NuFinish for a winter in Michigan?

[AlexRuiz]

As we will spend the last week of November with my in-laws for the traditional thanksgiving dinner that you Anglos have , I decided that a wax to my mother in law huge van would be nice as the winter is coming.

The van is a few years old, paint in decent shape. I know that an ocasional car wash MAY happen during the white season, but don't count on it

Reading the forums I notice that Zaino, Klasse and Collinite 476 paste are the favorites for the winter. I still don't discard those choices, and quite likely would go into them. I want to know however if the not-so-popular here NuFinish would be strong enough to last the winter.

As a former user of the product I know it surely takes a beating. Yes, not a yearly product, and the shine is far from spectacular, but in the mild wheather here it can protect for as many as 6 months. However, I have no experience of what to expect in snow and salty roads for over 4 months with minimal or null maintenance.

Is it up to the task?
Should I top it with something else?
Is it a waste of time?
How do you compare it to the products mentioned above for durability only?
Is poorboy's EX-P a closer match in terms of durability?

Thanks

Alex

[AlexRuiz]

Newbie mistake here ..... Posted in detailing product discussion, but it should be in autopia university. Can any of the moderators move it to the right place?

Thanks

[tom p.]

Alex, you probably won't find many NuFinish advocates here. Most are not comfortable with the highly abrasive characteristics of that product.

I think your earlier selection of Klasse, Zaino or Collinite IW is well suited and likely to offer superior longevity.

HTH

[LightngSVT]

Im in Michigan I can personally say I have had very good results over the winter using Collinite waxes.

[dmatre]

I've used Nu-Finish on several family member's vehicles.

While I'll probably get bashed here, for the type of job you're doing (gratis) and the type of vehicle (large van), Nu-Finish isn't a bad choice.

It has cleaning properties just a little short of Klasse AIO, it looks good when you're done (considering that it's a one-step product), and it does last a reasonably long time.

I still keep the Nu-Finish around for those times when family members ask for a 'quick wax' of their car (normally, in exchange for a 6-pack, or a low-priced dinner).

Considering the quality of the vehicles I've done, and how they treat them before/after I've worked on them, I wouldn't waste my money on anything better.

[John Styrnol]

Considering the quality of the vehicles I've done, and how they treat them before/after I've worked on them, I wouldn't waste my money on anything better.

Well in that case try some Simonez One-Step (if they still make it), put it on and walk away. LOL It's a nice product and cheap, lasts about 2 months.

[AlexRuiz]

Thanks for the answers guys. I know it has a lot of abbrasives, but my experience using it on new vehicles revealed no damage on them before I learned more, and it did quite a good job protecting...

In this case, the cleaning properties even help as the paint is a few years old in only decent shape. I just wonder if it will last the whole snowy winter....

Dmatre, yes the work will be gratis (she will feed me though, and I eat a lot....) In addition, that van almost neves sees water and soap. The last time I waxed it in another business trip (a month ago) I used mother's carnauba cleaner wax. The applicatiors were black after the wax application depsite a good wash..... It looked nice as it is a dark blue, but the surface was still rough... and my arms were kiling me for 3 days

[dmatre]

If the surface was still rough, try giving it a claying before going with the NuFinish (or whatever you decide).

The clay should remove the contaminants from the paint (and the roughness), and this will also make the application/removal of your sealant much easier (maybe your arms only killing you for 2 days).

[ZJ JIM 96]

Originally posted by AlexRuiz
...and my arms were kiling me for 3 days

For a free job on a van, where you're not looking to fix any marring or swirls, I would suggest using whatever kind of orbital buffer you can get your hands on. A PC would be great, but even a cheapie from Wal Mart would make application quicker and easier.

...And if you're anything like me, do it BEFORE Thanksgiving dinner. I'm outta commission for at least 2 days afterwards.

[AlexRuiz]

Originally posted by ZJ JIM 96
For a free job on a van, where you're not looking to fix any marring or swirls, I would suggest using whatever kind of orbital buffer you can get your hands on. A PC would be great, but even a cheapie from Wal Mart would make application quicker and easier.

...And if you're anything like me, do it BEFORE Thanksgiving dinner. I'm outta commission for at least 2 days afterwards.

LOL.... I am planing to do it the day after, once the shopping is done and I need some exercise to digest all the food :P

Well, I finally decided the final path of action:

Collinite 476S doublecoat, as it seems to have a good reputation here. I'll listen to the advice. However, being a former user of NuFinish I want to find out the truth about durability. As I mentioned, Nufinish can last up to 6 months here in mild weather. Therefore, I will apply nufinish on 2 test panels (a fender and one of the back doors) This should give us more information about its capabilities against snow and salt..... I know that a lot of people here seem to hate Nufinish, but I guess it is hard to deny that it has some durability.

As comment, I use it now only in my wheels. Applied 2 months ago, and slickness / beading as good as 2 weeks old NXT .....


Edit: I will try to get an orbital, maybe a PC as I have read that 476 is hard to remove when weather is fresh / cold.

Alex

[ALAN81]

YOU don't have to test Collinate it will give you 5 months EASY

[Mosca]

NuFinish is OK, the biggest knock I'd say is that there are other products that look better and last as long for about the same $$.

I'd recommend Meg's #20 as the closest parallel, and also MPPP and NXT.


Tom