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Store Bought Waxes Part II (No Zaino Posts)
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All I can say is, how many times have I recommended Meguiar's Medallion? ;-)
Remember that they are using panels and this will involve real weather, but not real weather driving conditions.
Notice that they also found the unmentionable product difficult to use.
At least on initial estimates the Carnauba waxes seemed to hold a definite edge.
In all waxes, it's a balance between shine and durability. We'll see how others hold up.
Notice how important surface preparation is.
By the way, I went to a concours show recently, and the winner was a car with Meguiar's #26
I just purchased and applied the sealant glaze. I gives a clear glossy finish that is not quite as rich looking as a wax finish IMHO. If anything, it makes the scratches in my clear coat more apparent. The finish is shiny, but more a a 'saran wrap' shiny, if that makes any sense. I've only done one of my two cars, and I'm not sure I'll do the second.
I don't know that the slight additional gloss is worth the extra $20 and the extra work of applying it.
I should state that I'm a bit on the lazy side of obsessive - complusive. My cars are very clean and I keep them well waxed but I am not at the level of some here, and I'd never go to the trouble that "Zome Waxez" require.
Anyhow, for what it's worth. Interesting article on the wax tests. I agree with them that they errored in prepping the panels. This makes it pretty much a gloss test, as the cleaners and polishes in the waxes themselves don't get tested.
I hope they do more testing in the future, though.. good stuff.
I've been "waxing" cars for too many years and can't begin to agree with all the subjective comments or results of the "test." Seems to me they're just what most posters here want to read. And BTW, there's another scientific (read "subjective" and probably just as biased) test that "proved" that the forbidden stuff is the best. And that, undoubtedly, is exactly what the guys in the other forum want to read. Go figure!
But God Bless America! To each his own, and if a person is happy with the product he/she uses, so be it. What's one man's poison . . .
I don't get why so many Z fans feel the need to be so aggressive in defense of their product, i don't get it at all. When i posted the results of my test, i was called a liar and all sorts of other names, i was claimed to be the only unsatisfied one, ( lie, there had been 3 that week! ). The people at this website are being threatened & harassed.
dave
Have a nice day, sir.
And you are wrong that "many Z fans feel the need to be so aggressive in defense of their product." My post, I believe, was the only one that questioned the methods and results of the test, and if you considered it to be aggressive, it certainly wasn't meant to be. Do you and others really feel "threatened and harassed" when someone posts an opinion different from most? What happened to freedom of speech and respecting the opinions of others? Please read my post again -- if you find anything insulting or harassing, please accept my apologies. I did not mean to offend!
adc - There's an old saying that "Reasonable people can disagree reasonably." I wonder why you can't accept the fact that someone disagreed. And I really did not "take it personally" although I think you took my post personally. Sorry about that -- again, I tried to express my opinion without offending anyone, but evidently you felt threatened or insulted because I questioned the testing.
-Larry
And flip like a flounder? Come on -- get real. Since when are disagreements and opposite opinions classified as outlandish reactions? I'm not sure why you object so emotionally to opinions that don't agree with your own..
Seems to me a bit of old fashion politeness and civility on this board -- the way your posts usually come across on the forbidden board -- would add to its quality. Why not use the same unemotional and considerate approach here, even when you think someone is dead wrong?
BTW, I like cyranno99's comment. Cute, and definitely not insulting (although some fanatics from elsewhere in Edmunds might take offense).
This may sound stupid, but has anybody heard of/tried Dura-shine? I saw an infomercial on it the other day. Don't ask what I was doing watching an infomercial! Anyway, they claim that you "never have to dry your car again" and more like that. Just wondering if anybody had any info on this stuff.
Thanks
protege_fan.. I used Dura-Shine some years ago. At that time I looked at the products on info-mercials as amazing. Their presentations are so believable/amazing (never mind about the 90% untruth factor).
Anyway,I was torally ds-satisfied with their product. In theory there is a mass sheeting whereby no drops are left to allow the sun to burn through the paint. I think that's the one that gets you. Save your money.
Oh-yea, I also used the Autofom with-da-da- Fomulin A. Another loser.
It is easy to "hit a nerve" if the hitting is done by someone who has hit before.
If anyone has an issue with The Wax Test results, that person should engage the testers. I've sent them an e-mail and received a very polite reply. They seem to be nice people and I'm sure would love to hear your opinions of their test.
As for censorship, the only thing that is "censored" here is discussion of a specific brand of product.
1304 of 1322 dhanley by div2 Oct 24, 2001 (08:03 am)
GREAT site! I fully expect that they will be punished fot their heretical findings, however...
And yet another Zihad begins...LOL!
