Meguires ULW and TW Ice Spray Wax

After having Meguires sealant (ULW) on my truck for several months I decided to change it up. I had some

$22 Collinite 845 Insulator Wax-Easy to Use Carnauba+Polymer Wax Sealant-High Gloss Shine+Durable Hydrophobic Beading & Long Lasting Paint Protection for Cars/Boats/Trucks/RVs & Motorcycles (16 fl oz)

Collinite 845 and applied it this week. It made the pyrite mica much darker in color. Sounds cliche, but I can only describe it as a deeper, wetter look, as so many have said about carnauba based products. It's still got a really nice shine, but it's not as bright and mirror-like as compared to the ULW. I'd say flaws are more evident with the 845. The ULW was better at masking the flaws, especially from more than a couple feet away.

I've been reading about the longevity of Collinite 476 and it sounds like it might hold up to the winter elements a little better than a sealer when applied in a couple of coats. I deal with lots of salt and chemicals in the winter time. Apparently, the 476 is tough as nails. Ordered the 476 today and plan to apply this weekend. Anxious to get a coat on. I don't think it'll hurt anything to put it right on top of the 845, although ideally I wouldn't have gone that route.

I liked the ULW and will continue to use it in April through October (I like the shiny look), but I'm making a shift to the Collinite for the winter. Will come back with an update after I apply it.

And just want to add.. The Collinite 845 beads much better than the ULW and it sounds like it will outlast the ULW as well.

 

I really like 845. I was using it. I decided to try Optimum Gloss Coat. I was able to coat the Tacoma and my wife's Accord from one tube. Love the gloss so far. Will see if it makes the 2 year durability or not.

 

Holy crap. I applied the Collinite 476 today and removal was difficult to say the least. Really glad I tried removal after applying to just two panels. Had I done the whole truck first, I woulda been working for hours. My biggest concern was that I had to rub so hard I was worried about adding additional swirls and scratches. Really should have used a detail spray to assist. Anyway, if you ever try it, I recommend doing two panels, then return to first and remove. Etc. will post pics tomorrow and compare it to ULW.

 

Just put on the meguiars. The stuff seems to easy to put on and remove. Makes me think that it wont last to long. Should i put one coat or two?

 

You're right! Super easy application and removal. No fear, it will last. Yeah, I'd do two coats- only to ensure even application (not because "more is better"). Ideally, i like to wait 12-24 hours for the first coat to cure before applying the second coat. But if you can't wait (or your truck gets dirty in the interim), you can do back-to-back coats.

As you are applying, thinner is better. Do not apply thick. It's really just like smearing a bit of grease on the paint surface. All you need it's a thin, thin, layer- let it flash (do the "clean swipe test" with your finger), then remove.

There have been times when it's felt like it hasn't really dried, even after an hour. In those cases, I go ahead and remove anyway.

 

Thank you! I will learn her park in the garage and reapply tonight or tomorrow morning.

 

No prob. it will continue to improve in looks as it cures. It'll prob look better tomorrow after the product has fully cross linked than it does today.

If you use ice spray wax or Meg's Ultimate Quick Wax after washes, it will prolong the longevity of the ULW. It'll also give you great shine.

 

Duragloss Aquawax is also a really awesome "quick wax" (spray) for refreshing after washes. Super slick. Nice beading. Great shine.

 

OK 3 day special. Washed friday. Clay bar and wax saturday. Wax again and interior Sunday. Man my shoulder needs a break. All that work and the results are awesome. Smoother than when I got it. I believe you need to clay bar the sides once a year but definitely do the hood and roof whenever you wax. Best wife ever gave me huskys x act. Great weekend!!

 

Awesome! Yeah I was pretty amazed the first time I clayed and applied ULW-- About a year after I got the truck. Truck looked better than it did when I picked it up at the dealer.

 

Well after two days of rain I must say the old ice turtle wax I have sheets and beads water better than the ultimate. I will say that the ultimate seems slicker to the touch. Deciding factor will be the longevity of the wax.

 

If you'd like more beading- hit it with any of the quick (spray) waxes I mentioned. The turtle wax ice is like 8 bucks. If you're not familiar- they're spray on, wipe off (like windex). Really easy. They will add shine and enhance/prolong beading. I apply after every wash and/or rain.

If the truck isn't super dusty, I actually just use it sorta like a detail spray.

-Turtle Wax Ice Spray Wax
-Meg's Ultimate Quick Wax
-Duragloss Aquawax

Totally optional, but they do make water bead nicely. And will make your ULW last longer.

