Synthetic Wax Cons/Pros

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imported_Intel486

New member
I tried to search but I couldn't find anything like this... Of course I suck at searching.



Each Synthetic wax has cons and pros and we always get threas like, "What is the best synthetic wax?," "Klasse or Zaino?," etc



Lets make a list of synthetics and their Con's a Pro's. Let's keep it simple so in the end it can be organized into a chart. I'll start off with my experiences. Please add to the list because I know I've experience some things others haven't. If I don't list any Pro's or any Con's then feel free to add because I don't know everything about these waxes.



Klasse All-In-One



Pros:

- Easy to apply and buff off

- Cleans paint to make sure Klasse Sealant Glaze can Bond



Cons: I don't know any at this time. Feel free to add.



Klasse Sealant Glaze



Pros:

- Long Lasting (I've had 3 coats last 6 months of weekly washing and New Orleans weather w/o a carnauba topper)

- Deepens color

- Not a lot needed for a coat so bottle lasts a long time!

- UV protection



Cons

- Hard to buff off

- Pretty much HAVE to use Microfiber applicators and towels

- Can causes an assortment of hazings (hazes that look like fine swirls that go in one direction and hazes that can be wiped around as in wipe in one direction and the haze moves.)

- May reduce the shine of metallic particles



Liquid Glass



Pros:

- Great shine with minimal effort

- Buffs off very easily

- Relatively easy to find (pepboys carries it)

- Good job at masking swirls



Cons:

- *hearsay alert* Lacks durability compared to other synthetics

- May be abrasive or have cleaning abilities





I know there are ones I've missed and I know you'll have something to add. I know Blackfire, Platinum, and Meguiar's #20 are a few other synthetics. Edit: Ohh and zaino.
 
Nu Finish:

PROS 1. Long lasting

2. Fair shine

3. best suited for older cars that need cheap paint prep or maybe to use on wheels.



Cons: 1. Harsh solvents

2. Stains trim

3. Medium diffculty in applying and removal.



Nufinish has its purpose, just not what we usually consider.
 
Zaino



Cons:



1. Too slick - My beer keeps sliding off the hood



2. Too shiny - Other drivers are blinded by my truck



3. Optically perfect - The color of my truck sucks so I need

Something else that will darken the paint and mute the

metallic



4. Smells too good - My son Cletus keeps drinking the dang stuff
 
Meguiars #20:



Pro's



-Easy application and removal by hand

-Affordable

-Mild cleaners for those just looking to do one step



Con's



-Mild cleaners strip off most of everything you applied before (ie #7)

-Not as long lasting as some

-Shine isnt anything to write home about
 
Wow, this thread is a great idea. Thanks Intel486.



I think it would be useful if people would list their experience of durability in months and what sort of climate it had to endure.



I don't have any experience with polymenrs yet and I'm deciding on something for the winter here in Montreal. (Lot's of snow and salt, in case anyone couldn't figure that out ;) )
 
Zaino



Pros:



1. Easy on, easy off when applied properly with ZFX!



2. Very little stain on trim!



3. Superb shine and optical clarity!



4. Seems to have excellent durability!



5. Easy maintenance......... not impervious to bugs, or bird poop etc., but helps reduce clean up dramatically.



6. Feels good.......... smells great.



Cons:



1. Habit forming (see Con# 2)



2. Cost.



3. Requires use of "Zanio System" for maximum results (see Con# 2)



4. Not available locally (most of the good ones aren't either)
 
BLACKFIRE



PROS:

1. Easy on and easy off.

2. No hazing.

3. Only need to wait 20-30 seconds before buffing.

4. No cure time. Can apply second or subsequent coats immediately.

5. Wipes off trim (if you do it as you go) without staining.

6. High humidity and mid 90's temperature do not affect application.

7. Deep carnuba like shine (especially on dark colored cars).



CONS:

1. Durability (???) My vehicle has only had it on for 5 weeks but I see no sign of durability problem yet. It is so easy to apply I will have a hard time believing this to ever be a serious problem.

2. Dust accumulation (???) Some have reported this to be a problem but I have done two cars with BF and dust has not been a problem at all. I have used Eagle One quick detail spray after washing and dust accumulation has not been a factor to date.



I have not topped BF with a carnuba yet (plan to use S100 at some point) so I cannot speak from experience about a topper on BF.
 
