Hard wax vs. soft wax: The final thread!

[imported_bigfoot1]

Well, guys and gals, there has been a huge rave about this Dodo Juice waxes and tons of questions between the soft and the hard ones. When you look at the collection of waxes they have, it's a total of 8 waxes without adding Supernatural or the AIO and soap. I have decided to make an honest review to kinda end the arguments of which one might be the best in matter of application, ease of use and overall, durability.



The test subject was the trunk lid of my 2000 grey Echo, which is not a big spot, but big enough for what I was looking to do. The waxes being used are Rainforest Rub(soft) and Hard Candy(hard) which I just got yesterday (David, A.K.A weekendwarrior, you rock! :thumbs: ) The method of application was the same: microfiber applicator. Weather here in PR for the next few weeks seems to be on the warm, not hot side: mid 80's with occasional rainshowers passing by. So, with that said, I plan to make this an ongoing thread.



Now, into the action. I decided to polish the trunk using OHC and OC since it was pretty scratched to start with. I divided the trunk in 2: left for RR and right for HC. As said, method of application was the same for both waxes, left to cure for around 5 minutes, and buffed off using Danase Buff Towels.



The contenders

The prepped surface

First one to be applied was Rainforest Rub. I used a little to spread it on the half designed for it. Found out a very little goes a very looooong way. I applied a hefty coat on the trunk and see how hard was to take it off vs. a layer of the hard one beside it. Aplied and let cure for 5 minutes.

Now, the Hard Candy. Used the same method as the previous wax, but it was more difficult to get a thick layer of wax on the surface, which I think it helps in making the wax last longer. Applied in the other half of the car and this is while curing

After 5 minutes they were buffed out and here are my findings. Both waxes look around the same after being buffed. As expected, RR was a little more tricky to take off due to the application thickness, but not as bad as expected. Reflection shots will come out later, as well as beading shots and reviews on durability. Here are 2 more pics so you can have an idea how they look.

I will be updating this thread with any of my findings and if you have a comment or a question, just shoot it out.



Joey

 

[mblgjr]

Very sweet.



Would be interesting if you did the very middle section with the HC base with RR over it (soft over hard) and see how it looks/holds up.



Which one looks better to you? Is the soft a warmer/deeper look? Or are they both about the same?

 

[mblgjr]

double post...

 

[imported_bigfoot1]

You know, I thought about that, doing soft over hard, but then I thought that what I wanted is to actually see if there's a difference between the 2 apples. In matter of what looks best, so far, they look the same, but will give it a shot tomorrow at full sunlight. I will post pics of that as well, plus, we're expecting some rain.

 

[baseballlover1]

Good review! I love those two waxes. I personally like the color charged waxes but I do find myself using those two (mainly RR) for interior protection and some plastics.



If you already know, disregard what I am going to say next. The two types of waxes (hard, soft) were created for two different methods of application. Hard is for the people who like app pads and soft is for the people who like hand application. While they both will work with app pad and visa versa (even though i have limited experience mixing) they will work.



Davids a cool guy huh! He has helped me test a little . Right David? btw that Fcar turned out great!



great review and im looking forward to your findings! Enjoy the products! And



,Dodo Dan

 

[DetailsByDennis]

Try the Supernatural. It blows the others away



I personally have had more success with the "soft" waxes. It feels a lot more natural applying the soft wax whereas the hard versions seem to make it more of a challenge!



I would like to try the Juiced Edition Rubbish Boys!

 

[baseballlover1]

Try the Supernatural. It blows the others away



I personally have had more success with the "soft" waxes. It feels a lot more natural applying the soft wax whereas the hard versions seem to make it more of a challenge!



I would like to try the Juiced Edition Rubbish Boys!

all in due time bud haha.

 

[Bigpikle]

looks good - personally I find a foam applicator is ideal as it just doesnt soak uo the waxes as much and spreads them much further.