 

I figure I've got about 1 more good application of Turtle Wax ICE liquid wax before I'll be out of it. Once I'm through with this bottle, I'll be doing a similar comparison because I'm going to give the Meguiar's ULW a try next.

I'm with you on the beading properties of the IceLW. After a fresh coat, water just doesn't cling to the paint at all. I know longevity is very dependent on so many factors (weather, heat, environmental dust, contaminants) but I've noticed the ICE Liquid Wax reliably beads for about 2-3 months after application. Anything beyond that you'll still get beading properties, but water doesn't sheet off like it does with a fresh coat. Keep in mind, that's on only 1 coat, not 2 like what you guys are doing. On @harpolith 's recommendation, I've picked up a bottle of the ICE Spray Wax to hopefully increase that longevity.

Another nice thing I've found about the Ice Spray Wax: it can be applied to glass. I've started cleaning my windshield and two front windows with Invisible Glass, then applying 1 coat of the ICE Spray Wax to them. Good alternative to RainX. You won't have to use your wipers for light rains anymore. Longevity isn't that great, but seeing as how application is so fast and easy I find it's worth it.

 

Gonna a do a quick wash Friday and apply the spray wax.

Maybe the ultimate has now completely cured??? Seemed to bead better a little better today.

 

Even a layer of a super fine dust, combined with some (dirty?) rain can result in temporary diminished beading. Essentially, there could have been a film from two days of rain on there that wasn't visible, resulting in diminished beading. One wash with a decent car wash soap and you'd likely see the beading return (I like megs gold class soap- orange colored).

Or... continued curing of the sealer wouldn't surprise me one bit? Hard to say!

This reminds me of a common misconception. Many guys will tell you a wash with dish soap (dawn) will remove wax/sealers. While this seems like the case (due to reduced beading after using the soap), the dish soap actually has surfactants in it that adhere to the surface and alter the beading characteristics. Basically, it looks like the wax is gone because beading is gone. But if you follow up with a light isopropyl alcohol wipe down, removing the surfactants from the soap, the beading will actually return to the surface. Grime from daily driving/rain can have a similar effect.

Long story short, diminished beading doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of protection. It could just be that something is on the surface affecting the beading behavior of the wax/sealer. And what you were noticing yesterday might be similar to the dish soap masking the beading properties. My guess is that you'll see nice beading after a wash, particularly after the first wash.

I'm just sharing info that I've read on the autogeek forum. Lots of pro detailers over there. And lots of guys doing experiments. I'm just throwing out some things to think about. May or may not be relevant to your case. I just have fun thinking about and discussing this stuff and I have fun trying/comparing different products. Anxious to hear your thoughts on the ice spray wax.

 

How's it all holding up?

 

Its holding up well but even after the spray wax it doesn't bead the same as the ice. But hey she is super smooth and shiny.

 

Hey @bigfoote13 , how's the ICE Liquid Wax holding up for you on the durability side?

I can safely say I'm now anxious to try the Meguair's ULW next time around. The ICE just isn't maintaining its durability like I'd like to see. It's now getting hotter out, and I don't know if it's a combination of rock dust/pollen contaminating the ICE wax as it bakes in the sun, but I'm just not very happy with the longevity of it anymore. I'd say it's really only able to withstand about 2 months worth of abuse before it's all but gone.

Also I've followed @harpolith 's recommendation to use Turtle Wax ICE Spray Wax to increase the longevity of the ICE Liquid Wax, but I didn't notice any real difference.

Now don't get me wrong, both the ICE Spray Wax and the ICE Liquid Wax look and work great, especially a few days/weeks after application. My only disappointment is the longevity of the beading properties.

This is my exact experience as well. The ICE Spray Wax refreshes the shine and smoothness of the ICE Liquid, but doesn't really bead quite as well and has very little longevity.

 

@iK0NiK

In Feb i put on the ultimate and its doing a good job but doesn't bead as well as ice. I doubt i will see 6 months of service from the ultimate since I am in S FL. I love the look/bead of the Ice but I think that the ultimate will hold up longer. My bottle of ice is pretty old and that could be partly the reason for a shorter life span.

I will say i believe to get the best look and outcome you need to clay bar the truck. After I clayed the truck, the paint was smoother than the day i picked it up from the dealer.

Oh yeah neither one will protect you from this.... 2k worth

 

Duragloss Aquawax is an awesome quick/spray wax. It's what I'm now using.