Brenton
aka PEI Detail
Although this is not an "apples and apples" test, since there are polishes, liquid waxes, and paste waxes, this is an example of three off-the-shelf products with a cheap commercial polish as the base line. If someone walked into my local auto supply store, these are 3 products they might look at.
Test: Prestone Bullet Wax vs. Turtle Liquid Crystal Advanced Formula vs. The Treatment Carnauba Car Wax vs. Commercial Grade Glaze (Ducan)
Method: Though I usually use a buffer, for the test I applied by hand; allowed to haze; buffed with a microfibre (m/f) cloth for a single application. I applied products in various combinations by putting ½ of one product and ½ of another side by side on panels. I applied products on the 8 side panels of a dark blue 2001 Jimmy. Then I compared the result in shop light, sunlight, shade, and next to an unpolished panel.
About the Waxes/Polishes:
Prestone Bullet Wax claims to have a “Brilliant Long-Lasting Shine.� It comes in a 475 ml/16 fl. oz squeeze container with pop lid, enough to do 3-5 applications. Retails in Canada at $13.95, probably about $9.95 USD. Included is a triangular application sponge that is quite hard with a plastic handle.
Pros: The squeeze container is easy to use, and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. Everything you need except a soft clothe of m/f is included, and the price is relatively low for the amount needed. Dries quickly, and sponge sits on bottle for clean-shop-friendly storage.
Cons: Although the sponge is easy on the hand, it is awkward to use, and the “detailing corner� is not helpful. The wax hazes normally, but is a little chalky and feels wet in removal even when it is dry.
Liquid Crystal Advanced Polymer Formula (by Turtle) claims to be “The Ultimate ‘Stop and Stare’ Automobile Polish� and “The World’s Best Shine – Satisfaction Guaranteed.� It also comes in 475 ml/16 fl. oz bottle with a twist and snap lid and a soft two-sided sponge. Retails in Canada for $16.95, or about $11.95 USD. Probably enough product for 5+ applications. Contains no wax.
Pros: A good sponge with a product that is easy to apply, dries to an even, light haze. Good instructions for application.
Cons: Awful twist and snap lid that would tempt the user to leave it off, which combined with a high, thin bottle, is potential for spilling. Although the product dries well, it is VERY chalky in removal, leaving speckles and residue all over. No instructions on how to clean and use sponge.
The Treatment Carnauba Car Wax. “For the Ultimate Shine� and to “Give Your Car the treatment It Deserves.� Comes in 300 ml/ 10 fl. oz squeeze container, and is pastier than any of the other products, as it is a “pre-softened Carnauba Paste Wax.� Also comes with a sponge tapered to fit in your hand. Retails for $24.95 at my local auto shop, or about $17.95 USD I’d guess. Good for about 3 applications.
Pros: Excellent sponge that lasts longer than the wax. Goes on easy with an even application, and dries quickly to a light haze. No residue and easy removal. Easy to use bottle.
Cons: The cost is quite high, 2-10 times other products.
Commercial Glaze (Ducan). Part of a “Re-flect� system promising high shine. About $40 CAD/U.S. gallon, can do probably 20-30 cars and is similar to other commercial grade polishes. No sponge included, and in a large bottle that must be transferred to a smaller one.
Pros: Cheap, relatively easy to remove. Quick to use.
Con: Long to dry, uneven in application, with some chalky and creamy residue in the m/f.
Shine Tests:
There was little difference in any of the polishes in any of the situations. In sunlight, there was no difference at all, whether you are paying $8/application or $1/application. There was some smearing noticeable in the shade with the Commercial Glaze, but it was easily removed with a quick m/f buff.
Next to the unpolished panel, all of the products showed a considerable improvement.
Comparison:
In first place, by far, The Treatment was the easiest to apply, came in the best packaging, with the best sponge, and was the easiest to remove. It also left the least amount of residue. The cost might mean it is too much for some people.
For personal use, the Turtle no wax product comes in second place. It is a little more difficult to use, and has a chalky residue that is easily washed away. For commercial use, though, Turtle comes in last place. The difficult, cost, and necessity of a wash after waxing (or detailing of all trimmings), means it isn’t helpful at all.
In third place for a single application polish is the Prestone product. It is a close third for personal use, with application being the reason it lags behind, as well as uncertainty in whether or not it has properly dried.
In fourth place for personal use, but second place for commercial use, is the Commercial Glaze. Time will tell on the lasting power of this product, but it is a fast, cheap product for people who don’t want to pay a lot to a detailer for a polish. It is comparable to other commercial grade bulk polishes.
