Waxes 101: Types of Waxes & Their Uses

NXTAZEE · 01-26-2010, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GZ3

14.95 for thier flagship product delivered to your door is cheap!! Especially when you get about 25 applications per bottle...Unbeatable shine and protection imho

I don't want to get into a Zaino battle, if you like it then thats good enough. I've tried countless products over the years from over the counter to the boutique products, and Zaino is not the best choice imho. There are many products out there that are way easier to use than Zaino and look as good or better, and protect as well or better, thats why I'm not a fan. If you like paste waxes there is no better than Victoria Red Wax. If you like a spray then I would use Optimum Car Wax, just spray and wipe, it's truly one of the best and easiest to use.

Rhinetom · 03-02-2010, 04:16 PM

I use Meguiars' NXT TechWax (liquid) on my red Z and it looks amazing.

Forrest · 03-08-2010, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Not a favorite of mine, especially when you consider price.

Well after looking at all your guys grey car pictures. They all lack depth. It would be unfair of me to compare my black car to your guys grey cars. Refelction and shine are so much more rich on my black z.

But this is my brothers altima with 1 coat of z2 and 1 coat of ZS clear seal, taken on my crappy LG camera phone that is only 1.3 mega pixels.

Do you notice all that gloss and light on the pictures? Notice how it looks like its melting in some places?

Thats what you guys are missing out on with "wax". You guys just have a very bland shine. Zaino gives you the melted wet look like you have a coat of water on your car.

Some things cost more for a reason. Proof the pictures i took after doing it. Ignore the hat, it was blazing hot and i didnt want to add any more freckels to my face.

NXTAZEE · 03-09-2010, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

Well after looking at all your guys grey car pictures. They all lack depth. It would be unfair of me to compare my black car to your guys grey cars. Refelction and shine are so much more rich on my black z.

But this is my brothers altima with 1 coat of z2 and 1 coat of ZS clear seal, taken on my crappy LG camera phone that is only 1.3 mega pixels.

Do you notice all that gloss and light on the pictures? Notice how it looks like its melting in some places?

Thats what you guys are missing out on with "wax". You guys just have a very bland shine. Zaino gives you the melted wet look like you have a coat of water on your car.

Some things cost more for a reason. Proof the pictures i took after doing it. Ignore the hat, it was blazing hot and i didnt want to add any more freckels to my face.

I own and operate a detailing business, and have done so for many years. I have tried countless products, and a long with my fellow enthusiasts at Autopia, we have tested virtually every product available. Now you mention that we lack knowledge because of the "grey cars" that we own, but I have extensive experience with black vehicles, as they are 99% of all my business. You are right as black really shows depth, clarity and gloss better than most colors. Now, if you love Zaino then by all means continue to use it it's a fine product, but don't think it is the best wax out there. I personally find Victoria Red Wax to be the wax to beat regardless of price. This wax is one of only a select few that can be layered without stripping of the previous coat. The depth and gloss is simply exotic after a few coats. But you must remember wax is only a last step product. This means you must spend the time properly polishing the paint to perfection or it will not look very good no matter what wax is applied. Hours of work are needed to accomplish this. Only then can you see the difference between waxes or even sealants for that matter. Here is an example of properly polishing the paint in preparation for waxing. You can see by this 50/50 photo that if you applied wax to this vehicle before properly polishing it, regardless of what wax you use, it would not give you clarity or depth because of the condition of the paint. Any ways, just some food for thought.

B1nks · 03-09-2010, 04:51 AM

I'm more the type of person that is looking for the lasting finish/protection out of the wax and the look is a bonus, type of deal. I have been using the turtle wax ice that comes in a bottle and looks like water haha. It's been working pretty well but I am sure there is a ton of better solutions. It's easy on and off also and from what I read the synthetics last longer especially in harsh conditions like south Texas heat. NXTAZEE, care you comment on any of this ?

Forrest · 03-09-2010, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

I own and operate a detailing business, and have done so for many years.

If I charged people to detail there car I would have my own detailing buisness. So that statement does not mean much. Many people ask and beg me but my interest is only in my car, its kind of a relaxing thing for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

I have tried countless products, and a long with my fellow enthusiasts at Autopia, we have tested virtually every product available. Now you mention that we lack knowledge because of the "grey cars" that we own, but I have extensive experience with black vehicles, as they are 99% of all my business.

I never said you guys with grey cars lacked knowledge. I said you lacked depth. Depth as in the depth of your shine on your cars. They are all flat and dull. I posted picture of my brothers grey car to show you what your missing out on.
Here is picture of a 350z from zaino website, notice its shine, its gloss its flare. No car on this thread has it. My brother altima and this z lets you compare for your self.
2006 Nissan 350Z: Don't Wax It, Zaino It! Customer Review

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

You are right as black really shows depth, clarity and gloss better than most colors.

