My wax testing

[tiggerfink]

I got my Wax Gurus Report and got depress. The Mequiar's products that I have been using got a C+.

It has been 4 weeks with optimum and it still looks great. Check out my beads.

I just thorw a 32 ounce cup of water on the hood for my test.

[tiggerfink]

Here is Meguiar's Gold Glass Liquid Clear Coat Wax and it is only 3 weeks old. The car is a Buick rental. I throw the 32 ounce of water on the hood, and it has been about 20 minutes and the water is still on.

[marlinspike]

Is the Benz parked inside or outside (I would ask the same of the buick, but Ialways found gold class lacking and i figure even inside it's lucky to get 3 weeks)?
Richard

Oh, and how many times have you washed it in those 4 weeks?

[bill streep]

I much prefer the Yellow Wax to Gold Class.

[tiggerfink]

They are both park inside at home. I only wash before I put on wax before the test. The Buick is park in a covered garage at my wife's place of work and the SL is park outside at work. It rains a lot here.

According to my GURU Wax Report, PS21 made a B+, most of the Meguairs products made a C+, and all Zymol products made a C. Zaino made an A-. I am curious on how Optimum will do on the next Wax report.

[marlinspike]

Were they testing for longevity or shine? IMHO the most longevity comes from one grand blitz wax (3 months, outdoors, washed weekly) and the best shine is from p21s (never tried the really expensive zymol though...speaking which, which zymol did they use). Wash the sl and let us know though, that looks like optimum might be promising. I think the junk from the good ones are separated by your test here, but a wash is the only way to tell the good from the best. But then, thats only one way to judge, since p21s makes a much better shine on my 380 than blitz, but it only lasts about 3 weeks (parked outside washed weekly) and even after just the first wash it has lost a lot of its shine, still beads nicely, but doesnt have the deep rich color (of course my paint is pretty dead, and on my dads bimmer, washed about once a month parked inside and not driven month, the p21s lasts about 5 months).

[tiggerfink]

The report said that you might want to pick a wax to give you the results that you are looking for. One wax may be great looking at car shows and be bad in the durability department. Collinitte Marque D'Elegance is very durable, but does not look good at car shows. Collinitte Marque D'Elegance made a B-

ZYMOL carbon carbauba wax made a C
ZYMOL concours carbauba wax made a C
ZYMOL titanium carbauba wax made a C

The test was on amount of bead, bead size, shine, gloss, depth, clarity, reflection, slickness, color enhancement, overall impression, and final grade. The test took eight weeks. Each week had a grade in all the categories mention.

One grand blitz started to loose its beading in week 4. It was rank 13 and made a C+. it was very close to a B-.

[marlinspike]

The report said that you might want to pick a wax to give you the results that you are looking for. One wax may be great looking at car shows and be bad in the durability department. Collinitte Marque D'Elegance is very durable, but does not look good at car shows. Collinitte Marque D'Elegance made a B-

ZYMOL carbon carbauba wax made a C
ZYMOL concours carbauba wax made a C
ZYMOL titanium carbauba wax made a C

The test was on amount of bead, bead size, shine, gloss, depth, clarity, reflection, slickness, color enhancement, overall impression, and final grade. The test took eight weeks. Each week had a grade in all the categories mention.

One grand blitz started to loose its beading in week 4. It was rank 13 and made a C+. it was very close to a B-.

How was zymol in week one? I bet it was pretty good...maybe not though, if they had a "day 1" I bet zymol would have rocked :rolleyes:
Richard

Oh, and I can't believe they only got a month out of one grand. I start with 1 or 2 (depending on age of paint) applications of P21S gloss enhancing cleanser. Makes the wax look better and last longer. I would try zaino, but P21S is just so easy to put on and take off, and gives such a good shine, than I'll take the lack of longevity. Did they test one...funny name, never heard of before, starts with an S, company motto "the products of tomorrow today"?

[tiggerfink]

Ps21 did better than Zymol in the first week.

