Waxes 101: Types of Waxes & Their Uses

USNA94 · 08-31-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Sealants will usually last longer and give better protection as well. Sealants have a little different look than waxes. Sealants have more of a shinny candy look as opposed to the warm glow of a wax. These differences are very subtle and some people can not see any difference at all.

I have heard of people layering a carnuba wax over their sealant to obtain the longer lasting protection of a sealant with the added warmth of a wax. Have you found this to work or just a waste of wax?

NXTAZEE · 08-31-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USNA94

I have heard of people layering a carnuba wax over their sealant to obtain the longer lasting protection of a sealant with the added warmth of a wax. Have you found this to work or just a waste of wax?

Yes, I do this for people that want the best protection possible but love the way a wax looks. But you do have to know what sealant and wax go together so you don't have bonding issues.

Pointman · 10-13-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

To make a car shine, the paint must be free of any marring which will give it depth and clarity and be very reflective. If it is new, and the dealer hasn't marred it, it will have shine as you say and you can use any good wax or sealant and it will look good. In the case of the Z the paint is soft and mars easily, so if you have had it since January, more than likely it will need to be polished to bring back the shine. Perfectly polished paint looks amazing with out anything on it. Waxes and sealants just give it a sacrificial barrier from the elements. Now if you choose not to have it polished then you will need to buy a wax with fillers in it so it hides the marring, for a short time I might add, by filling it in so your paint looks shinny. I don't recommend this choice unless your paint is old and very thin, which makes it impossible to polish out the swirls.

99% of my customers have black cars, and if they want them to look their best I lightly polish them twice a year and they keep a perfect shine. I like to use polymer based sealants instead of wax. Sealants will usually last longer and give better protection as well. Sealants have a little different look than waxes. Sealants have more of a shinny candy look as opposed to the warm glow of a wax. These differences are very subtle and some people can not see any difference at all.

NXT, what products do you recomend? Polishes, waxes, sealents, the works. I make many noob mistakes with my waxing but I love a clean, and shinny ride so I continue to try my best. I currently use Meguairs NXT 2...

NXTAZEE · 10-13-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pointman

NXT, what products do you recomend? Polishes, waxes, sealents, the works. I make many noob mistakes with my waxing but I love a clean, and shinny ride so I continue to try my best. I currently use Meguairs NXT 2...

As far as the polishes and compounds that I use, I use a rotary and sometimes a DA polisher, so the products I use may not be the best for someone just starting machine polishing or polishing by hand. Let me know how you plan to maintain your car and your skill level. From your post I'm assuming you are new to this.

Pointman · 10-13-2009, 03:19 PM

I have a Milwalkee high speed buffer, it ran around $200.00 dollars. I have only used it on my boat (which was easy) and it worked great. Used Mequairs products to remove oxidation, then a cleaner wax, and finished off with pure carnuba wax (love the look and smell) but would have to do touch ups regular(I used various different pads depending on the product applied). I have not had the courage to get near the Z with a power tool. The NXT looks great on it and is easy to apply and remove by hand. Not a complete novice, just not real brave with power tools and cars. Thank you for your replies and information. Just want the Z to look the best I can make it.

bigaudiofanat · 08-31-2009, 07:03 PM

I choose pure carnuba and if I want something quick mothers synwax

kenchan · 10-13-2009, 01:10 PM

yah, carnauba for hobby cars for me too.

i use Griot's Best of Show topped with their SprayOn wax as LSP.

NXTAZEE · 10-13-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

yah, carnauba for hobby cars for me too.

i use Griot's Best of Show topped with their SprayOn wax as LSP.

Very nice.

kenchan · 10-13-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Very nice.

thanks, kinda like this.

older pict though...

Pointman · 10-13-2009, 09:11 PM

Ohhhhh, that's nice....

How much did that set up set you back.

bigaudiofanat · 10-13-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

thanks, kinda like this.

older pict though...

Can we say obsessed LOL

kenchan · 10-13-2009, 09:24 PM

im not sure how much ive spent on detailing gear... after a while i dont keep count.

most of my stuff you can find at Griot's Garage and Detailer's Paradise.

kenchan · 10-14-2009, 12:37 PM

i used my random orbital on my Z the 2nd day of ownership to remove most of the dealer installed swirls.

then i went at it again about a week ago to rid ALL swirls.

the z's paint is soft though.

kenchan · 10-15-2009, 01:16 PM

yah, and make sure the bucket has a gritguard in there (grill) to keep the mitt away from the grit that settles at the bottom of the buckets.

NXTAZEE · 10-15-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

yah, and make sure the bucket has a gritguard in there (grill) to keep the mitt away from the grit that settles at the bottom of the buckets.

That's right, and I doubt you will find that locally. Grit guards will more that likely have to be purchased online.

10-13-2009, 03:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pointman Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 128 Drives: 370Z Sport/Tour Nav Rep Power: 276	I have a Milwalkee high speed buffer, it ran around $200.00 dollars. I have only used it on my boat (which was easy) and it worked great. Used Mequairs products to remove oxidation, then a cleaner wax, and finished off with pure carnuba wax (love the look and smell) but would have to do touch ups regular(I used various different pads depending on the product applied). I have not had the courage to get near the Z with a power tool. The NXT looks great on it and is easy to apply and remove by hand. Not a complete novice, just not real brave with power tools and cars. Thank you for your replies and information. Just want the Z to look the best I can make it. __________________ JTTF SQ8

08-31-2009, 07:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 854	I choose pure carnuba and if I want something quick mothers synwax __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

10-13-2009, 09:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pointman Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 128 Drives: 370Z Sport/Tour Nav Rep Power: 276	Ohhhhh, that's nice.... How much did that set up set you back. __________________ JTTF SQ8

10-13-2009, 01:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	yah, carnauba for hobby cars for me too. i use Griot's Best of Show topped with their SprayOn wax as LSP.

10-13-2009, 09:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	im not sure how much ive spent on detailing gear... after a while i dont keep count. most of my stuff you can find at Griot's Garage and Detailer's Paradise.

10-14-2009, 12:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i used my random orbital on my Z the 2nd day of ownership to remove most of the dealer installed swirls. then i went at it again about a week ago to rid ALL swirls. the z's paint is soft though.

10-15-2009, 01:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	yah, and make sure the bucket has a gritguard in there (grill) to keep the mitt away from the grit that settles at the bottom of the buckets.