Waxes 101: Types of Waxes & Their Uses

EazyD · 06-26-2011, 12:26 AM

This is a great sight to see looking out at the hood: 10/365! | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

(quick exposure)

B&W_Evader · 08-22-2011, 11:19 AM

Here I am, with my car 3 days old and no wax on it. So I made my way over to the nearest auto parts store to find some nice wax. O'Reigly's (Ex Kragens), this place had every abrasive wax you could think of. Deep cleaning this or polishing that. I wanted something with zero abrasive! The only one that sounded like it didn't have any was McGuires Ultimae Past wax. Asked the guy at the counter to verify it had no abrasive and the kid was completely useless. I've used to paint all my buddies cars so I know all about McGuires and decided to use it. I forgot what a pain in the rear it is to wax a white car but is one of the easiest paste waxes I've used. Probably helps that it's new paint. Came with it's own sponge and towel. Worked great and will continue using it.

bkaeser · 03-09-2012, 05:54 PM

wow, that helped a lot, now I know what to buy! Lol plus rep from me

boxienuts · 04-13-2012, 12:08 AM

Used the Mcguires ultimate pure synthetic liquid on my car and it was super easy to put on with orbital buffer sponge. It took a little over an hour to dry and it seemed like if halfway soaked in, which was really different compared to what I am used to, but then it was super easy to take off and didn't make any of the plastic white. I've used cheaper wax in the past, but I'm sold on the pure synthetic now.

LakeShow · 04-13-2012, 12:41 AM

Is it ok to use Meguiars Liquid wax after a normal wash without claying the car first?

djpathfinder · 04-13-2012, 01:19 AM

If your car is well-cleaned, sure (so you don add swirls and scratches while buffing). Sometimes you only have time for a quick wax, and that's perfectly fine.

If I clayed, I'd be inclined to do some paint correction, seal the paint and then wax...but I'm anal about things like that...

boxienuts · 04-13-2012, 08:54 AM

I have been reading and learning, but no expert. I was planning to wash, clay, wash, then McGuire ultimate pure synthetic in spring and fall. Then wash and synthetic once or twice in summer, car will be garaged in winter with a cover, starting and running once a week only.
I thought I read the sythetic acts as a polish/paint sealer and wax both. Does my routine above sound OK? I am really old school, used to wash and wax with cheap turtle wax once or twice a year only, never even heard of clay untill coming to this forum, so I am admittedly very ignorant to best practises, but I would like to do a better job with the Z.

FireDan50 · 04-13-2012, 02:51 PM

I don't think anyone has mentioned Swissvax yet. I bit the bullet and bought their products for my Pearl White '09Z and all I can say is "WOW". I don't think I'm going to use any other wax again....for now. Yes it is pricey, but I am obsessed with shiny and clean cars. I've used several off the shelf stuff from stores (Meguiar's, Mothers, NXT, ICE) and even Adam's but this Swissvax stuff has got me hooked. I have the cleaner fluid, Glacier wax (for white cars), Autobahn wheel wax, and detailer. Everything I've used is easy to apply/remove and results are awesome. Too bad weather here in Belgium sucks right now so I can't take pics at this moment....maybe tomorrow.

Zoren 370 · 05-10-2012, 10:52 PM

Anybody heard or have used Perma-seal wax?

SailFree · 05-30-2012, 10:25 PM

May have missed it in the above somewhere, but what is the stuff the dealer offers to apply?

Flushnismo · 05-30-2012, 10:32 PM

Just got Adam's Americana paste wax. I'll write a little review this weekend if I get the chance.

rocoso · 12-26-2013, 11:57 PM

mother's is one of the best I have used. I have been using Mother's for the last 10 years and have no complaints.
keeps the colors vibrants

FireDan50 · 12-27-2013, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireDan50

I don't think anyone has mentioned Swissvax yet. I bit the bullet and bought their products for my Pearl White '09Z and all I can say is "WOW". I don't think I'm going to use any other wax again....for now. Yes it is pricey, but I am obsessed with shiny and clean cars. I've used several off the shelf stuff from stores (Meguiar's, Mothers, NXT, ICE) and even Adam's but this Swissvax stuff has got me hooked. I have the cleaner fluid, Glacier wax (for white cars), Autobahn wheel wax, and detailer. Everything I've used is easy to apply/remove and results are awesome. Too bad weather here in Belgium sucks right now so I can't take pics at this moment....maybe tomorrow.

Update for my experiences....the Swissvax was awesome but took so long to use/apply. I've now gone to just using sealants like Adams Quick Sealant and Sonax Polymer Net Shield. Easy to use, fast application, great protection. After using both, I kind of prefer the Adams sealant....feels slicker and smoother after drying.

