Collinite vs Meguiar's #16

Rob Tomlin

Rob Tomlin

Lotus Exige S
Even though I have a stupid amount of LSP's, the vast majority of them are sealants (I do still have some Trade Secret which is the only LSP I have that has Carnauba in it), so I think I am going to order a LSP with Carnauba in it....just for fun.



I think I have narrowed it down to Collinite 915 or Mequiar's #16 (before the supply dries up completely).



I'm looking for opinions regarding how these two compare to each other, pros and cons etc.



I did use #16 in the 80's, but it was just too long ago to accurately remember how it worked for me.
 
I personally prefer 476s to 915. I think you'd be hard pressed to see a significant difference in the finish and durability of both is excellent...I believe 476s lasts slightly longer IMO.



As for comparing them to #16, I find #16 to be easier to apply. The wax literally melts on the applicator and spreads like warm butter. The Collinites are firmer waxes and aren't as smooth IMO. Removal is also easier with #16, less residue IME when compared to the Collinites. They both look warm and offer excellent durability, but the ease of use of #16 ranks it above the Collinites for me.
 
Of the Collinites, 845IW is the one to try. It is one of the easiest to use LSPs there is, and probably the longest lasting, and it provides protection, not just water beading. I do think #16 looks better on silver than 476 or 845 though, haven't tried 915.
 
Partially Deaf said:
I don't think the supply of Meguiars 16 will ever dry up. I read somewhere else they still make it for sale in other countries.
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It's readily available in Canada and abroad, but you pay a premium getting it back over here in shipping and import pricing. The supply Rob is talking about is the old stock for sale on eBay that's been selling at circa '04 prices (with free shipping). Once that runs out, it could be the real end to the US supply, but who knows?

It's a bargain at $12/tin shipped to your door. Importing a tin back from the UK will run you over $35.
 
yakky said:
Of the Collinites, 845IW is the one to try. It is one of the easiest to use LSPs there is, and probably the longest lasting, and it provides protection, not just water beading. I do think #16 looks better on silver than 476 or 845 though, haven't tried 915.
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Thanks. I am intrigued by your answer, where you state that it "provides protection, not just water beading". What do you mean by this?



I have always thought that we should have more discussions on this forum about which LSP's provide the best protection vs. how long they might last, or what the water beading/sheeting looks like.



For example, would a wax that supposedly lasts a year actually protect the paint from the elements (water spots, bird bombs, acid rain etc) as good as another product that may only last 2 or 3 months? :nixweiss
 
Amused said:
It's readily available in Canada and abroad, but you pay a premium getting it back over here in shipping and import pricing. The supply Rob is talking about is the old stock for sale on eBay that's been selling at circa '04 prices (with free shipping). Once that runs out, it could be the real end to the US supply, but who knows?

It's a bargain at $12/tin shipped to your door. Importing a tin back from the UK will run you over $35.
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Exactly! :2thumbs:
 
I use them both, 16 and 915. As much as I like 16 it just doesn't look that great on anything other than silver and white. IMHO 915 lasts almost as long, but not as long as 476, and looks better on most colors.

If I could only have one it would be 915.
 
Rob Tomlin said:
Thanks. I am intrigued by your answer, where you state that it "provides protection, not just water beading". What do you mean by this?



I have always thought that we should have more discussions on this forum about which LSP's provide the best protection vs. how long they might last, or what the water beading/sheeting looks like.



For example, would a wax that supposedly lasts a year actually protect the paint from the elements (water spots, bird bombs, acid rain etc) as good as another product that may only last 2 or 3 months? :nixweiss
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There quite a few products that make paint shine and water bead, and that's it. 845IW, I have tested pretty extensively and can say it keeps paint clean and minimizes any damage caused by the environment. It has been acid rain and bird bomb proof for me when applied at 3 month intervals.
 
845IW, once you leave it in a warm area and shake it well, it like melted butter. Very easy to use. I'm aiming for protection though.
 
one more vote for 845. i know 476 and 915 may possibly last a little longer, but ease of application and removal over the other two do it for me. in tropical climates like where i live 845iw is very liquid, only time i see it thick is when i first buy it. after that its like a bottle of 2/3 melted butter.



i like 845 so much i havent touched my 2 tins of #16, mostly cause i hear it looks better on light colors, plus i wanted to melt my #16 into a machine stick for easier machine application.
 
Realistically, how hard is 845IW to apply?



I've read in the past that it's rock hard, and like a candle in a bottle. But a lot of others say it's easy on, easy off, and of course very durable.



I've never had a desire to try it out, but it gets so much praise here that my curiosity has me wondering is it really that great?
 
PWORLDSTANG said:
Realistically, how hard is 845IW to apply?



