Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

[AllenB]

I have been using Ultimate Wax the last few times and have been undecided on the results. On the white Fusion, the wife said she liked the NXT I had been using better as it made the metal flake stand out better. On the black Expedition I thought it looked pretty good but a little hard to remove compared to NXT or Gold Class.

To day I was working on the white Fusion. I put on a coat of UW nice and thin, about 30 to 60 minutes later I went back and without wiping the first coat off I applied a second coat right over the first coat, again nice and thin. Working with a DA. I was very worried that this may become one thick coat and be hard to remove. I left this on for about 3 hours and started the wipe down. It wiped off rather easy, seemingly easier than I remembered it wiping off. Still not as easy as NXT, it seems like I am rubbing the paint a lot. Looked really good.

I told the wife to take a look at it later and she said it looked good and that I should keep using the UW rather than going back to NXT. Now I'm more confused.

Has anyone else tried this with UW? I'm I just dreaming that this made a difference?

[ffboy]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

NOpe, your eyes are fine. First of all, my observation is based on my experience with NXT 2 and my scanning of cars here at MOL treated with Ultimate wax and what i observed to be very similar to ultimate quik wax. My observation is that NXT 2 gives an almost candy glow/tone and even a slightly thicker but not laminated glow where as the ultimate wax seems to have a thinner but deeper look, better gloss, and generally gives sharper reflections. While the NXT 2 may bring out the pearl/metallic effect on certain paint colors especially light colors, it may be to such an extent that it makes the paint gloss look a bit neutral. With ultimate wax while my assumption is that it doesn't make the flake pop that much but the kind of gloss it gives brings out the shine of the paint vs. the flake of the paint. The ultimate wax's gloss seems to have more hues, seems to give more contrast to the look of the paint (dark hues are darker, light hues are lighter). NXT seems to be about the lighter aspect of the metallic paints, while ultimate wax seems to be on the light hues as well as the dark hues of the metallic flakes.

[ffboy]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

This is what i observed when i compared NXT 2.0 and collinte 476s/845(basically a carnauba/synth) to silver and black metallic paint. Many prefer nxt on silver vs. black, and carnaubas should go nicely on black. Both waxes work really well on both colors (NXT2 is easiest to use though!), i thought collinites would make NXT2 pathetic, useless, basically garbage in terms of durability and shine... HOwever, used on black, I was more impressed and surprised with the shine NXT2 gives. Deep, almost thick, very rich and "blacker".. basically i like it better than both collinites. Also, on certain light, the metallic flakes really come out nicely and evenly. Durability? while collinites win, NXT 2 is not "miles" ahead... I'd say maybe a couple of steps ahead... and the nxt2 is Eeeeeaaaaaaaaasier to use.

Now on silver... The NXT2 is recommended by many on silver, and yes it looks nice! The thick/rich look of nxt and the way it makes metallic flakes pop gives a well balanced look. However, I found the collinites better on this color. The metallic flakes, from dark hues, to mid-tones, to bright hues really come out that it seems that you can see a lot more of the "silverness" of the paint rather than the typical metallic flakes popping out. This wax in my eyes adds depth to silver (which can be difficult) yet it really adds brightness.

My interpretation of this? almost like NXT2 vs. ultimate wax, NXT2 brings out the color more than the shine thats why it works well for darker paint (in my opinion) while the collinites (or Ultimate wax) brings out the gloss and depth more than the color of the paint.

So there is validity to your observations. You sometimes see different results from what you expect a product/car paint combination would give... Sometimes, you may even be surprised to find that the results you get may be of your liking than what you think you are looking for!

[Garage Troll]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

I agree. NXT = brighter shine. UW = deeper shine and wet look


Here are my personal preferences for what they're worth:

Dark metallics - Wolfgang DGS 3.0

Brighter metallics - NXT or M16

Dark solids - UW followed by CroftGateUSA Aquanil-X (believe me this last step has made a huge difference IMHO)

Light colored solids - NXT followed by CroftGateUSA Quick N' Slick

BTW, my profile pic is with NXT and I didn't really like it that way. I use Wolfgang DGS 3.0 followed by M16 for a deep gloss with a warm glow on the metallic accents.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

I agree. NXT = brighter shine. UW = deeper shine and wet look


Here are my personal preferences for what they're worth:

Dark metallics - Wolfgang DGS 3.0

Brighter metallics - NXT or M16

Dark solids - UW followed by CroftGateUSA Aquanil-X (believe me this last step has made a huge difference IMHO)

Light colored solids - NXT followed by CroftGateUSA Quick N' Slick

BTW, my profile pic is with NXT and I didn't really like it that way. I use Wolfgang DGS 3.0 followed by M16 for a deep gloss with a warm glow on the metallic accents.

Andy you are so true!!!

I went over the Civic with Aquanil-X today and it made a huge difference over the UW!

The UW gives a very plastic, kind of shiny, bright look in my opinion. The Aquanil-X maintains the brightness but adds a huge amount of depth to the paint. The UW made the metallic really stand out which seemed to kind of dull the depth of the paint but the Aquanil-X brought the depth back.

Here she is!

[Marc08EX]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

Geez Shawn the shine of your car is blinding!

[ffboy]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

FOr me, NXT 2 for our black car (SUV in fact) I don't know why but there's something about that wax that really adds class and elegance to it. MAybe its because it doesn't give a too "mirrory" gloss which can be a distraction in a way. And using a tempermental wax on a big vehicle can be unpleasant... Ease of use comes in handy and nxt delivers in this area!

On silver, i found "THE WAX" for that color. Collinite 476s (and 845 IW). It just adds a kind of depth i normally find difficult to bring out on silver. I used this in combination with carlack 68 twins, the effect is higher reflectivity and brightness, and depth added by the collinites. On our dark red e39, this combo worked amazingly well. The color/trim combo of our e39 made it look a bit boring so i used this combo, and i found the product/s that makes the whole car come alive.

[Garage Troll]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

Andy you are so true!!!I went over the Civic with Aquanil-X today and it made a huge difference over the UW!The UW gives a very plastic, kind of shiny, bright look in my opinion. The Aquanil-X maintains the brightness but adds a huge amount of depth to the paint. The UW made the metallic really stand out which seemed to kind of dull the depth of the paint but the Aquanil-X brought the depth back.Here she is!

Wow Shawn! It looks like the paint is wet! Great job. I like the fact that you get the durability of UW but the warmth of carnauba. I know there is some in AX.

[AllenB]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

Does anyone have any thoughts about putting 2 coats of wax on before removing any wax? Would this increase/change the look of the finished product?

[CRACKERVOL]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

Why would you ???

Does anyone have any thoughts about putting 2 coats of wax on before removing any wax? Would this increase/change the look of the finished product?

[wifpd4]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

Shawn and Troll,

How are you applying the Aquanil-X? What are you using as a cure time for the UW?

[AllenB]

Re: Ultimate Wax - Tried something different

I have heard of show car guys using a similar technique to get a car ready, that is what caused me to try it. I think the technique made a difference. I hadn't been too impressed with the shine of UW on the white color. With the 2 coat technique it doesn't have a brilliant shine like NXT but it has a glow. I hadn't seen that before. I really want to like UW because it doesn't turn white on the black plastic trim parts, that is why I am trying some different methods.