Wax for Canadian Winters?

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dropscience

New member
This is for all you Canadians on the east coast! do you use a wax that has tougher protection against the road salt and grime during the winter months? I mean, I think the "wet look" and "shine" would take secondary position to protection during the winter. I've been using only one wax (Zymol Japon) throughout the year but am wondering if I should switch to a wax that is designed more for protection during the winter.
 
I went to Collinite 476s this year for my winter wax but I'm not sure it is any better than anything else I've used in terms of "special for the winter" stuff.
 
The Collinite waxes are, I think, the most popular winter waxes. They certainly get talked about more than any other wax. I have 845 on both of my vehicles. But Finish Kare 1000p is starting to build up a strong reputation as a durable, easy, and economical synthetic sealant. I wonder if it will achieve as much popularity as Colly as a winter protective.
 
Thanks for the quick replies! To be honest, I never heard of the term "sealant" till now. I'm guessing a sealant is designed more for protection whereas a wax is designed more for aesthetics with protection. Is that right?



In terms of Collinite 845. Do you need to prep the paint before application? typically, before I apply Zymol Japon, I do the Zymol HD-Cleanse process. Would this be sufficient?



Also, is Collinite 845 easy to remove once spring comes around? This would be when I would apply my wax of choice on for the summer months.



Thanks again for all the suggestions!
 
dropscience said:
Thanks for the quick replies! To be honest, I never heard of the term "sealant" till now. I'm guessing a sealant is designed more for protection whereas a wax is designed more for aesthetics with protection. Is that right?
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Wax typically refers to a protective product composed of natural ingredients or, more likely, a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients. Sealant typically refers to a protective product composed exclusively of synthetic ingredients. Here is a brief discussion of the difference between waxes and sealants.



In terms of Collinite 845. Do you need to prep the paint before application? typically, before I apply Zymol Japon, I do the Zymol HD-Cleanse process. Would this be sufficient?
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Yes, you should prep the surface. I would imagine that your Zymol pre-wax cleaner would do just fine.



Also, is Collinite 845 easy to remove once spring comes around? This would be when I would apply my wax of choice on for the summer months.
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I have found that a chisel works just fine to remove 845. (Just kidding!) Seriously, claying and a pre-wax cleaner should do the job.
 
For winter, I used Collinite 476s (885 really) on 3 cars for the winter for the first time. Waxed once in Nov for durability and they're still beading and sheeting after a wash every other week. 2 of them stay out in the open in Toronto winters and so that's almost 4 months.

I think that's pretty good since my car is always covered in salt. And for one car, it went through a touchless car wash and it was still there.



The windshield needs some touchup. I guess the windshield washer fluid removed it.



In the summertime, I like to try out other waxes so yes I used "tougher" wax for winter.



After the winter, I'll be claying anyways so that's when the wax will be removed.



Hope to test out Meg #16, #24 and poli-seal against eachother to see who wins :)
 
I have to say I'm very happy with FK 1000p even more so than Collinite 845, have yet to try 476. 3 layers and you are good for 6 harsh months. I take my car through the touchless weekly and the water just flys off in the dryer.



Cheers,

GREG
 
corrswitch said:
For winter, I used Collinite 476s (885 really) on 3 cars for the winter for the first time. Waxed once in Nov for durability and they're still beading and sheeting after a wash every other week. 2 of them stay out in the open in Toronto winters and so that's almost 4 months.

I think that's pretty good since my car is always covered in salt. And for one car, it went through a touchless car wash and it was still there.



The windshield needs some touchup. I guess the windshield washer fluid removed it.



In the summertime, I like to try out other waxes so yes I used "tougher" wax for winter.



After the winter, I'll be claying anyways so that's when the wax will be removed.



Hope to test out Meg #16, #24 and poli-seal against eachother to see who wins :)
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What are you using as your wash? I'm in Toronto as well and I'm not getting anywhere near the durability your getting out of 476s. I'm lucky to get 10 weeks but if I said 8, I probably wouldn't be lying either.
 
The Collinite line has quite a reputation for protection and longevity for sure.

Bilt Hamber's Auto Balm has been getting a lot of talk lately also and seems to be similar in concept. Long lasting, super protection, great looks, and lots of fillers for swirls. I just applied the Auto Balm to my winter driver and so far, it's living up to it's hype.

Rubbish Boys, an English company will ship it to Canada.

-John C.
 
User Name said:
What are you using as your wash? I'm in Toronto as well and I'm not getting anywhere near the durability your getting out of 476s. I'm lucky to get 10 weeks but if I said 8, I probably wouldn't be lying either.
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Well you didn't ask me, but I'm using 476s on my car too and am getting much better than 10 weeks out of it. I think the way I care for my car is a little different than most Autopians though; I wash it very infrequently. It's garaged at night, but I'm out every day. I might wash it twice or three times all winter. I use Maxi-Suds from chemical guys in a foam gun, pressure wash, a little more maxi suds in a bucket, wash, dry, off I go. I don't remember when I last put 476s on, probably some time in early November. It's still beading well and the slickness is still good. Not great, but good. I think it'll take me through March.
 
