Expensive LSP's

[Calais]

Many people in the detailing industry take the mantra "you get what you pay for" to heart and pay exorbitant amounts of money on LSP's, namely designer carnauba waxes. I am not here to debate whether or not some products produce a better shine, more depth, clarity, reflectivity or protection but I would stand by the argument that one does not need an expensive LSP to produce a beautiful paint surface. I would go further to argue that more so than the LSP, a paint's ability to turn heads is more dependent on it's preparation. On to the proof...

For the sake of this experiment I carefully wiped down my vehicle's paint surface with alcohol and throughly stripped the already fading layer of wax that was already present. I meticulously inspected the paint to determine whether or not it was still well prepared from the last time I compounded/polished it. I verified that the paint was still, in fact, very well prepped and applied a thin layer of Meguiar's Cleaner Wax (MSRP ~$7) to the entire body of the car. I removed the wax and revealed the results.

Note my obesity.

Gotta love those body lines.

Note my brother's bike.

Like a mirror.

So, with the one of the least expensive waxes available you too can produce a "show car shine" on any any car, even a daily driver (like my own), as long as your paint is properly prepared via claying/compouding/polishing/cleaning.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Expensive LSP's

Unless you compare it to a high price carnuba wax its hard to say.

[Justin A]

Re: Expensive LSP's

Unless you compare it to a high price carnuba wax its hard to say.

x2

I'm not arguing your statement, but it is the equivalent of offering a dog one brand of food to choose from and reporting that he prefers it.
I'm planning on buying one of these expensive LSPs in the next week or so and testing it side-by-side with Megs Gold Class (my favorite megs wax) for a (reasonably) empirical test. The results will still be subjective, but at least there will be variables involved instead of "hey look how good this product performs when viewed by itself". I'm just saying is all. I've been using Meguiars products since I got my first car and have been happy, but I can't honestly say that they ARE the best product out there because I've really never tried anything else. I can say without a doubt that Meguiars products are the dogs ballocks compared to armorall wipes and sprays and other ****, but against anything else, I have no experience to speak from.

[the_invisible]

Re: Expensive LSP's

How do you define "expensive" in this case?

To me, NXT 2.0 for $14 at Walmart is still pretty darn expensive!

I used to use Megs Classic Wax, Mother's California Gold Wax, NuFinish which all cost under $10 a bottle lol

[Fischer]

Re: Expensive LSP's

I think NXT 2.0 produces some awesome shine compared to cleaner Wax and other things, I want to compare it to some of that $100 Wolfgang wax and see what is better.

[john m.]

Re: Expensive LSP's

Yeah, It would be good to see a side by side of some NXT and something really nice and expensive to see if any difference is evident.

[akimel]

Re: Expensive LSP's

If has the funds, then I think it is a good thing to experiment with a couple of the boutique wax and compare them to Meguiar's NXT and M26. We are all loyal to Meguiar's products, and we feel disloyal by even suggesting that superor protectants than NXT and M26 might exist out there. There's only one way to find out. Try out at least one new wax (Souveran, Fuzion, 50/50, Glasur, or Victoria Concours Red) and one new synthetic sealant (Wet Diamond Sealant, JetSeal, Ultima Paint Guard Plus). Try them our and compare to your present Meguiar's waxes. Let us know what you find out.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Expensive LSP's

I would say...With most things in life you get what you pay for.Not always though.

I've only ever tried waxes within a normal price range.I'm happy with the results.I don't much care for waxes that cost 300$'s or whatever.I think the price I just payed for a bottle of techwax2.0 is expensive.At least in europe.

I've seen some fantastic finishes on this forum and some on youtube using Meguiar's.I've also seen vids of people using the exotic swiss stuff.I can't say that I see such a difference that would justify the price difference.I don't think it has much to do with longetivity either.So....?

As far as applying by hand.Okay,the temperature of our hands is suitable,but I don't think there is any benefit to this.I find a foam applicator is the best and easiest way.

I agree with Calais,that the work done before hand is way more important.


I would like to see experiments conducted with these exotic products,used on half a car compared to other normal priced brands on the other half.Then,the car used for normal every day driving,washed regularly and see the results after a period of time.But it would have to be fair,without any bias.
Sorry.I can't do this kind of thing.I don't have that kind of poppy to spend on exotic waxes.Maybe someone else here can?

[the_invisible]

Re: Expensive LSP's

I have toyed with the idea of using boutique waxes. The ones Ferrari or Porsche owners use. If used correctly, a bottle should be good for many applications.

