=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
