9 waxes unbiased review

detailjohn

detailjohn

New member
Joined
Mar 11, 2010
Messages
109
Reaction score
0
An employee of mine has the perfect test vehicle for a wax test. His car is parked outside, here in Seattle we do get the "occasional" rain drop also. Since he has worked for me in the last 8 months, he hasn't found a day to finally correct his paint. That still has not happened. I corrected his hood for this wax comparison, and unfortunately the rest of his car is not wearing any wax. His hood however has 9 waxes/sealants.

So here goes my unbiased review, the entire hood was corrected, using SIP and orange pad, and Super Finish and white pad. I cleaned entire hood using Menzerna Top Inspection. I took a gloss measurement after correction, and also after the wax was applied. My gloss meter takes a measurement at 20 degree angle, 60 degree angle, and 85 degree angle. Here are the surprising results.

The 9 competitors are as follows.
1. FMJ
2. 1Z Glanz
3. Sonax Nanotechnology Liquid Wax
4. Auto Glym HD
5. Sonax Premium Class Carnauba Wax
6. Dodo SN
7. Vintage brand wax
8. Titanium brand wax
9. Nanoskin Hydrophobic


Results will show as following

Brand
After correction reading - After wax reading
2=20 degree
6=60 degree
9=85 degree

FMJ
2=93.1 - 88.2
6=96.9 - 94.1
9=97.5 - 97.4

1Z Glanz
2=92.0 - 89.9
6=96.6 - 94.8
9=97.1 - 97.0

Sonax Nanotechnology Liquid Wax
2=89.8 - 90.5
6=96.5 - 95.1
9=96.7 - 96.9

AGHD
2=93.0 - 88.7
6=96.7 - 94.0
9=97.3 - 97.4

Sonax Premium Class Carnauba Wax
2=91.6 - 90.7
6=96.4 - 95.1
9=97.0 - 97.3

Dodo SN
2=90.6 - 90.8
6=96.4 - 94.3
9=96.7 - 96.9

Vintage brand wax
2=92.7 - 90.8
6=96.4 - 94.8
9=96.8 - 96.8

Titanium brand wax
2=92.0 - 90.8
6=96.4 - 95.0
9=96.7 - 97.1

Nanoskin Hydrophobic
2=90.9 - 90.8
6=96.2 - 95.1
9=96.1 - 95.3

As you can see, in this test all the waxes actually diminished the gloss from after paintwork correction. I think the Sonax Nanotechnology Liquid wax ,and the Dodo SN were among the best. I however am not performing laboratory testing, and with any test like this results will vary. Take it as you will. Gloss is not the only thing that adds value to a shiny car, as I WILL say that some of these more expensive waxes do give a better shine than some less expensive waxes, no matter what these test results were.


John
 
Nice test John! Interesting that wax reduced the gloss measurements. I think I remember a "Vetteran" of AG saying he found that the best gloss is achieved from jeweling the the paint, and wax is really just for protecting it. You just confirmed it with SCIENCE, my favorite! :D

Regardless of the gloss meter results, what are your go-to sealant and wax's?
 
A4 1.8tqm said:
Nice test John! Interesting that wax reduced the gloss measurements. I think I remember a "Vetteran" of AG saying he found that the best gloss is achieved from jeweling the the paint, and wax is really just for protecting it. You just confirmed it with SCIENCE, my favorite! :D

Regardless of the gloss meter results, what are your go-to sealant and wax's?
Click to expand...
Grea test John and yes you are also right about seeing that wax does ruduce the gloss in some cases.Matter of fact ASPAULT ROCKET has post after using a sealant on a car no reason to wax other then protection.After spending the night a couple of weeks ago on my vette we only sealed it haven't waxed it yet.Matter of fact last Sunday at a car show i had a ton of people asking me what make wax i used i told them i haven't waxed it yet.They didn't believe me.
 
A4 1.8tqm said:
Nice test John! Interesting that wax reduced the gloss measurements. I think I remember a "Vetteran" of AG saying he found that the best gloss is achieved from jeweling the the paint, and wax is really just for protecting it. You just confirmed it with SCIENCE, my favorite! :D

Regardless of the gloss meter results, what are your go-to sealant and wax's?
Click to expand...

I wonder who that was-lol? Nice play on words.:props: Also I want to make it clear that it just isn't the final polishing stage that but all your steps that add to that final gloss, depth and clarity.

Thanks for this test John, this just reinforces what I have been saying all along.
 
A4 1.8tqm said:
Nice test John! Interesting that wax reduced the gloss measurements. I think I remember a "Vetteran" of AG saying he found that the best gloss is achieved from jeweling the the paint, and wax is really just for protecting it. You just confirmed it with SCIENCE, my favorite! :D

Regardless of the gloss meter results, what are your go-to sealant and wax's?
Click to expand...

I like the Sonax line of waxes, Collinite, and Autoglym HD as my standard waxes. I of course also have my refrigerator of boutique stuff ;)

No problem everyone, thanks for reading.

John
 
Very interesting!!! Thanks for sharing that! Gloss has indeed been reduced, but i would assume the depth and luster of the paint has been dramatically increased. Just my opinion though based on my experience.
 
So your test proves that both sealants AND waxes diminish gloss eh? I would say I agree with your test too in that jewelling (last step in polishing) results in most gloss. My theory is that adding a layer of either sealant or wax diminishes gloss somewhat because light now has to pass through another (albeit thin) layer before reflecting back. Now granted, a jewelled-highly glossy surface is not protected, so I'd still seal or wax it ;)
 
Yup, I agree with both of you. I will continue to wax.

John
 
I understand that many show car owners will avoid using a wax or sealant, perhaps applying a glaze like #7 immediately before a show. I wonder if #7 (or comparable product) will intensify or diminish gloss.
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
I wonder who that was-lol? Nice play on words.:props: Also I want to make it clear that it just isn't the final polishing stage that but all your steps that add to that final gloss, depth and clarity.

Thanks for this test John, this just reinforces what I have been saying all along.
Click to expand...

Thought you'd get a kick out of that :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top