Need A good winter wax

[big pete]

Hello first time on this forum. I've learned alot just buy reading what everybody has to say. GREAT FORUM.

My question is this, I live in Calgary Alberta Canada and fall is already upon us and soon winter, by mid October will get the snow. Is there a wax that I could use over the winter months that might hold up a little better to these -35c temps we get and all the snow and ice?.

I have a 2006 Explorer Sport Trax which is beige in colour, For now I use Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner Step #1, I don't think I need step #2 the polish on the light coloured truck, or should I be doing step #2? PLEASE ADVISE. Then I use Meguiars Gold Class wax. The Truck looks great when I'm done. I'm thinking on running out and buying NXT wax it's $30.00 a pop in canada but I feel it will be money well spent.

Any advice from anyone on my detailing system what I should or should not be doing will be greatly appreciated

[showtime]

NXT or #21 with Collinite should last awhile. I have that combo on my truck right now. I have no time to maintain my truck anymore so I just wanted something that would last a long time.

[Buellwinkle]

I ditto NXT or #21. To me, NXT provides a better shine and easier to use, #21 lasts longer, either way I don't think you'll be disapointed. The trick with these two waxes is to let it sit until dry and depending on climate, it could be 10 minutes or 30 minutes. Also, consider getting their Quick Clay and learn how to do that. I do my cars maybe twice a year with clay and really gives it that smooth feel after waxing and only takes maybe 20 minutes to do the car.

[Murr1525]

On a light color, claying and DC#1 will make the biggest difference. Nxt wax is the most durable Meguiars offers, so thats the best you'll do.

Incidently, if you are short on time, a product like ColorX might be good for you. It is a bit stronger of a cleaner which can be good once in a while, and can removce light swirls. It also is a very good polish, which is good once in a while for any paint. And it is not a bad wax either, looks great with NXT over it.

I havent used ColorX in the winter yet, but the regualr cleanerwax has worked for me in low temperatures, which might be nice halfway through if u get a nice but cold day.

Welcome to the forum too....

[big pete]

Thanks for all of the advise guys, I appreciate it. The wife already bought me the cleaner wax and I will be going out this weekend to purchase the NXT wax.

Should I use the step 2 polish on the light color (gold)? Also I have been reading up on Claying and I will be giving that a try as well.


Thanks again
Pete

[Murr1525]

Well, here is an article on why polishing paint is important..

Polishing Paint

That said, it is also true that light colors do not show the affects of polishing the way a dark color will. Light colors dont get that same depth. So you may not need to do it all the time for looks, but once in a while is still important for paint care.

You mentioned one of the cleaner waxes, I suppose you mean the regular Cleaner Wax. It is mild like the DC#1, but has some polishing oils in it, and some wax. It will certainly keep your paint looking good, and the polishing oils will be good. And top it with a coat of regualr wax if you like for best protection.

And claying is the best...

[Tim Lingor]

Hey Pete,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

I would urge you to use the Meguiar's Quik Clay, then follow with the DC 1 & 2. While pure polishes like #2 will be more noticeable on darker colours, it will still add a little extra to lighter colours as well. I always used #7 Show Car Glaze (pure polish) even on white vehicles.

As for winter sealants, I would suggest Meguiar's #20 Polymer Sealant, NXT Tech Wax or #21 Synthetic Sealant.

Cheers!

Tim

[djtrackie]

My suggestion would be:

-wash
-clay
-ColorX (replaced DC1 & 2) this will clean and polish the paint so that the M21 can bond properly.
-M21 Sythetic sealant x 2 (for even coverage). You can substitue NXT for M21 if you can't find M21.

-#26 or DC3 - wax with no cleaners for added protection (optional step)

[big pete]

thanks alot for the help everybody.I guess I still have a ton to learn about detailing a car I'll keep reading these forums and learning. Friday night I'm going down to the local auto store [Canadian Tire}and pick alot of this stuff up to give it a try on Saturday. Cheers Pete

[EdT]

Originally posted by big pete
thanks alot for the help everybody.I guess I still have a ton to learn about detailing a car I'll keep reading these forums and learning. Friday night I'm going down to the local auto store [Canadian Tire}and pick alot of this stuff up to give it a try on Saturday. Cheers Pete

You won't be able to find alot of quality pure waxes at Canadian Tire.