[marlinspike]

I'm surprised by those results...though I don't hold 100% stock in them. I suppose one day I'll try zymol for myself (I saw very good results on my friend's dad's Porsche Turbo 3.3 targa...but that was a true garage queen. When he sold it in 2004 it had 18,000 miles). Then again, I guess that's why there's Vintage (a real bargain at $1650...HA).
Richard

[tiggerfink]

Go here and look. http://www.nsxsc.com/nsexcitement/waxtest.html

I think Zymol does a better job at marketing to let us belive it is a better product. Some of my friends hate ZYMOL with a passion and some sware by it.

[dolebludger]

Still looking for Optimum spray on wax. The dealer never heard of it, and neither has any of the local car parts stores.

Thanks,
Richard :confused:

[dolebludger]

BTW, I just had the opportunity to detail an SLK that is the same color as triggerfink's SL. I used what has become my standard method. Post wash, I apply some Megriar's #26 yellow wax glaze, just like D.L. Swinford recommends. This product hides minute scratches, while giving a very DEEP shine, without perhaps some of the surface "bling" that more modern polymer-containing waxes do. To get that "bling" I appled a light coat of Turtle Wax Ultra Gloss, buffed it, and followed by a detailing spray with Eagle Wax Wet Look detailing spray. This resulted in very high reflectivity, plus depth that you could almost "dive into." This was for my daughter's car she just bought from another club member. I have used this procedure on my other cars, and find that the wax protection lasts well through our Oklahoma winters, when I am doing well to even wash, let alone wax.

D.L., you might want to chime in here, but this is what I think happens. The # 26 is what really supplies the long-term wax protection, while the Ultra Gloss and the detailing spray really just provide added brilliance for a month or two. The Eagle One Wet Look detailing spray I use really does give a "wet shine" --- for a short time! That is why I am so interested in finding Optimum --- to see if it will give the same brilliance but with a longer life.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

[marlinspike]

Richard, have you tried One Grand Blitz Wax? It lasts fairly long IMHO and it has a much deeper shine than the meguiar's stuff. Not like P21S, but then, you're lucky if P21S lasts 3 weeks if you park outside.
Richard

[dolebludger]

Have not tried One Grand Blitz (an appropriate product for a German car, don't you think ;) ). Don't know where to get it and don't know the cost. Please fill me in.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

[marlinspike]

I get it (along with just about all my car care stuff) from www.carcareonline.com. The 10 oz can is $16.35 and the 15 oz can is $20.75 (so it's a better deal, but you might want to go with the 10 oz if you're just trying it out). I recommend you glaze the car first with P21S gloss-enhancing cleanser since this is a pretty pure wax. Like I said it doesn't have the shine of P21S wax, but it's got a lot more than any of the meguiar's stuff IMHO, and if you want more shine you can just wax it again a week later and it gets even deeper. Larry (runs the place) gives good advice. He actually told me not to get the more expensive Meguiar's medallian stuff since I have german paint and when I called to order 3M imperial hand glaze he checked with me that I in fact have swirl marks before putting the order through. Oh, and if you don't have any of those little yellow wax application sponges lying around, I recommend you get one since Blitz wax doesn't apply very nicely with an old t-shirt for some reason.
Richard

[dolebludger]

Well, my wife says I can buy no more car wax or polish untiil I use up what I have bought --- which fills a good number of shelves in the garage. Those of you with wives will understand. I polish one part of a car with one product and another part with another product. Then I call wife out to look at the difference --- and she says she can't see any difference! So I'm a bit like the little boy who can get no pudding until he eats his vegiitables. I might just be able to sneak in a bottle of Optimum, if I could find it! Maybe, or maybe not.

All I know is this. My cars, when given an initial coat of some rather pure carnauba wax, and followed by a polish also containing some polymers and rubbed down with a good detailing spray gives me a shine I can shave in, and it lasts over six months when it is refreshed each washing with detailing spray. My garage has florescent lighting, and it seems to make no difference whether I use a microfiber or 100% cotton cloth for buffing. No microscopic scratching either way.

