REVIEW: 3D Carnauba Paste Wax (#412) – 11oz tin

[JustJesus]

REVIEW: 3D Carnauba Paste Wax (#412) – 11oz tin




From 3D’s Site – Product Description

Carnauba Paste Wax in 11 oz tin
Avoid storing in hot places.
Apply a thin layer of 3D Carnauba Paste Wax to clean, cool surface with your choice of foam or cotton applicator pads. Lightly work onto panel in circular or back
and forth motion. Allow to haze and buff off with a soft 100% cotton cloth or 3D Microfiber until you get a brilliant shine.

Pro Detailer Tip: If humid conditions are present, apply thinner layer of product and allow to dry
slightly longer. Remove a small portion and check results. Use 3D Final Touch to help reduce inherent
haze or cloudiness if needed.


DIrections – Per Autopia Car Care Site (ACC)

1. Work on a clean, dry surface out of direct sunlight.
2. Use a soft foam wax applicator to apply a thin layer to one panel of the vehicle.
3. Allow product to wax to dry to a haze, then buff to a shine with a clean, dry microfiber towel.
4. In humid environments, apply in thinner layers and allow to dry longer before buffing off. Use 3D Final Touch Detailer to aid in removal if necessary.

From Jesus

NOTE: There will be some comparisons made to Meguiar’s Hi Tech Yellow Paste Wax (Megs M26) as it was my go-to wax at the time I tried out 3D Carnauba Paste Wax.

Packaging / Labeling
Almost your typical tin. I have a few paste waxes and some of those are in tins. It’s about the same size and shape. This one IS a bit different, though. While some have a plastic “hat” that sits on top and encloses a foam applicator pad (think old school Turtle Wax, or even Megs M26), 3D’s tin has a small hump, so to speak. I’m not sure what its intent was, but I found that a yellow Megs foam applicator fits nicely in it. So instead of the applicator having a chance of being accidentally thrown out or something, I find it’s more secure within the tin itself.

Labels are neat, simple, easy to read and understand.








Cost
29.99$US for 11oz tin at ACC

Value: Yes. You pay 30 bucks for 11oz of what I feel is a good wax (more on that later). For comparison, Meguiar’s Ultimate Paste Wax is 28.99 for 11oz, Blackfire’s Midnight Sun is also 29.99 BUT you only get 3oz of this. Megs #26 is 17.99 for 11oz. (ALL pricing through ACC). I’ve tried BFMS and have seen the durability of 3D’s wax outlast it quite easily. As for looks, I won’t say I can see much, if any, difference between the waxes listed. (You can see some comparison here 5 Way Wax Test / Blind Survey


Product Description

Scent: It’s very similar to Megs 26. I found that it’s a bit of an industrial, chemical type scent. I prefer the scent of CG’s Pete’s 53 (coconut). But, it’s not bad and I can work with it all day long.

Consistency: Typical (hard?) paste wax. It doesn’t get as soft as BFMS or Petes 53 when you rub it.



Additional Description (From ACC)

3D Carnauba Paste Wax offers maximum protection from damaging UV rays and environmental contaminants, and the warm, glossy glow that only a carnauba wax can supply. Formulated using only the finest ingredients, this easy-to-use formula leaves paint shiny, smooth, and protected with each application. 3D Carnauba Paste Wax is user-friendly and wipes off with ease, making it a fast favorite among detailing enthusiasts everywhere.

Carnauba wax is harvested from the leaves of the Brazillian “Tree of Life” palm. The wax protects the leaves of the palm from exposure to the elements, and that’s exactly what 3D Carnauba Paste Wax will do for your vehicle’s paint! 3D Carnauba Paste Wax’s super-hydrophobic formula seals out contaminants and encourages water beading, which helps flush away any soil from the surface keeping your vehicle looking cleaner between routine washes.

3D Carnauba Paste Wax is very user-friendly, with a quick cure time and easy wipe off. Even when allowed to dry for longer than necessary, only a minimal amount of effort is needed to get the job done. The versatile 3D Carnauba Paste Wax formula can be applied by hand or using a dual action polisher. Simply use a soft foam applicator and start waxing!


In Use

To test this wax, I first prepped my daily driven 2008 Toyota Yaris by doing a QUICK polish (following a wash and decon, of course) on the quarter panel of the passenger side. For polishing, I used a Chemical Guys Hex Logic White pad along HD Polish. I had some swirls, minor scratches, and even some slightly deeper scratches. I chose NOT to do a compound at this time, as this Yaris sees many different types of “abuse” as some would call it. It’s been autocrossed, daily driven, raced on a short course (think go-kart track), and has even done some off road stuff. Knowing I was still going to hit some off road trails, I felt it would be a waste to bring it up to Autopian standards. So, just a quick polish job to clean it up some, and wax it.

The wax went on easily enough. By hand, I applied it thin and did sections at a time. I waited for the product to haze, then wiped off with a MF towel. At no time did I felt it was hard to remove the excess. I didn’t require a QD, either.

The finish was pretty smooth, but not overly slick. I did a little bit of water testing by pouring some out from my drinking bottle. I didn’t do a water bead test, as I don’t really care for beads (sorry, and no offense to those of you that do). The waxed section proved to be quite hydrophobic (More testing done later)

More interesting to me was the fact that it seemed to stay cleaner from dirt. In fact, it was this very accidental discovery that ultimately led to my 5 Way Wax Test.

A short time later after applying the wax, I drove the Yaris back out onto the dirt trails. Went out for some additional testing (the Yaris, not the wax) as it had just rained and I expected some mud. Well, there was no mud, just plenty of dirt.

