what is the best car wax ?

STANGmole, it doesn't seem that it is important if there is some streaking and swirling when you apply the wax, as long as it does not damage the surface. The more important thing is how the finish looks after you remove the excess wax. I have found that this can be dependent on the cloth you use.

I use Meguiar's microfiber Ultimate Wipe M9910 with the stitchless edge to remove the excess wax. At one time they made a cloth with the same product number, but it had a stitched edge. The stitchless edge one is much, much better.

I have also used other Meguiar's microfiber cloths. The Gold Class Supreme Shine Microfiber cloth is awful, leaving all kinds of streaks.

I use a Meguiar's Even Coat microfiber applicator pad to apply the wax, and it works fine.

Some of your problems may be with the pads and/or cloths that you use, and not with the wax itself. Experiment some. Good luck.

NastyStang113 said:

Really? .. like what? I have to say that most of the products you listed are merely OTC products. Talked about Meguiars not having a good wax, etc. Have you ever used M16? It will blow ANY product that Zaino has out of the water ...

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Nope, haven't used it...I've used pretty-much all OTC stuff...and pretty-much all of it I could buy.

NastyStang113 said:

Mothers as the best combination? Once again, compared to what? There are TONS of products out there on the market that blows Mothers out of the market. Meguiars is about the only mainstream company that puts out products OTC that has a TON of great products, mostly in their D-Line but some of their A-Line is fantastic as well. Poorboy's, Chemical Guys, Merzena polishes, etc all make products that are leaps and bounds better.

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I think Mother's is the best combination of "OTC" products that do a decent job of making your car look good while adding lasting protection to the paint. In other words I don't doubt there's hundreds of products out there that make your car look better when you roll out of the detail shop...then it looks like **** a couple of days later after it rains or you wash it the first time. The way I see it, in order to add lasting protection you need to coat the paint with something and I haven't found anything better than carnauba wax for that. If you know of some synthetic poly crap that does a better job (and I'm not saying it doesn't exist) then please post details; the non-wax products I've used all make the car look great (by smearing greasy residue that fills the surface scratches) but don't last or protect.

NastyStang113 said:

Turtle Wax ICE is laughed about among the detailing community. Come on ... A liquid clay bar? That scheme has been around since the 80s ... It's nothing more than a cleaner wax. It's not even on the same level as a true clay bar.

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Aw, man...that's a low blow to my ego...it crushes me to know that I don't have the love and approval of the "detailing community" Also you crushed my misconceptions that ICE liquid clay bar was on the level of a true clay bar!! (extreme sarcasm intended)

Bottom line...the product works for me! Of course it isn't like a "true" clay bar (I use a 'real' clay bar as well) but it's not so lowly of a product to warrant comparison to a cleaner wax either...it works much better than cleaner waxes IMO and it isn't abrasive like some cleaner waxes are. Have you actually tried it or are you commenting based solely on what the detailing community has to say?

NastyStang113 said:

Don't take this as a bashing or the like because it's not intended for that. I'm just trying to clarify some information that I feel needs it.

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Well...that's more-or-less what it is. It strikes me as more of a "Drive by Bashing" though, since you made the hit then ran off without sticking around to actually "clarify some information"...which you stated was your intended purpose.

The way I see it these forums are for discussion and learning...and none of us are getting paid to post here. We do it out of our own free will to help others based on our own experiences. I'll stand by what I said 100% based on my actual experience to-date with the actual products.

Now you, on the other hand have just stated that in your opinion I don't know jack about detailing and publicly displayed your vast knowledge of all that is 'auto detailing' when it comes to non-OTC products. My challenge to you...for my own benefit...and the benefit of others on the forum...is for you to quantify some of your claims in an objective way so that we all can learn.

For example...WHY is "Poorboy's, Chemical Guys, Merzena polishes, etc" "leaps and bounds better"?? Why is Meguiar's "D-Line but some of their A-Line" "fantastic"?? Lastly, if there is a product that offers better long lasting protection than Mothers pure carnauba wax...name it so I can try it out!!!

A drive by bashing without any details to back up your opinions does nothing for anyone here...a detailed post describing the pros/cons of several products that you've personally tried out could be quite useful to all of us.

autumn_again said:

what do you mean by best?

longest lasting? best beading? best shine?

i personally use Meguiars gold class. i'm goin to try the nxt wax before winter.

