So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

[TheStig]

I've been pondering this for quite a while. All the new waxes out there present a bit of confusion when it comes to which one is the best to use. For red paint, what are your recommendations?

The waxes in my library are:

Gold Class Plus Carnauba (I have been using this with good results so far combined with M07 Showcar Glaze and M21 Synthetic Sealant)

NXT 2.0

Ultimate Wax

[BillyJack]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

I have 2 different red vehicles in the family fleet. My wax shelf has a bunch of Meguiars products, plus Collinite, Duragloss, Optimum, Wolfgang, Blackfire and Dodo Juice. I've always preferred some type of sealant (including NXT) as my base coat, but for a topcoat it's hard to beat the look of Gold Class. Either GC or M26 is my "night before the show" final pass.

Bill

[Ghawk]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

I hate to break the cold hard truth to you, but waxes do not affect the overall look of the car to an incredible degree. Now let me say, as the owner of far too many waxes, each one adds a certain almost unnoticeable differentiation from another, but so small an that unless side by side (and then by only the trained eye) would you be able to tell a shift.

As has been mentioned in previous threads, the prep work is key! If you start with say Showcar glaze and fill in lots of swirls and add a layer of oil and then finish with a high filler wax such as Gold Class you will have a wonderful short term beauty. If you did the same thing with NXT, as there is less fillers in NXT, you MIGHT be able to see a slight decrease in shine (however one defines that term).

But, if you start with a perfectly prepped suface (i.e. compounded and polished down to perfection with all oils removed, you would be hard pressed to judge if a section had been treated with Meg's Ultimate, NXT, Swissvax, or heck even Turtle Wax. My choice would be Meg's and I'll tell you why:

Waxes are an emotional part of maintaining the car, and what works best is what you like to use the most


Griffith Hawk

[Michael Stoops]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

We have to say that Ghawk really nailed this one on all points.

It really comes down to the "best wax" being the one that best fits your needs and wants. If you're primary concern is durability and level of protection, then our Ultimate Wax would be the "best" choice since it's our longest lasting, best protecting wax. But if you prefer the appearance of a carnauba (if, in fact, you can even see the difference), then Gold Class is a great choice. Then again, if you're looking for an easy to use but highly effective cleaner wax (because you don't want to do a whole bunch of dedicated steps) then our White Wax is really hard to beat.

Now, about that statement "if, in fact, you can even see the difference". Again, as Ghawk points out, the visual differences can be quite subtle between different waxes, and we don't all see things quite the same way nor do we all like the same things. The prep work is where the extreme majority of your gloss and clarity comes from - the wax or sealant you choose is really there to lock in and protect all that hard work. Asking 5 different people which wax they like and getting 5 different answers doesn't help much, we know. But the truth is, the real answer is "it depends".

[davey g-force]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

So Andy, which attributes are important to you?

- Protection?
- Durability?
- Ease of use?
- Looks?
- Other?

That may help us to offer some suggestions.

[greg0303]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

Quite often, when we like long protection time offered by synthetic waxes/sealants and admire natural high gloss of carnauba waxes, two layers of wax are applied: synthetic as a base coat and carnauba on top (second coat after at least 24 hours). My winter combo is Ultimate Paste Wax/ M16 Professional Paste Wax. I truly like it !!!

[C8N]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

I won't mention names but I have about 6 different waxes in the garage and they range anywhere from $15 to $80.
At the end of the day, my go to wax is Ultimate Wax. It's easy to use, saves time and most importantly.... it works!
Not to mention... how can you go wrong especially when it only cost ~$20?

[jfelbab]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

I've been polishing and waxing this red MR2 since the fall of 1990. I've tried countless wax and sealant products on it over the 22 years and still I love the subtle, but noticeable, difference M7 and M26 brings to the table on red paint. I've used every wax and sealant Meguiar's makes and those from many other manufacturers too. My daily driver, (dark gray) shows well with Ultimate Liquid Wax. I have found sealants, as a group, tend to deliver higher reflectivity and carnaubas tend to show a darker, deep warm glow. I believe it is about the way these different LSPs refract and reflect light.

As has already been pointed out the look is just slightly different. If you didn't know which LSP was used you likely could not pick the correct product used. I did a double-blind test with several friends a few years back and none of them could accurately tell which LSP was used.

My 22 year old garage queen.

[Scott's 62]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

^^^^ Cleanest MR2 on the planet^^^^ so awesome.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

My 22 year old garage queen.

Just had to quote you with this image as it's worth repeating! We're willing to bet that car didn't look that good when it left the factory 22 years ago. Truly fantastic!!!