As I am now retired, my wife wishes I would help her keep the house as clean as I keep the cars. Somehow, I don't have the motivation to do this. But those of you with wives will understand.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

[marlinspike]

Wax THEN polish? Surely the order is reversed no? Or perhaps what we mean when we say polish are two different things? Either way, surefire way to finish up the stuff fast: wax weekly. If asked why, say that the paint feels like it has been dried of it's emolient oils and it needs to be glazed and waxed weekly to bring them back else the paint may crack (this is actually very possible and happened to my car the one year I left it at home). This would also be a good excuse to buy P21S gloss-enhancing paintwork cleanser since it's the best way to bring back the emolient oils to the paint :D Always schemeing...which I guess shows y'all I'm not married...I'm gonna have to find me a mechanic wife.
Richard

[dolebludger]

I meant somethinhg different, I think. Meguiar's # 26 says it is a "glaze" on the can. I have found that it (and like products) removes microscopic scratches, or more appropriately, probably hides them. My cars are new enough and in good enough shape that I don't have the "swiril monsters" that require mild abrasive POLISH to romove. Conversely, I have found Ultra Gloss and it's competitors with higher ploymer content don't do such a good job hiding microscopic scratches, while they do produce the most brilliant surface shine. Thus, more appropriabely, I GLAZE and then I apply the high gloss stuff. If and when I do get "swiril monsters" of course I will POLISH with a mild abrasive, then GLAZE, then use some high-surface shine stuff.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

[badali]

Here is Collinite No. 915 after 2 weeks. The car sits outside all the time.

[tiggerfink]

So far so good even after two washes with Meguairs Gold Class Shampoo. Wax job was done about 5 weeks ago with Optimum Spary on Wax. The pictures were taken in a light rain.

[tiggerfink]

My wax testing is over. Need to get SL looking really good for Star Tech.

[marlinspike]

My wax testing is over. Need to get SL looking really good for Star Tech.


Use P21S wax. With two coats of the p21s paintwork cleanser (seperated by a little bit of time, typically I cleanse the hood, then do the trunk, then go back to the hood for the second coat), and then two coats of wax, the pictures at this website are not exaggerations (I've never bought anything from this website, but they have nice pictures) http://www.properautocare.com/p21spastewax.html

Edited to add: I meant just to get it looking really good for StarTech...after one wash it loses that depth and gloss...still beads though, so for normal stuff maybe you should stick with optimum since it seems pretty good.

[ALUEB]

works at a local shop that "beading" means nothing concerning the quality of a wax, and sheeting either. He considers dept of color, hardness of the wax on the finish and ease of application and removal. He added just because a wax is hard to apply or remove or both means nothing. He prefers Griot's polishes and Mcguires yellow wax. Another tip he passed on to me. After your done wet the car down with cold water and dry with a 100% cotton or microfiber cloth and never use a chamois for anything. He claims chamois remove wax. He gave me a few tips on washing also, which I'll pass on to the board on another thread. :)

[marlinspike]

works at a local shop that "beading" means nothing concerning the quality of a wax, and sheeting either. He considers dept of color, hardness of the wax on the finish and ease of application and removal. He added just because a wax is hard to apply or remove or both means nothing. He prefers Griot's polishes and Mcguires yellow wax. Another tip he passed on to me. After your done wet the car down with cold water and dry with a 100% cotton or microfiber cloth and never use a chamois for anything. He claims chamois remove wax. He gave me a few tips on washing also, which I'll pass on to the board on another thread. :)

I agree about beading, sorta. It just so happens that the smaller the beads the better the depth of shine/color, and if the paint still beads you still have protection. I think if he likes meguiar's yellow wax, if he tries P21S he'll go to California to get married to it. Ask him about the chamois thing, if he means natural or synthetic. I've head the same thing about natural, but never about synthetic.
Richard

[dolebludger]

A natural chamois will strip wax BIG TIME if it is not soaked in water first. If it is, it will strip wax a little bit. But that is not always bad. In this way, it can take the place of clay bar for imbedded particulate matter, and take the place of wax stripping products when one needs to get down to clear coat.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

[tiggerfink]

All I know is when wax is on my car it feels smooth. When there is no wax, I get squeaks when I rub my fingers.

