NXT durability- bah!

NXT has lasted great on my truck. I applied it 2 1/2 months ago, applied the booster wax 3 weeks ago and it still beads. As for people who say it doesn't bead after a couple of weeks, how often do you wash your cars? I have noticed that if the car is dirty at all and you wash it it will not bead, but if you wash it again the beading comes back. I guess it has something to do with dirt build up, but the wax is still there but just underneath all the crap on your paint.
 
Would anybody dare, to give a final analysis on this product ? Why the vast differences in reviews is what im curious about.....Are there product variations still among the community ? I just really, really find it hard to believe that some people are getting what they call months of protection from NXT, others are lucky to get two weeks.....Theres could be a problem here folks, or are we that different in our preparations ?

This thread has sparked many questions......to say the least...Would you put it on a clients car, and be confident, that when they came back 3 months later for a refresher, you wouldnt have what appeared to be a car that hasnt had attention for six months...?
 
a.k.a. Patrick,



It is sad to say but, I don't think many here are at all interested in why we are seeing this wide difference in results. I got flamed for even daring to ask those who have had problems with it to post details of their prep and maintenance.
 
Actually, I am *very* interested in the differences. My guess is that it boils down to a few basic things:



- environment

- perception

- expectations & evaluation



When I applied NXT in my first test, it was unusually cold, and I got about 3 weeks from it before it was squeaky clean dead. Brad B. had similar results. My neighbor gets about 4 weeks (on average) now that the weather is warming up. I'm guessing that the more harsh the environment, the less durable it is.



Then there's perception - how do you measure for durability? Beading? sheeting? slickness? gloss? some of the above? all of the above? none of the above?



And finally, expectations & evaluation - some folks might literally examine their finish after each and every wash, while others may take a quick glance because the car still "looks good." Some use the "booster" after each wash, others don't. For my $$, any "booster" clouds the true durability tests - when I durability test products like Klasse, P21S, Zaino, Turtle Wax, Meguiar's, etc., I don't use boosters or special QDs with each wash. I let the product itself stand on its own merits.







.... and no one's been flamed more than I have for posting my results/impressions/observations of NXT... but I'm still interested in the product and wish to learn what others think about it. I wish I could post some of the messages, PMs and so on that I got from my NXT thoughts....
 
Steve,



I know there are some that are interested and I figured you were one of them.



When I applied NXT back in January I had previously had MPPP on the paint but it was pretty much gone as it had been a few months since the last detail due to the weather and other obligations. Anyway, the only prep I did was a wash with NXT Tech Wash and then I clayed with Mother's clay bar kit and then applied NXT. The weather was in the 50s outside and a bit higher in the garage where I applied it. I let it haze about an hour before wiping it off and then let it sit for 24 hours in the garage and then put on another layer. To maintain the finish all I did was wash it once a week with NXT Tech Wash. I did not use any quick detailers or boosters on the paint at all.



I do inspect the finish after each wash. If I was being my usual AR self I probably would have re-waxed at the 2 month mark as I did notice a reduction in slickness but, the beading was still pretty good as well as the looks. NXT is slicker than anything I have tried before and the reduction didn't seem unacceptable to me and brought it to a level that was probably on par with what I am used to with my normal carnauba routine. To my eyes and the senses I use to judge the protection on my paint I think I got a good 3 months out of it.



One thing I am kinda curious about is the issue about getting NXT wet before it has had a chance to fully cure. This means rain, washing or quick detailing. I think the recommendation is 24 hours for it to fully cure. I am wondering if any of the cases of durability problems could be attributed to this?



The other issue seems to be beading. On my cars I have noticed that the sheeting action left behind by NXT Tech Wash seems to hang around for a while. Might make it appear that NXT has stopped beading?



These are just my observations. I appreciate your reply Steve.
 
geekysteve said:
Actually, I am *very* interested in the differences. My guess is that it boils down to a few basic things:



- environment

- perception

- expectations & evaluation
Click to expand...



First off, my NXT was purchased (I paid for it) through Meguiar's on the phone, before it was on the AutoZone shelves. I do not know how it compares to the NXT people got for free, etc.



Environment:



Sunny Southern California -- I applied it when it was 70'ish, and allowed it to bake in the garage all day. The next morning I drove the car to work. I live 1.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean, and the car is garaged 3/4 of the time.



I did not have any problems with smearing, but it did leave a muddy haze. This is a 2003 model Nighthawk Black Pearl (Honda black metallic) minivan.



geekysteve said:
Then there's perception - how do you measure for durability? Beading? sheeting? slickness? gloss? some of the above? all of the above? none of the above?
Click to expand...



