Scottwax
11-10-2001, 11:27 PM
I made a post about Formula113 wax in the main forum after being contacted by Michael (the owner, maybe?) wondering if I would be interested in a free sample. I had problems with the link he enclosed on the e-mail, so he just sent me the link to the main site, where I found the sample pack, only to realize shipping and handling was $8.00, not what I would consider to be free. Anyway, I guess he saw the post and sent me another e-mail ensuring me he would send me the product completely free of charge and apologizing for the misunderstanding.
I e-mailed him my address, and he told me to look for the product in about 10 days. I was expecting the small sample sizes I saw on the site (2 oz. size, if I remember correctly), but when the package arrived on Thursday (11/8), I was suprised to see a full sized bottle of the 113 wax, 22 oz size of BeadX (spray detailer), and a clay bar. Definately more than enough to give his product a fair test on a variety of customer`s cars--after trying it on mine, first.
I first tried the 113 wax on my car. Since my paint is in excellent shape and slick, there was no need to use the clay. I used the terry cloth pad that was enclosed, but only on my car. It seemed to load up with product too quickly and also waste it. Switching to foam hand applicators made application easier and less wasteful. The shine and reflectivity seem similar to Meguairs High Tech Yellow, but the gloss was noticably better-a very wet look. I went over my car with the BeadX to make sure no residue was left. I also used the wax on my black plastic mirrors, and it worked great-an incredible, streak free shine! A very good first impression.
I next used the products on a burgandy Range Rover (a 1996 HSE) which I have taken care of since it was new, usually waxing it with Meguiars every 3-4 months, and the water was still beading just prior to waxing, so it will be a good car to test the durability of the wax. Anyway, the results were similar to my car, good shine with an incredibly wet look. I used the clay on some water spots on the drivers side of the Rover, and while it worked fine, I had some trouble flattening it out-similar to Mother`s Clay Bar. Maybe it wasn`t a fair test, it was only 53 degrees. Maybe when it is warmer, the clay is more malleable. Hey, this is Texas, we can have 75 degree days deep into December!
Today, I used the 113 wax on a white Acura CL Type-S, a black Acura RSX Type-S and a black Porsche Boxster (sorry, not an S:( ) As I expected, both the black cars looked great-very wet and glossy, and the 113 wax worked well on clarifying the plastic rear window on the Boxster. What really suprised me was how well the white CL looked. White is so difficult to get a really glossy look, but the guy who owned it was extremely happy with the wet look of the paint.
So far, so good. The wax seems to be everything Michael said it would be-very easy to use, outstanding gloss, won`t dry white and leave residue everywhere, and a little goes a long way. Since it is a natural wax (carnuba based), obviously I am not expecting it to last like a synthetic wax-besides, most of my high end customers want their cars waxed often, regardless of wax durability. If the wax lasts as long as Meguiars High Tech Yellow (still beading after about 3 months on cars I regularly clean and control how they are washed), I will be pleased. I also like the fact I can use the wax in the direct sun. As a mobile detailer, that is very important to me. I always try to wax cars in the shade when possible, but some office complexes have no shade at all.
The BeadX is also very good, and leaves behind a slick surface after using it on a green Mercedes C280 that I washed. I had waxed it about 2 months ago, and the BeadX made the surface feel just waxed, like I would expect a quality QD to do.
As far as the clay goes, I just haven`t used it enough to really know. Seems fine, except for the stiffness of the bar.
The only real drawbacks are the fact that there are no local Dallas area distributers, so I have to mess with mail order, but at least they take credit cards. The price is also higher than Meguiars, especially the wax. I can get a gallon of Meguairs High Tech Yellow for about $28, and the 113 wax is $100 a gallon. I guess since it really doesn`t take a whole lot of wax to cover a car, it may not really impact my per car cost very much, and if, like a gallon of Meguiars, I can wax 300 or so cars, then the cost per car is only 33 cents anyway.