Agree on the Superbnatural - I have the newest version on my hood, and its beading almost as good after 8 weeks of rain, snow, sleet, road salt etc as it was the day it was applied

 

[imported_bigfoot1]

Good review! I love those two waxes. I personally like the color charged waxes but I do find myself using those two (mainly RR) for interior protection and some plastics.



If you already know, disregard what I am going to say next. The two types of waxes (hard, soft) were created for two different methods of application. Hard is for the people who like app pads and soft is for the people who like hand application. While they both will work with app pad and visa versa (even though i have limited experience mixing) they will work.



Davids a cool guy huh! He has helped me test a little . Right David? btw that Fcar turned out great!



great review and im looking forward to your findings! Enjoy the products! And



,Dodo Dan

I think it's kinda neat to have the hand application, but I think you will be applying too much wax rather than with the applicator. Love the smell of those things, BTW... :har:

looks good - personally I find a foam applicator is ideal as it just doesnt soak uo the waxes as much and spreads them much further.



Agree on the Superbnatural - I have the newest version on my hood, and its beading almost as good after 8 weeks of rain, snow, sleet, road salt etc as it was the day it was applied

The foam applicator is the perfect tool for any wax or sealant application, IMO, but the ones I have are already compromised to for other waxes.



And about the SN... well... mmmmmmm... I have #16 on my hood(I'm telling you, weekendwarrior is awesome!:2thumbs: )

 

[baseballlover1]

Dodo is coming out with an applicator pad that has been invented by Dom in the UK. It is like a finger app that feels similar to hand app but gives a nice even coat!



Ive yet to try them though.



Im not sure if DI and AG will carry them.



,Dan

 

[Bunky]

Dodo is coming out with an applicator pad that has been invented by Dom in the UK. It is like a finger app that feels similar to hand app but gives a nice even coat!



Ive yet to try them though.



Im not sure if DI and AG will carry them.



,Dan

Are you hinting that someone else is?

 

[Junebug]

Dave (Weekend Warrior) turned me on to White Diamond and after a couple coats on my wife's blizzard pearl Highlander - I'm having a hard time wanting to use anything else. But he said Hard Candy was great too and in time I'll try it. For a "beauty wax" - White Diamond has held up very well, going on 2 months and still has some tight beading after a wash. I had used Blue Velvet on my black GTI and liked the results, but I've switched to Zaino on my car and plan on trying the other Dodo waxes on my higher end details.

 

[DetailsByDennis]

White Diamond and Supernatural Trying to compare differences!

 

[MarcHarris]

sounds like white diamond is a diamond in the rough from all i've heard. just as supernatural is a cost saving alternative to some of the zymol/swissvax waxes, it looks like W-D is a cost saving alternative to SN. of course maybe u could go further by saying p21s 100% is an alternative to WD, and lusso oro is an alternative to 100%....



seems like it just matters on what u'r willing to pay for a small fraction of a better product. i find good nuba's are hard to visually hard to tell apart, and the main difference is the application process of each.

now....

ON WITH THE TESTING!!!!

 

[imported_bigfoot1]

48 Hour Review



Hello everybody! Here’s an update to my continual test for the hard vs. soft waxes based on what I have seen in the past 48 hours. What I have seen so far is the following: slickness still the same on both, looks are awesome still and beading is beautiful! The only negative I have found is that they attract a little too much dust, IMO, but all waxes do it to an extent. Here are some pics before and after a wax, plus some beading shots at nighttime. Again, comments are more than welcomed. Here are the pics:



First off was the dust test. I found both attract dust the same.



Rainforest

Hard Candy

Both fingers side-by-side

The funny thing is that when I decided to start pulling the car out of the carport, it started to rain

So after letting that rain pass, I pulled the car back and this is how the waxes look like in direct sunlight



Rainforest

Hard Candy

The car was washed and dressed with some #16. The car needs to be heavily polished, but it will take me around 2 days because it has some nasty scratches and holograms from I don’t know what. Then after that I had to go out at night to help a friend install a router and it rained, and this is how the waxes are beading that water.



