Are expensive waxes worth the money ?

Didn't Dave (I think it was it's Dave) from Scotland do a mega wax test a few years back and there was no big, earth shattering deal with the high dollar waxes, some didn't look as good as the cheap ones.
 
Junebug said:
Didn't Dave (I think it was it's Dave) from Scotland do a mega wax test a few years back and there was no big, earth shattering deal with the high dollar waxes, some didn't look as good as the cheap ones.
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It depends on whether you take their findings as gospel. Alot of Pro's here in the UK I've spoke to have taken it with a pinch of salt.


If you take the likes of Zymol Vintage versus Natty's blue for example - apply them both to two indentically prepped cars and wash them 10 times each, I know which one will still have that "just waxed" look after these 10 washes - that for alot of people is enough to justify higher priced waxes, myself included.
 
There are some "Beauty Waxes", that don't have much durability, and there are some waxes that will have outstanding durability. A lot of people want to wax their car every weekend, and others don't. It really depends on what you are looking for in a wax. I do think that perception plays a big role in these high dollor waxes. Because they are priced so high, people automatically assume that it is a better product and they must have it. Perception is reality.
 
Just to add to some already observant people, it is all an individual choice and perception. Some think that buying an expensive wax will give you better results
and some just like to brag they CAN buy expensive products. And of course, what the market will bear. Lastly, with good preparation you could probably use Lemon Pledge furniture spray and forgo wax entirely, it would look marvelous. I read somewhere on my travels on the net that it costs about 50 cents to produce one well known brand and they were selling it at $30.00. If one were to extrapolate, a $200 can/bottle might cost a buck or so to produce, and I can't deal with that kind of markup. Just me.
 
Here's one consideration that hasn't been explicitly mentioned yet: an expensive and outstanding looking wax like Vintage (with its free refills) might well be worth it as a long-time investment for a professional, if he is to effectively upsell it to an affluent clientele. As already noted, individuals who own expensive cars prefer their cars to be dressed in an expensive boutique wax and are willing to pay a bit extra for the privilege. So for a professional it's all a matter of figuring about the profits.

It's harder to calculate the benefit for the individual user, though. If I'm rich with money to burn, sure, why not buy an expensive wax; but if money is at all an issue, if I want to get see superior results that justify the additional expense, I think it's hard to justify Vintage over Midnight Sun or Souveran. Far better to spend the money saved polishing the paint.
 
This is a great question, but I think the answer ultimately stands with the person purchasing the product. It is up to them (the purchasher) to determine the value in the product.

A lot of professional detailers may use more expensive waxes it offers an exclusivity to their service that they market or because they feel they get better results from the more expensive wax. Heck a lot of people use it just to say they can, and thats fine too.

I have used a great majority of the really expensive waxes and here are my thoughts. They are all good waxes (except one), really good waxes. My problem is the hyperbole, myth, and twists used to justify the cost vs. letting the wax itself do the talking.

I have toyed with the idea of adding (and did add for a short time) a boutique wax or two and selling the product.
 
Nope!


Maybe I'm the minority of the group here but durability is the last thing I look for in a wax/sealant...actually as long as it last 3-4 weeks I'm happy because I know I won't go any longer than that before applying another coat! :D

Ease of use a slickness if what I look for most, cost is up there too.

For customer cars I can see the need for something more durable though...maybe I need to find a good sealant that was made back in the 90's! :D
 
akimel said:
Here's one consideration that hasn't been explicitly mentioned yet: an expensive and outstanding looking wax like Vintage (with its free refills) might well be worth it as a long-time investment for a professional, if he is to effectively upsell it to an affluent clientele. As already noted, individuals who own expensive cars prefer their cars to be dressed in an expensive boutique wax and are willing to pay a bit extra for the privilege. So for a professional it's all a matter of figuring about the profits.

It's harder to calculate the benefit for the individual user, though. If I'm rich with money to burn, sure, why not buy an expensive wax; but if money is at all an issue, if I want to get see superior results that justify the additional expense, I think it's hard to justify Vintage over Midnight Sun or Souveran. Far better to spend the money saved polishing the paint.
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Maybe it's just me Al but I don't think could ever upsell a wax to a client like that...not sure I would sleep well at night doing something like that. I charge my clients the same price whether I'm applying Turtle wax, Black Magic, Blackfire, Fuzion, or Supernatural. Just my :2 cents:
 
Street Dreams said:
Everything is relevant​

A Swatch keeps great time... so does a Rolex

A Lexus drives great... so does a Rolls Royce


There is no right answer to your question, only opinions. Im sure you will be happy with any quality wax under $100, and there are many. And you surely cant go wrong with any synthetic sealant priced under $40.
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I agree with David, it all comes down to how good is good, how best is the best...and how deep are your pockets...Just keep in mind that majority of that shine comes from prep work. Some clients want that "exclusive" $2k wax, because it makes them feel so special...
 