I measured durability by comparing NXT to the "naked" control. When I can't find any difference between the two sides' appearance, feel, and how it affects the water, I consider it dead. Perhaps NXT is still "protecting," but I don't care -- what's the point then? I use waxes and sealants because I want my car to look good.



And the thing I like about NXT is that it clearly beads initially:



372mvc-922f-med.jpg




Above: Less than a week after application; left side = NXT



geekysteve said:
And finally, expectations & evaluation - some folks might literally examine their finish after each and every wash, while others may take a quick glance because the car still "looks good." Some use the "booster" after each wash, others don't. For my $$, any "booster" clouds the true durability tests - when I durability test products like Klasse, P21S, Zaino, Turtle Wax, Meguiar's, etc., I don't use boosters or special QDs with each wash. I let the product itself stand on its own merits.
Click to expand...



I carefully washed with only water and inspected. Then I used either Meguiar's GC shampoo or P21S shampoo. I didn't QD or use their wax booster.



So with all that in mind, NXT lasted -- meaning any sign of NXT present -- at most four weeks. The appearance was gone much earlier.



EDIT: I forgot to mention my prepwork. I used 1ZPP/PC, and then IPA'd it.
 
Originally postedy by geekysteve

9) Meguiar's hosts an "Autopia" day, flies people out to the event, chauffeurs them around in limos, takes them on a mini-celebrity vacation, then holds their normal Saturday class. Key, respected members attend, and naturally have a great time. More chatter ensues as a result. (For the record, I would have loved to attend, but I was traveling on other business at the time. Mike did invite me some months ago, but scheduling conflicts prevented it)
Click to expand...



A few points on this.



1. I wish you could have shown up. I may not always agree with you but I do respect you.



2. I know one of the reasons I was invited is because I don't exclusively use Meguiar products. I don't think Aurora40, rjstaff and jimamary are Meguiars only users either. I don't know about the others, but I was asked about other products and why I liked them.



3. I had a great time!



4. I still mostly use Meguiars products for paint correction and prep and Vanilla Moose, EX-P or Wolfgang for my final glaze and wax/seal...although I have discovered that at least for me, NXT works best when applied with a PC appearance-wise.
 
Scottwax said:
although I have discovered that at least for me, NXT works best when applied with a PC appearance-wise.
Click to expand...



I would have to agree with you on this. NXT by hand does give you good results but of course the depth and shine when applied with PC is simply better.
 
I gotcha on the event; I'll bet it was a blast - I wish I hadn't been so busy, but I'm writing this from Washington DC (been here since early May)...



The whole point about #9 was sorta two-fold:



1) It's cheap market research. To conduct field research can be rather costly, especially when you invite consumer focus groups. Auto manufacturers spend big $$$$ on similar events when they're redesigning or introducing a vehicle. So, to host a few on-site events is relatively inexpensive, and the info is priceless.



2) It strengthens the core relationship with vocal groups of enthusiasts, which furthers the marketing effects - word spreads on the internet, car clubs, etc.



Again, there's nothing wrong with any of this - it's smart marketing and smart business. Other companies would be wise to do similar events, and my guess is that if they could, they would (or will start soon).
 
geekysteve said:




The whole point about #9 was sorta two-fold:



1) It's cheap market research. To conduct field research can be rather costly, especially when you invite consumer focus groups. Auto manufacturers spend big $$$$ on similar events when they're redesigning or introducing a vehicle. So, to host a few on-site events is relatively inexpensive, and the info is priceless.



2) It strengthens the core relationship with vocal groups of enthusiasts, which furthers the marketing effects - word spreads on the internet, car clubs, etc.



Again, there's nothing wrong with any of this - it's smart marketing and smart business. Other companies would be wise to do similar events, and my guess is that if they could, they would (or will start soon).
Click to expand...



I agree with you on that (and sorry, I realize when you and I agree there is a risk the world will stop spinnng and fling everyone into outer space, but I am willing to take the risk! :lol ) but regardless of the intentions, I never felt we were being pressured in any way to convert to "Meguiars only" to show our appreciation. I did come away with a new found respect for the work Meguiars does to promote the detailing industry, hobby and profession as well as interest in cars in general. The whole place seems to be run by car nuts...which I think is a good thing!



It was also a great opportunity to meet a lot of left coast Autopians I would never have otherwise met.
 
Ahh, but that's the beauty of such events. :) No one has to drill it into your head that "Product X is the best and you must only use it and talk about it from now on."



After a little wining and dining, most folks will try to return the favor by approaching things with a little more enthusiasm or favoritism - sometime even without knowing they're really doing it. I read a bunch of studies on this phenomena about a year or so ago, and it's really interesting to see how people respond to product freebies. I can see it happening in the wax world - Lord knows I've been offered my fair share of freebies with the hope of a "good review."



