Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

[BobbyG]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

Ah c'mon Bobby, aren't ya gonna tell us what you thought of OCW while we wait for others to chime in??

Barry, you talked me into it!

I got a sample of Optimum Car Wax and decided to give it a try. Before just trying it out I read the directions and went online and did a little reading.

So here we go.

I washed my truck then dried it. The paint is in great shape so there was no need to clay or do a correction step.

The wax has a milky appearance and sprays on very easily. The best part is that Optimum Car Wax is incredibly easy to apply! Spray it onto your vehicle and spread it over the paint with a microfiber towel. No buffing is required to get a gorgeous beautiful shine! Optimum Car Wax doesn't stain vinyl trim and or plastic moldings. Just spray and wipe! It only takes 20 minutes to wax your whole vehicle and it lasts for up to 5 months.

Now while it states no buffing I still like to give the finish a final going over with a soft Microfiber towel but I have to say when I was applying the wax it dried crystal clear. Using this product was so easy and the results so impressive I could and will use it after each wash or in place of detail spray.

You've got to give it a try.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

I dont think so.

I cannot see UQW resisting really bad water spots or fighting off a bird etching.

But thats just my guess, the fine folks here at Meguiars might say otherwise.

And that folks is the end of the game. We have a winner.

One unique property I see with UQW and UQD is the hydrophobic technology. It's a great property to ensure at most times water that sits on the car (after it rains) will have a harder chance on leaving stains and in most cases if you drive the car will blast water off on the freeway.

Since I layer my protective waxes the UQW layer is mainly used to boost it up until my Fall Wax session.

[fredcandetail]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

On every paid detail I use uqw on my last run before handing over the keys. I could use LastTouch (and do sometimes) but uqw does give vehicles a tad more pop and a spray can do a whole panel. At $10 a bottle I can do about 20 cars ... So for me it's a good trade off due to hydrop propoerties.
As far as optimums spray wax..... Oooooooh so tempted, but I seriously doubt i will get more pop out of it .... Maybe protection, not gloss; forbthe average car I get it's more about shine and not so much protection as I will typically get the car back in two weeks and reapply the same procedure.

[akimel]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

If I didn't own several tubs of wax, I could easily see myself using UQW as my principal wax, perhaps combined with periodic (every 3 months?) application of ColorX or M20. I imagine if one were to apply it after ever wash or every other wash, one's vehicle would be well protected, and it certainly would look good. As far as I can tell, regular waxes don't provide much protection against bird bombs and water spots--the key to both is rapid wash or quick detailing response.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

You have to also keep in mind that Meguiar's UQW is sold over the counter at large retailers nationwide, Optimum is not. That means Optimum users tend to be very heavy on the enthusiast side of this hobby while our customers range from those same people to the type of casual consumer who honestly thinks waxing once a year is sufficient. As an enthusiast, you know that thinking is flawed.

As Mike Pennington points out, UQW can be used as a stand alone wax if used regularly. The polymer technology in it is relatively unique, and the protection it offers is surprisingly durable, especially for a spray wax. While others may say their waxes last "X" amount of time, that is something Meguiar's has never stated as there are far too many variables.

[RogueGypsy]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

Interesting string.

Just to add another product to the mix, I recently discovered a spray wax called BTS (Bow to Stern). The application is interesting.

http://www.btsproducts.com/home/

I detailed a Nitro (bass boat) for one of my fishing buddies last year at the end of the season, before he stored it for the winter. Several times this year out fishing I was impressed with how clean it was staying, after the detail last year. When I commented on it, he told me he had used some BTS when he pulled it out in March and hadn't done anything but wash it since. The boat really shines.

I'll be doing a side by side with BTS and UQW in the near future on the hood of my truck. They are both in the mail to me as I type.

I have to say, for someone with far less time to detail than I'd like. Having a spray wax and using it like a Spray Detailer like M135 is very appealing. Even more appealing if it lasts a couple of months.

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[roushstage2]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

Interesting string.

Just to add another product to the mix, I recently discovered a spray wax called BTS (Bow to Stern). The application is interesting.

http://www.btsproducts.com/home/

I detailed a Nitro (bass boat) for one of my fishing buddies last year at the end of the season, before he stored it for the winter. Several times this year out fishing I was impressed with how clean it was staying, after the detail last year. When I commented on it, he told me he had used some BTS when he pulled it out in March and hadn't done anything but wash it since. The boat really shines.

I'll be doing a side by side with BTS and UQW in the near future on the hood of my truck. They are both in the mail to me as I type.

I have to say, for someone with far less time to detail than I'd like. Having a spray wax and using it like a Spray Detailer like M135 is very appealing. Even more appealing if it lasts a couple of months.

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Rogue makes a comeback, lol! How ya been?

Your last sentence is one thing that sort of pushed me to ask this question. I have been so busy, that unfortunately, my cars don't get the lovin' they used to. I just don't have the time to spend a day washing, cleaning, waxing and so on. Heck, my Neon has only been hand washed about two or three times all summer long. Other than that, it has been auto-washes every couple of weeks. I know, I know, shame on me, lol.

[dvtldav]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

I don't use UQW as a stand alone wax but as a booster over NXT2 and#26 and the beading and shine will last for over a year. I use UQW after I wash and UQD between washes and I cannot believe how great my vehicles look and how easily they clean up.

Dave

[davey g-force]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

I have to say, for someone with far less time to detail than I'd like. Having a spray wax and using it like a Spray Detailer like M135 is very appealing. Even more appealing if it lasts a couple of months.

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Rogue, with respect, I think you'll find that UQW s not intended to be used like a spray detailer. In other words, it should be used on a clean vehicle only.

