The ultimate car wax, autopians input

[markbigears]

A chance meeting at a car club in the UK brought 3 people together with different experiences with using car waxes. One owns a wax factory, one details high end cars part time and one a former national concours winner. Over a beer three, the idea that what the market needs is the ultimate car wax at a realistic retail price.
So last week a meeting was arranged at the wax factory so we could talk directly to the chemist to bounce ideas off of each other and compare various "high" end waxes.
So here is where you guys can help......Given your various circumstances what do you look for in a quality wax in order,
ie: ease of use, shine, endurance, solvent based, water based, etc.
As we are in very early stages of chemical make-up we are looking for any input from you.
This is an exciting opportunity with car enthusiasts, not marketing
men, involved in this product with one aim, to make the ultimate car wax.
Best reagrds,
Mark

[ntwrkguy1]

Mark,

For me, the order is:

1. Depth of shine
2. Ease of use
3. Will it stain trim?
4. Endurance

Endurance ranks low, because I'm willing to wax as often as needed to get that 'look'.

hth,

DavidM

[Deanski]

Well, it's a very subjective question and can have quite a bit of personal opinions.

You may want to look at Scottwax pics. He has very good results with the Clearkote products, Vanilla Moose and Carnuba Moose. Others lean toward S100/P21S or Souveran.

Sealants are a different beast all together and do not qualify as a "wax" per say. Some use a sealant and then top it with a wax, myself included as of yesterday. Just topped my SC430 that had multi-layers of Zaino with Souveran paste.

Bottom line: Paint prep is paramount as the wax lays on top. The better the results from polishing, the better effect you will get from a wax. Then it comes to life of the wax. Then qd.

Regards,
Deanski

[markbigears]

Dean, we are talking a carnauba based wax. No polymers. This is going to be a product that you would use as the last step in your prep. Thanks for the advice but we are "autopians" and thats what our market will be aimed at, for people that know about detailing not your joe average. Between us we have vast experience of products, prep to concours standards and a huge wax factory with dedicated staffed laboratory! We are after a product made by autopians, for autopians. Best regards, Mark

[Aurora40]

Mark, I got your PM. I think a big thing is that, while we can all make lists, the relative importance is still lost. Like I may like depth over durability, but to what point? Is an incredibly marginal gain in depth worth the durability falling from say 6 weeks to 2 weeks?

Also, while there is certainly some profit to be had, I suspect some of the high price of better products comes from the use of better or more consistent ingredients, and also probably from more consistent manufacturing techniques (I kind of hope so anyway...).

All that said, though, if I were going to use an actual wax, I would favor:

- Depth and gloss, that real wet look
- Slick, slick, slick
- Don't stain trim (I'm starting to develop an intolerance for trim-staining products, I think. Even as I now take time to protect trim.)
- Durability should be a month or more on a cared-for car.
- Ease of use (I'm starting to become much better at applying products well, and am much more willing to use products that require very precise application to use easily)

If the product works well and is quality made, then price isn't really such a concern. Though, if it's over $50, that'll be a bit of a turn-off. I'm also not personally looking for a natural wax anymore. I really love my Souveran, but hardly ever use it (I got it as part of a deal, so it was less than $50). I'm really into sealants now as they give me more piece of mind. Plus, I really like the look of sealants on metallic paint, and a lot of the depth/gloss can be had by good prep, and also apparently by using Final Detail as a QD. Good luck, sounds fun!

[Dude]

This is a really good discussion.

My picks would be:

1. Depth
2. Slickness
3. Doesn't stain trim
4. Ease of use
5. Low dust attraction
6. Durability

[Accumulator]

For a carnauba-based wax, I'd look for (in order of importance):

1) no staining of trim
2) depth and wetness
3) slickness
4) filling
5) low dust attraction
6) durability

I recognize that some of these might be mutually exclusive.

[pies]

Hi Mark you beat me to it

We could end up with a really good product without feeling ripped off

[Magellan498]

Hmmm interesting proposition.

The ultimate wax for me would have:
1.) Depth and Wetness
2.) Slickness
3.) Ease of use (time is always a factor... )

Im going with Accum.......

1) no staining of trim
2) depth and wetness
3) slickness
4) filling
5) low dust attraction
6) durability

[Macgirl]

I'm a big einszett Glanz Wax fan so this is very close to something I'd be interested in. Carnauba shine + durability.

1. Ease of use - Time is of the essence, gotta show that baby off.
2. Price - I won't spend anymore than $20 on a wax.
2. Depth of shine - Got to have it.
3. Durability - Don't have the time anymore to wax every month.
4. Slickness - I love that feel when I'm done with all that work.
5. Low dust attraction - not so much a factor but nice.
6. Non-staining - I tape so this isn't as much of a factor.

I can have it all, right?

[markbigears]

keep em coming guys.....some interesting lists here. All the information will be taken to the next meeting with the chemist (he even wears a white coat i kid you not!) so he can have some idea of what you guys want in the best carnauba wax bar none.
Best regards, mark