What do you think is the best over the counter wax. I've been using Mothers California Gold Wax and it only lasts like a month. I need something that will last 3 or 4 to get me through the winter. Any suggestions?
Best OTC Wax?
- Thread starter bigwillie
- Start date
- Status
I'm trying out liquid glass right now. it is easy to use. I won't know about durability for a couple of months, but it is claimed to easily last 6 months to a year.
HERE is a rating by GURU reports....
""Guru Reports (www.gurureports.org) tested 4 different Zymols in their 2002 wax test. The top rated Zymol (Carbon Carnauba) ranked 29th (Grade = C) out of 46 waxes tested. Zymol SUV (Zurtle) was 35th, Zymol Titanium Carnauba was 36th, and Zymol Concours Carnauba was 40th. Top rated was Zaino Brothers Polish, P21S Concours-look Carnauba was 2nd, and Klasse All-In-One & Sealant Glaze was 3rd. Among the cheap readily available waxes, Rain Dance Premium was 7th overall, and Mothers California Gold Carnauba Cleaner Wax was 8th. Meguiar's Gold Class, which seems to be popular, ranked 18th, just behind Nu Finish. Five other Meguiar's waxes ranked lower.""
""Guru Reports (www.gurureports.org) tested 4 different Zymols in their 2002 wax test. The top rated Zymol (Carbon Carnauba) ranked 29th (Grade = C) out of 46 waxes tested. Zymol SUV (Zurtle) was 35th, Zymol Titanium Carnauba was 36th, and Zymol Concours Carnauba was 40th. Top rated was Zaino Brothers Polish, P21S Concours-look Carnauba was 2nd, and Klasse All-In-One & Sealant Glaze was 3rd. Among the cheap readily available waxes, Rain Dance Premium was 7th overall, and Mothers California Gold Carnauba Cleaner Wax was 8th. Meguiar's Gold Class, which seems to be popular, ranked 18th, just behind Nu Finish. Five other Meguiar's waxes ranked lower.""
Most any polymer sealant product will outlast wax-based products. Unfortuntely, most of what is sold at retail is made to a price point designed to fit the retailer's product matrix. Your standout products are rarely found in stores.
At retail, look for stuff like Liquid Glass and Meguiars #20, The new synthetic waxes like Meguiars NXT and Mothers FX Synwax are better than wax-based products but not quite as good as a true polymer system.
At retail, look for stuff like Liquid Glass and Meguiars #20, The new synthetic waxes like Meguiars NXT and Mothers FX Synwax are better than wax-based products but not quite as good as a true polymer system.
Another endorsement here for Liquid Glass. I really like the ease of application and durability. My car is outside 24/7 and no other product I've used holds up as well as Liquid Glass.
I think you guys have sold me on Liquid Glass, especially since I can get it at the Autozone less than a mile away from my house. I guess the only drawback is it cost $20 a can. How long does it usually take to go through a can of liquid glass if I have to pay $20 for it I hope that it will provide many coats of wax. I'm going to give the Liquid Glass a try, anything else I should know about it?
bigwilliam,
You can trust Bretfraz' recommendations which are based on a LOT of experience.
Liquid Glass was my wax of choice before I became a Zaino convert. It is great stuff and if applied properly (very thin), a can should give 7 to 10 applications by my estimate (depending on car size).
Get your car squeaky clean with a one time dawn dish soap wash. Maybe clay bar it if you are inclined.
Use just enough wax to keep your applicator lubricated. Thin is in, and easier to wipe off. Use good towels/applicators.
Two coats will give a slightly better job, but because it has very mild cleaners, you can't really layer it.
Have fun.
You can trust Bretfraz' recommendations which are based on a LOT of experience.
Liquid Glass was my wax of choice before I became a Zaino convert. It is great stuff and if applied properly (very thin), a can should give 7 to 10 applications by my estimate (depending on car size).
Get your car squeaky clean with a one time dawn dish soap wash. Maybe clay bar it if you are inclined.
Use just enough wax to keep your applicator lubricated. Thin is in, and easier to wipe off. Use good towels/applicators.
Two coats will give a slightly better job, but because it has very mild cleaners, you can't really layer it.
Have fun.
Yes i think liquid glass will work well for me especially since most of the time my car is parked outside for 8 or 9 hours 5 days a week, sometimes more. I would go for the Zaino but it's so much easier to be able to pick up the wax anytime I want at AZ instead of having to order it. I will put in on using the method doitmyself described this weekend and keep you all posted on how it is holding up.
Good question. I really haven't paid attention to it and can't remember when I last bought a can. So I guess a can goes a long way and the cost isn't something I worry about. It doesn't cost much more than NXT and goes further and is more durable in my opinion. I put a coat on about every two weeks as my car is outside 24/7. It is best applied in very thin coats.
If you start getting dust when removing it or if you get streaks, try making your coats thinner. I use a foam pad and apply it in a back and forth motion rather than circular. After putting a coat on and wiping off, let the car cure in the sun if possible for about 4 hours especially if you are going to put on another coat right away.
Try it on your windshield. I think it makes it easier to keep clean.
Keep the can very well shaken or towards the end of a can, you will get a more condensed product that leads to dust when wiping off.
I've been using the stuff for years and love the looks. I've used it on a dark navy blue, medium blue and metallic silver car. I like the looks I've gotten on all of them.
bigwillie,
Also, look for Liquid Glass's Pre Cleaner. It is a very good product to use before putting down Liquid Glass. I've not seen it at my local AutoZone, but my local Pep Boys does have it. I think it is approximately $8 or $9.
Also, look for Liquid Glass's Pre Cleaner. It is a very good product to use before putting down Liquid Glass. I've not seen it at my local AutoZone, but my local Pep Boys does have it. I think it is approximately $8 or $9.
Is there a difference between the liquid and paste formulations of these Waxes?
The Meguiar's #26 Liquid is pretty darn good (Blacks and Reds especially) and I think better than the paste version. I'll give a thumbs up to #20 mentioned above, too. I do not care for any of the Gold Class Meg's line. NXT is OK+ to pretty decent, but haven't tried the paste version. Meguiar's paste #16 is an oldie but goodie and requires thin on SOON off for ease of use. Still a favorite of mine on light colors, durable too, but you won't see it very often anymore. I think it's discontinued.
Personally, I don't use the over the counter stuff much anymore, but think that any of the above will be just fine for the average guy. I'm not a fan of Liquid Glass, but if others like it, it's no skin off my nose.
Personally, I don't use the over the counter stuff much anymore, but think that any of the above will be just fine for the average guy. I'm not a fan of Liquid Glass, but if others like it, it's no skin off my nose.
I think the best OTC product that I've used is NXT. It's a sealant so it lasts a decent amount of time. A wax can only provide so much protection against the elements the key is to rinse your car regularly to get rid of the salts.
I've been using Rain Dance for a number of years now. I try to get two coats on each vehicle a year, but sometimes only manage to get one on. If I put a coat on in the fall it seems to be good at least thru spring, meaning it still beads, sometimes thru summer, but I also avoid commercial car washes as much as possible. Car wax durability seems to often be tested by how many times it can go thru a car wash, so I try to wash the vehicles with warm water and a bit of washer fluid.
- Status
