CR tests wax and Sealants

If you disagree with Consumer Reports, you are really disagreeing with their criteria. I have no issues with their automotive reports themselves. I think their ride reports are fairly accurate. What I disagree is how the rank them. They show you to some extent their evaluations in areas.

For example the Camry has been rated high because of reliability, gas mileage, stopping distance, safety stuff, etc. when it may not be as important to me. For the "driver", the Camry is a ho hum car in the sense it rides ok, fairly quiet, and handles decently but has no "sport" feel to it so will not satisfy some drivers.

For many drivers there are just intangibles that decent what they like or dislike. It can be styling, dealer, seats, sound system, bragging rights, etc. This is why there are so many different models to choose.

Of course, some cannot stand the fact that Nu Finish gets mentioned. I never liked it for the smell and the staining.
 
CR isn't in the business of speaking to the few who maintain their cars like we do. They are speaking to Joe, wash once a month, wax twice a year car owner. Therefore easy and quick are the answer these folks want to hear, not a 3 day process of clay, polish, seal, wax. Tech Wax and Nufinish is enough to satisfy their demands.

Cheap wax can also be expensive wax. It depends where you buy it. For example, 3M Performance Finish is $16.99 at Autogeek. Here's the claim:

3M scientists have developed a truly innovative product that provides an extremely durable, long-lasting and high gloss finish. It has the superior longevity and easy application of a paint sealant plus the extreme shine of a wax.

Sounds like a good product, doesn't it?

The same product at Marc's is $1.99. Same product, same performance, but cheaper; much cheaper. That doesn't change the product or the performance, but it may change the buyer's attitude if he doesn't know it sells for much more and is well respected by Autogeek.

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Mr. Gloss said:
The same product at Marc's is $1.99. Same product, same performance, but cheaper; much cheaper.
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Wow, I didn't know Marc's had a detailing section With that kind of pricing Crystal Rock oughta be under 10 bucks! I better run right down and stock up.... pick up a half pound o' ground round while I'm there. What a concept, groceries and detailing supplies.... truly one-stop shopping. :D

TL <--- wonder if they take coupons for Souveran? :drool:
 
Stoner Glass Cleaner is $3.45 at my store. Most of it has a year or more left before expiration date.

This summer I bought a couple dozen 4X5 microfiber applicator pads and they were 3 for a buck! I use them for interior applications and wheel waxing.

303 Wiper Treatment was .99 per box.

Cyrstal Rock? I hope you're not that fussy that you use CR to wash your car!

The Ground Round is 40% more than the Giant.
 
Mr. Gloss said:
CR isn't in the business of speaking to the few who maintain their cars like we do. They are speaking to Joe, wash once a month, wax twice a year car owner.
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This is why I turn to the forums to decide what products I use. We are THE most discerning group of folks when it comes to auto appearance and if a product satisfies us, it's got to be pretty incredible.
 
I scanned the article and didn't see anything that would lead me to the conclusion that they "don't have a clue". In fact I agree strongly with their statement that regular washing is the most important step to maintaining your finish along with "periodic" waxing.

Their short list of products don't seem out of line either. Where's the rub?
 
Mr. Clean said:
I scanned the article and didn't see anything that would lead me to the conclusion that they "don't have a clue". In fact I agree strongly with their statement that regular washing is the most important step to maintaining your finish along with "periodic" waxing.

Their short list of products don't seem out of line either. Where's the rub?
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Totally agree - every statement in the summarized article I read seemed spot on.

Especially this one (although I don't think it's *just* because of clear-coated finishes). -“Thanks to today’s clear-coat finishes, Consumer Reports’ testing shows that even the best wax will probably not improve the shine on a new car,”
 
I would say anyone who tries out various LSPs believes they can and do make a mere clear coated finish,even a brand new one, look even better. For me this is the main event of detailing. I am happy CR continues to give attention to auto appearance products though,as they have been for a long time now.
 
I've ran that test (i.e. what panel has what LSP on it, etc) enough in the real world to think that there might be one person in every hundred thousand who *might* can tell a difference. Sure, we all talk about in on here, but let's be honest and question how much of that is our own perception (based on what we've read on here and elsewhere) versus what we can really eyeball and tell a difference on - especially on a vehicle that's been prepped properly. I'm just a regular joe working on regular cars, and of course I'm not trying to push product, but LSP is probably the *least* visually changing aspect of doing a detail.

But on the other hand, I could see where you're coming from in regards to taking a dealership "detailed" vehicle off the lot, slapping some Amigo or something on there and it looking marginally better due to the fact that you're very temporarily hiding the defects of the finish.
 
Mr. Clean said:
I scanned the article and didn't see anything that would lead me to the conclusion that they "don't have a clue". In fact I agree strongly with their statement that regular washing is the most important step to maintaining your finish along with "periodic" waxing.

Their short list of products don't seem out of line either. Where's the rub?
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I have not washed my car with a hose and buckets in 2 years.
Washing is only necessary if you drive it till it is dirty.
I don't let it get that bad. :D

The cars that CR recommends are like driving a sofa.
Going through a corner at speed would be like steering a beached whale.
 
black bart said:
I have not washed my car with a hose and buckets in 2 years..
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JMO, but that isn't necessarily anything to brag about. Really reminds me of a long gone forum filled with guys who bragged about how long it had been since they last "waxed" their vehicles...yet claimed to be "OCD detailer fanatices".
black bart said:
Washing is only necessary if you drive it till it is dirty.
I don't let it get that bad. :D.
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Lots of us "regular" guys drive their cars like this. Don't "wash" 'em every time we drive them.
black bart said:
The cars that CR recommends are like driving a sofa.
Going through a corner at speed would be like steering a beached whale.
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Still doesn't mean they don't have a clue...Again, regarding this specific article, that you brought to the table...where's the problem?
 
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