NXT Paste vs. Liquid

[jfelbab]

After using both I have to say I like the NXT liquid better. Call me old-school but I absolutely love applying paste waxes like #16 or #26 by hand. Maybe it's my therapy but I didn't get the same feeling with NXT Paste.

I liked the results as both the liquid and the paste left the paint just a tinge darker and oh so wet looking but I didn't like the application of the paste as well. The liquid was easier to apply and apply thinly. Both make the metal flakes in my paint sparkle in the sun and the gloss is excellent.

I used the included foam applicator pad and the X3080 Even-Coat applicator, which I love BTW, and felt that the paste just didn't liquify like a carnauba does when twirling the pad in the can. The Even-Coat pad is great for laying down a thin even coat of product with little hand fatigue.

I put a second coat of NXT Paste on the RX330 and the application effort was the same. It's not like it is hard to apply but just not as easy as the NXT Tech Liquid, IMHO.

As expected, the pad clean-up was not easy. NXT is a tenacious polymer that just doesn't want to wash out easily. I used Woolite and needed to vigorously work the pads in the hot soapy solution three times to get the remaining sealant out. This is a good indicator of how durable NXT is. I've had excellent durability results with NXT liquid since I first began using it last spring. I expect no less of NXT paste.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: NXT Paste vs. Liquid

Originally posted by jfelbab
After using both I have to say I like the NXT liquid better. Call me old-school but I absolutely love applying paste waxes like #16 or #26 by hand. Maybe it's my therapy but I didn't get the same feeling with NXT Paste.

This is the primary difference between people who like to apply liquids and people who like to apply pastes, it's an aesthetic differences. I like pasts when applying wax by hand, I like liquids when applying paste with a dual action polisher.

I liked the results as both the liquid and the paste left the paint just a tinge darker and oh so wet looking but I didn't like the application of the paste as well. The liquid was easier to apply and apply thinly. Both make the metal flakes in my paint sparkle in the sun and the gloss is excellent.

It's definitely easier to apply a thin coating of the liquid NXT Tech Wax, a person must focus on the task at hand in order to lay down a thin coating of NXT Tech Wax in the paste version.

I used the included foam applicator pad and the X3080 Even-Coat applicator, which I love BTW, and felt that the paste just didn't liquefy like a Carnauba does when twirling the pad in the can. The Even-Coat pad is great for laying down a thin even coat of product with little hand fatigue.

The new Even Coat Microfiber Applicator is also an excellent way to apply a spray wax. Once one side becomes dampened with wax, application is fast and easy, simply keep applying the spray wax directly to the dampened side of the applicator as you work around the vehicle.

I put a second coat of NXT Paste on the RX330 and the application effort was the same. It's not like it is hard to apply but just not as easy as the NXT Tech Liquid, IMHO.

As expected, the pad clean-up was not easy. NXT is a tenacious polymer that just doesn't want to wash out easily. I used Woolite and needed to vigorously work the pads in the hot soapy solution three times to get the remaining sealant out. This is a good indicator of how durable NXT is. I've had excellent durability results with NXT liquid since I first began using it last spring. I expect no less of NXT paste.

It's interesting how everyone that tries to wash NXT Tech Wax out of an applicator pad makes the same comments and it's true, NXT Tech Wax is water and detergent resistant, it's one tough wax. When people say it doesn't last long, what they're seeing is the high appearance level NXT Tech Wax will produce didn't last as long as they hoped for, this is true of all waxes. The plateau or appearance level any wax or polish, (a paint protectant by any other name), produces will diminish with each washing or when exposed to the environment over time. The thing most people don't understand is most waxes will not take their finish to the high level NXT will, thus the NXT results have further to diminish, or fall back to the previous appearance without the wax. While the appearance level will fall off, just like the wax in your applicator pad, the protection will still be there as the NXT Tech wax is is a tough, long lasting protective coating.

Most people don't understand that a clear, shiny, reflective high gloss finish over a large area like a car or truck, is easily dulled back down without paying the price of using good maintenance products and good techniques for maintain said finish, plus the best way to maintain that just waxed look, is to have just waxed the car.

”Find something you like and use it often”

If you find a product you like, then apparently the results look good in your eyes, if you use it often, then your finish will always look great. It's only when you begin to neglect or abuse the finish that it goes down hill.

Nice review Jim.

[Mosca]

....the best way to maintain that just waxed look, is to have just waxed the car.

LOL, Mike, that's priceless, it's perfect! I'm going to use that as a signature for a while, if you don't mind!