It appears they really liked the Medallion vs the #26. I must say though, that I did not observe any difference in appearance when I waxed one half of my hood with each. They also indicated that the #26 was hard to remove. That's their opinion, but I'm not sure I totally agree. My point is that I can't agree that the #26 s an overall "C" and the Medallion is an overall "B+".
I have not tried the "Gold Class" but based on their "D" for removal, the product may be better than rated.
I would agree with their evaluation of the 3M Perfect-It. Its appearanct to me was about the same as #26 and Medallion.
Just my feeble $.02
why do you "Z" boys come in here and cry?
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whoever wants to know about the P21s concours, i just ordered some and i'll post what i find out if they are interested.
Thank you!
Mr. Shiftright
Host
Maintenance & Repair Message Board
Good thing for me that chicks dig scars.
http://www.ajprindle.com/home.jhtml
Go to Sales & Clearance. It's not every 3M product but the prices are pretty good.
And speaking of products, Mr. Shiftright's post hit home here, too. From now on, in this forum, my alphabet has only 25 letters, and the last letter is "Y" -- end of story!
First, shun the low end cleaners like STP, Armor All, Finish 2002. My direct experience is that they work if put on a very good unblemished, undamaged surface. But I put STP Son of a Gun on my rear seats last spring, and within weeks they split at the seams. The upholstery man said the the he has seen many cases of these lower end protectants destroying the vinyl and discouraged their use. I had to put new vinyl on the top of the back seats. About $150.00. This vinyl didn't look like it had been treated for years before I purchased it.
A friend with a new Toyota cracked the dash with Armor All. Toyota wouldn't pay. Blamed the use of Armor All.
These products are also very slippery.
I have used both Meguiars Shine and #40. The shine is less expensive, has a thicker consistency so it's less messy to apply, and made a nice shiny coating. No long term experience. Meguiars #40 is not as thick, but it has no silicone (some say silicone damages vinyl)and cleans my baby blue roof on my Subaru very well. It also seems to attract less dust. Neither of these products are slick. A real plus around the steering wheel. If the vinyl is dirty Meguiars #40 is the best cleaner around.
The upholsterer recommended 303 Protectant when I got the seats re-done. It's more expensive, but contains no silicone, and has an SPF of 40. They advertise that no other product has as much. I tried but was unable to get SPF factors of other products. I now use 303 in that car with the vinyl problem exclusively, and in my other cars on the vinyl seat tops or areas that get a lot of sun. It is thin, but dries with a little less shine. It is not slippery either.
I use Dashmats in front which avoids splitting.
I really like Meguiars but 303 appears to be the best for areas that can be seriously sun damaged.
dave
If you try to more expensive products, you will find a real difference in quality.
Lexol Vinylex is water-based, has a UV protectant and an anti-static agent. It is designed to act the opposite of stuff like Armor All and the like.
Personally, I like nothing on my dash as any product adds to the reflective glare which I hate. But many like a shiny dash. No problem, just stay away from oil-based products.
Definitely try the Fine Cut. That will prolly do the trick. It's always best to start with the least abrasive product; you've already done that.
Another option would be to try Meguiar's new Scratch X which does the same basic job as Fine Cut. It's less expensive and easier to find in stores. My neighbor got his new truck mildly scratched. I took some Scratch X and it was gone in 2 minutes of rubbing.
Good luck.
Thanks for posting the waxtest.com site. It should be interesting to see what long term results these guys experience.
fastdriver
My question: Will the use of 303 Protectant or Vinylex overcome or counter the previous possible damage to the vinyl? I fully realize that a switch in products is now called for, and I'm wondering if I can reverse or at least stop some of the potential damage caused by the Armor All.
When I switched over to 303 for my Dash I sprayed Windex on it to remove the Armor All. I then rinsed it 3 times with a damp rag, dried it and then applied the 303.
3M makes a Leather and Vinyl Cleaner and Restorer at their online store. It is the only product that is not an all in one. It's available on the online store under cleaners and dressings.
It should also be good quality. I've really enjoyed other 3M products that I have used like the glazes, and Perfect-It show Car Wax, and the wax remover.
An interesting Side note. At least on the bottles I had, both Armor All and STP had disclaimers that they would not be responsible for any damage caused by using their products. Meguiars and 303 don't.
Soooo many posts on which car wash/wax to use ...some that leave circles, some not, etc.
Can we keep it simple please:
1. Is there ONE product that will wash and wax without leaving circles and provide fairly good protection and shine?
2. Which cloths to use that won't scratch?
3. Can i use any wash/wax product over present wax (i don't know what's there now; the dealer did it).
thanks to all.
At least in the pictures they took, most of the products, including the hated one looked very nice. I didn't really see any non-performers -- Yet. The durability issue should be interesting.