Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

[SofaKing]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

huh ?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

the questions to ask yourself is "why doesnt Meguiars published their own controlled studies?" I think its because significant visual differences DONT exist.

Visual differences are highly subjective and therefore almost impossible to quantify. Different colors will show different degrees of darkening, and just how do you quantify "darkening"? We can't really say that a given product will make your paint appear X% darker, or X number of shades darker. How the vehicle is prepped will have an impact on this as well. And if you do try to quantify this, or even longevity, people will take that as gospel or a guarantee of some sort. And you really can not guaranteed durability of a wax since there are just way too many variables.

But back to the darkening aspect - different people see things differently, especially on different colors. And this darkening can be a real pain to try and catch with a camera even if with the eye you see it quite clearly. We were, in fact, just doing that the other day down in our training garage with three different products that, when applied side by side showed three different levels of darkness. But the camera (or is that "my skill with the camera") couldn't capture it. And even if it did, is everyone's computer monitor up to the task of displaying it? Heck, I run a dual monitor set up at work, two identical make and model screens, and I can't get the color and contrast 100% dead on equal between them!

This discussion always harks back to a test KickinGriffin did a few years ago where he and his crew prepped 7 identical black cars and then used 7 different waxes on them. They then brought in a bunch of friends and asked them to score the cars on finish appearance - and the responses were as diverse as the waxes used. Personal preference is the greatest variable in the world.

Back when we first introduced Ultimate Wax I posted a couple pix of the hood of my wife's car showing the darkening ability of UW on non metallic red paint, and it was quite significant as you can see below. But red is a great color for showing this while silver is one of the colors that will show the least darkening.

[SofaKing]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

Thanks Michael...great answer...much appreciated. I found the 7 cars and 7 waxes responce very similiar to my own basic 50/50 tests. The pictures of the hood on your wifes car is certaintly very notiable. I did a 50/50 with UW (paste) and Collinate 845 on the hood of my 2010 Infiniti FX 35; so far they both look great, no difference in appearance.

Can;t wait to see the 2011 NEW PRODUCTS. If your going to SEMA have a great time!

Sofaking

[BillyJack]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

Subscribed.
Since all 3 waxes are on my shelves, I'm curious to watch for long-term results.

Bill

[Ultraman]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

I did a similar paste wax shootout between 915 and UPW.




Split my Civic in half for this test. Prep work was a wash and clay session. No need for polish since I had done this a month ago. I also noticed that the 915 side was a brighter shine. But the UPW gave off a deeper, darker shine -- which I loved! HTH

[ffboy]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

Collinite 845 has to be applied thin... durable, but its not super easyto use as nxt.. it can also streak if applied too thick, which can happen easily.. i don;t let it haze up for too long

[gtrspeed]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

Well, it's been a little over a month since I started this. The trunk still looks good and beads water nicely, but as I mentioned before, it does that with and without wax. I'm hoping to be able to wax the rest of the car today so that I can compare the feel of a freshly waxed surface to that of the trunk.

With that said, I'm thinking about restarting this test on my roommate's Charger - I polished his car a few months ago, but the paint is not perfect, and it does stop beading water when there's no wax on it. This might be a more measurable evaluation than what I'm doing right now, as it's pretty difficult for me to tell whether or not my car has any wax left on it.

[gtrspeed]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

Ok, so I was able to get a coat of M21 on the car this afternoon. Compared to the freshly sealed paint, the trunk definitely doesn't feel smooth as glass, but I can still feel a slight difference in texture where the tape lines were between the ULW and NXT. I can't pick up the line between the NXT and 845, though.

This seems to jive with the Consumer Reports data that even the best waxes will begin to lose their protection after a month of daily exposure to the sun. The ULW is still there, no doubt, but I have to wonder just how much is left. I'll probably give this test another week or two, and call it quits.

[davey g-force]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

Thanks for the update!

[dtuna42]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

Subscribed- And thanks for this study!

[greg0303]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

That's a really nice test.

Any updates ?

[gtrspeed]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

I'm calling this one. Washed the car yesterday and did the fingertip drag thing. I can still feel just the slightest difference in texture between the ULW section and the unprotected tape line. As I mentioned in my last post, none of the three test sections feel as slick as freshly sealed paint. I have to give the edge to ULW as far as longevity is concerned. Regarding looks, it's a toss-up on a grey car like mine. NXT is still the king when it comes to ease of application and removal (though I just started using M21, and I have to say I like that product even more).

In conclusion, on a properly prepared surface (recently polished and clayed), two thin coats of ULW will last at least five weeks on a daily driver that is parked outside 24/7 and washed weekly with a standard (i.e. non-wash and wax) car soap diluted as recommended, using the two bucket method, Grit Guards, and quality wash mitts. NXT and 845, more like a month.

If you go with something like Ultimate Wash & Wax or follow up every wash with an Ultimate Quik Wax wipedown (or both, as is my habit), I feel comfortable saying that you can go 7-8 weeks between wax applications, and even longer if your car is garaged. Now, as for how much protection you have, I'm still inclined to agree with Consumer Reports - even if you still have wax on the paint after two months, it's probably not providing as much protection as it did during the first thirty days.

So, if you don't have the time to properly wax your car every month, my decidedly non-expert recommendation is to choose ULW, use a car wash that has some wax in it, and follow up every wash with a UQW wipedown.

As for me, I'll keep waxing monthly and using D156 in between, and using M21 because of its ease of application and negligible difference in appearance given the color of my car. Thanks for your interest!

[wifpd4]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

Thanks for this comprehensive test. Enjoyed your commentary and insight.

[BillE]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

As David said...Thank you for doing this.

Bill

[davey g-force]

Re: Long Term Testing - Ult. Wax, NXT 2.0, and Collinite 845

Great review - thanks again!