Man, Zymol is DAMN expensive. I looked on their site. $50 for 8oz! Now I know they use real Carnuba, but damn that is out of control, especially when for far far less money you can get products that will give a better shine, protection, and life. So whats the deal, why are they so expensive when so many other companies offer products for far cheeper and far surpass theirs?
Why is Zymol so expensive?
- Thread starter Hyperion
- Start date
Several years ago I attended our monthly local Porsche club meeting at the Zymol factory in CT. We were shown how Zymol makes their waxes. We were also shown how to apply HD Cleanse to a real live 911. Got to meet the owner. I was impressed.
After spending alot of $$$ on their waxes and trying out alot of their products over the next few years, I came to the conclusion that their must be a less expensive way to detail one's car, an easier way to apply polish than breaking one's back and a more longer lasting wax.
In the 80's I used Meguiars. In the early 90's I found 3M IHG and Blitz wax. Then I discovered the P21S product line. Then Pinnacle Sovereign. Next will be Zaino in the fall.
Personally (IMHO), after trying it out for years on my Porsche's, I have come to the conclusion that Zymol is all marketing and very little substance. What I do not like most of all from Zymol is that you really have to work the towel to remove HD Cleanse, a pre-requisite for their costly waxes. The harder you rub the more likelihood of inflicting clear coat scratches. Also, as reported by the recent wax guru test, Zymol does not hold up. That I knew from personal experience. Guru gave it an abysmal rating considering its high cost of admission.
My advise is this. If you don't know what to do with your money, give it a try. Otherwise, read the ocean of information located on this site and learn from it. Buy the better known brands and the recommendation from these board members. Then take what you saved and run to the bank.
All comments are welcome.
After spending alot of $$$ on their waxes and trying out alot of their products over the next few years, I came to the conclusion that their must be a less expensive way to detail one's car, an easier way to apply polish than breaking one's back and a more longer lasting wax.
In the 80's I used Meguiars. In the early 90's I found 3M IHG and Blitz wax. Then I discovered the P21S product line. Then Pinnacle Sovereign. Next will be Zaino in the fall.
Personally (IMHO), after trying it out for years on my Porsche's, I have come to the conclusion that Zymol is all marketing and very little substance. What I do not like most of all from Zymol is that you really have to work the towel to remove HD Cleanse, a pre-requisite for their costly waxes. The harder you rub the more likelihood of inflicting clear coat scratches. Also, as reported by the recent wax guru test, Zymol does not hold up. That I knew from personal experience. Guru gave it an abysmal rating considering its high cost of admission.
My advise is this. If you don't know what to do with your money, give it a try. Otherwise, read the ocean of information located on this site and learn from it. Buy the better known brands and the recommendation from these board members. Then take what you saved and run to the bank.
All comments are welcome.
imported_BretFraz
New member
Back in tha day I used to help a Ferrari owner detail his car for local and regional Ferrari Club of America shows. He used to use Zymol and taught me the technique to use it properly. It would take both of us to do it correctly.
When it was done right the car looked awesome. But only for a few hours. The carnuaba was so delicate and fragile that a hot day with the car sitting in the sun would evaporate most of the Zymol.
There's a whole strategy involving concours-level car shows and how to prep cars for them so Zymol worked well in that context. But I can't believe its durable enough for a daily driver. Might be OK for a garage queen or show car but that's it. I use Souveran and can get a good 3 months of protection from it which is very good for a high-content carnauba.
Most all Zymol products are comprised of natural oils and other ingredients. If you have a $10,000 paint job then it's a product you should consider.
When it was done right the car looked awesome. But only for a few hours. The carnuaba was so delicate and fragile that a hot day with the car sitting in the sun would evaporate most of the Zymol.
There's a whole strategy involving concours-level car shows and how to prep cars for them so Zymol worked well in that context. But I can't believe its durable enough for a daily driver. Might be OK for a garage queen or show car but that's it. I use Souveran and can get a good 3 months of protection from it which is very good for a high-content carnauba.
Most all Zymol products are comprised of natural oils and other ingredients. If you have a $10,000 paint job then it's a product you should consider.
Lowejackson
New member
Zymol is worth what people will pay for it, as with any other product for sale, but it does not mean value for money or it is a better product.
Steven
Steven
Lowejackson
New member
True, but is very clever marketing. It gives a sence that Zymol have designed a wax just for your BMW etc, and that is the best wax for your paint. Not true but clever.
