NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

[PuDeN]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

You can say that again

[akimel]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

That all I got as well. I expect paint sealants to last at least 6months, maybe longer.

I do not wish to be contentious, Andy, but I have read enough detailing forums over the past year to know that there are many synthetic sealants that do not consistently last 6+ months, at least according to anecdotal testimonies. IMO, one should not generalize from "synthetic sealant" to __ months durability. It is more helpful, I believe, to speak about specific products and how they appear to perform under a variety of conditions.

A wax should last 4months in normal use, longer if its not driven much. NXT Tech Wax 2.0 isn't a wax though, its a paint sealant.

"A wax should last 4 months in normal use"? Which waxes are you talking about? A general claim of four months durability for a carnauba-hybrid wax certainly contradicts consensual opinion and is not supported by my limited experience. I would think that 4-8 weeks durability would be more accurate, at least for the overwhelming majority of waxes.

Really? Because I can get 6 months out of Swissvax.

Really? As I recall, you only started using Saphir about six or seven months ago. In any case, most folks seem to get two to four months longevity from Swissvax waxes (see, e.g., Dave KG's report on BoS and Gleammachine's report on Saphir). I certainly do not deny that a Swissvax wax might last longer under the right conditions--and evidently you are experiencing the right conditions--but I do wonder whether six months durability is typical for most Swissvax users, especially for daily drivers. I do not dispute your experience, Andy, but is your experience truly representative?

I am increasingly persuaded that durability claims are almost as subjective and unreliable as appearance claims. How does the layman measure the durability of a protectant? I suppose that most of us appeal to the presence or non-presence of beading, but how reliable an indicator is beading, especially if one is regularly using a quick detailer like UQD? But more importantly, consider the multitude of factors that can impact the durability of a protectant. How was the wax applied and under what conditions? How often is the car driven? What kind of weather is the car driven in? What kinds of pollution and contaminants is the car exposed to? Is it garaged or does it sit outside all the time? How often is the car washed and quick-detailed and with what methods and products? I do not know how one would begin to objectively, reliably, and accurately compare and adjudicate protectant durability claims.

And how how important is wax/sealant durability anyway? Dom Colbeck's analysis seems spot-on to me:

The reason waxes have a limited life once applied is that UV light, contaminants, rain, friction - even drag from the air - start to break down the surface. It is why your shed needs restaining every year and why white gloss yellows over time. Once the smooth surface is a little eroded it will pick up dirt more readily and after 2-3 months it is likely to have enough contamination to warrant removal and reapplication.

If you clay your car, you'll know what embedded contaminants are ... so there's no point leaving wax on a car for 6 months as it will have dirt embedded into it that a maintenance wash can't remove. It would be like leaving your undies on for as long as possible, just to avoid chucking them in the washing machine! That's why I find all this talk about 6 months durability for LSPs a bit daft - the car won't be clayed in this time and if 'topped up' with a wax layer after a month or two, the new layer will be going over some of these contaminants.

I can understand wax durability being a concern during the winter months, and I can understand why individuals who do not wax their cars more than two or three times a year would prefer a protectant that lasts six months over a protectant that only last two months. Professional detailers especially have to be concerned about these kinds of selling points. But I can say this: I'm not going to wait six months to wax my two cars. Even the wife's CR-V, which is currently protected by Ultima Paint Guard Plus, gets sealed every six to eight weeks, whether it needs it or not. And as for Luthien, well, I can't imagine not waxing her every month or so, no matter what wax I am using.

Cheers,
Al

[itself]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

Al,

Some very good points about durability. I live in AZ, and as I am in sales, my car does not see much shade during the day. This is why I chose to go with a sealant this time ( I started the thread with wax but meant sealant).

However, that being said, my CRV will get sealed at least every 3 months. I feel that anything longer for my car is too long.

I recently did a friend a favor and did her car for her. She had a bonehead here in AZ detail her car, I was disgusted when it was done. Wax in the creases, and it did not look good.

In I came with DCP, #7 Glaze, and Gold Class liquid polish. The paint just came alive. I did her car again 3 months later, and again, the paint seemed to take on a new life. Her honda is six years old, and other than paint chips, it looks like it just rolled out of the showroom.

I don't know what the physics or science behind seeing "paint take on new life" is, but I think you all know what I mean by this. The silver pearl came back to life. It was just amazing.

Regardless of claims of durability, I stick with a 3 month routine for my car!

Lisa

[AeroCleanse]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

Al,

I find NXT Tech Wax 2.0 to have less durability that I can get from other products. For a paint sealant, I am now using Ultima Paint Guard Plus (which I wish Meg's would make a similar type product). I have had UPGP on a clients car for only a month so far, and its a daily driver and has excellent durability so far.

I also wonder if NXT 2.0 would last longer if it was applied in multi-coats rather than just one layer.

[akimel]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

Across the internet, including here on MOL, one encounters a remarkable diversity of contradictory testimony about NXT's durability. One finds individuals who state that they don't get much longer than four weeks. One finds other individuals who state that they typically get three to four months. Heck if I know how to negotiate these conflicting testimonies, and given that NXT is not one of my go-to protectants, I do not feel a need to explain or resolve them. I'm not invested in the dispute one way or another.

If durability is one's decisive concern, then I think one should use one of the protectants that are reputed to enjoy significant longevity--Zaino, Collinite, Finish Kare 1000p immediately come to mind. If durability is of only moderate or modest concern, then a wide world of products open up.

It's all a matter of expectations and needs, costs and benefits.

Find something that you like and use it often.