But alas, we're agreeing too much, and I think I do hear the world screeching to a halt, so, um, you're wrong! :D
 
I must add that I also attended the Detail Day event at Meguiar's. I wasn't pressured into buying anything and even though I knew where I was going, I didn't even use Meguiar's products to prepare my car.



The question was posed by Mike P., "What did you use on your finish?" My response was, "SSR1 and S100." His response was, "That's some pretty good stuff. It looks pretty good with some slight spider webbing that we can correct."



This exchange made me feel even more comfortable with what was going on. I didn't have time for my car to get into the bay for correction but I have put a coat of NXT on my wife's '95 Legend. It was topped with #16 so I really wont know just how long it lasts. I will say that the car looks better than it did when I bought it new. The finish is clear and reflective and applying and removing NXT was just too easy. I would do it again in the morning if I needed to.
 
Hey guys,



I have no problem at all discussing my prep. Actually, I think it could be an excellent indicator.



First, all cars are in Southern NJ/Philly area. This time of year, it's a pollen/rain mess, which is complimented by swift temp. changes going from 90 to 65.... :rolleyes:



My black miata was prepped like this: (all PC applied)



DACP with yellow pad

SEC with white pad

NXT with black pad.



After a two week period with no washes, and these ranges of elements, I noticed that the protection was completely gone, the paint squeeky, and covered in water mark etching.



I then redid it, same procedure, except replacing SEC with AIO. I got a solid month out of this, but I'm attributing that to the AIO, since it was the only variable changed. IMO, after the first week it didn't look like there was any topper on there at all.



I also had a control vehicle, which was my dad's maroon F250. He never washes it, waxes it, or cares about it. I washed it with gold class, and used NXT with no prep, as the directions and marketing seem to point this product towards 'achieving that showroom shine without all of the hard work'..... I applied it to half of the hood, and his drivers door.



After 2 weeks, I went down to my dads house, and could not find a difference in the panels where the product was applied, and where it was never touched. Slickness, swirls, shine, etching.. It was all the same. I was confused, but it looks like i'm not alone.



Side note: I love Meguiars products. I just ordered some more DACP, and some 16 to try out next month. The marketing and help and information that they give is the best, barnone. I've also never seen a company go towards the grassroots marketing approach as these guys have, and it's much appreciated. My only goal through these posts is to alert them of a potential problem, and hope it's able to be resolved, so I can get the look of NXT to last on my car, and keep smelling that awesome key-lime scent while detailing.



- Jared
 
blackntan, would you be willing to go from DACP to another Meguiar's product (hand polish?) and then NXT and see how that goes?
 
SpoiledMan said:
blackntan, would you be willing to go from DACP to another Meguiar's product (hand polish?) and then NXT and see how that goes?
Click to expand...



Personally I would take that a bit further and try NXT as a one-step. I know NXT was initially marketed here as a "LSP" but, that doesn't really fit in with its intended market and "LSP"s typically don't have any cleaning power no matter how slight. Even as a one-step I think the look of NXT is very comparable to #7 topped with #26 which is one of my long time favorite combos.



This is how I first applied it as I really wanted to see how it would look and last without anything else possibly affecting it. I washed with NXT Wash, clayed with Mothers clay bar kit, washed again with NXT Wash and then went straight to NXT.



If anyone that has had problems with NXT would have the patience to try it again this way I would appreciate hearing about it.
 
I'd have no problems doing whatever tests you guys want from me.. I can document it with a digicam as well.



I can actually do it tomorrow afternoon, so lemme know what you want me to do.



Right now I have Gliptone Probuff followed by Gliptone Pro-wax with Teflon, and i'm lovin it.



For Meguiars polishes, I think I have SMR for dark cars, and Deep Crystal Polish right now, so I could try one of those, if you think it'd work better.



So lets come up with a Test. I'll perform it, and we'll watch the progress.
 
The reason I suggest this is that I used DACP, Speed Glaze and then NXT on my wife's car and the shine was outstanding as well as slickness and clarity. My test was the left rear 1/4 panel. It had no problem beading water or being maintained over that week using Spray N Wipe and a Costco MF over the course of that week. I then decided to do the rest of my "test" panels with the same regimen. I KILLED the test though when I topped the NXT portion of the car with 16.



Long story short. I wondering if there is some type of bonding issue.



If this works, will I be famous like Bill North?
 
I just re-applied NXT this weekend to the Mustang. This time I went over the car with #82 Swirl Free Polish using the PC and then 2 layers of NXT with 24 hours in between, each by hand.



If anyone is interested I should have some pictures up at the Webshots link in my sig in a day or so.
 
i find this whole discussion trivial. I found nxt overhyped and a sad performer.



I will not buy again.



If others had this same experience eventually NXT will phase out due to the nature of a market economy, or the product will be improved.
 
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