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I use that on my cars. I use it with an orbital buffer and it is by far the easiest wax to put on and off. Its great and leaves a great shine.

Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax.


Your not going to find any decent waxes off the shelf at your local autozone. Not a chance.

Yikes quite touchy, it wasn't my intention to get you all riled up. I felt that your post was exactly the same, opinions with nothing to back it up. I'm not going to have time for such a big post right now so this will be short and sweet. I'll go point by point, or as much as I possibly can.

OTC stuff for the most part is sub par compared to what you can order online. I think we can both agree on that, right? Yes, I've tried Turtle Wax's ICE. I've tried almost all of the products out on the market. It's crap compared to what is out there, IMO. If you have a different opinion, than fine. I won't tell you to not use it if you like it but I will tell you that there is better stuff out there. Long lasting protection? Alright, if you want long lasting protection than you need to be looking into sealants or synthetic wax like Poorboy's EX sealant or even Meguiars NXT for you OTC guys. By the way, nothing is wrong with being one of those OTC guys.

Now as far as the last part of your post. Lose the snood attitude it's really not needed, especially if we are all going to learn from this, right? I'm not so sure why you are talking about details and facts and how I don't have them. The first post you had made was just opinions which I don't have a problem withand you shouldn't either. Detailing is a VERY subjective and opinionated hobby for a lot of us. The fact of the matter is that companies like Chemical Guys, Poorboy's, Meguiars D-Line are better than OTC stuff. Why? The ingredients are better, they cost more to make, they are for the guys who won't take OTC stuff, they provide better application, removal, better shine and better durability. As far as me not recommending something for you to try out that would be better than Mothers ... I'm not sure you saw it so I'll say it again. Try Meguiars #16, it's a pure carnuba wax which offers HUGE amounts of durability and shine. I don't think you'll find a 'nuba that has better durability than it.

im tellin you man nattys blue or red is the best you can get for $20, especially for a black car, but if you want to step it up a little go for some DP max wax, or some Pinnacle Souveran

dbrufus1234 said:

im tellin you man nattys blue or red is the best you can get for $20, especially for a black car, but if you want to step it up a little go for some DP max wax, or some Pinnacle Souveran

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All of those are great carnuba waxes. I just wish they were a little bit more durable. Application is easy though.

I guess I have to go old school with the Liquid Glass.

I've come out on a 100+ degree day to find nasty poop all over my wifes dark Xterra, only to take a nice warm wet towel and whipe it right off.

Is it the best of the best.. heck no, but does it work for me against water spots and just plain atmospheric crap: certainly.

Rejex as a protective base coat, Mothers California Gold for shine. Rejex is actually a polymer sealant. I have had VERY good luck with it. My truck (I don't drive the Mustang in winter) looked better than any other wax/coating I've ever used after a full winter driving in Michigan (salt, crap, etc).

I use Mothers California Gold carnuba wax over the top to give some extra shine and as the sacrificial coating.

I do not like ICE or NXT. They look REALLY good at first, but they do not last or protect long.


Even if you only use a wax, it still needs to be applied often enough to protect properly. Garaged daily driver minimum monthly proper wash and wax. Non garaged in sunny climate really needs to be every 2 weeks, especially in summer. The hot sun, combined with contaminants on a DD non garaged car is crazy hard on your finish. Mine is garaged and driven on nice days, and I put the Mothers wax on monthly, and Reject on each spring and fall.

pnut said:

I do not like ICE or NXT. They look REALLY good at first, but they do not last or protect long.


Even if you only use a wax, it still needs to be applied often enough to protect properly. Garaged daily driver minimum monthly proper wash and wax. Non garaged in sunny climate really needs to be every 2 weeks, especially in summer. The hot sun, combined with contaminants on a DD non garaged car is crazy hard on your finish. Mine is garaged and driven on nice days, and I put the Mothers wax on monthly, and Reject on each spring and fall.

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I won't disagree with your opinion of ICE because it's true. However Meguiars NXT/#21 is VERY durable. How are you basing your opinion of it not being durable? I don't believe that a car needs to be done every two weeks either .. maybe if you're using a pure carnuba with no synthetic or sealant below it. Most cars can go two months that sit outside between full details. Of course there is no golden rule for anything like that because EVERY single car sees different environments.