Anyway, I will continue to evaluate the product and post the results.
BTW, since I used the 113 wax on my car Thursday, I have had 3 people come up to me and tell me how good my car looks. Some guy today couldn`t believe my paint on my Accord was not brand new. :up
I e-mailed him my address, and he told me to look for the product in about 10 days. I was expecting the small sample sizes I saw on the site (2 oz. size, if I remember correctly), but when the package arrived on Thursday (11/8), I was suprised to see a full sized bottle of the 113 wax, 22 oz size of BeadX (spray detailer), and a clay bar. Definately more than enough to give his product a fair test on a variety of customer`s cars--after trying it on mine, first.
I first tried the 113 wax on my car. Since my paint is in excellent shape and slick, there was no need to use the clay. I used the terry cloth pad that was enclosed, but only on my car. It seemed to load up with product too quickly and also waste it. Switching to foam hand applicators made application easier and less wasteful. The shine and reflectivity seem similar to Meguairs High Tech Yellow, but the gloss was noticably better-a very wet look. I went over my car with the BeadX to make sure no residue was left. I also used the wax on my black plastic mirrors, and it worked great-an incredible, streak free shine! A very good first impression.
I next used the products on a burgandy Range Rover (a 1996 HSE) which I have taken care of since it was new, usually waxing it with Meguiars every 3-4 months, and the water was still beading just prior to waxing, so it will be a good car to test the durability of the wax. Anyway, the results were similar to my car, good shine with an incredibly wet look. I used the clay on some water spots on the drivers side of the Rover, and while it worked fine, I had some trouble flattening it out-similar to Mother`s Clay Bar. Maybe it wasn`t a fair test, it was only 53 degrees. Maybe when it is warmer, the clay is more malleable. Hey, this is Texas, we can have 75 degree days deep into December!
Today, I used the 113 wax on a white Acura CL Type-S, a black Acura RSX Type-S and a black Porsche Boxster (sorry, not an S:( ) As I expected, both the black cars looked great-very wet and glossy, and the 113 wax worked well on clarifying the plastic rear window on the Boxster. What really suprised me was how well the white CL looked. White is so difficult to get a really glossy look, but the guy who owned it was extremely happy with the wet look of the paint.
So far, so good. The wax seems to be everything Michael said it would be-very easy to use, outstanding gloss, won`t dry white and leave residue everywhere, and a little goes a long way. Since it is a natural wax (carnuba based), obviously I am not expecting it to last like a synthetic wax-besides, most of my high end customers want their cars waxed often, regardless of wax durability. If the wax lasts as long as Meguiars High Tech Yellow (still beading after about 3 months on cars I regularly clean and control how they are washed), I will be pleased. I also like the fact I can use the wax in the direct sun. As a mobile detailer, that is very important to me. I always try to wax cars in the shade when possible, but some office complexes have no shade at all.
The BeadX is also very good, and leaves behind a slick surface after using it on a green Mercedes C280 that I washed. I had waxed it about 2 months ago, and the BeadX made the surface feel just waxed, like I would expect a quality QD to do.
As far as the clay goes, I just haven`t used it enough to really know. Seems fine, except for the stiffness of the bar.
The only real drawbacks are the fact that there are no local Dallas area distributers, so I have to mess with mail order, but at least they take credit cards. The price is also higher than Meguiars, especially the wax. I can get a gallon of Meguairs High Tech Yellow for about $28, and the 113 wax is $100 a gallon. I guess since it really doesn`t take a whole lot of wax to cover a car, it may not really impact my per car cost very much, and if, like a gallon of Meguiars, I can wax 300 or so cars, then the cost per car is only 33 cents anyway.
Anyway, I will continue to evaluate the product and post the results.
BTW, since I used the 113 wax on my car Thursday, I have had 3 people come up to me and tell me how good my car looks. Some guy today couldn`t believe my paint on my Accord was not brand new. :up