Consumer Reports Tests Car Wax...

Scottwax said:
They shouldn't test cars either, ever see how much slower they hit 60 vs even Road and Track?
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I use to subscribe to their magazine so I have some background on their magazine. I enjoy their columns and editorials more so than their actual product ratings...their testing methods can be kinda out in right field. In regards to car testing: I believe their 0-60 times are based on a idle, non-revved car - They will also run through all the gears regardless. Road and Track will go for the absolute fastest time by revving and "skipping" gears if necessary. Hence, the disparity in 0-60 times.



Now back to subject of wax ratings: I honestly place very little credibility on this test. It's what happens when you try to objectively rate what is mostly a subjective and personal product.
 
jfelbab said:
Someone should write them a letter to point out their total lack of credibility in this area.



I like CR for some reviews but they obviously have no capability in this area.
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I totally agree! What "enthusiasts" are they talking about?? All they had to do was visit this forum and they'd get all the products they SHOULD test, and they should test it right.



They should've divided it by 'pure' and 'cleaner' waxes since cleaning ability obviously tallies in there. They also should've tested 'kits' with a separate polish and wax under the same brand(like GEPC and P21s). They could've recommended those in their "quick picks" box for "enthusiasts"... :p
 
I think that they tested water beading for each wax. I think that water beading doesn't always mean that their is protection. I find that waxes that bead too much are a PITA! Sometimes if i want beading I will use Meguiar's M26 because it beads water like crazy, but that does mean you have to dry it!

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Unfortunately CR testing, sampling and measurement systems are all questionable. Plus there is $$$ involved...I won't say any more. For real testing I would look here...to the experts!
 
I think it was stated best above, it's impossible to review products that are as subjective to opinion as waxes. I love NXT wax, but I know others who think it's blah. It's whatever works for each individual.
 
Ah, but one thing I have to say.



Don't let the illusion of exclusivity and high price cloud your judgement either; quality is completely independent of price and availability. I have used cheap waxes that are better than expensive waxes, and I have used expensive waxes that are better than cheap waxes. I can walk into KMart and pick a $5 product off the shelf that )in my opinion) is as good as almost of anything you can order over the internet, and I could order a product over the internet that is (again, IMO) better than anything you could get off the KMart shelves.



Trust your own judgement. We here at Autopia don't need a magazine full of self-appointed experts. We are all experts on our own tastes, our own preferences, our own way of working. And that's the way it should be. We don't need independent validation, because we already did all the work ourselves.





Tom
 
Mosca said:
Ah, but one thing I have to say.



Don't let the illusion of exclusivity and high price cloud your judgement either; quality is completely independent of price and availability. I have used cheap waxes that are better than expensive waxes, and I have used expensive waxes that are better than cheap waxes. I can walk into KMart and pick a $5 product off the shelf that )in my opinion) is as good as almost of anything you can order over the internet, and I could order a product over the internet that is (again, IMO) better than anything you could get off the KMart shelves.



Trust your own judgement. We here at Autopia don't need a magazine full of self-appointed experts. We are all experts on our own tastes, our own preferences, our own way of working. And that's the way it should be. We don't need independent validation, because we already did all the work ourselves.
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Bravo, well said!! :up :up
 
Trust your own judgement. We here at Autopia don't need a magazine full of self-appointed experts. We are all experts on our own tastes, our own preferences, our own way of working.
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Like the saying says, "a man with experience is never at the mercy of a man with an opinion."
 
Before we go slagging CR, lets look at what they are testing. In the past they test for:

1. Endurance - They leave painted metal outside and at different time intervals look to which products are no longer beading.

2. Durability - I'm pretty sure they have some tests involving rain and or chemicals. How well does the prodect hold up to a simulated, Noah style rainstorm? How well does the wax do against various chemicals that can harm the paint?



If my memory serves me correctly, then they are right. Nu-Finish is both durable and has endurance.
 
durable/endurance isn't what we're looking for :)



like I said, CR tests everything like they test washing machines.... for cars, and in this case, waxes, this kind of judgement is worthless to anyone -actually- interested in the product.



I guess maybe CR is right about nu-finish, if you are just looking for something to sit on your paint and bead water for a long time, it might be the best choice. Just like a toyota corolla is a good choice if you just want to get from a to b.
 
The thing is, w.r.t. endurance, some waxes/sealants don't bead water, but provide it to sheet off better. KSG comes to mind.
 
CR can stick with washing machines and irons, it's pretty clear they are not experts on waxes. You really subscribe to the magazine? :rolleyes:
 
I can see Eagle One Nanowax making it on there for the "average" consumer, I like their Wax-n-Dry product when I wash my car. But the other products there, yuk! :bolt What are they thinking?



As someone told me once (not sure how true), CR's ratings and review are based on consumer ratings, reviews, and questioners. So you can imagine how good CR's tests are :rolleyes:



There ain't nothing that will ever make me change from using Klasse and P21S :thx
 
Ben Kenobi said:
CR can stick with washing machines and irons, it's pretty clear they are not experts on waxes. You really subscribe to the magazine? :rolleyes:
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Yes I do. Not for car wax advice, but stuff like lawnmowers, vacuums, deck stains, and appliances. They do a good job on those things, IMO.



As for the ratings, they send out questionnaires for auto reliability and appliance reliability, and they did send me one for restaurant satisfaction, but it seems they're only interested in reliability for the surveys, not anything else like ratings.
 
Studdg said:
Before we go slagging CR, lets look at what they are testing. In the past they test for:

1. Endurance - They leave painted metal outside and at different time intervals look to which products are no longer beading.

2. Durability - I'm pretty sure they have some tests involving rain and or chemicals. How well does the prodect hold up to a simulated, Noah style rainstorm? How well does the wax do against various chemicals that can harm the paint?



If my memory serves me correctly, then they are right. Nu-Finish is both durable and has endurance.
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I think Studdg hit the nail right on the head! CR sets up "criteria" of what they think is important and tests the products. They then "weight" the different criteria to come up with the overall ratings. If you disagree with their criteria, testing methods, or weighting, then of course you won't agree with the ratings. I subscribe but take everything with a grain of salt. Otherwise, I'd have nothing but Panasonic and Yamaha audio gear!
 
That can't be right??? Like I always say, don't always go by what you hear or read, especially with detailing products. There's no way p21s would play "third" fiddle to those other products IMO (no offense intended).
 
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