Ill just tell you what Ive done with two vehicles, both of which Ive been happy with the results.
My 98 S10 ZR2 I got new in the winter. Come the spring, I started using the Meguiars gold class set of products. About once a month, I did all three, clearcoat prep, polish and wax.
My truck sits in the garage now, and it is due a wax... However, every time I wash it, water still beads right up, and I have not waxed it in two years!!!
Now, my 04 saab, I bought new in the summer. I decided to try the 3M set of polish and wax that they sell at pep boys. It goes on thick and doesnt come off quite as easily, but it, IMO looks deeper. However, it doesnt necessarily look shinyer, though the saab is silver and the truck is dark green.
And, looking shinyer is not necessarily an easy grade, it certainly reflects well and looks perfect. Now, after the thread about nufinish, and my happyness with how it turned out on my BMW, I decided to put it on over the other waxes on my saab, primarily ecause it gets some hot afternoon sun now, and as I understand, the Nufinish is very good UV-resistance wise.. I have to say that the finish, while looking shiny and glossy and good, doesnt feel as smooth as when I used the 3M series of waxes, or especially with the meguiars stuff. Its really strange too, because nufinish felt real smooth on my BMW.
Bu, all in all, Id say that any quality product is pretty darn good. I think that meguiars gold class is the shiniest of what Ive used, and 3M is a bt longer lasting if youre not putting on that many coats.
FWIW... hope it helps.
JMH