Steven
Lowejackson said:
Very true. Most of the products being sold to detailing enthusiasts are a horrible value for the money. In the end, as long as you have a good detailing product, you can market it as high-end and charge many times more than necessary. People with nice cars are going to WANT to pay a premium.
It is because they get the finest organic essences on the planet earth and extract them for use. They modify and process the mixture into life giving waxes that help your car breath and live in a way that other waxes cannot possible come close to. So next time you pay $100 for the wax with the coconut, mango, peach, apricot, hazel nut, potato, yada, yada, yada oil ingredients - just know that your car is eating better then you and that make it all well worth it.
Kelly
Kelly
you asked why it costs so much....
Well since Zymol is a Marketing company (not a car care company), they need the money for their marketing efforts.
Free samples, fancy packaging and exotic ingredients take money.
They come up with these marketing pitches that Autopians might not buy... but their target market seems to do, they will remain in the market, and that is what matters to Zymol.
Well since Zymol is a Marketing company (not a car care company), they need the money for their marketing efforts.
Free samples, fancy packaging and exotic ingredients take money.
They come up with these marketing pitches that Autopians might not buy... but their target market seems to do, they will remain in the market, and that is what matters to Zymol.
imported_Intermezzo
New member
BlackRegal said:Because they have to cut down 12 square miles of Brazilian rain forest to find everything on their ingredient list
How ironic, considering Chuck Bennett (is that his name?) is a Vegan (or some variation of that) and refuses to use animal products in any of his waxes. Stand up for animals at the expense of rain forests.
Well, I am one of the few here that like Zymol products. I have been using Zymol Fanstasy wax and HD-Cleanse since 1995 with great results.
I don't find the product expensive at all. Such a little amount is used per waxing that it lasts for years. I have my first container of Fantasy since 1995 and have waxed 29 times with it. I've waxed our Westfalia van, Miata, and our Golf. The secret to using the product is to use it very sparingly. The base must be prepped well with HD Cleanse initially for the wax to stick.
Yes, you have to wax within three months. The wax actually does last that long. Maybe it's the moderate climate I live in (Vancouver, BC). I use it on my daily driver. It beads right up and water beads right up without a problem for three months. I usually give a maintenance coat every 6 to 8 weeks. Our car is garaged nightly.
The reason HD-Cleanse is hard to use is if you have a lot of silicone or petroleum products on your paint. The more impurities the harder it is to remove, and successive applications of HD Cleanse must be used. I clay and HD-Cleanse annually and a maintenance coat of wax every 6 to 8 weeks. I spend about 2 hours with HD Cleanse before waxing. It takes me about an hour to wax our car. It's very easy to use as you don't let the wax dry. Maximum 30 seconds, then gently buff off. With another cloth, buff a little harder, and job's done. After waxing, I wet the car down with water, towel dry, and then buff again to a brilliant shine.
In fact the stuff works very well for me. I don't use their cleaner wax.
Another thing is that after the car is waxed, you must be careful with what you wash the car with. You don't want to remove the wax. I use the Zymol Clear wash soap. All dirt, tar, bugs, just wash right off without any problem.
From what I've read, many people think the product is very expensive and hard to use. That's further from the truth. I paid about $56 CDN for my can of Fantasy back in 1995. I'm still using that same can. How can that be expensive? It literally costs pennies per application as such a small amount is used. Technique is very easy using a two towel approach, and it's worth it IMHO. I've had great success with the product, and enjoy the results. My climate is moderate, and maybe that has a lot to do with it, but my experience over the past 7 years with the products has been very positive.
Just thought I'd share my experience.
Harry.
I don't find the product expensive at all. Such a little amount is used per waxing that it lasts for years. I have my first container of Fantasy since 1995 and have waxed 29 times with it. I've waxed our Westfalia van, Miata, and our Golf. The secret to using the product is to use it very sparingly. The base must be prepped well with HD Cleanse initially for the wax to stick.
Yes, you have to wax within three months. The wax actually does last that long. Maybe it's the moderate climate I live in (Vancouver, BC). I use it on my daily driver. It beads right up and water beads right up without a problem for three months. I usually give a maintenance coat every 6 to 8 weeks. Our car is garaged nightly.
The reason HD-Cleanse is hard to use is if you have a lot of silicone or petroleum products on your paint. The more impurities the harder it is to remove, and successive applications of HD Cleanse must be used. I clay and HD-Cleanse annually and a maintenance coat of wax every 6 to 8 weeks. I spend about 2 hours with HD Cleanse before waxing. It takes me about an hour to wax our car. It's very easy to use as you don't let the wax dry. Maximum 30 seconds, then gently buff off. With another cloth, buff a little harder, and job's done. After waxing, I wet the car down with water, towel dry, and then buff again to a brilliant shine.