Final Notes:
I finished the Jimmy blue panels (hood, trunk, roof) with the Turtle product, and the silver trims with the Commercial glaze, and I feel no better about the more expensive Turtle polish.
Test: Prestone Bullet Wax vs. Turtle Liquid Crystal Advanced Formula vs. The Treatment Carnauba Car Wax vs. Commercial Grade Glaze (Ducan)
Method: Though I usually use a buffer, for the test I applied by hand; allowed to haze; buffed with a microfibre (m/f) cloth for a single application. I applied products in various combinations by putting ½ of one product and ½ of another side by side on panels. I applied products on the 8 side panels of a dark blue 2001 Jimmy. Then I compared the result in shop light, sunlight, shade, and next to an unpolished panel.
About the Waxes/Polishes:
Prestone Bullet Wax claims to have a “Brilliant Long-Lasting Shine.� It comes in a 475 ml/16 fl. oz squeeze container with pop lid, enough to do 3-5 applications. Retails in Canada at $13.95, probably about $9.95 USD. Included is a triangular application sponge that is quite hard with a plastic handle.
Pros: The squeeze container is easy to use, and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. Everything you need except a soft clothe of m/f is included, and the price is relatively low for the amount needed. Dries quickly, and sponge sits on bottle for clean-shop-friendly storage.
Cons: Although the sponge is easy on the hand, it is awkward to use, and the “detailing corner� is not helpful. The wax hazes normally, but is a little chalky and feels wet in removal even when it is dry.
Liquid Crystal Advanced Polymer Formula (by Turtle) claims to be “The Ultimate ‘Stop and Stare’ Automobile Polish� and “The World’s Best Shine – Satisfaction Guaranteed.� It also comes in 475 ml/16 fl. oz bottle with a twist and snap lid and a soft two-sided sponge. Retails in Canada for $16.95, or about $11.95 USD. Probably enough product for 5+ applications. Contains no wax.
Pros: A good sponge with a product that is easy to apply, dries to an even, light haze. Good instructions for application.
Cons: Awful twist and snap lid that would tempt the user to leave it off, which combined with a high, thin bottle, is potential for spilling. Although the product dries well, it is VERY chalky in removal, leaving speckles and residue all over. No instructions on how to clean and use sponge.
The Treatment Carnauba Car Wax. “For the Ultimate Shine� and to “Give Your Car the treatment It Deserves.� Comes in 300 ml/ 10 fl. oz squeeze container, and is pastier than any of the other products, as it is a “pre-softened Carnauba Paste Wax.� Also comes with a sponge tapered to fit in your hand. Retails for $24.95 at my local auto shop, or about $17.95 USD I’d guess. Good for about 3 applications.
Pros: Excellent sponge that lasts longer than the wax. Goes on easy with an even application, and dries quickly to a light haze. No residue and easy removal. Easy to use bottle.
Cons: The cost is quite high, 2-10 times other products.
Commercial Glaze (Ducan). Part of a “Re-flect� system promising high shine. About $40 CAD/U.S. gallon, can do probably 20-30 cars and is similar to other commercial grade polishes. No sponge included, and in a large bottle that must be transferred to a smaller one.
Pros: Cheap, relatively easy to remove. Quick to use.
Con: Long to dry, uneven in application, with some chalky and creamy residue in the m/f.
Shine Tests:
There was little difference in any of the polishes in any of the situations. In sunlight, there was no difference at all, whether you are paying $8/application or $1/application. There was some smearing noticeable in the shade with the Commercial Glaze, but it was easily removed with a quick m/f buff.
Next to the unpolished panel, all of the products showed a considerable improvement.
Comparison:
In first place, by far, The Treatment was the easiest to apply, came in the best packaging, with the best sponge, and was the easiest to remove. It also left the least amount of residue. The cost might mean it is too much for some people.
For personal use, the Turtle no wax product comes in second place. It is a little more difficult to use, and has a chalky residue that is easily washed away. For commercial use, though, Turtle comes in last place. The difficult, cost, and necessity of a wash after waxing (or detailing of all trimmings), means it isn’t helpful at all.
In third place for a single application polish is the Prestone product. It is a close third for personal use, with application being the reason it lags behind, as well as uncertainty in whether or not it has properly dried.
In fourth place for personal use, but second place for commercial use, is the Commercial Glaze. Time will tell on the lasting power of this product, but it is a fast, cheap product for people who don’t want to pay a lot to a detailer for a polish. It is comparable to other commercial grade bulk polishes.
Final Notes:
I finished the Jimmy blue panels (hood, trunk, roof) with the Turtle product, and the silver trims with the Commercial glaze, and I feel no better about the more expensive Turtle polish.