[Gunner]

:rolleyes: I agree with everyone about Meguire's Gold Class. (crummy) I am currently using Meguire's NXT Generation Tech Wax. Comes in a cool looking plastic container. Shine seems to hold real well for 4 to 5 months, water beads for the same amount of time. Easy on and off. Really lasts a long time if it is applied again in a week or two, then it's as tough as nails. Once it's gone, I'll probably try the P21S the way everyone is raving.

[marlinspike]

:rolleyes: I agree with everyone about Meguire's Gold Class. (crummy) I am currently using Meguire's NXT Generation Tech Wax. Comes in a cool looking plastic container. Shine seems to hold real well for 4 to 5 months, water beads for the same amount of time. Easy on and off. Really lasts a long time if it is applied again in a week or two, then it's as tough as nails. Once it's gone, I'll probably try the P21S the way everyone is raving.

Before P21Sing, use the P21S paintwork cleanser. One application of cleanser if your paint is good and light, 2 applications if it's dark or bad and light.

[D.L. SWINFORD]

In defence of my fellow Moderatur, Meguiar's 26 is labeled Glaze in the Can; whereas the same product in the bottle is :HI-TECH YELLOW WAX 26.
We both use 26, me use the bottle junk and have for 20+years.

Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman on The Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p

Until Then JOY

Chairman of The Board
Your Moderator
'85300DT 288K miles Donka II
'87 300e 279K miles Donka I (put out to pasture)

[ALUEB]

:eek: number 7. I used this product last fall, when I did my semi annual outside detailing. I used it between the polish and the final wax. It works very well and added depth to my Silver C280. Silver in my opinion is one color that is hard to get that see your face shine in. All in all I feel Mcguiars offers great value, as the price of the products compared to others it does a great job.

One interesting point, I was at the dealers parts desk buying a new battery in the spring of 04. There was a person in front of me who has just purchased a $700 can of wax, which included in the price, free lifetime refills. The brand Zymol. I overheard he owned an SLK.

[dolebludger]

D.L. Swinford:

Is the No. 26 labled " Glaze" in the can of liquid the same product as that labled as "Wax" and packaged in a bottle? Around here, I have never seen any packaging for this product that is different than the metal container with liquid product, and a round tin containing the paste product.

Thanks,
Richard :confused:

[ALUEB]

in the light tan bottles Mcguiars uses for their "higher end" products and is readily available around this area. I is not advertized as a polish/cleaner or wax, just a glaze.

[dolebludger]

DL and Aleub:

Disregard my post above about N0. 26, as I was mistaken! My No 26 is packaged in a tan plastic bottle (not a metal container), and the label reads "Meguiar's MIRROR GLAZE The professional Hi-Tech yellow wax high gloss paint protectant."

My question concerning the other posts above is then, are there other types of No. 26?

Thanks,
Richard :confused:

[ALUEB]

is labeled Professional high gloss wax? Perhaps they changed their marketing and re-labled products? :confused:

[dolebludger]

Well, the middle of the front label on the No. 26 has this wording.

"The Professional HI-TECH Yellow Wax High Gloss Paint Protection 26"

The top of the back label has this wording:

"New Package Original Formula 26."

Thanks,
Richard

[tiggerfink]

I am going to wax and get ready for Star Tech.

It is also the offical end of my wax testing. I have not wax it since the start of the test. The results are great for a 15 minute spary on and wipe wax job. The Mercedes and BMW dealers in Memphis sells Optimum and uses it for their detailing that they charge around $140 bucks.

http://www.optimumcarcare.com/testimonials.html

[D.L. SWINFORD]

The 2 of you discusing No. 26 are both referencing the same thing.
Richard;
I have one each the liquid and the paste.
Every quote you make from the front and rear are the same for liquid and paste.
All of the reading is the same.
If you prefer one over the other it is your choice.
For me I've used both and prefer the liquid. Hi-Tech Yellow Wax 26.

Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p

Until Then JOY

Chairman of the Board
Your Moderator
'85 300dt 288K miles Donka II (CHARACTER)
'87 300e 2xxK miles Donka I ( put out to pasture)