[Counterfiend]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

My guess is just the way its formulated. Its slightly less concentrated being in a spray form, well, to get it to SPRAY. Heh. Could you imagine a spray bottle of Gold Class or Tech Wax or something. Ha. You would never get anywhere! We wont even talk about a good paste was or pure carnauba wax in a spray bottle! Ha.

Being able to use it as a stand along is great! But I would say put a good coat of a normal (past, or liquid) wax on and just do the UQW every 3-4 weeks to maintain it. Will more then likely help your initial wax even longer then it normally would.

[RogueGypsy]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

Rogue, with respect, I think you'll find that UQW s not intended to be used like a spray detailer. In other words, it should be used on a clean vehicle only.

Always glad to here others thoughts and ideas.

The UQW hasn't arrived yet, but I happened to be in an auto parts store yesterday and they had Quick Wax, so I grabbed a bottle.

The label reads: "Our formula gently cleans the surface while conditioning and protecting your finish..............produce a show car shine in just minutes"

As far as I can tell the only difference in QW vs UQW is Carnauba vs polymers, respectively.

It sounds to me, and I may be wrong, that it is design to be a quick detailer that leaves a protective finish.

That's not to say I would use this on dirty paint or on paint by itself. I would like to use it after a wash or rinse, and as a quick detailer on clean paint. All of which would have a couple layers of M21 already. If I'm misreading the application I could be wrong.


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[RogueGypsy]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

Rogue makes a comeback, lol! How ya been?

Your last sentence is one thing that sort of pushed me to ask this question. I have been so busy, that unfortunately, my cars don't get the lovin' they used to. I just don't have the time to spend a day washing, cleaning, waxing and so on. Heck, my Neon has only been hand washed about two or three times all summer long. Other than that, it has been auto-washes every couple of weeks. I know, I know, shame on me, lol.

I've been great Tyler!

I keep hearing rumors of a bad economy, but it sure hasn't found me yet. I'm busier now than I have been in a long, long time.

I know what you're saying about auto washes. I have a pressure washer so it's been my primary mode of maintenance for the last year or so. Like you, one reason I'm looking for a quick way to protect my paint.

I still haven't finished the Bronco. It was park in a friends shop for about 8 months, gutted and Rhino lined the interior. Then we decide it need a workout, so we took it on a 12 day tour of Cascade logging roads. When we built a couple of cabins for his family. Now it's just parked in the driveway being neglected again. Still haven't found anything better than M07 to make the fiberglass canopy look good.

How's school been?

[Counterfiend]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

I do know that last year at SEMA the wrong shipment was sent to the detailing guys who were taking care of cars and they got pretty much all UQW and guess what, they used it as a quick detailer basically.
Had to use it a little differently then a Quick detailer, but they made it work, and they actually liked using it.

So it sure can be used as a quick detailer at a car show or just a quick wipe of something nasty off.

Obviously dont clean the whole car down if its got dirt everywhere, obviously for just the light dust from sitting outside or a short drive.

[roushstage2]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

I've been great Tyler!

I keep hearing rumors of a bad economy, but it sure hasn't found me yet. I'm busier now than I have been in a long, long time.

I know what you're saying about auto washes. I have a pressure washer so it's been my primary mode of maintenance for the last year or so. Like you, one reason I'm looking for a quick way to protect my paint.

I still haven't finished the Bronco. It was park in a friends shop for about 8 months, gutted and Rhino lined the interior. Then we decide it need a workout, so we took it on a 12 day tour of Cascade logging roads. When we built a couple of cabins for his family. Now it's just parked in the driveway being neglected again. Still haven't found anything better than M07 to make the fiberglass canopy look good.

How's school been?

Glad to hear things have been going so well! I actually had to tear our Bronco down, put a new engine in and such. Was going to put a spray in liner in the interior, but decided not to ATM. The carpet cleaned up pretty good when it was out of it. Will be getting the top fixed at some point. Either a liner or having it refinished. Just a few things here and there I need to finish up for it to be all ready for the road again. It's probably going to get 4.56 gears much sooner than later though. I think the 2.75 gears with the large 33" tires on that huge thing led to an earlier demise of the engine that was in there. It does have a 3" body lift now in addition to the lift it had before. School has been good as well. I graduate this Fall; can't wait!

Back to topic: I understand how long a wax lasts is subject to MANY factors, so all that aside: If Optimum didn't claim X amount of months, could you say UQW is on the same level or same type of product?

[davey g-force]

Re: Spray Wax...why isn't it a "normal" wax?

Always glad to here others thoughts and ideas.

The UQW hasn't arrived yet, but I happened to be in an auto parts store yesterday and they had Quick Wax, so I grabbed a bottle.

The label reads: "Our formula gently cleans the surface while conditioning and protecting your finish..............produce a show car shine in just minutes"

As far as I can tell the only difference in QW vs UQW is Carnauba vs polymers, respectively.

It sounds to me, and I may be wrong, that it is design to be a quick detailer that leaves a protective finish.

That's not to say I would use this on dirty paint or on paint by itself. I would like to use it after a wash or rinse, and as a quick detailer on clean paint. All of which would have a couple layers of M21 already. If I'm misreading the application I could be wrong.


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Fair enough, I'm sure it would probably work like that too.

Also, I didn't read your post carefully enough. I assumed you were referring to UQW, but you actually meant spray waxes in general.

As far as I can see, the product description for UQW doesn't say anything about cleaning the surface i.e. using it as a spray detailer. I wouldn't mind hearing from Mike about what the Meguiar's official word is on this...