High Dollar Waxes?

Swissvax (Any of them), High end Chem guys or some of the pinnacle waxes.

Everyone is right about the prep, it does make the difference.
 
High end waxes, just like any other detailing related product or process, is going to be a matter of personal preference.

A higher price point is related to the cost of manufacturing (ingredients, hand crafting, small batch numbers, labor). A higher price point certainly allows for an increase in the quality of manufacturing as well as the quality of the ingredients. Also research, testing, and development costs can vary wildly.
 
PiPUK said:
As a manufacturer I feel high price waxes are a crock. We have done numerous double blind tests and the results have little relation to the prices. More than that... I couldn't make a wax that costs anything close to the numbers demanded by some. We have done some serious ends with all manner of polymers and resins and rarely do our cost prices exceed 20-30 dollars per litre. Convert to your normal pot and you are talking a few dollars of wax, even with advanced formulas. So quite frankly, 100 waxes mean someone is making a killing from you.

I do appreciate some people like collecting and like the fancy packaging and this is great. However that is the primary merit of a high end wax.
Click to expand...

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you but double blind testing is subject to a huge number of significant pitfalls especially when you are testing perceptual acuity. That most people may not be able to tell the differences to a statistically significant level I have no doubt, but whether it is sight, hearing, taste or scent some individuals seem to exhibit acuity that appears to be way out on the tip of the bell curve. We frankly don't understand perceptual processing all that well. There have been some recent papers that at least suggest that part of the sense of smell may involve quantum mechanics, not just molecular level receptors.
 
Not sure what constitutes "high end". To me, my max is about $200-$250 for a pot of wax. While I would like to try more expensive products, I just can't see spending more than that. I don't consider $250 too much money to "splurge" on anything in life.

The thing is, if company X is making 5 waxes, one would assume they are charging the most for their best looking product. - regardless of manufacturing costs. What I can't understand is companies like Zymol and Polish Angel who sell waxes for many thousands of dollars. I'm sure someone is buying them, I just don't know who. You don't see much talk on the forums regarding wax > $300.00.

I would love to test one of the waxes. Not a test like Crystal Rocks vrs Collinite, but a test like Glasur vrs Atlantique. A test of a $100 wax or so against one pushing a thousand dollars +++. This is the area where I wonder if there is much of any benefit. A have Glasur and love it, but don't have any of their real high end waxes to test it against.

I was thinking of picking up the Zymol sampler to test Atlantique vrs Glasur. You get three 2oz sample of Concours, Atlantique, and Destiny for $199. Atlantique is a $1500 wax. I wonder if its much different than Glasur ???
 
I dont care if I had a Lambo in the garage and a million dollars in the bank, I still wouldnt pay that kind of money for wax. Thats just me though..
 
I dunno, I could see myself buying some waxes up to $500 if Ihad a bit of extra money. I would love to get Definitive Wax Number One wax, but it's like £395. Bouncers triple 12 is another I would pay a but more for, but not entirely on how good the wax is but rather for collectors sake. WHEELZNTOYS you lucky dog you!
 
LostHighway said:
I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you but double blind testing is subject to a huge number of significant pitfalls especially when you are testing perceptual acuity. That most people may not be able to tell the differences to a statistically significant level I have no doubt, but whether it is sight, hearing, taste or scent some individuals seem to exhibit acuity that appears to be way out on the tip of the bell curve. We frankly don't understand perceptual processing all that well. There have been some recent papers that at least suggest that part of the sense of smell may involve quantum mechanics, not just molecular level receptors.
Click to expand...

That is right but I am not looking at just one product but many. Yes, different people prefer different products but our tests clearly show that there is very little increase in perception with price. More than that, gloss and haze, for instance, can be measured scientifically as well ;-)
 
I personally love reading all the different opinions, particulurly on a forum such as AF, where people seem to disagree and share their opinions in a respectful manner! :autopia:
 
Todd Helme said:
I personally love reading all the different opinions, particulurly on a forum such as AF, where people seem to disagree and share their opinions in a respectful manner! :autopia:
Click to expand...

“Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind.” ~ Henry James
 
Zymol Glasur is fantastic and my go to and favorite wax to date. You can also get 20% off now of it off Zymol during may with their code MAY2013
 
Never cared much for swissvax. Everyone I've seen use it has said it's nothing special. I don't think swissvax and zymol have made any new waxes for a while now have they? I think my next big wax purchase is going to be M&K Pioneer wax or Definitive Wax club edition. That probably won't happen till Christmas though...
 
TacoHerder said:
Never cared much for swissvax. Everyone I've seen use it has said it's nothing special.
Click to expand...

some people learn by hearing advice, some people learn by observation.

me, I gotta pee on the electric fence to learn :wall

it was a complete waste of 275.00. same for supernatural. used both once.
 
Rsurfer nailed it.......its all in the prep !! Expensive waxes are like a carrot dangling in front of you, I try and stay in price range of $50.0 to 60.00 on waxes......I bought Fuzion many years back, great wax, but really its all in the prep.
 
Its a hard question to answer, it all depends if your doing this to your daily driver and wash and wax frequently I would not spend the money on expensive waxes.

I know all the claims that a lot of boutique waxes have, but in reality where's the proof? Maybe I missed something but other than everyone's opinion that's all you have to go by. If you consider the circumstances of each vehicle, geographic location, weather on any particular day, week month and so on. The only way we could really conclude anything is with science or cars parked side by side in the exact same conditions.
 
I know for me its not about durability, but rather ease of application and smell. Its quit pleasant applying a wax that spreads easily and smells amazing. And with companies like Mitchell & King you can create your own bespoke wax, shampoo, or car interior fragrance. I want to drop like $500 their way, one can always dream :) They also offer car wax with glitter flakes in it, something no one else does to my knowledge.

I can tell you all these companies you think are overpriced are not catering to the average Joe. They are catering to the people who have higher end clients. We all know how picky money tends to make people.... Which is why pretty much all of them offer samples, so people like me can get a hold of at least a little bit. And from what Ive seen on other forums, people really do buy the higher end ones for collecting the container and to use on special occasions. Most are just wax freaks who go thru far more wax than needed, we just enjoy the look and application process. That CG Project J97 is more of a collectors item.
 
sikessr said:
So how does a product like Opti-coat 2.0 compare to some of these better waxes?
Click to expand...

Opti-Coat is a coating, not a wax or sealant. Opti-Coat will outlast any wax or sealant IF applied correctly. Wether that is good or bad is a matter of personal preference. :welcome: Welcome to AF!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top