Thats why i say its unfair to post a pic of my black car to compare gloss or depth and why i posted a grey car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Now, if you love Zaino then by all means continue to use it it's a fine product, but don't think it is the best wax out there.

Zaino is not a wax.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

I personally find Victoria Red Wax to be the wax to beat regardless of price. This wax is one of only a select few that can be layered without stripping of the previous coat. The depth and gloss is simply exotic after a few coats.

Once again Zaino is not a wax. Cant compare it. Pictures of your car are not proving any thing other then you have a flat dull finish. Maybe Victoria Red Wax is the best wax, i would have no idea, i never wanted to waste my time with a wax thats going to melt off in the hot sun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

But you must remember wax is only a last step product. This means you must spend the time properly polishing the paint to perfection or it will not look very good no matter what wax is applied. Hours of work are needed to accomplish this. Only then can you see the difference between waxes or even sealants for that matter. Here is an example of properly polishing the paint in preparation for waxing. You can see by this 50/50 photo that if you applied wax to this vehicle before properly polishing it, regardless of what wax you use, it would not give you clarity or depth because of the condition of the paint. Any ways, just some food for thought.

I agree a car must be prepped and a car that looks like the black one you posted will show those scratches no matter what unless taken care of. I will tell you this, my brothers altima has been driven around as a daily communter for 1 year total. All i did was clay bar it. it has its fair share of scratches going on but nothing like what you posted.

Also jayhuffdaddy car with NXT wax does look like he has some depth going on. Hard to say he doesnt have any light on it to reflect.

NXTAZEE · 03-09-2010, 01:40 PM

The Altima and your Z look just fine, but us grey car owners are not missing out because we don't use Zaino. There are a lot of products that will work as well or better, depending on what look you want. I like to use Optimum Car Wax for daily drivers, it's actually a sealant not a wax. Looks great, easy to use and has great durability and protection. I know from experience that it is preparation that makes a car look awesome, not the LSP applied at the end. After 7 or more hours, depending on what needs to be done, of paint correction, refining and then jeweling the paint, applying an LSP doesn't make much of an improvement to the looks. We have done tests on perfectly polished paint with different waxes and sealants to see if people can see a difference. Most can not, as it is very slight. Waxes tend to have a little warmer glow where as sealants tend to have more of a hard candy look. I'm more concerned with the compounds and polishes I use as opposed to the LSP. So each to their own I guess.

Forrest · 03-09-2010, 07:23 PM

By no means am i saying there is not a better product than zaino. Theres allways something better.

What i am saying is the pictures of your car have no depth, glare, glass, "hard candy" as you put it. I guess you can say you have a "warm glow" as i would call it "dull" hehe.

I do think you guys in this thread are missing out becuase you are using a "wax". Its like your using the lowest product you can possibly find becuase its cheaper.

Also it didnt take me 7 hours of prep to fix a thing to get that glare/shine/depth on my brothers altima, it took a wash plus a claybar, zaino did the rest. He still has all his scratches, dents, dings. I have no means nor the expertise to buff them out. I also was not looking to spend time on it, i only wanted to test 1 layer of z2 plus thier clear seal to see what would happen.

CBRich · 03-09-2010, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

I do think you guys in this thread are missing out becuase you are using a "wax". Its like your using the lowest product you can possibly find becuase its cheaper.

This is so far from the truth. Please go spend some time on Autopia.org. These guys know what they are talking about. Zaino is a fine product but is easily bested by products you call "cheaper" because you've never heard of them. It's not that they are cheap, it's that you just don't know about them because you don't do this professionally.

kenchan · 03-09-2010, 09:24 PM

altima... was looking at that car and was like...350z.. no, G35... no..wat the... oh.

hahaha.

NXTAZEE · 03-10-2010, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

By no means am i saying there is not a better product than zaino. Theres allways something better.

What i am saying is the pictures of your car have no depth, glare, glass, "hard candy" as you put it. I guess you can say you have a "warm glow" as i would call it "dull" hehe.

I do think you guys in this thread are missing out becuase you are using a "wax". Its like your using the lowest product you can possibly find becuase its cheaper.

Also it didnt take me 7 hours of prep to fix a thing to get that glare/shine/depth on my brothers altima, it took a wash plus a claybar, zaino did the rest. He still has all his scratches, dents, dings. I have no means nor the expertise to buff them out. I also was not looking to spend time on it, i only wanted to test 1 layer of z2 plus thier clear seal to see what would happen.

What ever, it's obvious you know more than I do then

.

Forrest · 03-10-2010, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

What ever, it's obvious you know more than I do then

.

Not even trying to claim i know more than you do. I just looked at your picture and thought thats it?

Forrest · 03-10-2010, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRich

This is so far from the truth. Please go spend some time on Autopia.org. These guys know what they are talking about. Zaino is a fine product but is easily bested by products you call "cheaper" because you've never heard of them. It's not that they are cheap, it's that you just don't know about them because you don't do this professionally.

