The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

[daneZ_toda]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

Yup,

An Alcohol wipe down before applying LSPs would have eliminated that claim.

[TimG]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

Hey 3fitty, I've been reading throughout the post and eventhough there are a lot of variables in this test(s), I really enjoyed reading them and same goes to the comments from fellow forumers. So--- Keep em coming!!



Tim

[3Fitty]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

I also posted a link to this thread at another forum because I feel like there is a lot of information at that forum which runs contrary to things written here, so maybe some of our resident experts can comment.

The single biggest criticism of my methodology is that I used M80 before the LSP, which will have given NXT an advantage. Two things are stated:

1. The oils in the M80 caused bonding issues for sealants like Klasee and SCG's Nano and Barrier Reef and;

2. The "cleaners" in NXT removed this oils permitting it to adhere to the paint.

My response to this stuff (although admitedly I am far from an expert), is that I washed the hood after M80 and rinsed thoroughly as it was my intention to be starting with a fresh canvas.

Any thoughts on my methodology? Has the use of M80 compromised the test?

If so, how many pros use M80 and then continue to use an LSP (not always a Meg's product)? I'll but thousands have with great success.

[3Fitty]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

I think most products look good the first few days so if you are looking for a terrible one you will not likely find it. Let's see how they look and bead about 2 months from now.

I will try my best to keep it updated, so keep reading this thread and we'll see, it could be that you are correct.

[3Fitty]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

3Fitty-
I really enjoy the test and think you did a great job and were fair in your test to all of the competitors. The only problem that I see is the amendment to the Klasse. When you spray the qd, the qd itself will make the surface a little slicker. Case in point, do a 50/50 on an unwaxed car and run your finger over the qd side and the the unwaxed side and you will notice a difference. Also, the majority of the qd's out there will offer just a little bit of protection by themselves. Even Meguiar's Quik Detailer (original one in the red bottle, not the ultimate) will make water bead even though they say it offers no protection.

All very possibly true, but I cam to my conclusion (maybe even wrongly) because it was SO bad (on the Klasse side) it defied logic. In other words, there was NO way it could have been that bad to the feel, that the only explanation was that I did not get all the product off.

Did QD make that section feel "slicker", instead of the KSG itself, maybe, but even if it did, it still does no better than I tie with the pack.

[Bunky]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

Having said that, if there is a signifigant difference between two products (ie: one looks terrible), I'm willing to bet you would see some small difference even over small spaces.

I think most products look good the first few days so if you are looking for a terrible one you will not likely find it. Let's see how they look and bead about 2 months from now.

[jwinders]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

3Fitty-
I really enjoy the test and think you did a great job and were fair in your test to all of the competitors. The only problem that I see is the amendment to the Klasse. When you spray the qd, the qd itself will make the surface a little slicker. Case in point, do a 50/50 on an unwaxed car and run your finger over the qd side and the the unwaxed side and you will notice a difference. Also, the majority of the qd's out there will offer just a little bit of protection by themselves. Even Meguiar's Quik Detailer (original one in the red bottle, not the ultimate) will make water bead even though they say it offers no protection.

[3Fitty]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

IMO. you selected the wrong color car for demonstration red or black or even dark blue, would of made this test achievable..
Silver, or white just doesn't make test relevant...

Google "Pinnacle" and "Silver car" and see what you read.

Plenty of "pros" who swear, "nothing makes silver shine like Souveran". Bunch of guys on autopia and autogeek.

But, just so we are clear... I actually agree with you, it's just that I'm not sure you understand what exactly you are saying (maybe you do, in which case you agree with Mike's thesis on this issue, which I whole heartedly accept), but at least one top pro, who might even be considered amongst the best in America disagree.

[3Fitty]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

Okay... now that I've replied to the posts, I have one MAJOR change to make in my results.

I wrote (last night) that Klasse SG was the worst in terms of feel (by a mile), which I am now amending.

It was NOT. It was tied with the third place group because I came to realize all the product was NOT fully removed after I put it on. I could not see any remaining product, but I'll tell you why I know it just didn't come off.

You can see from the photo's above, the Klasse pics are clear, super clear, but for whatever reason, there was still product on the paint that didn't come off. How do I know?

I re-read my PM exchange with lecchilo (who is a pro detailer and supplied the Klasse and uses it a lot) and he advised me of a "special" way to remove Klasse SG and he was 100% right. I went out this morning. Put all "second coats" on each area, removed with a clean MF (each area) and the Klasse area was so bad (not in terms of looks), but in terms of feel, that I decided to go over the Klasse area with a slightly damp (with QD) MF over the Klasse.

I felt the area again, and it was smooth. Not "super smooth" but equal to the other areas.

Lecchilo (Ivan) advised me through PM (before this test) that Klasse was a bit tough to remove but a bit of QD would make it come off like a dream and he was right.