They usually have the following products:

1. Gold Class Liquid and paste
2. NXT Tech Wax liquid and paste
3. Step 3 Wax
4. Mother's Carnauba

As much as I like Meguiar's products, they are strong in the polish side of things, but their pure waxes are almost non-exsistant or very hard to find. If you want ultimate winter durability then Collinite's 476S is really your only choice.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey EdT,

I respectfully disagree...have you tried #20 Polymer Sealant over the winter? How about #21?

Polymer Sealants like #20 will outlast and will protect longer than carnuaba products; hence the reason for their popularity. Having lived in Northern BC, I used to experience temperatures in the -65*C range! Yep, darn cold!!!! I always used Meg's #20 and have never had a problem what-so-ever with it protecting my paint during the long and extremely cold winters. So while I agree that Collinite makes a great wax, polymers will still hold an edge over it.

Tim

[Blr123]

Hey Pete,

Wlecome to the forum

We'll let those above ^^^^^ argue about it (only joking) and I'll say that I'm new to this also, I recently did my car as follows: -

Wash & dry
Clayed - just use plenty of lubricant and it's easy peezee!
Polished
Sealed #21 x 3............24hours between each coat
Finally 2coats of wax..........I left these 24hours between also.

This sounds a lot of work but in total it was about 7/8hours all in and the finish is spectacular.

All I'll do now is, after the weekly wash simply dry and go over it with NXT Spray Wax or you could use Quick Detailer but in your climate I'd go for the wax, it simply tops up what you did in the fist place and it will last longer between full details.............see I'm getting rite into the lingo aswell

I also found it to be very relaxing

Bryan

PS remember when using clay you can do everything in this order: -

Paint
Glass
Lights
Wheels

[EdT]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey EdT,

I respectfully disagree...have you tried #20 Polymer Sealant over the winter? How about #21?

Polymer Sealants like #20 will outlast and will protect longer than carnuaba products; hence the reason for their popularity. Having lived in Northern BC, I used to experience temperatures in the -65*C range! Yep, darn cold!!!! I always used Meg's #20 and have never had a problem what-so-ever with it protecting my paint during the long and extremely cold winters. So while I agree that Collinite makes a great wax, polymers will still hold an edge over it.

Tim

Yes, I have tried M21, it is a great polymer sealant better than M20 IMHO and as durable as sealants goes, they do not provide the same amount of protection in terms of sacrificial barrier thickness as a carnuaba paste based product and if winter is a concern, the ice against the surface grit will act as errosion type effect against the paint.

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by EdT
Yes, I have tried M21, it is a great polymer sealant better than M20 IMHO and as durable as sealants goes, they do not provide the same amount of protection in terms of sacrificial barrier thickness as a carnuaba paste based product and if winter is a concern, the ice against the surface grit will act as errosion type effect against the paint.

I think you meant you tried #20 over the winter as #21, a Synthetic Sealant, was not available to the public until the Spring.

Where are you obtaining this information regarding sacrificial barrier thickness of carnuabas versus polymers? Can you please cite your scientific sources of information. Thanks!

Since you will be selling/sell Collinite, you obviously believe in the product, which is a good thing. The reason I am the Super Moderator on MOL is that I have spent over 21+ years detailing and using products from many many different companies, I would never suggest a product if I have not used it first hand myself. Hence the reason I suggested the #20 as I have used it for close to 2 decades with nothing but great success with it.

I look forward in reading your sources you will cite.

Tim

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by EdT
If you want ultimate winter durability then Collinite's 476S is really your only choice.

This of course is just your opinion which you are entitled to but nonetheless, an opinion. As far as pure waxes go, we have

M26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax
Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax
M16 Professional Paste Wax (If you can find it)

Both NXT and M21 do have some cleaning ability, but anyone that has ever used either of them knows it's very limited and not enough to call either a cleaner/wax.