Car wash spray waxes

[TxZ71]

I just waxed my truck with NXT 2.0 last weekend and someone at work today was telling me how good it looked and how much better the look was than when he uses the spray on wax at the drive-thru car wash bays. My question is does the cheap spray on wax at those car wash bays do absolutely anything at all for wax protection? It says to just spray it on and then wash it off with the rinse setting. I tend to think that it is a complete rip off and you get nothing in terms of shine or protection on your paint. I have used it years back, but now I strictly wax by hand. Just a random question. And the guy said he will now be using the NXT 2.0 for future waxes.

[Evan.J]

Re: Car wash spray waxes

im not an expert or any thing but how would it even get a chance to bold with the paint to protect it if it is spray on spay off? i dont think they would do any thing IMO

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Car wash spray waxes

Is it a rip off?

Many years ago, 30+. I was working after school at a local car wash.When the owner of the car wash ordered a 55 gallon drum of the wax. We had to siphon half of it and put it in another container. Then top it off with water and you would have 110 gallons for the price of 55. I am not saying everyone does that. But if that was common practice back then, really and truly what benefit did it do. None, I would imagine. Granted things have changed since then, However this is one of those images that stay with you.

[roushstage2]

Re: Car wash spray waxes

When I go to the wash bays, I will rinse with the wax setting, and then proceed to dry it (only on the truck, not the car). Usually, if there is even wax in it, you can smell it. Does it do anything? Probably not, but it is there and I am paying for it, so why not.

[techjazz]

Re: Car wash spray waxes

Gimmicks? Probably.

There's the new Triple Foam Conditioner as well. I have no idea what it does, but it does say to use the wax afterwards. Maybe that product strips wax off as well? I don't know exactly what chemicals are in those self-service washes, and I can't seem to find anything regarding those products on the Internet.

[new2detailing]

Re: Car wash spray waxes

The problem with the spray waxes at a coin op wash bay are water based and provide a minimum of protection. This is after washing a car with harsh chemicals, putting scratches on the paint, etc. A good quality wax like NXT 2.0 will work wonders compared to the "wax" application at these bays.

[new2detailing]

Re: Car wash spray waxes

Also, remember that a wax needs to set up to properly bond to the surface. At a car wash bay, the water based wax will provide a temporary at best protection, due to lack of bonding.

[BigLeegr]

Re: Car wash spray waxes

Those new "triple" deals at some automatic washes are nice in at least you see 3 colors come out so you know "something" is being applied.
IMHO I think they are just something to get water to bead and run off the paint. I don't think they last long (nor are they meant to-just long enough to get you out the door). They def. wouldn't polish the paint, remove oxidation, nor scratches. It's an added selling point for the people that are either too lazy or too busy (or maybe just don't know any better than ) to do a "proper" polish/wax job. This way they can feel like they did something extra for the paint.

Do I think they are a great value? No. Do I think they serve a purpose? Yes. (unfortunately. )

[Jeepster04]

Re: Car wash spray waxes

Ive tried them out before and they seem to help the water bead up which lets it fly off better once you get back out on the road. I like to use just the rinse water then follow that with the spot free rinse.

If you really wanted to get all the water off without spotting you could rinse(I never use their soap, takes the wax right off), wax, then use the spot free rinse.