Picus said:
Well you didn't ask me, but I'm using 476s on my car too and am getting much better than 10 weeks out of it. I think the way I care for my car is a little different than most Autopians though; I wash it very infrequently. It's garaged at night, but I'm out every day. I might wash it twice or three times all winter. I use Maxi-Suds from chemical guys in a foam gun, pressure wash, a little more maxi suds in a bucket, wash, dry, off I go. I don't remember when I last put 476s on, probably some time in early November. It's still beading well and the slickness is still good. Not great, but good. I think it'll take me through March.
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Hmmmm... On my garage parked, seldom driven IS, I can get more than 4 months (for sure), but on wifey's driveway parked, DD, it's just not happening.



Granted, when I put it on in November, I did encounter some pretty extraordinary circumstances (drove from NYC to Toronto twice) in pretty bad conditions.



As for washing, I probably only washed the car three times in the 2-2.5 months that the 476s lasted. My wash regimen isn't that different than you (except for product).



GC Shampoo in my Karcher, GC shampoo in bucket with a second rinse bucket. First I foam it with the Karcher, then rinse with the pressure and then I do a regular was with a lambswool mit. I rinse dry and then finish up with a water magnet.
 
I embarrassed to say that I'm using the Simoniz car wash from Canadian Tire.

Sometimes I use Mother's California wash. Sometimes the Simoniz wash and wax...but it doesn't really wax.



Wish I could buy more expensive car wash soap but it does the job adequately and I only buy what's on sale.



Two bucket system and I sometimes use a microfiber mitt, chenile mitt, with grout sponges and microfiber sponge. I use all types of things.



Nothing really special.

I used a Zym__ foam applicator pre-soaked in water based on the advice of the forum.



I hope this helps.



Note: I am using 885 instead of 476s technically but I they should be the same thing. I just like telling my friends I'm using boat wax :)
 
User Name said:
How do you think using Klasse SG is for durability with KAIO? I found it was not very good at all and I'm wondering if it is better when using them together.
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I've never tried KSG without using KAIO first. IME (i.e., our "YMMV" thing again ;) ) six layers of KSG results in a nearly permanent coating.



With six layers, it'll last until you want/need to polish out marring, you simply wouldn't *believe* how long it lasted for me on my minivan (daily, year-round use, spot-claying at every wash...you name it, that vehicle was/is not pampered). It won't even switch from beading to sheeting for months IME.



Gotta layer the KSG though, just one/two applications doesn't last long and even three/four isn't anything special IME. It's when you get five or six (or more) on there that things really get impressive.



And note that the Griot's Car Wash is simply *COMPATIBLE* with KSG.



dropscience said:
are sealants suchs as collinite safe on stoneguard tapes? i have the ventureshield paint protection film on my entire frontend.
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Yeah, they work fine. I have quite a bit of PPF on my DenaliXL (thanks, ebpcivicsi :xyxthumbs ) and I use Collinite on that vehicle. I've used other LSPs on PPF (numerous cars come from the factory with it) and I've never had a problem. Just be careful when you apply so you don't a) apply too much product and/or b) get build-up along the edges of the PPF.



I will say that 476S can "sweat" a bit on PPF, as can other waxes and wax/sealant hybrids (as opposed to straight sealants). IMO it's the whole "waxes just sit on top of the surface" thing that gets (IMO exaggerated) airplay from time to time; you're applying a wax to plastic, it simply might not bond 100%. No biggie, just spray with a QD and wipe off, it's sorta like the way certain high-end waxes always need an additional post-detail buffing. This isn't a huge deal and it doesn't even always happen. Hasn't *ever* happened (to me) with 845.



FWIW, I've *never* had it happen with #16 either and that's one product that I might've expected it from :nixweiss
 
User Name said:
How do you think using Klasse SG is for durability with KAIO? I found it was not very good at all and I'm wondering if it is better when using them together.
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Accumulator's answer is dead on



but I will add that SG just does not like to bond to stuff with out KAIO

(or other chemical cleaners,..prime also works well)

so that was prob your problem with it
 
Okay, I have plenty of SG but NO KAIO, so I'm going to try it out (6 layers), although if I'm being totally honest, I don't believe ANY of the layering stuff. To me, it's nothing more than detailing mythology.



I usually put two coats of whatever LSP I'm using, but I do it to ensure uniform coverage, not added protection.



As always, I'm always open to the possiblity though. It certainly wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong.
 
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