Do different waxes really look different?

[ShinyChevy]

Re: Do different waxes really look different?

Thanks for the reply. How would you describe the differences you see? (Bad wax is easy) What techniques in lighting, viewing angle, etc. help you see them more clearly?

What I'm after is tips to help train my eye to see and appreciate the differences in appearance (if any) of various LSP's, not discussion of which wax is "best". We all know the "best" is what you like the best. And it goes without saying that any product must be applied correctly to a properly prepared swirl free paint surface to achieve it's true potential.

So any info on observed differences in appearance and how to see them is a big help in speeding up the learning process, and learning is what we're here for .

[02zx9r]

Re: Do different waxes really look different?

so what wax do you use?? you can PM me if you want, I am interested in knowing.

curious to know myself

[ShinyChevy]

Re: Do different waxes really look different?

To try and satisfy my curiosity I did a little test: Waxed the left side of my tailgate with Gold Class and the right side with NXT 2.0. Before waxing I prepped the tailgate by polishing with #83, #80, #9, and #3, all applied with the appropriate pads on the rotary.

Here is the tailgate polished and taped off. Nice clean, clear, swirl free finish ready to wax:



Waxed with Gold Class on the left side, NXT on the right. The wax(es) seemed to me to add some depth, clarity, and gloss as you would expect but both sides looked the same to me in the shop:




Then I rolled the truck outside in the sun for another look. Gold Class on the left:



NXT on the right:



Both sides looked great but I couldn't really see any difference in appearance. At that time, late afternoon, and with the available light anyway. And as Michael Stoops warned, pictures probably wouldn't show it if it was there. I'll look a lot more in the next several days in different light and see if I can tell any difference.

[VoicesInMyHead]

Re: Do different waxes really look different?

I guess I have to add my 2¢... I agree with a lot of the previous - different paints, surface type, surface prep, color, lighting angle... it all affects how you see the LSP and what it does for you.

However, when used side by side on the same panel, you can see differences in some of them, although maybe not all.

This was my little example: (click for details)

[TLMitchell]

Re: Do different waxes really look different?

so what wax do you use?? You can pm me if you want, i am interested in knowing.

845

[Bunky]

Re: Do different waxes really look different?

I have been doing a 7 wax test on my black Dakota hood and also made a quiltwork pattern of various combinations on the rest of the body.

After application, it was really difficult to really tell any meaningful difference in the looks. You could tell them apart by how they beaded/sheeted water somewhat initially. One of these included Collinite. You can go back and forth but there is just too many variables regarding paint condition, reflections, etc that limit making meaningful conclusions.