Rainforest

Hard Candy

Joey

 

[gonz0]

Looks good so far, I'm still anxiously awaiting my Natty's Blue to arrive but I'm curious about all the hubb-bubb surrounding the various dodo juices as they seem quite popular. They look great on your car thus far.

 

[imported_bigfoot1]

Thanks gonz0! I can guarantee you will love your NB, I have a jar and in dark colored cars is just awesome!

 

[imported_never gone]

Is it really realistic to say ANY wax "attracts" dust?? I personally don't think so. Dust is just something that is going to happen because, well it's everywhere. NO wax/sealant or anything of the sort will stop dust from falling onto a cars surface and no product will produce enough slickness where the dust will just naturally just fall right off. I think people still focus too much on how they thing these products will make their paint look. We know that the way a cars paint ends up looking has most to do with how the paint is prepped and the wax play a pretty small roll in the overall outcome. I would be will to bet that if you use and P21s, Diamond White, SN, Royal etc etc, there will be little (and I mean little) to no difference if the paint was prepped correctly. Granted there will be differences in longevity and protection (though probably now HUGE differences), What most of it seems to come down to and what most of us fall to is marketing. Don't get me wrong, all these waxes are great but come on, out of all these waxes I have yet to see one that has made me want to pass out from a mind blowing unexplainable shine that hands down no questions asked blows one or the other away. My opinion of course.

 

[imported_bigfoot1]

Is it really realistic to say ANY wax "attracts" dust??

In my opinion, yes. I have not used every single wax in the market, and I'm sure the majority of us haven't either(except FMINUS :LOLOL ) But based on my experience, every single wax I have used attracts dust to an extent. Right now my car has M16 by the exception of the trunk lid that has the waxes in test. The car has had NB, Souveran, OCW, Danase Paint Sealant, Opti Seal, Poli seal and now #16(Have 2 jars of Natty's Red that still need to try). From all of those, the one that "attracts" the least dust is #16. I have passed my finger over it in several areas, including lower panels, and the dusting is minimal. So, to me, no wax will repel dust 100%, but some will make it a little ore difficult to stay than others.

I would be will to bet that if you use and P21s, Diamond White, SN, Royal etc etc, there will be little (and I mean little) to no difference if the paint was prepped correctly.

And I agree with you 100% on this, but as you said, there will be differences. I can see them, despite being minimal. Others will see differences in waxes as well, whether they're minimal to huge.



Thanks for your input:2thumbs:

 

[DetailsByDennis]

...the paint is prepped and the wax play a pretty small roll in the overall outcome. I would be will to bet that if you use and P21s, Diamond White, SN, Royal etc etc, there will be little (and I mean little) to no difference if the paint was prepped correctly. Granted there will be differences in longevity and protection (though probably now HUGE differences), What most of it seems to come down to and what most of us fall to is marketing. Don't get me wrong, all these waxes are great but come on, out of all these waxes I have yet to see one that has made me want to pass out from a mind blowing unexplainable shine that hands down no questions asked blows one or the other away. My opinion of course.

I have not tried the $2K + waxes but everything $1,500 and under. With the Swissvax line, it becomes harder to apply the more you go up the line. Hence why a lot of users stay at Best of Show. The difference from Best of Show compared to the HIGHER waxes is hard to notice when I have used them.



If you try P21s, Diamond White, Supernatural on different panels of the same vehicle you will feel, see, understand the differences...



Supernatural was one that blew me away. It made a Spark Silver Metallic vehicle appear white due to the depth it gave. A superb glow as well!



It all comes down to personal taste. You like A and I like B. That is it.



A lot of people, including myself, will defend Collinite. A wax that looks good, lasts long, and is easy to use! Also it is under $15 (If you have a Harbor Freight near you).



It all comes down to WHAT YOU LIKE!