I've read in the past that it's rock hard, and like a candle in a bottle. But a lot of others say it's easy on, easy off, and of course very durable.



I've never had a desire to try it out, but it gets so much praise here that my curiosity has me wondering is it really that great?
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I suggest letting your bottle sit in a cup with warm water. Once the wax becomes milky, just shake the bottle well and you're good to go!!
 
I keep almost all of my detailing stuff inside. With a bottle of IW at room temp, all I ever need to do is shake for a while, and it's good.



At that point, it's easy to apply and remove.
 
Rob Tomlin- I'd suggest that you try the #16, as IMO it's simply more *interesting*. It's "the paste wax that turns liquid" and you can have some fun experimenting with machine application, including doing a pseudo-spitshine with some QD. Varying the application method can make for some interesting, if minor, differences in how things turn out.



Don't get me wrong; I do like, and use, Collinite. But if I were you I'd play around with the #16 a little bit. You can always get the 845 (hey, it's a nice liquid wax) or the 915 or 476S (hey, they're nice paste waxes), but IMO they're less likely to scratch that intellectual curiosity itch that you seem to be evidencing.



Anyhow, once you buy a tin of #16, you *have* it. It oughta last for many, many years, so why not just pick some up while you're considering it and have it on the shelf?
 
Rock said:
The ebay ones are very old stock even for 915.
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How do you know this re the 915?



Accumulator said:
Rob Tomlin- I'd suggest that you try the #16, as IMO it's simply more *interesting*. It's "the paste wax that turns liquid" and you can have some fun experimenting with machine application, including doing a pseudo-spitshine with some QD. Varying the application method can make for some interesting, if minor, differences in how things turn out.



Don't get me wrong; I do like, and use, Collinite. But if I were you I'd play around with the #16 a little bit. You can always get the 845 (hey, it's a nice liquid wax) or the 915 or 476S (hey, they're nice paste waxes), but IMO they're less likely to scratch that intellectual curiosity itch that you seem to be evidencing.



Anyhow, once you buy a tin of #16, you *have* it. It oughta last for many, many years, so why not just pick some up while you're considering it and have it on the shelf?
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Mr. Accumulator: I think you know me too well! This is evidenced by the fact that you make reference to my "intellectual curiosity itch" that I am having. What is particularly troubling is the fact that I have recently made posts indicating how ridiculous I am for continuing to try new LSP's, when I should really be trying to polishes!



What has happened is that I have come to realize why it is that many of us continue to try so many different LSP's: because it's a heck of a lot easier than trying new polishes! Obviously we can't just keep polishing our paint, so we have to volunteer to do friends or family's cars in order to try out a new polish/compound/pads etc. That entails a LOT of work too! :eek: (I do have some M205 that I am wanting to try soon)



LSP's are just too fun and easy to try.



That said, one of the thoughts going through my mind regarding these two products is that I could use them on other peoples cars that I detail. Why? Because most of the friends/family members whose vehicles I detail simply will not be waxing their cars, so I thought I should put something on that would give the best protection and last as long as possible.



I really don't have any LSP's that would fit this bill, with the possible exception of FK 1000p. Also, I only have 1 LSP at the moment that has any carnauba in it (Trade Secret, which I've had for a very long time), so I want to get back to trying some carnauba based products, even though I had previously resigned myself to being a "sealant guy", largely due to the increased dust attraction of the carnauba waxes.



Oh, I just remember....I did just receive my OCW last week, so I do have one more lsp with carnauba in it, but that will not fit the requirement of long lasting protection.



I also had a very interesting conversation with PWORLDSTANG via PM's regarding carnauba's. He was coming from the standpoint of thinking that I would be using these products on my silver Lotus, and he made a different recommendation entirely (which is why he sent it to me via PM), which, to be honest, has further stimulated my "intellectual curiosity itch", (in fact he made reference to the same thing, talking about "products that spark our curiosity"). I may very well wind up buying the carnauba based product that he referenced as well, since it is one that has received accolades consistently and the price is right. But it would be used on MY car/s, not family or friends.



Which brings me back to the products in question here.



You raise a very good point regarding the price factor and uniqueness of the #16. Can I really go wrong for 13 bucks?? Even if I use it ONCE, it won't break the bank.



But....the Collinites: I don't think that there has been a single LSP line that has consistently received such high regard over such a long period of time as Collinite, whether it be the 476, IW, or 915. To think that I have never tried any of them seems, well,......unlike me! ;)



So, perhaps the answer is more simple than I thought: I should just buy them both! :thx



.....and as a final note, I will also be getting some new Victoria Wax to try out as well. Life is good! :heelclick:woohoo:
 
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