Durability of NXT

[Craigster]

I was just about convinced to use NXT in my dark blue metallic car, but after talking to some detailers locally I seem to get the same opinion - It looks great but does not last. It wont last at all during the winter months, that I would be better off with something like Poorboys EP-X.

Can I get some real world experiences with NXT?

Thank you for your help.

Craig

[2000]

although I haven't yet got to try it for the winter, I put it on the wifemoble that doesn't get the regular care, it's parked outside all day ect. I have nothing but good things to say about nxts duribility. the high shine will deminish over time but the higher you raise the bar, the more you'll notice it when it comes back to earth. this has nothing to do with duribility. if thats an issue, just give it a quick shot of nxt booster wax and your car with have that shine back.
I've tried alot of waxes and they all start to show some fading wear in a couple of weeks but last longer. nxt just shows it more because it has alot more to lose in the looks department. hope that helps.

[Larry A]

Everthing out their seems to last from 1 month to 3 months, except Zano, Klasse , and Collinite 476. They cost more, harder to use , cant be found in a local store, and are more involvd to put on . if you want your wax to last longer use Q.D. after a wash.

[jfelbab]

I have two vehicles that are over 5 months and still looking good with two coats of NXT. Durability seems fairly strong to me.

[marstang]

I have found that a second application of NXT the following day is helpful for NXT's durability. Also allow each application of NXT to "cure" for 1 hour or more before removing.

Marty

[kaylyn]

Craigster,

Here are a couple of pictures of my Blue Anthracite Passat. I first applied NXT Tech Wax on June 7, 2004 (clayed, cleaner wax, two thin applications of NXT Tech Wax 24 hours apart). Car sits outside in Virginia/Carolina sun and rain 24/7, I travel a lot, and during this time I could only do a good wash about once every two weeks.

These photos were taken on August 7, 2004. Car was washed with NXT car wash, then dried with a MF.

Wish I'd taken photos, but NXT Tech Wax was still beading well when I washed it, and it passed the "squeak test." Bugs were still washing off with ease.

I have no experience with NXT over winter, but I'm real pleased with how it's lasted over the summer. It's also on my rims, and the brake dust comes off with ease.

I was more than pleased with how the car looked after two months. No other products were applied during this time. I wanted to see how well NXT did by itself.

[Craigster]

Thank you for the replies and pics.

Wow, It really looks great on you car, Kaylyn! How is the slickness/slipperiness of the finish holding up?

I live in NY, so I am concerned mostly about the same things as you - bugs sticking, tree sap, road salt, etc. I know nothing is perfect, and as long as the weather allows, I wash every week. I am just more concerned with the dark color showing marring/light scratches etc.

What I loved about Zaino when I used it, was the ability to "hose off" bugs, burd dropping etc if you got to them quickly. I just notice on my Mach1(which is a medium blue) that even though the slickness lasts forever, the cob web type scratches return easily. I'd love to find a middle ground. I had a friend just about convince me, and I'm watching his car (still only a week), but the detailers I've spoke to seeem to have a different opinion. THe one I feel is most honest told me when he does a car, he gives a choice of any of the top products (NXT, Zaino, Klasse, etc) but he recommends Poorboys for the best paint protection for the winter.

I am still inclined to try it, if I had a garage where I could hit it again in a month or so I definitely would. Things like this make me a little more interested in getting opinions:

http://forums.roadfly.org/forums/detailing/5256389-1.html

So thank you again for your! And thanks to everyone else kind enough to stop by and offer me some more advise!

[2000]

thats very interesting, but they were basing alot of it on water beading which really proves nothing. I can take a stripped panel and polish it with no wax at all and get it to bead like crazy. water beading "helps" judge things, but it is not the end all of whats going on with your wax. on that note, I am still getting good water beading on the wifemoblie going on the 8th week now. I think alot of it is the choice of prep.
anyway, good luck with your choice.

[kaylyn]

Craigster,

Wow, It really looks great on you car, Kaylyn! How is the slickness/slipperiness of the finish holding up?

I thought the slickness/slipperiness was quite good after two months. Since I'm not always sure how others evaluate slickness/slipperiness, I should say how I gauge it: 1) The MF doesn't seem to snag when drying, 2) the finish still passes the squeak test, and 3) between washings, bug smatter comes off easily with QD and bird droppings come off easily with water. (I can't tell how Steve evaluated slipperiness in the comparison you referenced.)

I am just more concerned with the dark color showing marring/light scratches etc. . . . I just notice on my Mach1 (which is a medium blue) that even though the slickness lasts forever, the cob web type scratches return easily.

I don't have much in the way of cobwebs or swirls on my finish (yet). The car is new, the dealer didn't make a mess of it prior to delivery, and I have a relatively good wash method. NXT does a good job of hiding my very minor problems, but your comments re the marring/light scratches suggest to me that you might want to use a good swirl remover before using NXT (or Poorboys or Zaino). I'm not a pro, so I'll let some of the other more experienced folks on this board suggest what you might want to use first.

I always enjoy reading product comparisons like the one you cited, and find it even more interesting when my product experience is so different. Makes me wonder what I do that gives me better (or worse) results. (I also wonder how different atmospheric conditions impact various products and results. I imagine your atmosphere on LI is quite different from mine.)

We're supposed to have rain within the next 24 hours, so I'll try to get out and get a beading picture. (But frankly, since my car sits outside so much, I prefer sheeting!)

Kaylyn

(P.S. Twenty years ago when I lived in central NY, I used Meguiar's #16 paste wax to get me through the winter. If I still lived up there, I'd probably try topping NXT with #16.)

[Craigster]

Well, like I tell my son, you can't take everything as gospel just because it's published somewhere on the internet. I value real world opinions like the one's I am getting here.

To me just about anything will look good on a well prepped car. The car I am looking to work with is brand new. I want to start off with something that will give me that little extra edge, and I'll be happy.

I've yet to see any real negative about NXT. I can also rationalize that you get what you pay for (well sometimes anyway). I've used Meguiar products on other cars, as well as just about anything you can buy in a retail store. What turns me off about Zaino is not the performance, but the cost/time factor and having to mail order anytime I need something. I much rather be able to stop at Pep Boys, pick a bottle, and hit the car every couple of weeks for a fraction of the price of the show car stuff. This is a daily driver, and all the wax in the world is not going to save it from the Long Island Expressway, I can promise you that.


Thanks again for your time and help everyone. Keep me posted, I enjoy your thoughts, experiences and the education!

[kaylyn]

One more post to add a beading photo. Sorry for the poor quality. We had a dash of rain here, and by the time I got outside to take the pic, the sun was peaking out, so photo contrast is poor.

Details: Blue Anthracite '04 VW Passat. Car sits outside just about 24/7. Hood, roof, and rear hatch was clayed (it's oil and stone season in Virginia and I was starting to feel grit), then two thin coats of NXT were applied on 8/14/04, 12 hours apart. NXT Booster wax applied on 8/28/04.* Photo taken on 9/17/04 (car was last washed on 9/10).





* Like some other forum members have mentioned, it seemed to take me about the same amount of time to go over the car with the booster wax as it did to apply one thin coat of the tech wax. (It's a wagon.)