - it's good to see some of the other methods for keeping our cars clean and that's the important thing!
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 103
RE: Waxes
ORIGINAL: mygt500
Meguiar's deep crystal system....3 steps and its cheap by any wax standards and works best on dark colored cars. I use it and the pics really dont do it justice. Deep reflective shine. You can buy them separately and get Meguiars Liquid Gold Class for the final coat of wax instead of the 3 step in the deep crystal system. Its been around for years and years and can be found at any Autozone or Murray discount auto. Maybe even Meijers stores as well. JMO J I have been detailing for 15+ years and I use thissystem on any blue, red, black, or any other dark colored car!
Meguiar's deep crystal system....3 steps and its cheap by any wax standards and works best on dark colored cars. I use it and the pics really dont do it justice. Deep reflective shine. You can buy them separately and get Meguiars Liquid Gold Class for the final coat of wax instead of the 3 step in the deep crystal system. Its been around for years and years and can be found at any Autozone or Murray discount auto. Maybe even Meijers stores as well. JMO J I have been detailing for 15+ years and I use thissystem on any blue, red, black, or any other dark colored car!
ORIGINAL: Vista_Blue_GT
what is the best "cheap" wax that is made to make dark colored cars really shine???
what is the best "cheap" wax that is made to make dark colored cars really shine???
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
From:
RE: Waxes
ZAINO all the way! It is a lot of work, a lot of steps involved to do it right, but my paint is incredibly smooth and looks fantastic and is easier to clean. I maintain with their gloss enhancer, and california duster. Of course, car is not driven in rain and is cleaned before it is parked for the night. Hubby used it on his black GT and was very happy with results as well.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,031
From: Babylon, NY
RE: Waxes
In my book, and i've used alot of stuff.
Waxes:
1) NXT
2) ICE
3) Maguiars Cleaner Wax
4) Black Magic Liquid
Quick Detailers:
1) ICE...really the only one to use. It's the only one you can use on a hot car, and if it dries, it still won't streak or stain like ALL the others do.
Waxes:
1) NXT
2) ICE
3) Maguiars Cleaner Wax
4) Black Magic Liquid
Quick Detailers:
1) ICE...really the only one to use. It's the only one you can use on a hot car, and if it dries, it still won't streak or stain like ALL the others do.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,111
From:
RE: Waxes
I love the NXT wax personally but i do detailing on the side and have tried manywaxes although i have not tried ICE yet ill prob go get some tomorrow lol. But i like a lot of optimum and poorboys stuff as well and i usually finish off with anything caranuba. But as far as zaino goes its great dont get me wrong but for the price i think theres a lot of other products you can get the same results from. But i did love zaino. It really all about prep and making sure you use clean microfibers