"Best" AIO Wax?

[Buck91]

Well, I know its not a simple question but let me explain what I mean by "Best AIO Wax?".

I've been using NXT2.0 or UPW over the past year on my two cars, and A12 on anything else that I wax so I've used that a good amount with really very nice results (especially considering how little prep work those A12 cars got). Now with my '12 Mustang I've noticed it tends to pick up a LOT of little road tar/debris. Maybe its just the brand new smooth paint makes it more noticable, maybe its the UPW likes to pick up imbedded shtuff I dont know. What I do know is every time I feel like touching it up I feel compelled to claybar and that is just not working for me. Today I must have stopped at least a dozen times with either my finger nail or a QD-soaked rag to remove something from the paint that didnt come up with the UWW soap.

A12 vs #6 vs M20. I am under the impression these are all cleaner waxes of some variety. Which one is the most aggressive cleaner? Which offers the best protection? M20 is supposed to be a sealant, is it comparable to NXT2.0 or Ultimate wax? Which is easiest to apply?

[Shawn Devlin]

Re: "Best" AIO Wax?

Well, I know its not a simple question but let me explain what I mean by "Best AIO Wax?".

As with almost anything the best is a subjective term depending on your expectations in the product: looks, durability, cut, cleaning, cost, ease of use, etc.

I've been using NXT2.0 or UPW over the past year on my two cars, and A12 on anything else that I wax so I've used that a good amount with really very nice results (especially considering how little prep work those A12 cars got). Now with my '12 Mustang I've noticed it tends to pick up a LOT of little road tar/debris. Maybe its just the brand new smooth paint makes it more noticable, maybe its the UPW likes to pick up imbedded shtuff I dont know.

Sounds like you take a lot of pride in your vehicle and therefore you simply notice the imperfections. Given that your car is a 2012 model I am sure you are trying to keep it looking its best always.

What I do know is every time I feel like touching it up I feel compelled to claybar and that is just not working for me. Today I must have stopped at least a dozen times with either my finger nail or a QD-soaked rag to remove something from the paint that didnt come up with the UWW soap.

Be careful with using your fingernail to remove contamination, this can easily scratch the paint. Stick to the QD method with microfiber. I keep a small bottle of Final Inspection (M34) and a clean microfiber in a zip lock bag in the trunk for these instances.

A12 vs #6 vs M20. I am under the impression these are all cleaner waxes of some variety. Which one is the most aggressive cleaner? Which offers the best protection? M20 is supposed to be a sealant, is it comparable to NXT2.0 or Ultimate wax? Which is easiest to apply?

All of them have some degree of cleaner to them, in my experience the degree of cleaner would be in order of least to most of the products you list: M20, A12, M06. Personally, I have

[Shawn Devlin]

Re: "Best" AIO Wax?

Apologies, I pressed submit on my post above too soon and couldn't edit after the elapsed 10 minute limit. Continued below:

A12 vs #6 vs M20. I am under the impression these are all cleaner waxes of some variety. Which one is the most aggressive cleaner? Which offers the best protection? M20 is supposed to be a sealant, is it comparable to NXT2.0 or Ultimate wax? Which is easiest to apply?

All of them have some degree of cleaner to them, in my experience the degree of cleaner would be in order of least to most of the products you list: M20, A12, M06. Personally, I have begun using M20 in the past few months after years of ignoring it and find it fits in nicely with my preferences. It is easy to apply, cleans the paint nicely with some overlapping and technique similar to polishing, looks great, and has very nice durability. Here is a write of one instance where I used it on my daily driver:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?52386-2004-Volvo-S60-Daily-Driver-Cleanup&p=487068&highlight=#post487068

As far as keeping your car as clean as possible you may want to look into a semi-permanent/permanent paint coating like GTechniq C1 or Optimum Opti Coat as these have a reputation for resisting contamination as well as ease of releasing what does adhere to it. If you like waxing your car often like some then these types of products are not for you though.

[Buck91]

Re: "Best" AIO Wax?

Thank you for the detailed reply! When I speak of using my fingernail, I find while waxing teeny little dots of hardness stuck on the paint, maybe road tar maybe IDontKnowWhat. Anyways they pop off cleanly with the ***** of the nail so I figure its not too bad. But Definately always do have the QD in the trunk for "emergency bird bombs" and the like.

Anyhow, you've been happy with M20? I know A12 does a great job as a AOI but I was hoping for something with a bit longer last protection and maybe more of the tech wax or ultimate look (A12 looks great, just sorta... well I dunno, low tech?). If M20 does a decent job as a cleaner/wax and can offer protection and looks similar to either tech wax or UPW than I'm game, especially if its easier than UPW (which is about a stubborn as I'm willing to deal with). And yes, I do work my cleaner/waxes in rather well.

