Does anyone here use Meguiar's Gold Class?

[Patman]

I'm curious as to how many Gold Class users are on here? I just switched from NXT to GC (hehe, another GC) and was wondering how the long term durability of GC is. NXT's durability is terrible, but I loved how it hid the fine scratches.

How is the swirl hiding ability of GC? I put a coat of NXT on the car on Friday, and then did GC on Monday so the swirls had already been filled in from NXT. I'm curious as to how well GC does on it's own in that regard.

 

[benjamming]

I used GC on my black '02 Accord when it was new. I didn't care for it near as much as I like the Meguiar's #20 that I am using now. I even liked their #26 better than GC.

 

[Schmoe]

I have the exact opposite experience on my 02 and 06 Accords. The NXT holds up for at least 6 to 7 months here in this climate. Realize where your at and maybe the climate is more demanding, especially in the winter time. Anyway, I was using GC religiously until NXT came out. So much more easier to "wax on, wax off." With GC, I was having to wax the 02 Accord, black, at least 3 times a year according to the water bead test.

 

[ATS-V]

I use Gold Class in the summer months. Duribility is not great, but I've never used NXT. I would estimate Gold Class is good for about 3-4 months.

 

[carrera79]

I've used NXT for awhile now with much better durability than Gold Class. The GC didn't last long at all.

 

[jmacmaster]

I've used GC for 4 years and like it. I've heard from a number of sources that NXT, which is newer, is better, so I'm going to try the NXT when my two bottles of GC are used up.

 

[Patman]

My climate in the summertime is almost perfect when it comes to wax longevity, since my car is not parked outside in the hot sun. I have underground parking at work, so it's very rare that my car is subjected to the hot sun. A lot of times this year it rained during the day when my car was inside too, so it didn't get wet very often either. Even still, the NXT didn't last me very long.

 

[Brett Miller]

Have you tried their #26 wax? Gold Class left too much white residue for me. I settled on 26 and have been using it for about 7 years.

 

[mshu7]

Patman,

I spend most of my online time (which is a lot) on detailing message boards b/c I'm wanting to start my own detailing business. Here's what I can tell you from what I've read on those particular products...

Meg's says that NXT is one of their longest lasting waxes. It's actually more of a sealant therefore it lasts longer than a carnauba wax. Many people report that NXT doesn't last. NXT is known to loose it's "look" very quickly which in turn is why people say it doesn't last very long. I don't know how you determine how long a wax lasts on your car, but for me, as long as it's beading I know it's protected. Maybe it's lasting longer than you think...but maybe not.

As far as GC is concerned, it's obviously a carnauba wax so it is not going to last as long. Meg's uses some sort of polishing oils in it which leads to a great deep wet look on dark finishes. One of my friends who has a black Trailblazer raves about GC and how good it looks on his truck.

As Brett mentioned, #26 High-Tech Yellow Wax is great stuff. I've not used NXT or Gold Class, but I have used #26. I found it very easy to work with (using a Porter Cable buffer). Very easy to buff off after applying.

Not sure what you know about all this, but sealants are kinda new and are known for longer-lasting protection. They also give a glassy look to them where as carnauba wax gives a deep, wet look (most people prefer the look of carnauba). However, carnauba doesn't last as long. Many people who want the best of both worlds just use both. Use a sealant like NXT first, then top it with a carnauba like GC or #26 after that. This way you have the lasting protection of a sealant and the great look of a carnauba.

Check out http://meguiarsonline.com/ . Meg's forum has a TON of very detailed information on every single product that they offer.

 

[Cadude]

I've found Gold Class to be slightly better than NXT but not much. My cars are outside 24/7 and most of the time parked under a maple tree that drops all kinds of **** on them. So far, Liquid Glass has proven much better for duribility and protection.

 

[obbop]

Been experimenting. Waited before disseminating the preliminary subjective results.

On a 2004 Chevy Silverado pick-em-up, Summit White with clear coat.

Stripped off ALL the old wax (had tried several brands/types) clayed the critter, then applied 2 coats of Liquid Glass. Kept LG on for a year or so, adding a couple coats during that period.

A couple months ago, after reading about others trying it, applied 303 Aerospace Protectant atop the Liquid Glass.

Others had applied the 303 after removing all wax/sealant/whatever, some applied it atop their wax/sealant/whatever. I went with keeping the sealant on.....just in case.

Very thin coat of 303. Rubbed lightly to disperse it well. Let dry then lightly buffed. Different from removing wax or sealant.

Very pleased with results. Slick finish and a very high gloss. Truck looked better than new. Others even commented about it whan they saw it.

Durability difficult to ascertain but it's still shiny after 4 washes and is slick to the touch. Water beads very well and when moving the water slides off quickly.

Can not recommend to others since finished vary. I will be using 303 again and may not bother applying anymore Liquid Glass.... just keep applying the 303.