Zaino



PROS :up

Lives up to hype

A polymer sealant

Easy on and off with or without ZFX

Enhances clearcoat gloss

Smells great

Non abrasive

Layerable

All system components work well together (Z2,Z5,Z6,Z7)

Z7 wash actually enhances shine

Great customer service



CONS :down

Need perfect canvas to get a masterpiece ( results = prep work)

Enhancement of clearcoat gloss decreases depth of dark colors

Reflectivity bleaches color ( blue sky reflection off hood looks silvery)

Drying time too dependant on ambient temp and humidity

Not able to top with high end carnaubas

Lacks the warmth and depth of a carnuaba

Tends to work best (appearance) on light color cars

Cult-like following









Blackfire Protectant



PROS :up

Extremely easy on and off ( non-Autopian friendly )

A polymer sealant

Cure time (drying) almost instantaneous

Multiply layers can be applied within 1 hour

Able to apply over Zaino for a carnuaba-like deepness (personal experience)

Dust attraction equal to Zaino

Extremely deep wet appearance on Black

Layerable

Protectant is non abrasive

Very good surface marring filling ability ( similiar to carnuaba)

Good reflectivity ( 90% optically clear ;))but not as sharp as Zaino

Applicators are very easy to clean completely

No hazing at all



CONS :down



Does not smell as good as Zaino

Contrary to instructions, BF is best applied with foam applicator

Questionable durability by daily car users ( not a problem with me. I just need a protectant to last one rain/shower.. always wash after any such episodes)

Carnuaba-like shine is addicting and attention gathering ( "What wax do you use" , "That's not a stock paint job" )
 
KEVO,



Thanks, but actually, my last order was through you! :D Love the towels man!



What I meant by "locally".............. a lot of people won't buy any wax/polish products if they can't find it at their "local" Wal-Mart, K-Mart or closest automotive store.



For me it's not a problem to order!



Thanks again!



KEVO said:




There is a PA distributor, I can hook you up with him if you like
Click to expand...
 
Luckily, I live within driving distance to my local Z distributor.... about 15 minutes. Except for my MF towels, I can't think of anything that isn't available locally.
 
Some pros of synthetic are obvious. In example, longer lasting protection, durable shine factor. All synthetics are formulated differently so results can vary. Some synthectic products have the ability to mimic a deep, wet waxed look. Other sealers can leave a crystal clear finish that really shows off a car's paint which is what I prefer. Especially because I own a metalic car.



Zaino claims to possess these qualities and is mostly true but, I have yet to see any number of coats of the stuff produce a swirl free finish. Don't even try to apply the stuff over a glaze as per the DAWN :confused: washing instructions :rolleyes:

Same for Klasse which I think is insane to have let it dry for a day only to add another layer upon layer tomorrow.
 
I've also wondered, and weighed, the pro's and con's of sythetics VERSUS carnuba... more specifically waxes rich in carnuba, such as zymol and the like. And I concluded on using synthetics because I felt the obvious pro's... longevity, versus carnuba's con's... short life cycle, that I didn't want to wax every month, especially once it got cold here in Maine.



I've heard the carnuba “feeds the paint.� That somehow the carnuba is feeding the pigment with nutrients?!?!? I honestly don't know. Anyone care to comment on this? :confused:



Also, I really, really like 3M's Liquid Show Car Wax (synthetic). And I'd SWEAR they use carnuba! I can smell it!
 
masterofreality said:
.



I've heard the carnuba “feeds the paint.� That somehow the carnuba is feeding the pigment with nutrients?!?!? I honestly don't know. Anyone care to comment on this? :confused:
Click to expand...



Paint is inorganic ( not living ). There are no metabolic processes occuring that need to be supplied with nutrients. I think this is old school for replenishing the top surface of a finish with shiny oils to augment the shine. Carnuaba is a protectant and does not add to gloss. Therefore, other ingredients are needed to "juice-up" ( feed) the appearance of the paint. :wavey
 
Its definitely a carnauba. At least the bottle that I have on my shelf. 3M tech support said that it's not nearly as durable as the 3M Perfect-It Show Car Paste. I just proved it on my red Mazda. Meguiars #26 and P21S were shot after 6 weeks on the roof and trunk, while the 3M paste on the hood was still going strong and beading well after 10.
 
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