favorite wax

i didn’t think $25 for a 16oz bottle with a discount code was bad... they say a little goes a long way. Topcoat F11 is the same way but 2x as expensive.

 

this stuff rocks if you can find it anymore and easy

 

I learned a long time ago that if I actually believed every advertisement for miracle products, I'd end up with dozens of useless products in my detailing stash. Almost every one of the heavily hyped products turned out to be crap. I don't buy anything these days without a personal recommendation from somebody I trust.

That said, my favorite LSP is still Menzerna / Jescar Power Lock. And yes, I know it's not a wax.

 

I learned this the hard way. Hundreds of dollars in the trash.

As you, I learned to do my research first.

 

Somebody’s got to be the first to try something. I guess in my group of friends it’s me.

And yes, you’re right, I’ve wasted a good amount of cash trying new things out. But I enjoy it so wth I suppose.

 

And neither are great products. Why not try something from proven brands that cost less?

 

Recommendations? I'd love to find something as easy to apply as the "miracle products" but with good protective properties as well.

 

That's exactly why I offered up Jescar Power Lock as my favorite. Amazing stuff.

 

Thanks. Just never know what makes someone like one wax/sealant/etc over another. For example I’ll take a bit less long lasting for easy application because I know it will make me more likely to perform frequent reapplications. If something lasts for 6 months but is a huge PITA I’ll be lucky if I reapply once a year. Topcoat’s been so easy to use I have no problem applying every few weeks to a month.

If the Jescar is an easy application process I’d love to try it.

 

Super easy on and off.

 

There are several spray on and rinse of products like Gyeon WetCoat, McKees Hydro blue, Carpro Hydro 2.

Optimum Opti-seal is a wipe on, wipe off sealant. If you apply correctly you do not have to wipe off.

Adams Guard and Gloss. Spray it on vehicle after washing then dry with a microfiber towel.

Autogeek is a great source for products.

 

I think people get hung up too much on durability or length of protection. If those are the attributes you care most about then a wax or spray on wipe off, spray on rinse off is probably not the ideal product for you. You want something a little more involved to apply like a ceramic coating or ceramic lite product. These are not difficult to apply they're just a little more of a deliberate process because you need to work in smaller sections at a time. They still go on easy and wipe off easy for the most part and that trend will continue more and more the newer the product is. Ease of use has been the trend most products are going for, that usually is a compromise for durability but that is not a bad thing.

Otherwise the trend is definitely for easier to apply products more and more particularly in the spray and wipe or even more so with the spray and rinse products. While many of these may last 6 months, why try and expect that long of a duration out of them. If it's easy to reapply then use something like this every month, two or three months at a time so the protection and other attributes like water beading/sheeting are at their greatest. For every product you hear someone mention some multi month duration someone else's experience was half that time or even less. Something like Hydro2 or Hydro Blue spray and rinse type product, sure it may last up to 6 months but performance has greatly diminished by then. For a product that can be applied faster than you can physically get around the truck with a water or pressure washer hose, apply it every few weeks. Then you can use less and less as you do and keep performance at peak.

Use what you like and use it often.

 

Any opinions on Sonax Polymer Net Shield? Seems easy to apply and long-lasting.

I’m currently planning on using Nu-Finish NFP-80 paste wax, but am worried about it leaving residue on my trim.

 

I've not used the Sonax product but have never heard anything bad about it, it's been around a long time and is talked about A LOT on detailing forums like Autogeek and Autopia. If you go with it pick up Sonax's "brilliant shine detailer (BSD)" as well to use after washing which from what I hear can be a little more tedious to use but between the two products you'll have something that will perform better than a lot of the newer "ceramic" products that have come along after it. Though if you do use the Sonax BSD, i've heard cutting it with a little water will make it easier to work with.

Use google to search for it like this on Autogeek's forum as like a lot of sites their search feature is shit:

sonax polymer net shield site:www.autogeekonline.net

 

I assume the Brilliant Shine Detailer adds gloss, not protection. Is that correct?

This is probably heresy around these parts, but I have no interest in making my truck pretty. I’m only interested in protecting the finish to prevent corrosion and damage. If it was feasible, I’d gladly have all the paint stripped off and get everything powdercoated or parkerized.

 

Usually a detailer is a something to help with drying or wiping up a small dirty spot and does add a little gloss as you go but protection is lacking. But from what I understand about Sonax BSD is that if used on it's own will likely outperform many sealants on the market by itself, it's that good and water beading sheeting will also rival actual sealants. Obviously the Sonax PNS would be the long term product, BSD would be something to use every other week or once a month.

For what you're asking only periodic maintenance will do that no matter the product choice. Even with the most long term, only available to professionals coating you can't just apply and forget it. There may be coatings that trend towards protection over gloss but I don't think that is the norm since people generally want the gloss enhancement in addition to protection. The environment and sun is killing off your clear coat year after year, some super thin spray or resin based coating is only marginal protection.

 

Understood, thanks for the clarification. Any issues using PNS on plastic trim? I’ll be applying Solution Finish to my fender flares to get them back to black, and would like to keep them that way for as long as possible.

 

Pretty sure it's trim safe, though you probably want to give Solution Finish a day or more to fully cure and do it's thing before applying anything on top of it.

 

Sounds like a plan. Also sounds like I’ll be dumping the Nu-Finish wax in favor of PNS. Thanks for the input!

 

Actually @gorram, I’ve got a follow-on question. Where does Aerospace 303 protectant fall in the mix? From what I understand, it’s primarily meant to be used on plastics to prevent UV damage. Would PNS be a better option, keeping the 303 in reserve for interior applications only?