- My opinions -
Having tried and tested products from the following companies:
3M, Clearkote, Dupont, Eagle One, Four Star, Klasse, Meguiar's, Meguiar's NXT, Menzerna, Mother's, Optimum, Poor Boy's, P21S, Turtle Wax, Wolfgang, Zaino, Zymol, and others I cannot justify using a carnauba over a synthetic - especially on a non-garaged daily-driver.
- Testing -
I have tested carnauba and synthetic side-by-side on the hoods/roofs of various vehicles (05 GTO, 05 Corolla, 00 CSVT, 97 Explorer) and found the following:
- Carnauba side lasted about 4-6 weeks
- Synthetic side lasted 4-6 months
- Carnuaba side felt oily/greasey when touched by hand
- Synthetic side felt slick and smooth
- Carnauba side left streaks on the surface when touched
- Synthetic side left no streaks on the surface when touched
- Carnauba side attracted dust and particles
- Synthetic side did not attract dust and particles
- Beliefs -
As far as color/depth/shine, I always read carnauba provided better depth and color and synthetics offered better shine. I thought I was doing something wrong or something was wrong with my eyes because I couldn't tell the difference between the two sides. Both sides were shiney and the color difference was negligible. I even had family and friends look at both sides on all the various vehicles and none could say one side had better color than the other. Some did say that they synthetic side appeared more "sparkley". That started reinforcing my belief that carnauba offering better color is a popular belief more than anything.
- Spring Zing 2006 -
I thought for sure that CEGers would vote the carnauba side as better on a black CSVT. I thought Roger, being the carnauba man, would outdo the synthetic I was using. Upon completion, I couldn't tell any color difference between the two sides. But, the synthetic side was clearer than the carnauba side. Surprise, synthetic beats carnauba - even on a dark colored car. SZ 06 has reinforced my belief that carnauba is not better on a dark colored car.
- Conclusion -
I don't get garage queen or fresh paint customers. All of my customers are daily drivers that haven't been washed in months and waxed in years. I would not put a carnauba that's going to last a month on their car - no way.
After all my testing over the years and personal experiences I'm using nothing but synthetics. As they say, the proof is in the pudding.
HTH
