#16 vs Natty's Blue: A comparison by Mr. Sparkle (56k beware)

Otravez · 07-28-06, 07:18

Here we have two products that I will be testing in the coming days, weeks and maybe months for beading consistency, reflectivity and durability. I am just a slightly above average person who wants to take care of his new car the best way he can.

Although not scientific by any means, what I hope to answer these questions:

Which wax looks better on my car?
Which wax has better beading consistency? (Important? I don’t know. Some people here seem to think it’s important so I’m including it)
Which reflection looks the deepest? Sharpest? Wettest?

Meg's #16 is a carnauba wax that has proven itself over and over again with its ease of use and durability. And it smells like Crayons! Although #16 isn't being made anymore, you might have been one of the lucky few who ran out a bought a few tins when the government dropped the hammer of VOC restrictions.

Natty’s Blue paste wax is also a pure carnauba wax that has become a favorite to many enthusiasts since it has come to market. Still readily available at many internet sites and some select brick and mortar stores sprinkled throughout the USA and some foreign countries, Natty’s Blue smells like bubble gum.

UPP is thrown into this mix because I used it as a base (along with AIO), out of my own curiosity and because when I was applying the waxes to the hood of my car, I decided to divide it into thirds just to compare the three for sh__s and giggles.

My testing methods are this: Apply products as per manufacture’s instructions and wash 2-3 times a week. Wax on, wax off, wash. That’s it. What I hope to find out is which of the 2 waxes lasts the longest, and looks the best in the process, with just the bare minimum of up keep and maintenance on my part.

Process was wash with Eagle One, Mother’s Clay, AIOx2, UPPx2, #16 and Natty’s Blue.

In all of the following pictures, if you divide the hood into thirds using the washer fluid sprayers and drawing lines straight down the hood, you have Natty’s on the left, UPP in the middle and #16 on the right.

Beading:

Beading is tighter on the waxed areas (duh) but the #16 seems to be more consistent and tighter than the Natty's Blue.

Otravez · 07-28-06, 07:23

Reflection:

I know I have some wax to buff off the grill here^^ Not part of the experiment.

What I found out so far: I can’t tell a frig of difference between the three of them in person or in the pictures. Maybe a few of the more trained of you can tell but I can’t.

FreeBIZZ · 07-28-06, 08:18

Thanks, Mr Sparkle!~

I recently applied Aquawax over my Natty's Blue. I thought I had a great look before the AW, but after-----WOW! If you have some, give it a try over the NB when you're done with the test.

NICE JOB on the pics and write-up.

Pennypacker · 07-28-06, 08:30

Well-designed test Otravez! Great shots! I have to say that I agree with you--based on the pictures I can't tell a difference. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on how the beading holds up.

I haven't used #16 before, but I do really like NB. It seems to work really nicely with UPP and glazes like RMG in terms of looks.

evenflow · 07-28-06, 08:54

Awesome test.

I think #16 beats the other two in all categories, but Nattys Blue is still one of my favorite waxes.

I have 3 tins of Meguairs #16 upstairs I have yet to use lol. Cant wait to try them out over NXT.

awahl63 · 07-28-06, 08:54

I can't see the difference as well...nice write up

Hey, Moe! · 07-28-06, 10:11

Well done, "Once Again."

I am using Natty's Blue, but I do have a tin of 16, that I have rarely used. Maybe I got hooked on the bubblegum scent. It does smell like Bazooka bubblegum, so I am thinking in kid mode again.

Whenever I use Natty's, I wonder to myself, "Where is the next whiffleball game?"

I'll be waiting to hear the other comments.

Again, "Muy bien hecho."

wytstang · 07-28-06, 10:22

I can't tell a difference between either as well, I will go out on a limb and say between #16 & NB #16 will win in durabilty but I'm biased.

Otravez · 07-29-06, 06:59

Thank you for all the compliments! This is a test that has been on the back of my mind since I first registered here over two years ago and to finally have an appropriate test bed to do it is really exciting to me.

I will get different reflection shots in the future other than the front of my house. At the time those pics were taken, it was close to 100 degrees outside and I had spent 4 hours on my car and I was ready to be done. Also, in the future I will be able to get a more consistant spray of water on the car instead of using my thumb on the end of the hose for the beading tests. I showed my wife the pics and told her what I did and she said, "That spray gun we have is adjustable. It doesn't shoot just streams of water, you can make it mist." I slapped myself on the forehead.

Thanks for the validation for all my work and keep an eye out as I will update and post new pics every 3-4 days or so.

mblgjr · 07-29-06, 07:50

Car looks great.

I've done this test myself, I can tell you that with time, the 16 will outlast the Natty's and continue to bead. Natty's has a better "warmer" look if you will and gives better reflections, while 16 is a bit more crisp looking.

My favorite: Natty's over a 16 base. Lasts and looks!

lucaszcpm3 · 07-29-06, 07:56

IMO, the left looks lighter and has more depth, where as the right is wetter. Maybe it's the location of the sun

mshu7 · 07-29-06, 10:19

IMO, in the picture with the hood dry, #16 (far right) appears to create the darkets look on the paint. Next darkest would be Natty's (far left). Brightest would be UPP (middle).

Edit: Disregard that. It appears my laptop had some variations in the screen and it happened to line up perfectly with the picture so it made the outter two applications look darker. When I move the picture left & right, I cannot tell a difference at all.