Who makes the best car wax?

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
I just waxed my car with Turtle Wax, and even after 3 coats it still looks kinda flat on my hood where the sun has done some damage to the paint finish.

I was reading that you can get some expensive hard waxes that last for 2 years. Do any of you have experience with that stuff? What brands are good?

TIA
 

KIAman

Diamond Member
Mar 7, 2001
3,342
23
81
First, no wax is going to last longer than a couple of months in the best of conditions.

Second of all, what are you expecting from a wax/sealent. What type of look are you going for? Sleek? Reflective? Deep? Glossy? Shiny?

Finally, wax will NOT fix paint damage period and the MAJORITY of a good wax job is the PREPERATION work.
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
What you want is paint cleaner
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+A3016

Use that first to get rid of light oxidation. Then go over it with the turtle wax.

p84691z.jpg
 

speedy2

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2008
1,294
0
71
I'd post a pic of your hood before you buy anything. Depending on the severity of the oxidation, cleaner wax might not do anything for you.


I had a Jeep with bad oxidation.

I started with this
hoodbad.jpg


And ended with this.
hoodgood.jpg


3 grades of wet sanding. 2 types of rubbing compounds. Then glaze. Then a wax. This is pretty severe, but if you do it right the first time it will last and look a lot better. Don't be surprised if you see your oxidation come back within a few days after only using the cleaner wax.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
First, no wax is going to last longer than a couple of months in the best of conditions.

Second of all, what are you expecting from a wax/sealent. What type of look are you going for? Sleek? Reflective? Deep? Glossy? Shiny?

Finally, wax will NOT fix paint damage period and the MAJORITY of a good wax job is the PREPERATION work.
I'd be fine with either a reflective or a glossy/shiny finish.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

speedy2, tell me you re-painted that hood! If you simply cleaned that up and waxed it you're a miracle worker!
 

speedy2

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2008
1,294
0
71
speedy2, tell me you re-painted that hood! If you simply cleaned that up and waxed it you're a miracle worker!


3 grades of wet sanding. 2 types of rubbing compounds. Then glaze. Then a wax. This is pretty severe, but if you do it right the first time it will last and look a lot better. Don't be surprised if you see your oxidation come back within a few days after only using the cleaner wax.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
3 grades of wet sanding. 2 types of rubbing compounds. Then glaze. Then a wax. This is pretty severe, but if you do it right the first time it will last and look a lot better. Don't be surprised if you see your oxidation come back within a few days after only using the cleaner wax.
What grades did you use, and what were the rubbing compounds? Very nice job.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
I've used NuFinish because it's supposed to last forever... But it doesn't create a smooth shine. I know it says right on the bottle that it's a polish and not a wax, but people on the internets use it as a wax which they claim lasts long. I don't get it.
 

speedy2

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2008
1,294
0
71
Trying to remember.

Something like 800, 1200, 1500/2000. I think

Rubbing compounds were 3M Compound and another called ClearKote Compound Moose.

Then Clearkote Red Moose Machine Glaze.

Rubbing compounds were applied with a buffer. I applied Glaze and wax by hand.
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
BTW, NXT Tech Wax sucks. It lasted a few weeks for me

damn man, it lasts 1-2 months for me.

I am suing Meguiars Gold Class carnuba synthetic now, Its looking very nice. I think its a bit more reflective then NXT 2.0 but since its part carnuba it wont last as long

OP it depends on your budget. the Meguiars NXT Techwax and Gold Class carnuba synthetic both give great shine and reflection for not too much.
 

speedy2

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2008
1,294
0
71
Yeah forgot to mention, that's Meguiars NXT Techwax on the pic of that jeep. Stuff is ok. Like I said, I don't mind applying a light coat once a week. Seems to last longer if you do regular light coats after a wash.
 

KIAman

Diamond Member
Mar 7, 2001
3,342
23
81
Sorta off topic but anybody got any advice on removing some oxidization on chrome window trims?

And to the OP, if reflective shine is what you want, you want a nice sealent, something like Klasse or Zaino.

A wax is typically a deep and wet look.
 

angry hampster

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2007
4,232
0
0
www.lexaphoto.com
Sorta off topic but anybody got any advice on removing some oxidization on chrome window trims?

And to the OP, if reflective shine is what you want, you want a nice sealent, something like Klasse or Zaino.

A wax is typically a deep and wet look.



Turtle Wax chrome polish has done wonders for the pitting and oxidation on my motorcycle's chrome. Pretty cheap, too.
 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,650
4,767
136
damn man, it lasts 1-2 months for me.

I am suing Meguiars Gold Class carnuba synthetic now, Its looking very nice. I think its a bit more reflective then NXT 2.0 but since its part carnuba it wont last as long

OP it depends on your budget. the Meguiars NXT Techwax and Gold Class carnuba synthetic both give great shine and reflection for not too much.


It's Carnauba.

Thanks.