Nice thread. I'll also bump it.
I also second the recognition for Bence, who not only has knowledge, but also class... One of our several standout autopians.
Some of the products ratings are consistent, some others are all over the place, which should not be surprising as there are attributes that some detailers appreciate more than others.
My list, but keep in mind that I am not including booster waxes.
Products that are finally gone or given away, including samples received
Poor boys EX+: 7 / 10
+ Very nice look, deep glow, very easy application and removal, nice smell
- Its durability (or lack of) stinks, it will tank after
one wash
Meguiars NXT liquid (v 1 and 2): 6.5 / 10
+ Also nice look, darkening of paint, very easy application and removal, nice smell
- Stains trim, it is expensive for OTC, its durability (or lack of) also stinks, it will tank after
one wash
Optimum Car wax spray (original): 7 / 10
+ Easy to apply, more durable than some LSPs that tank after one wash
- Unremarkable sterile look.
Tropi-care TC-3: 7 / 10
+ Lovely smell, very glossy and darkening, easy to apply,
- Stains the towels and its durability (or lack of) also stinks, it will tank after
one washone wash
Meguiars #26: 6 / 10
+ Lovely deep carnauba look,
- If I hadn't bought it for $.99 at advance as clearance, I would be that generous. It also stains towels, tanks after 2 washes and is a major pain to remove.
Poor boys EX-P+: 6 / 10
+ Very nice look, brings out the metallic flake, very easy application and removal, nice coconut smell....
- Durability (or lack of) stinks, it will tank after
one wash. For a dedicated "pure" sealant, the durability is a big one.
Klasse SG: 7/10
+ Reflective and durable. It won't tank after the first wash
....
- Finicky removal and application. Sterile looks
Eagle one nanowax: 6.5 / 10
+ Also nice look, darkening of paint, decent swirl filling, easy application and removal....
- Stains trim, overpowering smell, its durability (or lack of) also stinks, it will tank after
one wash
Zaino Z-2 pro: 8 / 10
+ Very reflective, easy removal, and very durable. It won't tank after the first wash
....
- Even it's new formula looks sterile, and finicky application requirements.
Turtle wax platinum ultra gloss liquid: 7.5/10
+ Lovely deep glow, extremely easy to apply and remove, very cheap...
- Stains trim, sterile smell, another member of the "cat club", those products who are afraid of water and will tank after
one wash
Glare paint polish: 7.5/10
+ Very very shiny and reflective. Very durable. The product that suffered the least after the first wash.
- Not so easy to apply. Sterile look, it is the ultimate expression of "sugar coated candy" as it mutes metallic flake (Wife hated it in her navy blue minivan) While durable (4-5 months) it is well short of the manufacturers "5 years" claim, and when it starts diminishing it will go down fast.
Products that I still have and use
Collinite Super double coat 476S: 8.5/10
+ Decently easy to to apply and remove, can be worked in freezing temps, cheap, tight water beading, killer look for a "hard durable non beauty" that really brings pop to the paint, and very very durable.
- Sterile smell.
Mother Synwax FX: 7/10
+ Very easy to apply and remove, very shiny and reflective. Decent durability (8 weeks) and it won't tank after the first wash.
- Awful bottle design, overpowering smell, sterile look.
Collinite Insulator wax IW845: 9/10
+ Extremely easy to apply, easy to remove, can be worked in below-freezing temps, cheap, tight water beading, very reflective, very easy to wash, and very very durable. Probably the most durable of the god looking waxes.
- Sterile smell, less durable than the 476S
Finish Kare FK1000P: 7.5/10
+ Repels dirt, virtually impossible to over-apply, easy to remove, tight water beading, very reflective, and very durable.
- Being virtually impossible to over-apply becomes virtually impossible to apply if temps are low, which are curiously the scenarios where you want this wax. Sterile smell and sterile look.
Sorry guys, I just helped 1000P go down in the average ratings.
Mothers California Gold pure carbauba (liquid): 7.5/10
+ The lovely trademark carnauba deep glow, quite shiny, nice cinnamon smell. Decent durability (8-12 weeks)
- Not so easy to apply and remove.
Mothers California Gold carbauba cleaner (liquid): 8/10
+ Decently potent cleaners make it a true AIO, lovely trademark carnauba deep glow, cheap and available everywhere, quite shiny even in light colors, decent smell and good durability (8-12 weeks) An old formulation, but still one of the best AIOs.
- Not so easy to apply and remove, stains trim.
Mothers Reflections Top coat wax (liquid): 8.5/10
+ Very easy to apply and remove, lovely deep glow, glossy and shiny, lovely smell, no cleaners for layerability, decent durability (8-12 weeks) A great blend LSP
- Expensive as OTC and not so easily available, forcing users to go online, and if going online, there are products regarded as better looking for similar price.
my personal favorite
Mothers Reflections advanced car wax (liquid): 9.2/10
+ Very easy to apply and remove, lovely deep glow, glossy and shiny, classy look that also brings metallic flake to life. Lovely smell, better availability OTC than its sibling top coat, light cleaners means you don't have to spend more time doing IPA / APC wipe downs to ensure proper bonding. Decent durability (8-12 weeks) that won't tank after the first wash. A great blend LSP, and being so easy to apply / remove, takes less than 15 minutes for another recoat without worries about proper bonding.
- Expensive as OTC and not as easily available. There are arguably better looking products. It will not appeal to the "sugar coated" look crowd, and in my opinion, the cleaners are too light. In a system that is designed as 2 components, there is no reason for the base to have light cleaners.
Criteria:
1) Looks
2) Application
3) Durability (special detriments to the one wash and done crowd)
) about what LSPs are popular/good.
I'll stick with SRP/Souveran on the former, and I plan to sell the Mazda so I'll probably Collinite it.