When I returned home from this trip, I parked the car and went around looking for “damage” that would result from such a trip. You know, rock chips, scraping from shrubs, etc. I fully expected some “pin stripes” as known in the off road community. That’s when you run your vehicle across shrubs, trees, etc, and end up going home with light, moderate, or even heavy scratches. I did happen to find a few shallow ones. But it was when I was inspecting the Yaris when I did a double take. The panel I had applied the wax to seemed cleaner. I doubled around the Yaris to make sure I wasn’t losing my mind. Sure enough, ALL the panels were covered in dirt. The waxed panel was also dirty, but NOTICEABLY less. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I took some drinking water and poured some over the surface again. Still repelling water.

Shortly thereafter, I went on with my 5 Way Wax test and always kept an eye out on that 3D wax panel. Even though I eventually sort of phased out of that 5 Way test (thanks, intermittent rain in So Cal!) I kept checking that panel. I would confidently say it lasted FIVE months. Five months from a paste wax. On a daily driven car that sits outside.

Conclusion

Does it live up to it’s claims? Let me refresh my memory, ” .. super-hydrophobic formula seals out contaminants and encourages water beading, which helps flush away any soil from the surface keeping your vehicle looking cleaner between routine washes.” (from ACC) – To answer that, I would say YES. Most definitely yes. Would I buy some again? Well, I have so many waxes, I won’t have to. But trust when I say it won’t sit in the back of my shelf. J

Thank you all for reading.


Walk around of the Yaris....Dirty panels first, followed by the not-so-dirty panel

[JustJesus]

Short video. This type of water behavior was noted for about five months. I`ll have to dig up my footage and see if I ever get around to putting it all together. (Don`t hold your breath)

[04accord]

wait that water behavior was 5 months after application?

[Angus]

Great review - appreciate the details

On a side note - WOW you`ve got some seriously meaty tires on the Yaris!! Do you go off-roading in it?

[RaysWay]

Wow nice results! I`ve always been curious with this wax but just haven`t had a chance to use it yet. Thanks for the review!

[Paul@Autopia]

Great review - appreciate the details

On a side note - WOW you`ve got some seriously meaty tires on the Yaris!! Do you go off-roading in it?

I`ve never imagined off-roading in a Yaris, but it looks like he does!

A short time later after applying the wax, I drove the Yaris back out onto the dirt trails. Went out for some additional testing (the Yaris, not the wax) as it had just rained and I expected some mud. Well, there was no mud, just plenty of dirt.

Awesome review, thanks for taking the time for the write-up and video

How does the Yaris do off-road? Any mods done to it other than tires?

[JustJesus]

wait that water behavior was 5 months after application?

At five months, it was similar. If I`m not mistaken, that video was shot at about the four month mark. But I do recall kicking myself in the butt for not having the video at five months.

Great review - appreciate the details

On a side note - WOW you`ve got some seriously meaty tires on the Yaris!! Do you go off-roading in it?

Thank you. LOL, yeah, they`re meaty. BFG All Terrains. I *have* taking it off road. It surprises people.

Wow nice results! I`ve always been curious with this wax but just haven`t had a chance to use it yet. Thanks for the review!

Yeah, I dug the results. You`re welcome

[Migue]

I suspected you did off roading with it, then the video shown after the paste wax test confirmed it haha, that`s crazy and awesome.

[JBM]

Man thats an impressive video for a wax.

[EG89]

Short video. This type of water behavior was noted for about five months. I`ll have to dig up my footage and see if I ever get around to putting it all together. (Don`t hold your breath)

This video is after 4 months, seriously? Really good, looks as collinite 476, same durability.

[mjlinane]

Great review!

[The Guz]

Nice review. That is the beauty of living in So Cal. Things last a bit longer. I have a tin of this that I need to try out.

[jtford95]

I bought this wax a while ago and i like it alot. i use it on the semi trucks and it seems to last a good while

[JustJesus]

I`ve never imagined off-roading in a Yaris, but it looks like he does!

Awesome review, thanks for taking the time for the write-up and video

How does the Yaris do off-road? Any mods done to it other than tires?

Thanks, and you`re welcome! - I sure have taken that Yaris off road. It does as I expected it to do. Does fire roads and other not-so-tough trails easily enough. Ruts and boulders? Yeah, that`s not happening. It`s mostly stock with adjustable shocks (to adjust to softer than stock for the rough roads). Plans were being made for a DIY lift kit (about 2"). I was also planning a limited slip differential along with a steeper final drive gear ratio, but the cost. Oh man, that cost. I ended up getting a 1996 Jeep Cherokee for less than that cost.

I suspected you did off roading with it, then the video shown after the paste wax test confirmed it haha, that`s crazy and awesome.

haha...If I had a different polisher given to me each time I heard "crazy" in regards to the Off Road Yaris....

Man thats an impressive video for a wax.

You mean to say the video editing was awesome? just kidding.

This video is after 4 months, seriously? Really good, looks as collinite 476, same durability.

Seriously. I double checked before I said that. Just shy of four months.

Nice review. That is the beauty of living in So Cal. Things last a bit longer. I have a tin of this that I need to try out.

Thanks The Guz. I agree, there are some perks to being in So Cal. You should definitely try it out!

mjlilane Thanks man!

jtford95 I like it as well. It`s definitely up there in my preferred waxes. I do intend to run it against another 4 waxes in a future test, and fully expect it to be near the top.