- Joined
- Apr 27, 2012
- Points
- 100
I've been looking at waxes, their benefits and comparisons to polishes.
So first thing I discovered in the reading is that a polish is an abrasive. It actually removes a fine layer of the clear coat in the process of application and buffing. This is really great if you have swirl marks or extremely fine scratches in the surface, although a clay bar might work equally well at removing those swirls without all the effort of applying a polish and then buffing the residue off.
Next- Synthetic polishes will provide longer term protection than any wax. A really good synthetic will give you around 6-8 months of protection vs around 4-5 months for a really good wax. If you're the type of person who doesn't enjoy waxing 2 - 3 times a year, then a product like Meguiar's Ultimate polish will be a good choice.
However, there's still the issue of the polish actually stripping of clear coat molecules - are you okay with that is the decision to be made.
So, now to the wax job - The best wax is Carnauba. Everyone seems to be in consensus on that score.
The problems generally associated with waxing is the labour involved. We all like to do the job, but if it takes hours and hours and at the end of the job your body feels as though you've been at the gym for the first time in years, it might dissuade you from waxing. There are waxes like that on the market.
So I had a look at the top 10 waxes and polishes that were rated this year. On the list was a product called Collinite No. 845. Doesn't sound quite as glamorous as Mother's or Meguair's or any other number of well advertised brands. It sounds almost "industrial", and so it should since it was initially developed for aircraft, marine applications and machinery. Given those credentials, one would expect the product would be difficult to work with. I had never come across it before, so I dug deeper. Some reading material revealed that it has been around since the early 1900's. Also I discovered that it is considered the best kept secret by professional detailers. But what totally blew me away was a short You Tube video demonstrating it's application to a car and the end results.
First off it needs to be warmed up to get it to be a liquid. In cold weather it is a thick paste. successful application is based on the "less is more" principal. Very thin coat, and buff before it is fully dry. So, small areas at a time - the bottle recommends 2' x 2'.
The research claims by users, agree that it will provide exceptional protection for up to 5 months - conditions dependent.
In the video, it was shown to have superb hydrophobic properties, and the "beading" was minimal since the bulk of the water just ran off the surface. I noted that it was applied to the windshield in the video, which was a little puzzling, but perhaps it is applicable.
It is 100% wax with some petroleum distillates added to keep it in paste form. It contains no abrasives - strictly a wax.
I have now bought the stuff, and also a bottle of the Meguiar's Ultimate polish. In another article, it was suggested that the car surface 1st be polished with a product such as Meguiar's, and then waxed.
So, this looks like a 2 weekend job - 1st stage, wash and polish, 2nd stage, wash and wax. There-after, I will just wax since the polish should be sealed under the wax for at least a year, and perhaps two.
The grand description on the somewhat humble plastic containers boasts " For Automotive, Marine, RV, Aeronautical and Industrial use" - It describes itself as a "Heavy duty paste" and an "Insulator wax". Apparently it was used as an electrical insulator wax back in the day.
If anyone else has used this product, I would welcome their comments.
So first thing I discovered in the reading is that a polish is an abrasive. It actually removes a fine layer of the clear coat in the process of application and buffing. This is really great if you have swirl marks or extremely fine scratches in the surface, although a clay bar might work equally well at removing those swirls without all the effort of applying a polish and then buffing the residue off.
Next- Synthetic polishes will provide longer term protection than any wax. A really good synthetic will give you around 6-8 months of protection vs around 4-5 months for a really good wax. If you're the type of person who doesn't enjoy waxing 2 - 3 times a year, then a product like Meguiar's Ultimate polish will be a good choice.
However, there's still the issue of the polish actually stripping of clear coat molecules - are you okay with that is the decision to be made.
So, now to the wax job - The best wax is Carnauba. Everyone seems to be in consensus on that score.
The problems generally associated with waxing is the labour involved. We all like to do the job, but if it takes hours and hours and at the end of the job your body feels as though you've been at the gym for the first time in years, it might dissuade you from waxing. There are waxes like that on the market.
So I had a look at the top 10 waxes and polishes that were rated this year. On the list was a product called Collinite No. 845. Doesn't sound quite as glamorous as Mother's or Meguair's or any other number of well advertised brands. It sounds almost "industrial", and so it should since it was initially developed for aircraft, marine applications and machinery. Given those credentials, one would expect the product would be difficult to work with. I had never come across it before, so I dug deeper. Some reading material revealed that it has been around since the early 1900's. Also I discovered that it is considered the best kept secret by professional detailers. But what totally blew me away was a short You Tube video demonstrating it's application to a car and the end results.
First off it needs to be warmed up to get it to be a liquid. In cold weather it is a thick paste. successful application is based on the "less is more" principal. Very thin coat, and buff before it is fully dry. So, small areas at a time - the bottle recommends 2' x 2'.
The research claims by users, agree that it will provide exceptional protection for up to 5 months - conditions dependent.
In the video, it was shown to have superb hydrophobic properties, and the "beading" was minimal since the bulk of the water just ran off the surface. I noted that it was applied to the windshield in the video, which was a little puzzling, but perhaps it is applicable.
It is 100% wax with some petroleum distillates added to keep it in paste form. It contains no abrasives - strictly a wax.
I have now bought the stuff, and also a bottle of the Meguiar's Ultimate polish. In another article, it was suggested that the car surface 1st be polished with a product such as Meguiar's, and then waxed.
So, this looks like a 2 weekend job - 1st stage, wash and polish, 2nd stage, wash and wax. There-after, I will just wax since the polish should be sealed under the wax for at least a year, and perhaps two.
The grand description on the somewhat humble plastic containers boasts " For Automotive, Marine, RV, Aeronautical and Industrial use" - It describes itself as a "Heavy duty paste" and an "Insulator wax". Apparently it was used as an electrical insulator wax back in the day.
If anyone else has used this product, I would welcome their comments.
he'll be a loss as he's a thoroughly decent chap - hey ho.
