MnRiverman
New member
OK well maybe it's not unbiased... I'll let you all decide. Please disregard my user title! 
Alright I recently was suckered into buying some s100 since all of you talk about it, and I was feeling left out. No one likes to feel left out, ya know?
Anyways, I recently did SMR/SEPC/S100 on my hood. It's been snowing almost non stop for the past three weeks, so I really don't know about durability. I haven't even been able to wash the car since that time. However, I will comment on the ease of use:
SEPC vs HD-Cleanse - the SEPC 10 times easier to use than HD-Cleanse, and I had been using the zymol cleaner for about two years. As noted, the zymol cleaner is more aggressive than the SEPC, but for the ease of use of the SEPC, especially with a PC, it wins big time. However, after using the SMR and then applying the SEPC, I couldn't tell a difference. No difference in shine or anything. When I first SMR'd and then HD-Cleansed, it made the paint deeper. (The car this was applied on was dark blue).
s100 wax vs Zymol Carbon - I'm not comparing the concours or the estate line or anything like that. I was already deeped crazy by my friends when I spent $40 in the first place for a wax. Hell if I'll spend $150 and then have to apply it with my big clumsy hands. The neighbors already think I'm crazy with my dealings with cars. If they seem me rubbing my car with my hands to apply wax, they are going to stop talking to me! Anyways, on to the comparison. The Zymol Carbon is tricky to apply. You need to do small areas because it dries VERY quickly, and be sure to use a VERY small amount. After you apply it in a side to side motion, you need to quickly use a clean cotton towel and with one big, gentle wipe, wipe the in the opposite direction of which you applied (when you apply front to back, wipe horizontally). This allows the wax to crystalize and makes removal much easier. Let it sit for 20 seconds (less if it is very hot outside, a little longer if it is cold - however Zymol waxes espcially from my testing do not apply well in under 50 degree weather) and then remove with a microfiber cloth. When applying the s100, apply side to side, let sit for a few seconds, wipe off. Easy as that, and no residue left behind (but neither does the Zymol). It seems that the s100 does the exact same as the carbon, but for a less price (you can't beat $15 bucks can you?). However, I much prefer how the zymol dissipates water. When you drive and their is water beading on your hood, in 30 seconds all the water will be gone, water just runs right off - it's pretty fun to watch and a few of my passengers who know nothing about cars have even commented on it. The s100 I noticed in the rain gets huge water beads and is much slower to run off of the car. I will mention that the s100 is "slicker" whereas the Zymol seems not so slick after the wax is applied. In terms of how many waxes per can, I have had my 8 ounce can of zymol for over two years, and have detailed a LOT of cars on it. In terms of smell (if anyone cares), the s100 smells awful compared to the sweet smell of the zymol.
Now which one is better? I have no clue. I do have to say however, I Zymol'd (HD-Cleanse/Carbon) my BMW near the beginning of November, and now, the end of february after being driven through numerous snow storms on on the beltway daily, the water still beads on the car, and the surface is smooth. Down near the wheel wells on the lower part of the fender the water doesn't bead anymore, but that is normal in my opinion. Can't comment on the s100 since I haven't touched it in 3 weeks.
In terms of reflection, the s100 seems to be more liquid like, whereas the zymol seems to be sharper. Maybe this is because of the cleansers being fairly different? I'm not sure which one I like more, but I am leaning towards the zymol.
I guess I'm not jumping in circles like everyone else about s100, because I can't tell much of a difference. I am planning in the spring on using SEPC and then topping with Zymol Carbon on the BMW, but I am not sure how the carbon is going to be without HD-Cleanse as it's base.
Bottom line: If you have zymol and you find it easy to use (it's tricky at first), then don't spend your money on s100. If you are looking for a cheap wax but produces good results, then go s100.
I only have pics of both the cars with the Zymol, but I'll throw them up so I can have a visual of what I am saying,
This is the BMW after it's first wash after applying the Zymol:
This is the jetta (hood half opened) after SMR/HD-Cleanse/Carbon:
If someone could throw up some s100 sepc/wax pics for comparison, that would be good.