What's the difference beside price between the ultra expensive waxes and any other good quality carnauba wax? What are the customers actually getting for their money over their other lesser but good quailty carnauba waxes?

Carnauba only last so long correct? Especially in the heat of the summer. After the carnauba is long gone what is left protecting the paint? Oils, silicones??

This topic came up on another forum about the $40k wax Solaris. Someone asked the rep for that company what customers actually get from that wax for their money. They then asked. What scientific, technical or performance advantage offered by this 40k wax, over, say, Glasur. And I'm not just talking about 'more carnauba' or a more special carnauba. Surely you'd want to know what you get for your 40k?

The rep didn't answer.

I'm all for someone buying what they want, but some believe if they spend a boat load of money on "anything"" that they have the best out there. Maybe with somethings, but not wax. Especially not a 40k wax that likely cost less than $10.00 in actual product to make. jmo
 
nosbusa, if you are getting more the 8-10 weeks of durablity on a daily driver it is not the wax (carnauba) that is providing that. Most of the really expensive waxes are loaded with silicone and amino functional silicones (ie 'polymers). I have a great contact who has spun most of these waxes in a centrifuge and found that one brand in particular was so loaded with polymers that it made most sealants jealous. The amount of solid polymers in the wax made the advertised number of carnauba a 100% impossibility.

What is sold as one of the world's most expensive natural carnauba waxes is really nothing more then a silicone heavy sealant with a several thousand dollar price tag. Also I have spoken with a lot of wax makers, including those who make the waxes that sell at crazy amounts (not the companies but the people who actually make the expensive wax before it is labeled to that company) and they all have expressed severe doubts that carnauba will ever ever 'sweat'. Instead, I am assured, that it is silicone that sweats, fwiw.
 
th0001 said:
nosbusa, if you are getting more the 8-10 weeks of durablity on a daily driver it is not the wax (carnauba) that is providing that. Most of the really expensive waxes are loaded with silicone and amino functional silicones (ie 'polymers). I have a great contact who has spun most of these waxes in a centrifuge and found that one brand in particular was so loaded with polymers that it made most sealants jealous. The amount of solid polymers in the wax made the advertised number of carnauba a 100% impossibility.

What is sold as one of the world's most expensive natural carnauba waxes is really nothing more then a silicone heavy sealant with a several thousand dollar price tag. Also I have spoken with a lot of wax makers, including those who make the waxes that sell at crazy amounts (not the companies but the people who actually make the expensive wax before it is labeled to that company) and they all have expressed severe doubts that carnauba will ever ever 'sweat'. Instead, I am assured, that it is silicone that sweats, fwiw.
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Thanks for the info.. I enjoy reading your thoughts on the subject..

I kind of figure there had to be more in the wax than just carnauba and beeswax, and oils. :)

However some believe since the product says 61%-79% "brazilian carnauba" (and blessed by the shaman) as you once said :rofl: that it must make these product special and SO expensive. In all likely hood there's less than $10.00 worth of actual product in the wax..

I mean how much could grade #1 carnauba, a ton of oils, and silicone bought in bulk actually cost? From what I was told by someone who has made their own wax for fun.. That it wasn't much.

Question? In Florida, or Texas where the temps are regularly anywhere from 95-110 in the summer (not including the temps in the sun), how long would carnauba realistically last on a black hood or roof?

Would it make it through the day?
 
nosbusa1700 said:
Question? In Florida, or Texas where the temps are regularly anywhere from 95-110 in the summer (not including the temps in the sun), how long would carnauba realistically last on a black hood or roof?

Would it make it through the day?
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I live in the PHX area and have had great luck with Collinte wax (I know, it's not a nuba wax). I have applied in March and still had water beading in July. I do have to reapply in the summer, but it certainly lasts more than one hot day. BTW Collinite costs much less than the high dollar waxes.



:White Horse:
 
I'm always impressed at how often this question comes up, and how people like to say it's a complete waste of money, etc.

If you want to run a sub 10 second 1/4 mile in a vehicle that seats two - there are two quick answers: a Suzuki Hayabusa and a Twin-Turbo Lamborghini Gallardo. One costs 14k, the other costs $250k. Would you say a TT Gallardo is a waste of money?

If you don't want to spend your hard earned money on something, I think thats fine. I find it hard to argue about what someone else should spend their hard earned money on however. Life is short - enjoy it in the way you prefer.
 
i bought swissvax concorso.. it was 250 bucks... was that alotof money yes!!!
but i love waxes . and this is a nice wax. with decent durability..but the looks of this wax are no better then lets say souveran. but durability ismuch better.
 
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