NastyStang113 said:

I won't disagree with your opinion of ICE because it's true. However Meguiars NXT/#21 is VERY durable. How are you basing your opinion of it not being durable? I don't believe that a car needs to be done every two weeks either .. maybe if you're using a pure carnuba with no synthetic or sealant below it. Most cars can go two months that sit outside between full details. Of course there is no golden rule for anything like that because EVERY single car sees different environments.

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I had a liquid paste bottle of NXT, and used it just like my Mothers California gold. I used both with no sealer underneath, but usually after a full clay bar. I found that under similar conditions, the NXT would only last a week or so before not feeling slick on the finish anymore, where the Carnuba would last a few weeks longer.

Alot of it is personal preference though.

As far as every two weeks, that is under only VERY extreme conditions (driving every day, parking outside, etc). And also for very picky people. Every month or two is fine for most cars, I would agree.

How long did you allow NXT to set up before you removed it? NXT is a synthetic wax which is basically a sealant. There are plenty of waxes out on the market that don't feel slick but offer a lot of protection against containments bonding to the surface and UV protection. Just as a lot of waxes that don't bead rather that sheet the water off.

I would not use Meguiar's NXT wax unless I needed to remove some swirl marks or cobwebs from the finish. It is slightly abrasive. Just check out the FAQs on Meguiar's website. It is designed to remove swirl marks and cobwebs, not just fill them in. Unless I feel the need for something abrasive, I will continue using Meguiar's #26.

*Sigh* ...

NXT is a synthetic wax, it's a LSP. It's not going to remove any defects. Where on Meguiars website does it say that? I just looked it up myself and it says nothing like that.

NXT Generation® Tech Wax® 2.0 Paste is a scientific breakthrough that introduces a new dimension of gloss and protection. This improved formula produces unbelievably deep, vibrant color and a dramatically clear wet-look. New Hydrophobic Polymer Technology™ provides relentless water beading and protection against oxidation, corrosion, UV rays and surface degradation. "Hydrophobic" means "water-fearing" and this new breakthrough technology builds such incredible protection and surface tension that water beads up and just glides off your paint finish, wash after wash!

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NastyStang113 said:

*Sigh* ...

NXT is a synthetic wax, it's a LSP. It's not going to remove any defects. Where on Meguiars website does it say that? I just looked it up myself and it says nothing like that.

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Go to meguiars.com home web page
Click on Site Map (bottom of page)
Click on Car Care FAQ
Click on Paint Care
Question 5

I'd have to say Mothers plain old liquid cleaner wax. It looks nice when waxed, is as easy as any other stuff to apply, and lasts as long as anything else I have seen. And I can always find it when I need some more.

I hate waxing cars, but I try to do it every year or so. Did the black F150 over the weekend.

Going to try to do the Bullitt this weekend. That would be twice this year!

I also hate parking next to people who wax and detail their cars at cruise nights. Its embarrassing.

So stop it with the cleaning and waxing will you!

Since someone brought up sheeting water off; what are your opinions on this? I mean it makes sense in theory that the beading after a rain will amplify the sun's detrimental effects on the paint.

mustangdave said:

Since someone brought up sheeting water off; what are your opinions on this? I mean it makes sense in theory that the beading after a rain will amplify the sun's detrimental effects on the paint.

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I'm confused by your question. Sheeting water off after washing is important before finishing drying. Sheeting water off after it rains isn't a bad idea, either. Just like you said, the more water on your paint while the sun is out, the more likely you will get water spots, water etching, etc.

Can I say I prefer Mothers 3-step without being punched in the junk? I don't have a (usable) garage, so my car sits out with an all weather cover. I only drive in nice weather, stays covered during rain and overwinter (will drive a little if roads are not salty). The Mothers finish looks great, lasts very well and I can uncover after washing the previous weekend. A few minutes with Mothers detail spay and microfiber towel, and I'm off to the car show. I like Mothers, please don't hit me...

The reason I like the ICE is that it doesn't turn black plastic white and is safe to use on the black plastic. The meguiars NXT sounds good but can it be used on plastic? If it gets on plastic does it make white marks?