Look at pics - Mixing Carnauba Waxes for great results!

[gigondaz]

I have always suspected that instead of applying LSPs in a straightforward manner, why not try mixing them up in certain ratios, and observe the results?

If it doesn't work, hell...just forget it:hmph:

but if it works......:chuckle::chuckle::chuckle:



I'm no chemist or rocket scientist. But after 4mths of experimenting with different combos of carnaubas (borrowed from friends) on deep/dark colours, I have stumbled on 1 combo that gives outstanding results. Somehow, in my durability testing, this combo was even more lasting than using the carnaubas individually!!!



This is the right rear door slightly opened.

Driver's door opened, so you can see the steering.

Photos dont do it any justice at all.

The deep red colour became ALIVE. It looks more like an expensive custom paintjob with astounding depth and clarity coupled to a high level of sophistication. Just makes you wanna sit there and oggle at it while having a cold beer after all the laborious work. I've been a Zaino hardcore user for a long time, but damn!...this kinda look is a refreshing change!

Alfas are never known for impressive paintwork.

This is an original OEM Alfa paint finish with a hyper-soft clearcoat...a tad softer than Honda. Surface was prepped using Megs Diamond Cut 85+wool, and so, required lots of work to remove swirls and to refine the finish (Presta Swirl Remover, 3M Ultrafina).

Then, M6000 + full strength IPA was used to wipe down before inspection (with all fluorescents off) using high-bay metal halide, halogen and incandescent lighting in my shop. Then I went straight to LSP without using any polishes just to prove the effectiveness of the LSP combo below.



Final LSP:

10% Swissvax Concorso + 50% Zymol Titanium + 40% Dodo Juice Orange Crush.

These were ALL mushed together on a small container using a fork and spoon, and mixing was very thorough (10mins).



Applied only 1 layer.

Waited 45mins (humid and hot weather). Buffed off.

12hours left indoors.

Next morning: inspection + taking some pics.



I hv used each of those 3 products above singularly, and was very familiar with the results. But this combo above impressed me greatly, and I would like to share with Autopians who might wanna try something crazy!

I have 7 different super premium carnaubas in my shop, but used singularly, NONE of them could give me this kinda results.

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

cool beans, how do you formulate these things? I was thinking that I'd want t obe able ot do that but how do oyu know what goes together and what doesn't?

 

[gigondaz]

cool beans, how do you formulate these things? I was thinking that I'd want t obe able ot do that but how do oyu know what goes together and what doesn't?

A few other professional detailer friends have been toying with this appraoch on their personal cars for 1-2yrs. They discovered that S100+Zymol Titanium was a friendly, problem-free match. But this combo did not perform any better when a 3rd carnauba was inserted.



For the 3rd carnauba, I tried Pinnacle and a few other carnaubas but came to a dead end. No visible improvement. And then, when I added Dodo Juice, there was an improvement. The car owner also praised the results endlessly, and that confirms it, cos I've tried various combos on his car before.



So, at the moment, this combo above is the one I'll use cos it has taken a long time to "discover it", and I'm still experimenting endlessly with other combos.



Since nubas are generally not very durable vs sealants and coatings, I use carnaubas and carnauba combos strictly on cars that are:

1. Detailed very frequently - eg.once a month minimum.

2. Very well prepped deeper/dark/black colours.

3. Sheltered most of the time.



I know many seasoned pros would probably snicker and think it's silly to combine carnaubas like this. IMO, if a hyper-critical car owner/customer/enthusiast can see a difference, praises it and sends/recommends more cars to me to be done this way, that means the difference is noticeable and hence, beneficial to the business.

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Just to illustrate another point, we know its much more challenging to make silver look impressive. Many enthusiasts hv their own fav methods and I still find it fascinating to explore never-ending new ways.



3mth old silver Honda. OEM silver finish looks very greyish and sickly.

Looks even worse under cloudy skies (dull and boring).

Pic was taken just before a thunderstorm.

The highlight you see is from my compact digicam's puny flash.

The above door and rear fender was cleaned with Klasse AIO.

Wanted to apply Klasse SG but decided to try carnauba combo above. When I drove the car outside for a while to hv a better look, the owner was impressed as even with dark clouds overhead and an approaching storm, the anemic greyish silver ended up looking reflective. Actually, it kinda looked like 2-3layers of SG!!!:spot

It was left inside till the next morning, and looked even better with a spritzing of MegsUQW!