06-26-2011, 12:26 AM	#181 (permalink)
EazyD A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 1,211 Drives: 2010 6MT Sport pkg. Rep Power: 26	This is a great sight to see looking out at the hood: 10/365! \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! (quick exposure) __________________ Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

08-22-2011, 11:19 AM	#182 (permalink)
B&W_Evader Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CA Posts: 972 Drives: slower than before Rep Power: 387	McQuire Ultimate Paste Wax (Synthetic) Here I am, with my car 3 days old and no wax on it. So I made my way over to the nearest auto parts store to find some nice wax. O'Reigly's (Ex Kragens), this place had every abrasive wax you could think of. Deep cleaning this or polishing that. I wanted something with zero abrasive! The only one that sounded like it didn't have any was McGuires Ultimae Past wax. Asked the guy at the counter to verify it had no abrasive and the kid was completely useless. I've used to paint all my buddies cars so I know all about McGuires and decided to use it. I forgot what a pain in the rear it is to wax a white car but is one of the easiest paste waxes I've used. Probably helps that it's new paint. Came with it's own sponge and towel. Worked great and will continue using it.

03-09-2012, 05:54 PM	#183 (permalink)
bkaeser Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 16 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 14	wow, that helped a lot, now I know what to buy! Lol plus rep from me __________________ 09 370 w/sport package, Stillen Gen III, Stillen CBE, end of bank account

04-13-2012, 12:41 AM	#185 (permalink)
LakeShow A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: L.I., NY Posts: 5,307 Drives: Everything Rep Power: 26	Is it ok to use Meguiars Liquid wax after a normal wash without claying the car first? __________________ \|2013 Audi S4\|Ibis White/Black\|S-Tronic P+\| \|2013 370z\|PearlWhite/Persimmon\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|F.I. CBE 18" CF\| \|Sold\|2011 370z\|Gun Metallic\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|

04-13-2012, 01:19 AM	#186 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	If your car is well-cleaned, sure (so you don add swirls and scratches while buffing). Sometimes you only have time for a quick wax, and that's perfectly fine. If I clayed, I'd be inclined to do some paint correction, seal the paint and then wax...but I'm anal about things like that... __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

04-13-2012, 12:08 AM	#184 (permalink)
boxienuts Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Iowa Age: 56 Posts: 28 Drives: 16 Black NISMO M6 Rep Power: 3368	Used the Mcguires ultimate pure synthetic liquid on my car and it was super easy to put on with orbital buffer sponge. It took a little over an hour to dry and it seemed like if halfway soaked in, which was really different compared to what I am used to, but then it was super easy to take off and didn't make any of the plastic white. I've used cheaper wax in the past, but I'm sold on the pure synthetic now.

04-13-2012, 08:54 AM	#187 (permalink)
boxienuts Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Iowa Age: 56 Posts: 28 Drives: 16 Black NISMO M6 Rep Power: 3368	I have been reading and learning, but no expert. I was planning to wash, clay, wash, then McGuire ultimate pure synthetic in spring and fall. Then wash and synthetic once or twice in summer, car will be garaged in winter with a cover, starting and running once a week only. I thought I read the sythetic acts as a polish/paint sealer and wax both. Does my routine above sound OK? I am really old school, used to wash and wax with cheap turtle wax once or twice a year only, never even heard of clay untill coming to this forum, so I am admittedly very ignorant to best practises, but I would like to do a better job with the Z.

04-13-2012, 02:51 PM	#188 (permalink)
FireDan50 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Antonio Posts: 714 Drives: '09 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 19	I don't think anyone has mentioned Swissvax yet. I bit the bullet and bought their products for my Pearl White '09Z and all I can say is "WOW". I don't think I'm going to use any other wax again....for now. Yes it is pricey, but I am obsessed with shiny and clean cars. I've used several off the shelf stuff from stores (Meguiar's, Mothers, NXT, ICE) and even Adam's but this Swissvax stuff has got me hooked. I have the cleaner fluid, Glacier wax (for white cars), Autobahn wheel wax, and detailer. Everything I've used is easy to apply/remove and results are awesome. Too bad weather here in Belgium sucks right now so I can't take pics at this moment....maybe tomorrow.

05-10-2012, 10:52 PM	#189 (permalink)
Zoren 370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: FL Posts: 11,018 Drives: 11 Nissan 370 M6 Rep Power: 1913653	Anybody heard or have used Perma-seal wax?

05-30-2012, 10:25 PM	#190 (permalink)
SailFree Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Yorktown, VA Posts: 173 Drives: 12 370Z GM 7ATS NavS Rep Power: 13	May have missed it in the above somewhere, but what is the stuff the dealer offers to apply?

05-30-2012, 10:32 PM	#191 (permalink)
Flushnismo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 1,041 Drives: 2010 Boosted 40th Rep Power: 17	Just got Adam's Americana paste wax. I'll write a little review this weekend if I get the chance. __________________ AeroJacket l BC Racing l B&M l K&N l EVO-R l TWM Performance l Tanabe l AAM l Drop Engineering l Zenclosure

12-26-2013, 11:57 PM	#192 (permalink)
rocoso Base Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: panama Posts: 1 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 12	mother's is one of the best I have used. I have been using Mother's for the last 10 years and have no complaints. keeps the colors vibrants