Carnauba fills in scratches I think but washes off in the rain.. I did my car with NuFinish with the Ceramic.. I just washed it and it was just as slippery as if I just waxed it. Ceramics just last longer hands down.
Is anyone still using wax?
- Thread starter Reggaemon
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f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
I used to use Zymol and P21S...but haven't touched them in close to a decade...still have them on the shelf...I'm all in on ceramic and graphene spray on products. So easy and long lasting
Patman
Staff member
I’m hoping that this ends up being the only product I need to keep my Corvette properly protected from the elements while also giving a good shine:
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If dat "Wax" don't block UV.....you ain't protectin nuthin. Just fillin craters.
UV does 99% of the damage to clearcoat and paint (unless you hit something or it hits U)
Want that paint to last? (in order of best.....to......best compromise
1). Keep it garaged forever
2). Keep a UV protective cover over it when it's outside
3). Use a UV protective ceramic coating.
Or do all 3 and get 200 years out of that paint job.
UV does 99% of the damage to clearcoat and paint (unless you hit something or it hits U)
Want that paint to last? (in order of best.....to......best compromise
1). Keep it garaged forever
2). Keep a UV protective cover over it when it's outside
3). Use a UV protective ceramic coating.
Or do all 3 and get 200 years out of that paint job.
NuFinish 3 in 1 Ceramic once a year
Good stuff and cheap!
I have a 3 year ceramic coating on my GTI. As soon as I got it I did a light paint correction and coated it. Over a year and a half later it still looks like day one. I wash it weekly with a ph neutral car soap and hit it with an iron remover about every two months.
The hydrophobics are still great and since it’s a black car if there is a dust or pollen on it I notice that a good rain shower will clean it up.
Heck even in the winter heavy snow slides off.
The hydrophobics are still great and since it’s a black car if there is a dust or pollen on it I notice that a good rain shower will clean it up.
Heck even in the winter heavy snow slides off.
Makes the surface so slick
I still wax my vehicles. I guess it's theraputic for me. My age makes me look for easier waxes, these days. I use Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax. Goes on easy, leaves that unmatched carnauba wax gloss, and it gets me examining my car carefully. It doesn't last more than 3 months but by then I am ready to do it again, anyway. Do I think it protects the finish better than nothing? Maybe a bit more UV protection but that's it. It does mean I have the nicest looking car finish on my block! There is a bit of pride there.
f1jim
f1jim
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
If you want an easy on/off wax that gives great gloss, give P21S a try ($49). You can find it at most Porsche and Jaguar/Land Rover dealerships. But here is a secret: They market the exact same product under a different brand called S100 and sold in motorcycle shops like Harley Davidson. I can get it there for $20. Online $17. I like that it won't stain black plastic trim on cars like some products.
I don't use it much anymore, but was one of my favorites along with Zymol.
Look into the fully synthetic waxes like Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax
I have tried several fully synthetic waxes in the past but none have given me that gloss the carnauba waxes deliver. But maybe I am due to revisit a few new ones. Suggestions are always welcome.
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Back 25+ years ago I would always use Meguiar's Cleaner Wax. Now there is a more aggressive version of that in their professional line, and it's very affordable on Amazon. I'm going to use my DA and Wolfgang Uber All-In-One topped with some Meguiar's Carnauba Plus paste wax this fall on Thanksgiving break. If I didn't want to also clean the paint the way the Wolfgang Uber is advertised as doing, I probably would have bought the Jescar Power Lock + and Collinite 845 liquid wax.
People think that ceramic coatings make your car impervious to everything - but that is just not true. My wife's car has a dealer-applied ceramic coating that is about 18 months old, when it was delivered new. It ended up getting some very noticeable water spots and after watching some YouTube comparisons on water spot removal methods, I used Rupes Uno Advanced and my DA polisher to apply it.
It took the water spots completely out of the clearcoat and it has a ceramic based sealant built into it that is supposed to last one year, so from here forward I will put that down at least annually to maintain her ceramic coating. Ceramic coatings definitely need maintenance, plus something on top of them at all times to add another layer of protection to keep advertised service life versus actual exposure results more similar to one another.
People think that ceramic coatings make your car impervious to everything - but that is just not true. My wife's car has a dealer-applied ceramic coating that is about 18 months old, when it was delivered new. It ended up getting some very noticeable water spots and after watching some YouTube comparisons on water spot removal methods, I used Rupes Uno Advanced and my DA polisher to apply it.
It took the water spots completely out of the clearcoat and it has a ceramic based sealant built into it that is supposed to last one year, so from here forward I will put that down at least annually to maintain her ceramic coating. Ceramic coatings definitely need maintenance, plus something on top of them at all times to add another layer of protection to keep advertised service life versus actual exposure results more similar to one another.
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I have seen a comparison of Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus - which also includes synthetic ingredients, against a handful of other waxes and it came out on top of all of them. That may just be what you should try.
I have been using Adams Graphene wax on my white Tahoe with good results . Seems to last a very long time.
i am gonna try this Chemical Guys Hyper wax next. It looks very good on my black motorcycle.
i am gonna try this Chemical Guys Hyper wax next. It looks very good on my black motorcycle.
I don't know if you've noticed but Meguiars has the blue bottle marine wax, tan bottle commercial wax/sealants, and their maroon regular line. I've always wondered if or how they varied or if they were identical but marked way up in their marine/Commercial offerings.
I finally stumbled upon a combination that really works for me. Ease of use, longevity, shine.
Careful with the compound. Pretty sure it accelerated the destruction of my clearcoat in more than a few spots. That said, this was on my ~18 year old car that sits outside in the sun for most of it's life, and is a model known for not-the-best paint quality from the factory to begin with.
I THINK I still have a can of Simonize in the garage, or is it Johnson's Paste Wax? At any rate, your welcome to it. If you'd like a real challenge, apply in full sun! 