Anyways, just figured I'd post this to see other people's opinions.
- Anthony
Alright I recently was suckered into buying some s100 since all of you talk about it, and I was feeling left out. No one likes to feel left out, ya know?
Anyways, I recently did SMR/SEPC/S100 on my hood. It's been snowing almost non stop for the past three weeks, so I really don't know about durability. I haven't even been able to wash the car since that time. However, I will comment on the ease of use:SEPC vs HD-Cleanse - the SEPC 10 times easier to use than HD-Cleanse, and I had been using the zymol cleaner for about two years. As noted, the zymol cleaner is more aggressive than the SEPC, but for the ease of use of the SEPC, especially with a PC, it wins big time. However, after using the SMR and then applying the SEPC, I couldn't tell a difference. No difference in shine or anything. When I first SMR'd and then HD-Cleansed, it made the paint deeper. (The car this was applied on was dark blue).
s100 wax vs Zymol Carbon - I'm not comparing the concours or the estate line or anything like that. I was already deeped crazy by my friends when I spent $40 in the first place for a wax. Hell if I'll spend $150 and then have to apply it with my big clumsy hands. The neighbors already think I'm crazy with my dealings with cars. If they seem me rubbing my car with my hands to apply wax, they are going to stop talking to me! Anyways, on to the comparison. The Zymol Carbon is tricky to apply. You need to do small areas because it dries VERY quickly, and be sure to use a VERY small amount. After you apply it in a side to side motion, you need to quickly use a clean cotton towel and with one big, gentle wipe, wipe the in the opposite direction of which you applied (when you apply front to back, wipe horizontally). This allows the wax to crystalize and makes removal much easier. Let it sit for 20 seconds (less if it is very hot outside, a little longer if it is cold - however Zymol waxes espcially from my testing do not apply well in under 50 degree weather) and then remove with a microfiber cloth. When applying the s100, apply side to side, let sit for a few seconds, wipe off. Easy as that, and no residue left behind (but neither does the Zymol). It seems that the s100 does the exact same as the carbon, but for a less price (you can't beat $15 bucks can you?). However, I much prefer how the zymol dissipates water. When you drive and their is water beading on your hood, in 30 seconds all the water will be gone, water just runs right off - it's pretty fun to watch and a few of my passengers who know nothing about cars have even commented on it. The s100 I noticed in the rain gets huge water beads and is much slower to run off of the car. I will mention that the s100 is "slicker" whereas the Zymol seems not so slick after the wax is applied. In terms of how many waxes per can, I have had my 8 ounce can of zymol for over two years, and have detailed a LOT of cars on it. In terms of smell (if anyone cares), the s100 smells awful compared to the sweet smell of the zymol.
Now which one is better? I have no clue. I do have to say however, I Zymol'd (HD-Cleanse/Carbon) my BMW near the beginning of November, and now, the end of february after being driven through numerous snow storms on on the beltway daily, the water still beads on the car, and the surface is smooth. Down near the wheel wells on the lower part of the fender the water doesn't bead anymore, but that is normal in my opinion. Can't comment on the s100 since I haven't touched it in 3 weeks.
In terms of reflection, the s100 seems to be more liquid like, whereas the zymol seems to be sharper. Maybe this is because of the cleansers being fairly different? I'm not sure which one I like more, but I am leaning towards the zymol.
I guess I'm not jumping in circles like everyone else about s100, because I can't tell much of a difference. I am planning in the spring on using SEPC and then topping with Zymol Carbon on the BMW, but I am not sure how the carbon is going to be without HD-Cleanse as it's base.
Bottom line: If you have zymol and you find it easy to use (it's tricky at first), then don't spend your money on s100. If you are looking for a cheap wax but produces good results, then go s100.
I only have pics of both the cars with the Zymol, but I'll throw them up so I can have a visual of what I am saying,
This is the BMW after it's first wash after applying the Zymol:
This is the jetta (hood half opened) after SMR/HD-Cleanse/Carbon:
If someone could throw up some s100 sepc/wax pics for comparison, that would be good.
Anyways, just figured I'd post this to see other people's opinions.
- Anthony
