Zymol Destiny Estate Glaze

I don't get the apparent animosity towards Zymol :nixweiss Yeah, their natural-this and natural-that sounds like goofy ad-spiel, but whose ad copy doesn't? Their being owned by TW doesn't mean anything to me, not like TW is some morally bankrupt embodiment of pure evil or anything. And if somebody wants to spend their own money on anything for any reason I say "it's your money, hope you enjoy it". Heh heh, seems I'm always doing a :nono about people criticizing folks for buying expensive stuff... [Accumulator climbs down off soapbox :o ]



I'm not gonna use a wax that I have to apply (literally) by hand, though I do understand the reasoning behind said application method. But if I could apply it in a more conventional manner, I'd probably try some on the XJS just to see for myself if *I* like the look better than I like Souveran. What about applying the Estate Glazes by PC/Cyclo? Any way around applying the stuff by hand?
 
Not really. If you try to apply it while it is still in its paste form, you run the risk of getting some micro marring or streaking. Estate Glazes will contain a carnauba content between 35 and 65%. The glaze has to melt while its being applied, and applied in a relativley slow to moderate method.



Now I use latex gloves while I apply my estate wax (don't use rubber clear or plastic gloves....they marr like a mutha f*(K). Using latex cuts down on the waste a bit, and you will be less likely of producing an accidental streak or oops with the rough skin of your underhand or fingernails.
 
Accumulator,



I agree that people should spend money on whatever they want to BUT one of the virtues of a forum such as this is to provide helpful information, which includes tough criticism.



In my view there is a difference between a product that makes (for example) a 1% improvement that costs 10X versus a product whose performance is in fact the same or worse than much cheaper products.



Some may say in the former case that it's not worth it, but that's a judgment call. (cf. Souveran vs. Natty's)



However, if enough people (with hands-on experience and good comparisons) think it's the latter then it IS a ripoff. And I haven't heard any strong claims from people I trust that the Zymol is noticeably superior (even if only 1% better).



Would be nice to do a hood comparo with Souveran or Natty's vs any top Zymol to see if there's a difference and a good one.



This is a case where a blind test would be helpful (Have a Zymol guy do half the hood and a Souv guy do the other half with a third being asked to judge which looks better.)
 
It will depend on how a wax performs in your driveway or garage. Heresay (even if its an entire website) will not produce the result for you. The product, the method, and the accepting media will determine the result.



Zymol has been criticized and been held in contempt by many (myself included). It does have a big following despite its detractors, and at least by this observer, it does have a distinct difference from some of its competing wax products.



Last word; Use it, apply it properly, compare and scrutinize the result, and then come to your own conclusion.
 
lbls1- Yeah, that's what I figured...thanks for the reply anyhow. You never know...I might decide to go for it someday (and yeah, I had assumed the latex gloves would be OK).



And I agree that pictures, let alone over the net, won't show the kind of differences that are at issue here. Seems to be enough of a question about whether there's a difference in person!



jvcn- I probably sounded more :nono than I intended to ("but then why did you use the :nono icon, Accumulator" :o ). I got the feeling people were being bashed simply for spending their money as they saw fit. Actually, *because* of its high price, I somehow don't think of Zymol as being a "ripoff". Anybody buying it knows they're paying an exorbitant premium for *something*. And that the "something" is gonna be rather subtle.



What I notice we *don't* see are any posts saying "I bought the Zymol Estate stuff and I wish I hadn't". Maybe people are unlikely to admit they spent so much money for something they didn't like :nixweiss



There *have* been a few posts over the years where people whose opinions I respect (can't remember who it was at present, sorry) said it *did* give a certain look that was unlike anything else they'd ever tried. But then the same poster(S) said how it only lasted a few days and that the difference wasn't enough for *them* to spend any extra $ on.



Who *was* it that tried that stuff and liked the look (don't feel like searching :o ).



Just sorta BSing about this and wasting bandwidth....
 