[jfelbab]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

TY Mike and a big thanks to Meguiar's for helping me to keep it looking nice.

[davey g-force]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

Jim, the way your 22 year old car looks is truly a credit to you.

[Alfisti]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

Simply awesome Jim!

To Andy, the original poster, I think Jim has nailed it and has answered your question. While personal preference is a consideration, the paint type is also important. On c/c paint the LSP choice makes small differences.

Red however, is different. If it's not c/c (which red normally isn't) then an oil rich product makes a huge difference - especially if your car is older. Does your car have a c/c?

If it doesn't then your use of M07 Showcar Glaze is perfect and the product that will make the most difference to the end result. The LSP of choice is less important is this case, but best if it's Megs as it's compatible with M07 Showcar Glaze.

[The Guz]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

I hate to break the cold hard truth to you, but waxes do not affect the overall look of the car to an incredible degree. Now let me say, as the owner of far too many waxes, each one adds a certain almost unnoticeable differentiation from another, but so small an that unless side by side (and then by only the trained eye) would you be able to tell a shift.

As has been mentioned in previous threads, the prep work is key! If you start with say Showcar glaze and fill in lots of swirls and add a layer of oil and then finish with a high filler wax such as Gold Class you will have a wonderful short term beauty. If you did the same thing with NXT, as there is less fillers in NXT, you MIGHT be able to see a slight decrease in shine (however one defines that term).

But, if you start with a perfectly prepped suface (i.e. compounded and polished down to perfection with all oils removed, you would be hard pressed to judge if a section had been treated with Meg's Ultimate, NXT, Swissvax, or heck even Turtle Wax. My choice would be Meg's and I'll tell you why:

Waxes are an emotional part of maintaining the car, and what works best is what you like to use the most


Griffith Hawk

Well said.

We have to say that Ghawk really nailed this one on all points.

It really comes down to the "best wax" being the one that best fits your needs and wants. If you're primary concern is durability and level of protection, then our Ultimate Wax would be the "best" choice since it's our longest lasting, best protecting wax. But if you prefer the appearance of a carnauba (if, in fact, you can even see the difference), then Gold Class is a great choice. Then again, if you're looking for an easy to use but highly effective cleaner wax (because you don't want to do a whole bunch of dedicated steps) then our White Wax is really hard to beat.

Now, about that statement "if, in fact, you can even see the difference". Again, as Ghawk points out, the visual differences can be quite subtle between different waxes, and we don't all see things quite the same way nor do we all like the same things. The prep work is where the extreme majority of your gloss and clarity comes from - the wax or sealant you choose is really there to lock in and protect all that hard work. Asking 5 different people which wax they like and getting 5 different answers doesn't help much, we know. But the truth is, the real answer is "it depends".

More good info.

So Andy, which attributes are important to you?

- Protection?
- Durability?
- Ease of use?
- Looks?
- Other?

That may help us to offer some suggestions.

Good list of questions. Answers to this will aid us in aiding you.

I've been polishing and waxing this red MR2 since the fall of 1990. I've tried countless wax and sealant products on it over the 22 years and still I love the subtle, but noticeable, difference M7 and M26 brings to the table on red paint. I've used every wax and sealant Meguiar's makes and those from many other manufacturers too. My daily driver, (dark gray) shows well with Ultimate Liquid Wax. I have found sealants, as a group, tend to deliver higher reflectivity and carnaubas tend to show a darker, deep warm glow. I believe it is about the way these different LSPs refract and reflect light.

As has already been pointed out the look is just slightly different. If you didn't know which LSP was used you likely could not pick the correct product used. I did a double-blind test with several friends a few years back and none of them could accurately tell which LSP was used.

My 22 year old garage queen.

Great looking MR2. I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is the best looking MR2. At least that I have seen.

Simply awesome Jim!

To Andy, the original poster, I think Jim has nailed it and has answered your question. While personal preference is a consideration, the paint type is also important. On c/c paint the LSP choice makes small differences.

Red however, is different. If it's not c/c (which red normally isn't) then an oil rich product makes a huge difference - especially if your car is older. Does your car have a c/c?

If it doesn't then your use of M07 Showcar Glaze is perfect and the product that will make the most difference to the end result. The LSP of choice is less important is this case, but best if it's Megs as it's compatible with M07 Showcar Glaze.

Good point. Is your car single staige or is clear coat?

[billddrummer]

Re: So Many Waxes/Sealants - Now Which is the Best to Use on Red Paint?

Am looking at buying a red M Roadster (1998-2002, depending).

Does anyone know whether they are single stage or clear coat?