So, I don't know how to really balance this.

It is not really fair to say, well Klasse came off super easy (because it does with the use of some QD and a MF towel). No other product needed that (or maybe the VWCR needs it as well).

So, my result would change in that I would say, all things being equal (dry MF towel being used to remove), the Klasse gets a 1 for removal. Using a bit of QD, it gets a 5. You decide.

Using a dry MF, it gets a 1 for feel (slickness). Using a bit of QD it ties with the other group.

In any event, I took a bunch of pics today which I will post tomorrow with some more findings. (Yes Kooz, I took notes today as well).

[3Fitty]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

The only thing this test proves is there's not enough (dramatic) difference to say one's, better than the next..

Um, I think that is what I wrote under the appearance section, no? However, if you are talking about application and removal and "feel" (slickness), there was a clear winner.

Sorry, if you don't like hearing that, but I have no stake in the outcome.

[3Fitty]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

I can't imagine why your neighbors think you have too much time on your hands.

LOL... I guess I need some detaling nuts to move in to make me feel "normal".

My wife says to me... "who the hell takes notes when washing a car"?

I'm not crazy, just misunderstood.

Anyway, I've been getting anxious waiting for you to conduct the test and I love the way you did it. Excellent write-up sir.

Thank you.

Did anyone on this forum doubt NXT 2.0 would do so well?

I didn't doubt it would do well, I doubt that it would CRUSH a $72 (for 8oz) wax though (at least on the feel).

Actually I wasn't sure if it would win but I'm thrilled that it did.

Well, I'm still going to test how they hold up (maybe for two or three months).

Meguiar's puts a quality product in every bottle.

Quality company = quality products.

It makes me giddy knowing that I have such a fine wax in my arsenal.

Ditto.

I waxed my car with NXT 2.0 several weeks ago and I'm STILL getting compliments.

I wrote this in a thread about NXT about a week ago (my wife said to me, why does my car always look clean, even though you never wash it anymore?)

Thanks for this awesome test 3Fitty and thanks to the gents that provided the waxes.

All class acts... and I'm going to "amend" one thing I wrote to one of the members (lecchilo) about one of his favorite products, you'll read in the next post.

Will there be a follow-up in a few weeks to tell us which wax is still holding up the best?

Depending on weather, weekly updates, plus video to show "beading", "sheeting" and durability. Stay tuned, I'm hoping this test to be pretty thorough (and maybe even an eencie weencie bit relevant).

[3Fitty]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

If you are testing for looks, I completely agree. I did my test on a black car after polishing it out, and I can confirm what he is seeing though; the difference a wax makes in terms of 'looks' is just too small to really even consider arguing about.

WS,

After starting my test, I went back to read your results and can confirm almost EVERYTHING you found. It's just one of those things you have to see to believe.

[3Fitty]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

IMO. you selected the wrong color car for demonstration red or black or even dark blue, would of made this test achievable..
Silver, or white just doesn't make test relevant...

Joe,

You may or may not be right, frankly I don't really know enough to debate the issue, but seeing as I only own a white and silver car, I did it on what I own and was not about to buy a new car to do a wax test.

However, if you really believe this to be true, go read Wolf-Strong's test and you'll see that we came to remarkably similar conclusions...but I will tell you this... I did some research before responding to this post and googled some searches on "wax" and "silver paint" and various variations thereof... and I can tell you I found more than a handful of places where "experts" were advising people to buy "this wax or that" based on "superior looks on silver".

So, if my test is not relevant, I guess what your are saying is all of these so called "experts" or full of soup (which might be the case), in which case you'd be supporting the thesis of Mike Phillips (which I happen to agree with - if it looks best on black, it will look best on everything).

[Joe's detailing]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

The only thing this test proves is there's not enough (dramatic) difference to say one's, better than the next...

[Kooz]

Re: The Great 9 Wax Shoot Out!

I took a pen and note pad (also supplied by Porscheguy997 - not joking either) and I was taking notes as I was doing this stuff. I wanted to make sure my info is reliable and honest.

I can't imagine why your neighbors think you have too much time on your hands.

Anyway, I've been getting anxious waiting for you to conduct the test and I love the way you did it. Excellent write-up sir. Did anyone on this forum doubt NXT 2.0 would do so well? Actually I wasn't sure if it would win but I'm thrilled that it did. Meguiar's puts a quality product in every bottle.

It makes me giddy knowing that I have such a fine wax in my arsenal. I waxed my car with NXT 2.0 several weeks ago and I'm STILL getting compliments. And the thing is dirty and hasn't been washed. Believe it or not the shine is noticeable under the dirt and grime.

Thanks for this awesome test 3Fitty and thanks to the gents that provided the waxes. Will there be a follow-up in a few weeks to tell us which wax is still holding up the best?