[itself]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

The M21 appears to be the same product, hmmm, I will have to see how the NXT Gen holds out. I would prefer not to have to wax/seal once a month, that really would be a drag.

I will take a look at those products you mentioned as sealants as I have never heard of them. Thanks.

Lisa

[AeroCleanse]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

The M21 appears to be the same product, hmmm, I will have to see how the NXT Gen holds out. I would prefer not to have to wax/seal once a month, that really would be a drag.

I will take a look at those products you mentioned as sealants as I have never heard of them. Thanks.

Lisa

If you already bought NXT 2.0 then apply a coat every 12hrs until you have 3 coats of it. I found one coat doesn't seem to last as long as I expect it to. People in other forums always use at least 2 coats of any paint sealant.

[cardriver]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

With 2 coats, I got at least 3 months out of it, but that's only because I apply 4x/yearly regardless of how long it lasts. Water was still beading great. I also let bird bombs cake in for weeks at a time, and the stuff couldn't make it past the NXT, which is probably the best part .
Oh, and my car is a daily driver, 24/7 outside non-garaged and non-shaded.

No complaints so far...
I've been wanting to try other "boutique" waxes just to see what they're like, but I still can't bring myself to spend $70 on a 3oz capful of those other brands. I can't even spend enough to give them the chance to show me that their 3-4x + price is that much better than the affordable competition .

[AeroCleanse]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

No complaints so far...
I've been wanting to try other "boutique" waxes just to see what they're like, but I still can't bring myself to spend $70 on a 3oz capful of those other brands. I can't even spend enough to give them the chance to show me that their 3-4x + price is that much better than the affordable competition .

If you want to try a "boutique" paint sealant, try Ultima Paint Guard Plus or Optimum Opti-Seal. They aren't as expensive and "boutique" carnuba waxes.

[itself]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

This time I am going to apply a second coat, I won't have time for a third, so I'll see how this goes. Thanks for all of the great advice!

Lisa

[cardriver]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

Thanks for the recommendations. I've actually been wanting to add Opti-Seal to my routine. Would it fit in with my NXT? If so, would it go before or after the NXT?

I understand that this would be like using two sealants and may be redundant or wasteful, but let's be honest...who ever said that detailing enthusiasts were conservative with their techniques, time, or money?

[Caress Detailing]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

I think the claim of a product lasting "X" amount of time is just pointless considering there are HUNDREDS of different factors.

Also, everybody seems to have their own perception of durability. Whether it's beading, sheeting, how easily dirt comes off, etc. etc. etc. It ends up being a person by person to a car to car basis. Never the same variables.

The point is, waxing a car is more preventative maintenance than people realize. It's like changing oil. Some oil companies claim that the viscosity of their oil will last 6 months or 10,000 miles. Am I going to wait til 6 months and 10,000 miles at the end of the oils life? HECK NO! I'm going to change that sucker 3/4 of the way or even 1/2 of the way to prevent any possible chance of damage. And even then, after every oil change it depends on how hard I push the car, if I take the car road racing, etc. Again, more variables from a person to person and car to car basis.

The same theory can apply to waxing a car. I'm not going to wait until the near end of a wax's life cycle before I reapply. I'm going to make sure it's got full proof protection all the time to minimize any damage from UV rays, bird bombs, bugs, contaminates, hard water, road grime, etc. etc. etc.

So I say screw those waxes that claim 6 months, the most I'll go without re-waxing is 3 months. It's only 4 times a year and I'll have the peace of mind that my car is protected.

But that's just me.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

So I say screw those waxes that claim 6 months, the most I'll go without re-waxing is 3 months. It's only 4 times a year and I'll have the peace of mind that my car is protected.

But that's just me.

Works if its your own car, but when your dealing with clients, they often want a product that can last as long as possible.

[cardriver]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

Thanks for the recommendations. I've actually been wanting to add Opti-Seal to my routine. Would it fit in with my NXT? If so, would it go before or after the NXT?

I understand that this would be like using two sealants and may be redundant or wasteful, but let's be honest...who ever said that detailing enthusiasts were conservative with their techniques, time, or money?

Ah, interesting question!

[akimel]

Re: NXT Generation 2.0 Liquid Wax Rocks!!

The question whether Opt-Seal can be used as topper was recently discussed over at Detailing World. The creator of Opt-Seal was quoted as follows:

Thank you for bringing this question to the forum. I can not speak about other brands and I limit my reply to Optimum line and specifically Opti-Seal. I am not sure where water is entering into this discussion since there is no water in Opti-Seal. Opti-Seal is a highly concentrated formula containing sealant polymers dissolved in a solvent. Once it is applied to any surface, it will bond to it and cross-links fully within 12 hours. The sealant polymers react with moisture which is why you can not have any water in this product. If there is any wax on the surface, Opti-Seal will dissolve it and the polymers will go to the surface and the wax will migrate to the top. This is due to the difference in the surface tension of wax and sealant. I hope this helps answer your question.

I believe I have read something similar about Ultima Paint Guard Plus. Of course, no one has tested how these products would react with a base coat of NXT nor has anyone tested how NXT would react to a base coat of OS or UPGP.

Personally, I would go either with NXT or OS/UPGP. I think I can see the logic in applying a carnauba wax on top of a synthetic sealant (presumably the carnauba topper produces a warmer look while at the same time maintaining the durability of the underlying sealant), but I do not see any benefit to applying a synthetic sealant on top of another synthetic sealant, and I suspect that using two different sealants might well compromise the durability of both. I certainly do not want to discourage anyone from experimenting with different combinations of products, but it should make sense, shouldn't it?