But in the end, my 335i and G37 are just ordinary cars that nobody gives a hoot about. With that in mind, ordinary waxes from ordinary stores like Walmart and Schucks should do just fine. With proper techniques and skills, I am sure I could produce excellent results with just about any product.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Expensive LSP's

I understand the reasoning behind the use of boutique waxws. Not debating that. I still say that if a car's finish is not properly prepared the diffewrence in a boutique wax and some otc wax would be negligible Just my 0.02.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Expensive LSP's

If has the funds, then I think it is a good thing to experiment with a couple of the boutique wax and compare them to Meguiar's NXT and M26. We are all loyal to Meguiar's products, and we feel disloyal by even suggesting that superor protectants than NXT and M26 might exist out there. There's only one way to find out. Try out at least one new wax (Souveran, Fuzion, 50/50, Glasur, or Victoria Concours Red) and one new synthetic sealant (Wet Diamond Sealant, JetSeal, Ultima Paint Guard Plus). Try them our and compare to your present Meguiar's waxes. Let us know what you find out.

I compared NXT Tech Wax 2.0 to Swissvax Saphir, and there is no comparison, Swissvax Saphir won hands down.

[akimel]

Re: Expensive LSP's

I recently posted the following comment to Detailing World in response to a man asking whether he should buy Swissvax's Crystal Rock wax. As you know, Crystal Rock sells for $1,100 here in the U.S.

Todd Helme recently joked: "After polishing and jeweling a car, I have never applied a wax, stepped back and said, 'That looks lousy.'"

Todd, I'm know, has an appreciation for fine waxes, but he also knows, as does so many good detailers on this forum, that the differences between waxes are marginal. Some claim they can detect nuances, and perhaps they can; but as Dave KG's blind wax test bears out, when confronted by multiple anonymous cars in a value-free context, most people cannot see the differences at all.

To what extent do we see what we want to see, what we expect to see, what we have been told we should and will see? To what extent is the appearance bestowed by a wax dependent on how much we have personally invested ourselves in the wax and its promised benefits? All perception is theory-laden. When it comes to waxes, beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

If a person has the disposable income to spare and truly wants to own a wax like Crystal Rock, then that person should go right ahead and buy it (though I personally would hold out for Vintage and its attractive crystal container). The opinions of all others at this point are irrelevant. The only person who can determine whether Crystal Rock truly fulfills its promises is the person who sacrifices for it and commits himself to it.

I have been trying different waxes over the past year. I have to confess that my favorite wax is whatever I have used last. My car looks great in all of them. I do have a slight preference at the moment for Souveran, but I honestly cannot say that it is dramatically superior to NXT or Collinite 845. In light of Dave KG's wax test, I do wonder to what extent we see what we want to see. I certainly do not dispute anyone's experience here; but I remain cautiously skeptical of claims that the super-expensive waxes offer a look that is significantly different from and better than many of the lower and moderately priced brands. I may one day, of course, find myself falling in love with Best of Show, Supernatural, or Vintage; but even then I will probably wonder if I am not simply projecting my hopes and dreams. Sometimes we really do see what we want to see. I think this is particularly true when it comes to waxes. It's al subjective. In the end, all we can say is what looks best "in our eyes" ... and that's all that matters.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Expensive LSP's

Look is only one aspect.

[akimel]

Re: Expensive LSP's

Look is only one aspect.

I agree, though for me it is the decisive aspect, as I'm confident it is the decisive aspect for anyone who plays around with the expensive waxes.

One of the interesting and curious features about some of the expensive waxes is how finicky they can be. Just consider how many complaints one can find on various forums about sweating and smearing of the high-end Zymol waxes. So why do people put up with this and other problems? Because, I suggest, they adore the look they believe they get from these waxes.

Ease of application and removal is also an important consideration for me. If a wax is easy to apply and remove, then so much the better.

And of course cost is an important consideration, too. Everyone negotiates these matters differently, but I remain confident that appearance is the decisive consideration for most people who enjoy experimenting with boutique waxes. Although one occasionally find people asking, "Which wax is easiest to apply?" one is much more likely find find people asking, "Which wax looks best?" It is this question that unleashes wax wars.

Cheers,
Al

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Expensive LSP's

Never used Zymol so I can't speak to it. I can speak to Swissvax Saphir as I use it. Spread a thin coat of wax on the paint, wait the 15-20 min as instructed, the buff it off with a microfiber. Its very easy to use.