In fact the stuff works very well for me. I don't use their cleaner wax.
Another thing is that after the car is waxed, you must be careful with what you wash the car with. You don't want to remove the wax. I use the Zymol Clear wash soap. All dirt, tar, bugs, just wash right off without any problem.
From what I've read, many people think the product is very expensive and hard to use. That's further from the truth. I paid about $56 CDN for my can of Fantasy back in 1995. I'm still using that same can. How can that be expensive? It literally costs pennies per application as such a small amount is used. Technique is very easy using a two towel approach, and it's worth it IMHO. I've had great success with the product, and enjoy the results. My climate is moderate, and maybe that has a lot to do with it, but my experience over the past 7 years with the products has been very positive.
Just thought I'd share my experience.
Harry.
Hyrates:
I would not say people dislike Zymol, I believe they just do not prefer it, specially since most of us have detailing standards that require layering and more frequent "in-depth" cleaning rutines.
I use Zymol too, but have not seen the Fantasy product.
How big is the container?
how do you apply it?
Where do you store it so it will last 7+ years?
The fun thing about htis board is that experimentation is highly encouraged!
:bounce
I would not say people dislike Zymol, I believe they just do not prefer it, specially since most of us have detailing standards that require layering and more frequent "in-depth" cleaning rutines.
I use Zymol too, but have not seen the Fantasy product.
How big is the container?
how do you apply it?
Where do you store it so it will last 7+ years?
The fun thing about htis board is that experimentation is highly encouraged!
:bounce
Belicoso: I keep my Zymol wax in the fridge. The Fantasy container is the same as the other clear containers with the twist off lid.
I apply it using either my hand (yes, bare hand) or using a sponge applicator pad. You MUST apply it very thin. You want to see a very light haze on the paint. Only do enough to do about 30 seconds worth. Then with one cloth GENTLY buff off after waiting for 30 seconds. Then use another cloth and buff to a shine.
If you apply a thick coat, you'll just remove it with the cloth.. not what you want, and you'll waste the product. Also with a thick coat of wax, the product won't last as long on the car. The reason for the 'two stage buffing' is so that you don't remove the wax from the car. A little wax goes a long way here. More is not good.
Here's a pic of the product:
Harry.
I apply it using either my hand (yes, bare hand) or using a sponge applicator pad. You MUST apply it very thin. You want to see a very light haze on the paint. Only do enough to do about 30 seconds worth. Then with one cloth GENTLY buff off after waiting for 30 seconds. Then use another cloth and buff to a shine.
If you apply a thick coat, you'll just remove it with the cloth.. not what you want, and you'll waste the product. Also with a thick coat of wax, the product won't last as long on the car. The reason for the 'two stage buffing' is so that you don't remove the wax from the car. A little wax goes a long way here. More is not good.
Here's a pic of the product:
Harry.
Hyates:
I completely agree. The things I hear about the Zymol products simply blow my mind about how expensive and hard to apply they are. You use so little wax per application when you do it correctly that it is about as much as Blitz in the long run. When used with a proper wash, the wax lasts for an easy 3 months, even in Mass. The company does use a lot of marketing, but they still produce high quality products. I respect everyone's opinion, especially on this board, but I must say that Zymol has not dissapointed me.
I completely agree. The things I hear about the Zymol products simply blow my mind about how expensive and hard to apply they are. You use so little wax per application when you do it correctly that it is about as much as Blitz in the long run. When used with a proper wash, the wax lasts for an easy 3 months, even in Mass. The company does use a lot of marketing, but they still produce high quality products. I respect everyone's opinion, especially on this board, but I must say that Zymol has not dissapointed me.
I've been using Zymol's HD Cleanse and their wax (Volvo) on my black 2002 Volvo, and although I've seen equally shiny black cars, I havent seen ANY car that shows as much richness and depth as mine. Can be best described as blacker than black. I'd love to try other waxes, but a little goes a long way and its going to be a long time before this 8 oz. jar is finished even with my monthly waxes.
However I really dont know if this richness I tried to describe is due to the Zymol Wax or to Volvo's paint process, or both.
However I really dont know if this richness I tried to describe is due to the Zymol Wax or to Volvo's paint process, or both.