Do you think wax adds shine?

TacoHerder

TacoHerder

New member
Talking to Junkman, he doesn't think wax adds shine. In his opinion only polish can do that. Which polishing does help. BUT as from what I have seen wax does seem to help improve shine, especially when the paint is not in perfect condition. What do you guys think? Anyone got a gloss meter we can use?
 
I agree, of course wax adds some, but not what people think. The non detailer thinks a "wash and wax" is an afternoon well spent, it's not. It's clay, polish and seal (with wax or sealant) that is a productive session.

Think about, your wife buys a piece of unfinished furniture, do you wipe off the surface and immediately apply varnish?

No, you sand, tack rag and the apply the last step product.

No difference here....
 
Well, a lot people wax their cars and think there is an improvement. So you have a significant majority saying there is an improvement and then someone wants to debate shine. The problem is you can get into the semantics rat hole.

Does wax change the appearance of paint? Yes. Some call it shine and some like to debate it just because they can.

Polished paint without a wax can shine as well and look better than less than perfect paint with a wax but that does not change the statement.

What do you believe TacoHerder? Have you applied a wax and said you see an improvement in appearance?
 
TacoHerder said:
Talking to Junkman, he doesn't think wax adds shine. In his opinion only polish can do that. Which polishing does help. BUT as from what I have seen wax does seem to help improve shine, especially when the paint is not in perfect condition. What do you guys think? Anyone got a gloss meter we can use?
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Well everybody has an opinion. I believe he is the same guy who believes that using a duster is safer than a waterless wash as well.

Yes, wax not only adds shine, but it alters the way that light is bent. In other words, it can deepen or brighten the shine as well.
 
Todd is bang on here. Most quality made waxes will add shine. But every wax is different. I know the waxes i make and manufacture add lots to the paintwork, some add gloss, clarity, flake pop, glow, darkening, they all offer something different, this enables the end user to get a desired finish they want depending on the paint, personal preference etc.

ODK
 
Bunky said:
Well, a lot people wax their cars and think there is an improvement. So you have a significant majority saying there is an improvement and then someone wants to debate shine. The problem is you can get into the semantics rat hole.

Does wax change the appearance of paint? Yes. Some call it shine and some like to debate it just because they can.

Polished paint without a wax can shine as well and look better than less than perfect paint with a wax but that does not change the statement.

What do you believe TacoHerder? Have you applied a wax and said you see an improvement in appearance?
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I definitely think it adds shine and depth. I even found YouTube videos showing different waxes next to each other and you could clearly see a difference in between them all. I'll try and post it later.
 
Todd Helme said:
Yes, wax not only adds shine, but it alters the way that light is bent. In other words, it can deepen or brighten the shine as well.
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If you apply anything to paint...even water....it can alter light reflection (what is asborbed vs what is reflected.

One of the tricks to stir the pot is to show perfect paint without an LSP and then ask people what LSP is used thinking that people guessing proves that there is no difference.

I just did not want someone to equate shine to some singular characteristic such as gloss using a gloss meter. These can often be simple tricks to sell some idea. This is why I define it as improvement since I think shine can be a trick question to push a point.
 
Bunky said:
If you apply anything to paint...even water....it can alter light reflection (what is asborbed vs what is reflected.

One of the tricks to stir the pot is to show perfect paint without an LSP and then ask people what LSP is used thinking that people guessing proves that there is no difference.

I just did not want someone to equate shine to some singular characteristic such as gloss using a gloss meter. These can often be simple tricks to sell some idea. This is why I define it as improvement since I think shine can be a trick question to push a point.
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Al I couldn't agree more. You are exactly right when you use the term improvement. :bigups
 
The way I think of it is polish refines the finish and gives it clarity then wax adds that extra layer that creates depth and crisp reflections and of course a nice slick finish. I don't really buy into waxes or even sealants boasting much protection.


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I say "The prep makes the pop, not what's on top" but I do agree that wax/sealant will alter the look of paint even after it is polished. Sometimes I do just a wash n wax on cars (no prep) and it "looks" better then it did after just the wash. It also depends on the product, does it contain gloss enhancers or fillers...etc?

I am going with it does alter the look and I say alter because I don't always see an improvement with an LSP. Sometimes there is little to no improvment and sometimes (rarely) the look is muted.
 
jvs1991 said:
The way I think of it is polish refines the finish and gives it clarity then wax adds that extra layer that creates depth and crisp reflections and of course a nice slick finish. I don't really buy into waxes or even sealants boasting much protection.


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Really??? I can think of plenty of waxes and sealant that I have personally tested against the elements and do a great job in the protection department.


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What's great about detailing is well have opinions. That is why Autopia-CarCare offers so many great product lines, with none being the best. Use what you like, and use it often :)
 
I think it is a proven fact that wax can add shine to a car. Not only have we all seen it empirically, but it was been measured with those gloss meter things.

Waxes are just like all other things that fracture light: it can enhance or take away from the finish. Most well engineered waxes fall in the former. In fact, I don't know if I have ever witnessed a wax take away from the appearance... That being said, I have seen the the finish change in a way that I found negative with early sealants and other polymer based products (I know, that is truly a large bucket). For example, I remember the manager at a local car wash had his truck coated with countless layers of Zaino (not trying to flame any product; just giving my opinion) which I found to be plasticky. He, obviously, loved the look, but me, not so much. Just proof that tastes are different. How else could all these manufacturers stay in business?

Maybe 96-98% of the shine comes from polishing, but any true enthusiast knows that it's the details, aka the last 2-4%, that separates us from the rest. If there was a product that offered 2-4% more shine! I don't know one of us who wouldn't jump on it!

:rockon
 
Yes, wax changes the look. I've done test myself and proved it. Call it shine, depth, darkening, or whatever - it just does.

Now the controversy comes in where some people show perfect paint and say "it comes from polishing - no wax here". Really?
No kidding. Obviously wax won't fix jacked up paint, or even slightly jacked up paint. In fact, it won't "fix" any paint.

However, wax will change the look of paint and can make it more glossy.
 
Here is a video I found that demonstrates what wax can do very well
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJAVeonVmHU]5 way PREMIUM Carnauba wax comparison - YouTube[/ame]
 
Bunky said:
Do you believe that naked paint is better protected? The protection is definitely finite but better than nothing.
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No I don't but when bird bombs still etch through, water spots still prevail, scratches and swirls still happen, what exactly is left to protect from?


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Meticulous said:
Really??? I can think of plenty of waxes and sealant that I have personally tested against the elements and do a great job in the protection department.


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I have auto finesse power deal on my Prius and after a month the bottom half of the doors retained no slickness or beading. Perhaps bc of the harsh snow in New York so far? But seriously when you can still get water spots, swirls, bird bomb etchings etc then how much is it really protecting?


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jvs1991 said:
I have auto finesse power deal on my Prius and after a month the bottom half of the doors retained no slickness or beading. Perhaps bc of the harsh snow in New York so far? But seriously when you can still get water spots, swirls, bird bomb etchings etc then how much is it really protecting?


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Wax doesn't prevent any of that from happening. All it does is help provide a barrier which can give you time to make repairs before real damage occurs.
 
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