[Shawn Devlin]

Re: "Best" AIO Wax?

Anyhow, you've been happy with M20? I know A12 does a great job as a AOI but I was hoping for something with a bit longer last protection and maybe more of the tech wax or ultimate look (A12 looks great, just sorta... well I dunno, low tech?). If M20 does a decent job as a cleaner/wax and can offer protection and looks similar to either tech wax or UPW than I'm game, especially if its easier than UPW (which is about a stubborn as I'm willing to deal with). And yes, I do work my cleaner/waxes in rather well.

I have been very happy with M20 in every instance I have used it. I understand what you mean about A12 Cleaner Wax being low tech, it has been around for a few decades but keep in mind M20 Polymer Sealant is an older product too. Both are old but I look at that as a benefit rather than a detriment. I think my recommendation of M20 would depend on your application method: do you apply by hand or by machine?

* If you apply by hand I would say stock with A12 as the higher content of chemical cleaner is going to work to your advantage to remove the contamination you are frustrated with. I am not sure M20 is going to help you remove this as much as you would like by hand. For assistance with the durability aspect you can top the A12 with either the NXT or UPW you mentioned you have.
* If you apply by machine I would highly recommend M20 in conjunction with a pad from a manufacturer of your choice that has some level of cut to it to aid the cleaning abilities of the product. Working in overlapping motions with some mild pressure on the machine should allow you to pull those spots on your paint off with ease. M20 contains both synthetic protection as well as wax so it balances out the looks of each nicely.

In either case I would keep an extra pad or two around to switch to after you begin loading it up with pulled contamination and clean your pad on the fly often.

especially if its easier than UPW (which is about a stubborn as I'm willing to deal with). And yes, I do work my cleaner/waxes in rather well.

UPW seems to be getting a reputation as difficult to remove but I have not experienced that, I always apply VERY thin. If it is giving you trouble try scaling back on the amount used on the pad, almost to the point where it seems like you are not applying any wax, but the pad is still gliding across the paint smoothly.

[Buck91]

Re: "Best" AIO Wax?

Compared to A12 or NXT, UPW might be tough to remove but ULW is the real bear. I've used both and the ULW will probably end up going bad in its bottle eventually as it was TERRIBLE to remove. But UPW wasn't bad; spread well and wipes off easily if you let it dry.

Anyways, I used #6 and topped with NXT on my wheels, which went well and left a nice deep, wet look. Maybe that will make a good mid-winter experiment for the car.

[PPLd]

Re: "Best" AIO Wax?

Well, I know its not a simple question but let me explain what I mean by "Best AIO Wax?".

I've been using NXT2.0 or UPW over the past year on my two cars, and A12 on anything else that I wax so I've used that a good amount with really very nice results (especially considering how little prep work those A12 cars got). Now with my '12 Mustang I've noticed it tends to pick up a LOT of little road tar/debris. Maybe its just the brand new smooth paint makes it more noticable, maybe its the UPW likes to pick up imbedded shtuff I dont know. What I do know is every time I feel like touching it up I feel compelled to claybar and that is just not working for me. Today I must have stopped at least a dozen times with either my finger nail or a QD-soaked rag to remove something from the paint that didnt come up with the UWW soap.

A12 vs #6 vs M20. I am under the impression these are all cleaner waxes of some variety. Which one is the most aggressive cleaner? Which offers the best protection? M20 is supposed to be a sealant, is it comparable to NXT2.0 or Ultimate wax? Which is easiest to apply?

if your paint surface is picking up embedded stuff quick, it might be the wax is not slick enough and therefore not releasing dirt well.
you may want to consider clay the surface, polish the paint and try another paint sealant.
just like 2-in-1 shampoo for your hair and separate shampoo-conditioner~
while Meguiar's line of cleaner waxes are decent products, a pure paint sealant is definitely better.
and you will love how glossy your paint is after a proper polishing.

BTW I found that UWW is not particularly out standing at cleaning ability..
Try Shampoo Plus from detailer's line.

[Buck91]

Re: "Best" AIO Wax?

Well, I clayed and UPW the car when she was brand new, and up until last month there was a UWW +UQW bath as frequently as needed (once a week, approx.). THe paint itself was VERY nice prior to the clay, just did it to be thorough, it really feels like these are imbedding in the wax layer, as they are notably protruding above the surface and can be flicked out like I mentioned. I'll have to try a different top wax next and see if that changes anything, I suppose, since I've never noticed this using UWW on my other car with A12 ot NXT waxes.