How good are these waxes ?

[kadidle77]

I love meguiars and most people do. I was recently on consumer reports and they did a car wax test, they said that liquid waxes are the best, and they had Black Magic Wet Shine Liquid wax as the best overall wax at $7 a bottle while meguiars gold class was ranked 6th at $10 and they hand meguiars nxt tech wax at 9th $15 they were not rated well for there durability. I was wondering what is the best wax you could buy in your opinion?
thanks

[Satin Finish]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

Did they happen to mention on the consumer reports how they prep the paint prior to their tests or how the tests were performed?
Alot of waxing a car has to do with the prior prep work to the paint. In my experience a good prep will make a big difference in the final out come. Not to mention that alot of people choose waxes for differnet reasons. You will get alot of opinions on which wax is "better" or "longer lasting". Try a few out and stick with what you like.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

I think CR's testing methods are often flawed. Seems to me I remember reading that one of their "top pick" waxes could, according to CR, cause light scratching in the paint (or some such nonsense) which lead me to think "if the wax can potentially scratch the paint, how on earth do you rate it as a top product?" Beyond that, how would a wax actually cause scratches? Wouldn't you think a scratch would be caused by a less than clean applicator, or perhaps an overly aggressive application method with a terry applicator? Either way, something just sounded so, so wrong to me about the whole thing.

I see so many people, on so many forums, asking "what's the best wax?" as if a wax alone will accomplish all you could hope for with your cars finish. Ultimately the shine comes less from the wax than it does the prep. Wash, clay, polish with something like #80 and that finish is shiny!, yet it has no wax on it at all. I'd be willing to bet that, after doing the above, you could apply any of the waxes CR tested and the average Joe Consumer would be plenty happy with the way his car looked. People who don't bother with the proper prep, or don't wax their cars as often as many of the Car Crazy people here at MOL do, should be more concerned with longevity than eeking out that last little bit of extra gloss or wetness. Well, IMO anyway.

[Murr1525]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

This has come up a long time ago when it first came out, so you can do a search for the other big thread on it.

But to sumarize, if you re-read it and I recall correctly, either the best or second best wax left behind swirls and scratches, so that should wrap up your belief in that real fast.

[Scottwax]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

That wax test was a real joke and horribly flawed. Only a heavy cleaner wax was going to do well. NXT and Gold Class do not have strong cleaning capacity and were downgraded partially because of that. They even tested enthusiast products like P21S, which is a pure paste wax similar to #16 and it was ranked way down due to no cleaning ability...and the product isn't even meant to have any! You'd think they'd at least have read the little booklet that comes with the wax that says for best results to use their polish prior to the wax on paint 6 months or older.

No credibilty at all. CR might be good at rating washing machines but when it comes to car care products they don't have the first clue.

[NickcZ28]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

Scottwax, I agree with your comments. When I got my issue containing that report, that was the first one I read. I thought to myself, these people must be kidding. The don't have a clue as to what they're testing or proper testing methods/techniques.

[Larry A]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

They dont know anything about car paint care and whats worst they dont care.They think that polishing and waxing cars is a chore, not unlike cleaning toilets. They think that taking care of there cars is going to a automatic car wash twice a month.

[rascal]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

I suggest we send CR some photos of a test spot with #80 or #83. Show them the results of moving swirls and them hit that same spot with some NXT or GC wax. Tell them to stick that in their analyzer and smoke it. Tell them NXT and GC waxes are not for removing scratches and work really well when applied correctly on a properly prepared surface.

[kellyinkc]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

I suggest we send CR some photos of a test spot with #80 or #83. Show them the results of moving swirls and them hit that same spot with some NXT or GC wax. Tell them to stick that in their analyzer and smoke it. Tell them NXT and GC waxes are not for removing scratches and work really well when applied correctly on a properly prepared surface.

They also said new car paint gloss can't be improved

[Bunky]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

I am a little late since I just started doing research on car waxes to use on my new car. As one poster said, you need to consult more than one source. But, if you actually look at the individual scoring in CR for Meguiars in the liquid category, they actually did well except for durability.

I have seen postings elsewhere saying durability is not as good as others but so many variables affect this -- like just washing your car. The difference between excellent and very good in gloss may not mean anything and synthetics supposedly have a different shine than pure wax (deep look or hard glass). I do like the fact they did it visually instead of trying to instrument it.

I personally think scratching/hazing and staining plastics to be important too and Meguairs did well there plus it is easy to apply.

It is definitely on consideration list. Even if it is not as durable (by 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month?) over a 8 to 12 w period, I would prefer to have something easier to apply. The 'net confirms the comments that Black Max is difficult to remove without streaking.

If you use my criteria using the CR results, I think the choice is between Black Max or Gold Class product. Interestingly, NXT scored less in durability and the postings here by Meguiars seems to state NXT should be the more durable.

Al

[Nappers]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

It may be due to ease of use, the black magic may be easy to use, wipe on, wipe off after dries.

Although Meguiars is easy to use, one has to do homework to do it properly and the right products to get their car screaming that new paint look.

I'm old school, dish soap, turtle wax in can(done in the sun mind you!!) then removed with bath towel. Thought I had a sweet ride.

Now my Neon with Orange Blast paint is quite nice with wash with GC soap, clay, ScratchX, polish and NXT. I have some orange peel issues but can live with that, not too comfortable with taking 3000 grit to my car without causing worse damage. and....it's a NEON. LOL.

[Lydia]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

How do they rate durability, I wonder? By water beading? Some waxes aren't designed to bead water. Even if they are made to bead water, as far as I know, just because they don't after a while, doesn't mean they aren't still there.

LOL Nappers.

[Bunky]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

To really evaluate the test, you have to understand the CR test assumptions. For example, they used 1/4 teaspoon of product. Is that the right amount for all waxes? How do you measure gloss? How do you distinquish an excellent from very good.

All in all, Meguair's (the Gold Class) did not do badly. As I understand it, the polymer waxes are intended to protect the paint not just add gloss and bead water.

Al

[79T/A]

Re: How good are these waxes ?

My 2 cents...

I don't much about other brands of wax. I use Meguiars it works great, I'll put any of my waxed vehicles up against any show car or test. I'll think they'll do alright.

Check em out
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and my favorite
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As far as durability is concerned, I have no idea how Meguiars fares...
...who wants to wax their vehicle as few times as possible, anyways.