Ya I can understand that. What I will admit though is that the price of some of the exotic stuff is a lot to deal with. I would definitely have been one of those detractors, that say that Zymol is junk or isn't worth it, if it disappointed me in its application. It did not. The Zymol did reveal its quality and backed up its reputation at least to me.



I use two waxes with my fleet of two cars, because I like the attributes of the different waxes, it gives me more time to experiment with different products, and the price of a product does dictate which wax will be used on which car.



You will never hear me trying to push any wax on someone. I just give my opinion based on my experience. All I say is that before you say this or that, you have to actually put the wax in your hands, hold the jar or can or whatever it comes in, smell it, feel it, READ THE DIRECTIONS and apply it PROPERLY. Compare the results, then decide its merit.



In the end its all about having fun from your clean surface. It doesn't matter what you drive, because to me the best looking car is the one with the best wax resolution!!!!!
 
A few thoughts from a recovering Zymol addict :p



Zymol provided me with my introduction to "high end" car care about 10 years ago. I really enjoyed the Zymol "process": great smell, hand (literally) application etc. - very sensuous! :D But since then I've discovered cheaper and, in my opinion (in terms of results), comparable alternatives.



One thing I don't understand about the Zymol estate waxes is how can you have a carnauba content of 51% or so and still have a workable product, and by hand no less!!



From the Griot's Garage website

Carnauba in its natural state is about as hard as a brick and needs petroleum distillates, mineral spirits, and other ingredients to make it soft enough to apply to your paint. You've seen other waxes advertised as "100% carnauba wax," but unless you are buying it in brick or chip form, it's just plain false advertising. Truth is, the maximum amount of carnauba that you can put in a paste wax is about 30%
Click to expand...



So here's something to consider: When you apply Destiny etc. by hand, the heat from your hand is supposed to make the wax (51% carnauba) soft enough for application. :confused: OK, well that's 37 degrees C. or so. What do you suppose the surface of your car's paint gets to on a hot summer's day? (I have a black car and, in the summer sun, the paint gets too hot to touch). Then what happens to your $1400 LSP??
 
Nothing. I've applied my glaze in 90+ degree weather and it applied. It produced a great result that day as well.
 
Take it for what its worth, I have used the Zymol Concours and here are my impression in point form:



1. The hand application, while gimmicky, is a requirement and not an option as its smears and streaks when you try and use an applicator. It is quite thearaputic though but just make sure your hands are sqeaky clean before you start ;)

2. It is time and labour intensive - it requires 3 or 4 or more buffings over an extended period of say 4 to 8 hours dependant on relative conditions. It also requires you to use more pressure than I felt comfortable with to buff it off, unless you leave it in a moderately hot sun for half an hour ( kinda like baking it ). If you dont it streaks and smears and hazes like a mongrel so you can forget wipe on, wipe off and walk away like Souveran.

3. The costs - enough said, it is up to the individual to say whether they agree it is value or not.

4. It does look good provided you work at it, but not any more outstanding than Souveran ( IMO ). And the smell is pleasant ( but I havent meet a bad smelling zymol yet ).

5. The durability was an issue, after 24/7 outside in a relatively mild winter ( just occasional rain, no snow or anything ), the finish was struggling for life at the 1 - 2 week mark, slickness was very poor and the water was pooling and not sheeting/beading - so for me it had all but given up the ghost IMO.



By all means, if you have the money give it a whirl. The look is good but be prepared to work at achieving it.
 
Given that the estate glazes are designed for hi end concourse events I would like to see how they compete with the products most of the board members use in this habitat.



I would like to see how a top autopia detailer would fair at say Pebble beach using your megs, poor boys, clearkote, pinnacle, p21s products vs the zymol estate guys.





Now all we need is somone with the car to enter. Better still someone who is prepared to have half the car done in the zymol style and the other half with the other combo
 
IMHO... no detailing product is worth this kind of money unless it comes with a professional detailer to apply it for you and keep car spotless.
 
I have my driver apply a coat of Royale Glaze to my 'Royce everytime I am having lunch at my club. He is instructed to tell everyone that happens by that the wax costs $10,000.
 
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