 

[RogerKlugerAus05]

Use NXT on my cars and without doubt is the finest wax/sealant I have used in 45 years of polishing/detailing cars. I find it lasts fine, but it is so easy to apply and polish off then if anyone is concerned then just put another coat on.
Roger

 

[Patman]

mshu7, I've actually spent a lot of time on the Meguiar's message board over the last little while, there is a lot of great info on there! As always though, I like to get input from many different sources, which is why I also check on here and on the Corvette forum to get opinions too.

As far as the protection of NXT, I know Meguiar's claims it's their longest lasting wax, but for me I just don't see that. When I put on a fresh coat of NXT, the swirls and scratches are greatly diminished, the black paint shines a lot better and the water beads very nicely. Within 2-3 weeks I notice the swirls are back, the paint looks a little less shiny and the water definitely doesn't bead very well at all. But even still, I was willing to live with that since NXT made such a big difference in hiding the scratches, so I would just apply a fresh coat every week or two. But once it started smearing and leaving streaks, I figured that bottle had gone bad and I was not really sure if I wanted to spend another $30 on a new one, so I figured I'd give one of Meguiar's many other choices a try instead.

 

[mshu7]

That's disappointing about NXT. It seems to be a product that gets a lot of great reviews, but also a number of bad reviews. I think people either love it or hate it. I've never used it so I can't say one way or the other.

I don't think you can go wrong if you picked up a bottle of #26.

Have you checked Autopia.org? It's a great detailing forum where lots of different products are discussed. AutoGeek.net also has a forum that would be worth while. It's somewhat new so there's not a TON of info like Autopia, but there's enough.

Regardless, good luck w/whatever you choose.

 

[Crashbox]

Well, here's my two cents' worth:

On my '95 Civic, I've tried Meguiar's #26 (not bad but perhaps the paint/wax combo wasn't meant to be), NXT (considerably better but the durability, I agree, leaves something to be desired), and Liquid Glass (worth the 20+ dollars per pint I paid for it).

It does indeed seem that no auto wax, polish, et cetera can truly be a "one size fits all". My advice is to find one that works and stay with it but keep a reasonably open mind.

FWIW, someone I know uses a product called "Race Glaze" on his early '70s Opel- the depth of shine is phenomenal, never used it myself though...

 

[mshu7]

Lots of people seem to love Liquid Glass. I guess I should try it out.

 

[Cadude]

quote:

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Originally posted by Patman:
The one thing I really did not like was that LG would always streak. The car needed to sit out in the sun for a few hours in order for that to go away. And it left behind a lot of dust and residue also.

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Symptons of using too much product and/or not keeping it shaken throughout the use resulting in an increasing improper mixture as the can is used up.

 

[obbop]

Just as different programs act/react different on different computers due to variations of the programs installed, I believe different variations in paint-types, climatic and environmental conditions etc. effect how a wax/polish/sealant works for the individual.

NXT worked okay for me but it did not make me dance with joy. Others shout out "Hosannah" over it while others lump it in with drinking a gulp of spoiled milk.....

Ewwwwwww gag retch spit spit spit gag retch

Interstingly, I never had a problem with Liquid Glass streaking. As mentioned, there are so many variables involved.....as well as application methods and conditions etc etc etc.

What works for one mobile entity may not work on anuddah' one.

Guess we all just gotta' experiment, trying different concoctions until we find one that fills one with ecstasy, joy, pure unadulterated satisfaction. Just your basic shiny car Nirvana. Unless you have a truck and shiny car Nirvana is nonapplicable since shiny truck Nirvana is the ultimate final scenario desired after one labors at trying to make the conveyance purdy.

 

[Patman]

Back when I was using LG I probably did put on a much thicker coat than I should have, as I seem to remember only being able to get about 15 coats out of a can, and a can that size should easily be able to do 30 coats on a small car like the Shadow that I had. Back then I was applying it and removing it by hand. Now I apply with an random orbital buffer and I find I use a very small amount of product this way as I am much more able to do very thin coats.

I think that this weekend I'm going to give NXT one more try, and this time I'm going to shake the snot out of the bottle for a few minutes before using it, just to make sure it's well mixed. I always do shake the bottle, but perhaps now that it's at the last 1/3rd, it needs even more shaking.

I'll be sure to report back as to whether or not that method works. I'd love to keep using NXT because I do find that it does a fantastic job of hiding the swirls/scratches and it is very easy to remove (with the exception of the last two times anyhow)

I've only got a couple of months left of "waxing season" and then from that point until the spring the waxing will no longer be done by me (since it'll be too cold), and it'll be done by my favorite local detail shop. With them I have the choice of Meguiar's #26 or #21 (#26 costs $59 per coat while #21 is $99) They might even still have some #20 kicking around too (that would be $99 as well)

 

[Racerjk]

Gold Class looks good, but doesn't last.

The durability is supposed to be much better now though.