Could you point me out a product on there that is cheaper/shines more/lasts longer?

I will do my research on it and attempt to use it. I will guinea pig on my brothers car again. I allways try to find new products but I allways go back to one.

I definitly do not do it professionally more like a hobby that is really relaxing for me on a nice day.

StealthZ · 03-10-2010, 07:31 AM

+1 to above post. There are a lot better products out there and not even talking about boutique products. I'd preffer to put the best I can on my cars, and just a few products that come to mind are Poorboys world, DP, Pinnacle XMT, Optima, Griot's garage.

j.arnaldo · 03-10-2010, 08:26 AM

Alexus: Have you either tried or heard of PRESTONE'S SYNTHETIC WAX? It ain't to well-known of, yet, but its price and quality will make it stand out in the near future--I believe. I got it over at Ft. Buchanan (Army Post) 'cause it's only $4.95 for a 32-oz bottle, and I'm very satisfied with it. Greetings!

03-09-2010, 01:40 PM	#112 (permalink)
NXTAZEE Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 530 Drives: 2010 370Z 7AT Rep Power: 17	The Altima and your Z look just fine, but us grey car owners are not missing out because we don't use Zaino. There are a lot of products that will work as well or better, depending on what look you want. I like to use Optimum Car Wax for daily drivers, it's actually a sealant not a wax. Looks great, easy to use and has great durability and protection. I know from experience that it is preparation that makes a car look awesome, not the LSP applied at the end. After 7 or more hours, depending on what needs to be done, of paint correction, refining and then jeweling the paint, applying an LSP doesn't make much of an improvement to the looks. We have done tests on perfectly polished paint with different waxes and sealants to see if people can see a difference. Most can not, as it is very slight. Waxes tend to have a little warmer glow where as sealants tend to have more of a hard candy look. I'm more concerned with the compounds and polishes I use as opposed to the LSP. So each to their own I guess. __________________ 2010 Carbon Silver 370Z 7AT charcoal int. sports package \| Clear Bra \| Invidia Gemini CBE \| CF B-Pillars \| CF Fangs \| CF Z emblems \| Swift Springs \| 20mm & 25mm Spacers \| SPC Camber Arms \| Brushed Aluminum shift knob

03-09-2010, 07:23 PM	#113 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 258	By no means am i saying there is not a better product than zaino. Theres allways something better. What i am saying is the pictures of your car have no depth, glare, glass, "hard candy" as you put it. I guess you can say you have a "warm glow" as i would call it "dull" hehe. I do think you guys in this thread are missing out becuase you are using a "wax". Its like your using the lowest product you can possibly find becuase its cheaper. Also it didnt take me 7 hours of prep to fix a thing to get that glare/shine/depth on my brothers altima, it took a wash plus a claybar, zaino did the rest. He still has all his scratches, dents, dings. I have no means nor the expertise to buff them out. I also was not looking to spend time on it, i only wanted to test 1 layer of z2 plus thier clear seal to see what would happen. __________________ my pictures http://www.the370z.com/members/forrest-albums-370z.html

03-10-2010, 07:31 AM	#119 (permalink)
StealthZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 356 Drives: '14 GTR Premium Rep Power: 17	+1 to above post. There are a lot better products out there and not even talking about boutique products. I'd preffer to put the best I can on my cars, and just a few products that come to mind are Poorboys world, DP, Pinnacle XMT, Optima, Griot's garage. Last edited by StealthZ; 03-10-2010 at 10:13 AM.

03-10-2010, 08:26 AM	#120 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	Alexus: Have you either tried or heard of PRESTONE'S SYNTHETIC WAX? It ain't to well-known of, yet, but its price and quality will make it stand out in the near future--I believe. I got it over at Ft. Buchanan (Army Post) 'cause it's only $4.95 for a 32-oz bottle, and I'm very satisfied with it. Greetings! Last edited by j.arnaldo; 03-10-2010 at 08:28 AM.

03-02-2010, 04:16 PM	#107 (permalink)
Rhinetom Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: United States Posts: 92 Drives: 09 370Z auto, red Rep Power: 16	I use Meguiars' NXT TechWax (liquid) on my red Z and it looks amazing.

03-09-2010, 04:51 AM	#110 (permalink)
B1nks Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 721 Drives: 2009 370Z Base 6MT Rep Power: 507	I'm more the type of person that is looking for the lasting finish/protection out of the wax and the look is a bonus, type of deal. I have been using the turtle wax ice that comes in a bottle and looks like water haha. It's been working pretty well but I am sure there is a ton of better solutions. It's easy on and off also and from what I read the synthetics last longer especially in harsh conditions like south Texas heat. NXTAZEE, care you comment on any of this ?

03-09-2010, 09:24 PM	#115 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	altima... was looking at that car and was like...350z.. no, G35... no..wat the... oh. hahaha.