wax for a happy customer

[Video]

What would you guys expect to have put on for wax if you paid someone for a wash and wax for $50. This includes hand wash clay bar, polish then the wax and dressing the tires/rims.

I do not like the ultimate liquid wax. I tried it first time using liquid. It goes on too thin. I may try the paste version. Ive always used paste. I was looking at the gold class carnauba also. Thoughts?

[Murr1525]

Re: wax for a happy customer

For 50, it's going to be a cleaner wax....

[Video]

Re: wax for a happy customer

If i were to use a cleaner wax do you think polish would be required?

I personally think a case by case basis makes sense. Yesterday i detailed a truck with good paint and very little scratches/swirl marks so i didnt kill it with polish, i did a good coat of wax and it came out great. However if i had an old car with black paint and bad swirl marks i would obviously use a compound and then wax on top.

[Murr1525]

Re: wax for a happy customer

I mean that for 50, I won't be doing multiple steps and corrections.

whatever a strong cleaner wax could do in one step would be it.

[larry0071]

Let's go back a bit....

What exactly are you saying by "it went on to thin"?

[agp56]

Re: wax for a happy customer

I agree with Larry above - Ultimate Liquid Wax works best going on in a thin even coat and taking it off after doing the next couple of panels. That has been my experience with that product.

[larry0071]

It does not and should not look like a Carnauba Wax that is thick and dries white.

[C8N]

Re: wax for a happy customer

As far as wax is concerned, thin is in and ULW is great.
Only problem with thin... is that it can get difficult to see.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: wax for a happy customer

It does not and should not look like a Carnauba Wax that is thick and dries white.

Yes and no. Even a carnauba wax, properly applied, should not be "thick and white". You won't get that with Gold Class Carnauba Plus, Deep Crystal Carnauba or M26.

As to the original question

What would you guys expect to have put on for wax if you paid someone for a wash and wax for $50. This includes hand wash clay bar, polish then the wax and dressing the tires/rims.

I do not like the ultimate liquid wax. I tried it first time using liquid. It goes on too thin. I may try the paste version. Ive always used paste. I was looking at the gold class carnauba also. Thoughts?

Honestly, as a customer paying $50 for a wash and wax that included a polish, I wouldn't be expecting anything too spectacular. That's not a dig at your capabilities but rather just a realistic expectation for cost versus value. We agree with Matt that a cleaner wax would be a great choice here, for both the customer and you (we're assuming you are being paid by someone to perform this service, right?). On darker colored vehicles our new Black Wax is a great light duty cleaner wax with a generous polish load that does a great job making dark colors look deep and rich. On lighter colored vehicles our White Wax is a great choice; it has far greater cleaning ability for removing embedded dirt that dulls down the color and brightness but without the polish load that lighter colors don't benefit as much from anyway.


But let's get back to your other comment "i did a good coat of wax and it came out great" Don't let the fact that Ultimate Wax liquid goes on so thin - it still leaves behind as much protection as a heavy application would, and that holds true for any wax or synthetic sealant. You don't get more protection or a better shine by laying a wax on heavy. Once it dries and you wipe off the residue, the same amount of product will be left behind no matter how thick you apply it. And applying it thick just means it takes longer to dry, it's harder to wipe off, and you're wasting product. Having said that, we know that user experience plays a big role in this game, and if you prefer the feel of applying a paste wax then so be it. And to that end, Ultimate Wax paste will still go on surprisingly thin for a paste, it will dry quickly and wipe off easily. But don't lay it on heavy - there is simply zero to be gained by doing so.

[Video]

Re: wax for a happy customer

Yes and no. Even a carnauba wax, properly applied, should not be "thick and white". You won't get that with Gold Class Carnauba Plus, Deep Crystal Carnauba or M26.

As to the original question
Honestly, as a customer paying $50 for a wash and wax that included a polish, I wouldn't be expecting anything too spectacular. That's not a dig at your capabilities but rather just a realistic expectation for cost versus value. We agree with Matt that a cleaner wax would be a great choice here, for both the customer and you (we're assuming you are being paid by someone to perform this service, right?). On darker colored vehicles our new Black Wax is a great light duty cleaner wax with a generous polish load that does a great job making dark colors look deep and rich. On lighter colored vehicles our White Wax is a great choice; it has far greater cleaning ability for removing embedded dirt that dulls down the color and brightness but without the polish load that lighter colors don't benefit as much from anyway.


But let's get back to your other comment "i did a good coat of wax and it came out great" Don't let the fact that Ultimate Wax liquid goes on so thin - it still leaves behind as much protection as a heavy application would, and that holds true for any wax or synthetic sealant. You don't get more protection or a better shine by laying a wax on heavy. Once it dries and you wipe off the residue, the same amount of product will be left behind no matter how thick you apply it. And applying it thick just means it takes longer to dry, it's harder to wipe off, and you're wasting product. Having said that, we know that user experience plays a big role in this game, and if you prefer the feel of applying a paste wax then so be it. And to that end, Ultimate Wax paste will still go on surprisingly thin for a paste, it will dry quickly and wipe off easily. But don't lay it on heavy - there is simply zero to be gained by doing so.

Awesome thank you! Ive always used carnauba because of the price. Since ill be working on someone elsed car i wanted to offer something nicer, so ive been trying the synthetic.

[wifpd4]

Re: wax for a happy customer

Being I do this as a hobby and not for a living, perhaps my perspective is skewed. If I'm going to see this car again, I may use a cleaner wax. If it's not going to be brought in again or not for a long while, I would use Ultimate Wax for the longevity. Or someone may say, if I'm going to see this car again, a repeat customer deserves the best, Ultimate Wax. For a quick 50 bucks, Paint Reconditioning Creme and out the door.

[C8N]

Re: wax for a happy customer

For me it would really depend on what the car needs.
Good condition finish, I would go UW.
If not so great, AIO.

[dwg51357]

Re: wax for a happy customer

If you don't like Ultimate liquid, I'd try Ultimate paste. I've been using it for the last year or so. Love it. Best synthetic I've ever used. As others have noted, you want to apply it thin. Produces a beautiful glossy shine and holds up quite well.