Who tests or rates Waxes?

[Mascheck]

Surely there is an independent testing agency that compares all the different waxes on durability and shine. there are so many brands and the hype is everywhere! Go in a parts store and count the differnt waxes. It is amazing! How do you know what is true!

Dan

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

I think you answered the question yourself... There are so many brands!

Meguiar's, Zymol, Zaino, Autoglym, Pinnacle, Dodo, Rain Dance, Blue Coral, Turtle Wax, Chemical Guys, Poorboy's, Collinite, Optimum, Mothers, P21S, Ultima, Wolfgang, 3M, Clearkote, Duragloss, 1z, Blackfire, Swissvax, Menzerna, Lusso Oro, Blackfire, Klasse, Victoria, FK1, and the list goes on...

[Mascheck]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

Great list but it doesn't give me any info on what is REALLY best! No data!

Dan

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

And many of them are SO overpriced and overated. I would put #26 applied to a perfectly prepped surface up against any of the Bootique waxes and I'll bet most of us couldn't tell the difference.

[Mascheck]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

What is #26? Meguiar's profesional wax! I used the NXT on both my 46 Chevy truck and the 31 Ford Model A hot rod truck! Seems to work great, but I have also used a wax they use on jet liners before and it seemed to work well! Who to believe?!

[akimel]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

Surely there is an independent testing agency that compares all the different waxes on durability and shine. there are so many brands and the hype is everywhere! Go in a parts store and count the differnt waxes. It is amazing! How do you know what is true!

The number of waxes offered by the local auto store is nothing compared to the number of waxes offered through online companies.

How do you know what is true? what works? You don't. You can rely on the consensual testimony of professional detailers and enthusiasts or you can try them and test them yourselves.

It would be nice if one could test both appearance and durability, but the former is too subjective to be objectively assessed and the latter is impacted by too many variables to be reliably calculated.

Fortunately, the choice of wax is not a life-and-death decision. Even if one makes a wrong decision, the worst that can happen is that one will be forced to buy another brand and wax one's car again. It's not as if anything crucial hinges on one's choice of waxes--which is what makes the wax game so much fun!

[Gooch]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

What is #26? Meguiar's profesional wax! I used the NXT on both my 46 Chevy truck and the 31 Ford Model A hot rod truck! Seems to work great, but I have also used a wax they use on jet liners before and it seemed to work well! Who to believe?!

Who to believe? YOURSELF! One thing I've learned from reading, is this, when it comes to detailing products, especially waxes, it is all about personal preference, the benefits that one wax offers, maybe be a disadvantage in your book. It's all about what you've tried and what you liked, if you find something you like, by all means, keep using it, after all, your the one it needs to satisfy, not some idiot on a computer or in a car on the street, if it makes you smile, that is what counts.

[Executive Detailing]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

The best wax or polish, or car wash is the one you enjoy using, and get the best results from-it's that simple

When I started in this business 15 years ago, I knew of 2 brands, Mother's and Meguiar's.

I have used both, still use both, achieved excellent results from both, so to me they are the best.

Meguiars has years of R&D experence, and EXCELLENT customer service, and an extensive line for both the professional, and the weekend warrior.

SO, in answer to your question- the only true way to figure out which is best is to try them out for yourself and rate them yourself on ease of use, end results, and price. (higher cost does not necessarly mean better results).

[Mikejl]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

Surely there is an independent testing agency that compares all the different waxes on durability and shine. there are so many brands and the hype is everywhere! Go in a parts store and count the differnt waxes. It is amazing! How do you know what is true!

Dan

If there is an independent testing agency for waxes and sealants, no one on any of the detailing boards I frequent has ever mentioned it. It is almost like asking for data on which actress is the most beautiful.

The best wax is the one you one you like the best after doing your own testing. What is most important to you? shine? depth? gloss? warmth? easy on - easy off? Do you prefer a liquid over a paste? Do you want the most durability? A combination of the above qualities? the list goes on ad-infinitum.

For me the best wax is Meguiar's #26.

Supporting Data:
a) I think a carnauba based wax looks best on dark paint.
b) It gives a warm, deep, glossy look to the black paint on my Camry.
c) It is easy to apply and easy to remove.
e) I love the look of my Camry after waxing with #26.

And one more thing... please don't call us Shirley.

Mike

[Murr1525]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

Consumer Reports tried once, and it was a mess. They didnt use the products right, compared products that werent the same.... I guess it is tougher than it sounds.

[Precision]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

True that, alot of the waxes out there are overrated and overpriced. Meguiars #26 is a great carnuba wax and another favorite wax topper of mine is the S100 carnuba paste wax.

S100 is awesome and you can get them locally to at any Harley-Davidson store.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

Beyond what everyone else has already mentioned there are just so many different variables in this game:

How old is the paint and how has it been maintained or prepped?
How often do you want to wax?
What sort of exposure does the vehicle get?

Always garaged?
Daily driver, weekend toy, trailer queen show car?
If a daily driver, how much sun, salt, rain exposure?

How critical is your eye - do you prefer the look of a carnauba or synthetic, or can you even tell the difference?
Are you more concerned with shine or protection?
What is your level of expectation when it comes to protection?
How much time are you willing to put into the process? (some waxes apply and remove easier than others, but that alone doesn't make one "better")
How skilled are you when it comes to detailing?


Asking "Which is the best wax?" is like asking "What's the best beer?" or "Who makes the best skis/golf clubs/tennis racket/tires/pizza/car/shoes/etc?" There are plenty of excellent overall choices, but which one works best for you is a decision only you can make.

If you look around MOL and other detailing forums you'll see a wide variety of beautifully detailed vehicles where the results were achieved using an equally wide variety of products and processes. One user may find Brand-X easier to use than Brand-Y while another user obtained equally stunning results using Brand-Y and, in fact, finds it every bit as easy to use. Skill, technique, tools, surface, personal preference. That's what gets you the "best".

[Larry A]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

Look a various detailing forums. You will get a good idea on what works and what doesent. In some cases it may confust you more. If a product is popular for over a year , then its pretty good. Meguiars has always been popular.A lot of people like Collinite and Duragloss products. You have to try and see what you like. You cant go wrong with Meguiars.

[ShinyMopar]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

The way I look at it how many people out there truly detail their cars other than just running it through a car wash? What matters to me is that I use the best collection of products that will make my vehicle stand out against anybody else's in that Wal-Mart parking lot. I take note of detailed cars. You can tell them from anybody else's, usually because of the tire shine, or no spots on the windows or paint. Those are the cars that catch my eye whether a 1991 GMC Jimmy that has been truly used as a daily driver that is clean and freshly waxed or a brand new car that the person plans to keep that way (until the new wears off).

[allencarey]

Re: Who tests or rates Waxes?

consumerreports.org did a test but i didnt subcribe to get the results . If you want a answer its there . If you find out come back and tell me