Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Waxes

=Intro=
With so many people trying the new Meguiar's NXT line, I wanted to post to "educate" about carnuaba waxes vs synthetic/polymer waxes.

Retail typically stores don't carry synthetic or polymer waxes - they are typically "uknown" and mostly found online.

There are many different waxes out there that IMHO outperform the standard off-the-shelf waxes such as Meguiar's lines, Turtle Wax, etc.

I think that everyone should attempt to try some other brands and see for yourself how they perform - application, removal, shine, durability, etc.

I used Meguiar's for over 10 years, and managed a full service car wash and detailing shop for a couple years, so I do have a decent working knowledge of car care.

I have been using Zaino for about 3 years now, but have been researching and "testing" synthetic waxes on the market.


**The following has been accumulated from many wax review/car care websites and personal experience.**

=Carnauba vs Polymer=

Waxes are made from a natural wax, carnauba, or synthetically made of polymers and acrylic resins.

=Carnauba Waxes=

-Advantages-
- A darker, deeper, richer shine
- Best carnauba waxes produce a liquid, "wet-looking" surface
- Carnauba waxes tend to hide minor swirls.

-Disadvantages-
- Limited durability (Carnauba starts to melt at 180 degrees F)
50% - 60% gone in 30 days, 75%-90% gone in 60 days
- Most carnauba waxes harder to apply and remove
- Most carnauba waxes create chalky-white residues and stain trim moldings
- Low surface adhesion - can be removed by car washes and detergent
- Prone to water spots
- Usually requires a strong petroleum solvent base
- Can cloud and/or streak on dark color cars
- Can be difficult to apply by machine

=Polymer Waxes=

-Advantages-
- Longer lasting. Most will last 6-9+ months
- Easy to apply and remove
- Little to no dust when buffing.
- Very bright shine.
- Some synthetic waxes sheet water which reduces water spots
- Stronger surface adhesion resists detergents
- Easy to apply by machine
- Can be water-based or use a mild mineral spirit

-Disadvantages-
- Bright shine is often referred to as sterile, lacking "emotion"
(it does not allow the paints true pigment to show through)
- Sheeting of water does not give a visual clue of when to recoat

A common misconception is that a synthetic wax costs more. This is true - to an extent. The initial purchase is more costly, but you will use a lot less of the polymer wax than you would a carnauba wax - per use as well as long run since it lasts so much longer.

=Polymers / Synthetics=

The Guru Reports tested over 46 different waxes and states "Voted the #1 synthetic wax available by independent test magazine Guru Reports, Zaino Show Car Polish is among the best paint protection products available...The top rated products included Zaino, Klasse and P21S."

Some highly recommended synthetic waxes:
Klasse
Meguiar's NXT
P21S (cleaners and such are polymers, but carnauba is carnauba!)
Wolfgang Concours
Zaino

Over the years, Meguiar's has tweaked their waxes, but just recently started from scratch and joined the synthetic era with their NXT line. I've read nothing but great reviews for their wax, but their spray is another story - I recommend a different spray wax/quick detailer as I have read a lot of negative feedback about it.

I can wash my car and apply a towel-sliding Zaino finish in less than half the time it took me to apply Meguiar's.

=Conclusion=
If you want to stick to a carnuba based wax, use a good one:
Griot's Garage

I hope this post will be helpful and maybe some CEGers will make the switch to a polymer wax.

Antonio - Meguiar's -> Zaino -> Klasse
TheStripedSVT - Meguiar's -> Griot's Garage
SVT ST PETE - Meguiar's -> Zaino -> testing P21S

i have a full order of zaino ready to go on (sitting in the garage but may sell it). i still havent tried it. been waiting for winter to pass. i'm considering trying this: menzerna ever hear of it?

I have a question. I was tempted to switch to Zaino about a year ago, the only reason I didnt was because it was another internet purchase. I am looking for something available to me now. Is NXT compairable? Or if I am going to make the switch to synthetic, should I just go with a quality product like Zaino? I have read that it takes hours for Zaino to set up before removing the wax? Is this true? Another question is about cost. I can pick up a bottle of NXT for $15 and zaino seems to need addatives and such that cost more. Is it worth it? Thanks ST SVT PETE BTW my car is silver, I really wish my car was a darker color, just the color depth and shine on a dark car is pure sex!

Justin,
Zaino is time consuming to "set up", but so is any other wax.

Consider with any new line you start, you will want to start fresh without any other waxes present on the car, correct?

That being said, you would w/ Zaino:
1. Wash with Dawn
2. Clay bar
3. Wash with Zaino wash
4. Apply Zaino Z1, apply while Z2 is still wet
5. Done
6. Use Zaino spray between coats of Z2

Now with NXT:
1. Wash with Dawn
2. Clay bar
3. Wash with car soap of choice
4. Apply NXT
5. Done
6. Use quick detailer of choice

Not that much of a difference!

I'm really wanting to purchase Klasse due to Antonio's recomendation as well as all the great reviews I've read from many websites.

Check this one out.

I think I will have to order some just to quench my curiosity!

Let me show you how well Zaino has held up for me.

Pre-wash (old pic, Explorer was actually much dirtier today, I forgot to take a before pic).


Keep in mind, I had not not washed, parked in the street, daily driven through snow, dirt, etc. for over 9 months due to a broken ankle and dealing with my currently dead SVT.

30 minutes later after wash with Zaino soap and Z-7 Detailing spray:
(btw, tossed my towel on the hood and slid off other side )


Any Meguiar's user's able to do this?

Justin,
There is no such thing as "the best wax".

What is the "best" is a combination of a lot of factors:

- color of car
- how much time you are willing to dedicate to the car
- how often you wax
- how much money you have
- availability of wax (retail stores, online only)
- climate
- garage kept, carport kept, exposed
- etc.

A synthetic like Zaino is perfect for my Explorer. I don't want to wax it often (as you can see by the 9 months or no wash even!) and I still get amazing results after a quick wash and Zaino detail spray. I can guarantee Meguiar's would not have yielded the same results I achieved today. So for this vehicle and for my needs, Zaino is the best.

Now for my SVT, it's silver, so a carnauba doesn't make sense really (to show depth, color for the deep, "wet" look). Again a synthetic is perfect. I love to wash and wax it frequently and don't mind spending hours doing it, so any wax fits that. What's best for my SVT? Zaino for now, but Klasse and Wolfgang are on the horizon to test.

HTH