I #26'd my car yesterday, using the paste, and I went through half a dozen applicators trying to prevent cross contamination; the air was full of pollen and I kept getting it on the applicator.
.

Tom

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Re: NXT Paste vs. Liquid

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
plus the best way to maintain that just waxed look, is to have just waxed the car.

I have to agree with Tom, I LOVE this quote!!!

Tim

[JeffM]

I have a work truck i only had time to apply NXT to the hood and roof too. Its a 2001 3500, used for masonry, never gets washed, outside 24-7 in the Florida sun, and the dust and crud on it are pretty bad.

I would take the time to maintain it, but 12 people ravage it everyday, so i gave up.

Anyways...i waxed those surfaces after claying on march 1. Yesterday i broke down and washed it with NXT wash.

The final rinsing was sheeting and beeding very nice, not 100%, but i was pleased to see sometihng still on it.

If i did a pre wax cleaner, i would most likely have better results.

BTW, the truck is white, and i almost had a heart attack when i went to clay it.

It looked as if there was small rust spots coming through the paint. I tried to capture it with my camera, but it didnt show.

It would have been a good example of "why clay?" It used up a whole bar only on the roof and hood !

[orionz06]

" plus the best way to maintain that just waxed look, is to have just waxed the car."

ive got ya beat...someone at work, whom i converted to meguiars, asked me the other day...did you just wash your car? y reply was no, why? "its just really shiny, thats all"


long story short, it feels great to be provided with the products that make "is just really shiny" possible......anyone else get this?

[RamAirV1]

I prefer the paste version. It has that glide factor and it is easier to apply a think coat by hand. I have not tried it by machine, that is one of my next projects. The liquid is still easy to apply of course. But the paste does seem easier to me.

The paste seems to dry more quickly, even when the humidity is high. And removal is easy, even if you get carried away and apply too heavy

And it may be just my imagination, but the paste seems to offer a little deeper shine and stays slick a little bit longer.

RamAirV1

[Scottwax]

I prefer the paste version. Even easier to apply and remove than #16. I use a finishing pad and the PC with a speed of 4-4.5 to lay down a thin layer on the whole car, then go right back either with a microfiber towel or an ultimate bonnet and PC and remove the excess. I find it sets up noticably quicker than the liquid version does.

Decent durability too, a few days shy of the 3 month mark on this 1999 ML430 since application:

[rusty bumper]

You guys have got me interested in the paste version now.

[RamAirV1]

I agree with Scottwax. The Paste is easier to apply for me. Since it is a paste it is easier to control the amount of wax applied to the pad. With any liquid the liquid just comes gushing out of the bottle and it is easier to wind up with too much on the pad.



It also does set up quicker than the liquid. I like the way water rolls right off the paint and durability has been good for me also. When you drive that ML 430 that water is going to roll right off the paint. It is amazing how clean my car looks after it rains. This is a great feature for daily drivers. When you combine it with regular use of Speed Detailer, the look cannot be beat!

Another benefit of the NXT Paste is that heat and humidity have zero effect on application and removal.

I use the paste by hand. But machine application and removal of the paste are in my future plans. Seeing the pictures posted by Scottwax have convinced me to try it with my G100.

RamAirV1

[silence]

i've heard the NXT wax is so strong it will remove anything preveiously applied like polish. is that BS?

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by silence
i've heard the NXT wax is so strong it will remove anything preveiously applied like polish. is that BS?

I would have to strongly disagree with that! Where did you read that?

RamAirV1

[silence]

On another forum I subscribe too. its not a detailers forum although they have a detail section.

[Murr1525]

Using Nxt as a topper is a bit tricky becasue it does have mild cleaners in it. Remember, 2 coats of wax is recomended for even look and protection, not a layer of wax two coats thick.

I suppose that is why Nxt is often a base, and then topped with Gold Class, or #26, etc.

The other side of that is that there shouldnt be anything on the paint for the Nxt to have to clean off. Even with mild cleaners, I am not sure what people are worried about it removing, other than a previous coat of wax. You wipe off exces polish that wasnt absorbed by the paint.. there shouldnt be bits of polish left on the car anyway.

[Scottwax]

Originally posted by silence
i've heard the NXT wax is so strong it will remove anything preveiously applied like polish. is that BS?

The purpose of polish is to prep the paint, not to lay down a layer of anything. NXT's light cleaners will actually further refine the surface of the paint (micropolish) and also add protection.