Help! Consumer Report results on waxes!

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Nacho_Z71

New member
Hello everyone,



This is my first time posting but I have been lurking on this site for many months now. I have a few vehicles that I LOVE to detail on a monthly basis. I have always been an avid Meguiar's user (#7 mirror glaze polish and #26 yellow wax). I used to love the Gold Class products but have been happy with the products above. ANyway, I recently did a search on car waxes because I have been curious to see what other people had to say. I ran across this link which basically states the recent results from Consumert Reports. They basically ranked Black Magic and Turtle Wax T-6 as #1. I read how they actually performed the tests with weathering techniques and water beading.



Anyway, here is the link: http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly/living/autos/cr-rates-car-waxes-60626.shtml



I would like to know ya'lls opinions. has anyone ever used those products? Are they good? I am not trying to start any type of flame wars or anything. I just want the best protection possible with the best looking results.
 
Mirror Glaze products are superior to those mentioned in the reports, and are not included in CS teats. They mainly test popular OTC products . . . Stick with what you use now, many autopians are avid Mirror Glaze fans, gold class paste and NXT gen waxes are also very popular here . . .



Anyone feel free to disagree with me here . . .
 
neonecko said:
eww OTC waxes
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What is wrong with OTC waxes? Just because you don't have to pay shipping costs and order online to get it doesn't mean they aren't good. Ever tried Collinite 845? One of the best looking LSP's for light metallics there is, IMO, and durability would put 95% of most "boutique" products to shame. What about Mothers? I hear good things about them all the time. Meg's has some decent OTC stuff too.
 
Bigpoppa3346 said:
Just because you don't have to pay shipping costs and order online to get it doesn't mean they aren't good.
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:werd: There are many OTC products that work great!! My vote would be for a Mothers wax rather than Turtle Wax or Black Magic...Just my personal preference of course
 
That test was a complete joke. How can they downgrade P21S's rating because it has no cleaning power? It isn't supposed to and further more, the instructions that come with a jar of P21S clearly state that a precleaner should be used on paint more than 6 months old. At that point, the entire test became invalid.
 
Nacho_Z71- Welcome to Autopia!



I've been scratching my head about Consumer's Reports' take on waxes since 1976. Back then I was using a combo similar to yours (#7/#16) and I ran out and got the wax they said was best (Classic Car Wax). I used it and was shocked at how lousy my car looked. I polished it off and went back to the MirrorGlaze stuff. IMO the only time they got it right was when they liked Rain Dance, which was a pretty good cleanerwax for the time (late '70s early-mid '80s).





I suspect that they don't: do decent prep before applying; use proper techniques *when* applying; or, most importantly, inspect the results with as critical an eye as some people. How else to explain how they like a wax that they admit leaves micromarring?!?



I'd skip their opinions on this subject and rely on the opinions of *real* experts, or better yet, go by your own experience. FWIW, my first-hand experiences are often at odds with the results CR reports. IMO CR's an OK starting point and can be an interesting read, but I sure don't consider it a true authority in the sense of expert-level knowledge. Everything the say seems, uhm, watered-down for mass consumption by the lowest common denominator if you know what I mean. Note that they once criticized a sports car for being fast specifically because it might encourage the driver to drive at excessive speeds.



Regarding the off-topic turn of the thread, I'm a little :rolleyes: about the categorical knocking of OTC products, there are good ones and bad ones, can't generalize. When I was a kid Meg's MirrorGlaze line was "OTC" in my area, even though they were "professional grade products" so actually, I don't even know where the dividing line *is* with regard to what's OTC/not :nixweiss Go in an autobody/paint supply place and look at what you can by over *their* counter. Might not be Zymol Vintage, but it's not junk either.
 
Ha, I knew someone would say something like that. +1. I've no problem with otc products. Have not used collinite as I am unable to locate them anywhere locally. Most the time I will order stuff via internet but in case of emergencys I will use the occasional otc product. but..Black Magic is a brand I frown upon.
 
This is another statement that should make you toss that CR mag.



And CR’s other best all-around choice, the Turtle Wax Carnauba Car Wax T-6, can cause slight scratching or hazing on newer dark-colored finishes.
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Sounds like something I'd want to use. :down



Stick with your #7, #26 products.



CR may be ok when testing refrigerators and ranges but they lack any credibility on quality car care.
 
I agree that this test was a complete joke. They do a crappy job reviewing cars, and do an even worse job doing car waxes. Rating a product based on lack of cleaning is pathetic, and I'm sure that the reviewers were some Joe-shmos(sp?) who wash with a brush and buff the wax off with an old t-shirt.
 
Heres a few comments I wouldnt necessarily agree with.............

Consumer Reports found that the liquid waxes generally provide the best combination of cleaning and protection.
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Liquid waxes are good for cleaning
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Gee, maybe because there full of cheap petroleum?



Paste waxes are good for ease of application. But overall performance is not as good as with liquids
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Spray waxes.......... are not as good for cleaning and are the worst for durability.
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I know of some spray waxes that are better then their top testers!!

How well a wax causes water to bead, or repel water, is one way to determine whether wax still provides protection from acid rain and contaminants.
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The mystery has been solved!! Thank you CR!
 
neonecko said:
Ha, I knew someone would say something like that. +1. I've no problem with otc products. Have not used collinite as I am unable to locate them anywhere locally. Most the time I will order stuff via internet but in case of emergencys I will use the occasional otc product. but..Black Magic is a brand I frown upon.
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^lol :hide:
 
Heh heh, here I am sticking up for OTC products even though I hardly ever buy anything in a brick-and-morter any more :o



neonecko- Props to you for maintaining a pleasant demeanor about everybody jumping to the defense of OTC stuff :D
 
Accumulator said:
Heh heh, here I am sticking up for OTC products even though I hardly ever buy anything in a brick-and-morter any more :o
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Same here. In fact, the only thing I really would buy OTC is more Collinite or some more Duragloss, which I already have enough of. There is a *lot* of crappy OTC stuff out there, and you have to search far and wide to find the real gems.
 
Test is a joke. I've used the turtle wax AND that black magic stuff (back in my knowledgeless days), and both are completely worthless for anything but wheels. The TW isn't a BAD product, it just doesn't have performance that a serious detailer would demand. If you're going for OTC, definitely stick to the meguiars stuff for your actual waxes. The 26, NXT and Gold Class are all good (with 26 and NXT being the best, but for diff looks. GC is good, but lasts about as long as it takes to read this sentence), or if you want to get a little different look, nanowax and TW xpress spray are all favorites of mine. I use the TW spray every week while drying. Black magic, please.
 
Consumer report did a lousy job of equating automotive paint protection with presence of water beads. Water beads don't solve the problem of oxidation and acid etching resulting from exposure to UV and salt. Aside from poor techniques and use of dirty rags, application of wax and its removal contribute largely to swirls and marring. This does not seem to bother CR.Why was a glossometer not used instead of subjective visual comparision?
 
I still don't see how they could possibly in HELL say that Black Magic is anywhere near good. Let alone their ******** about "cleaning power". That's not what a wax does bud, that's the job for a paint cleanser OR heaven forbid, a CLEANER WAX.
 
Consumer Reports is a joke period. I only had a subscription for a short time, but I've heard nothing but bad things about them. I've seen their car reports, and the inconsistencies are just amazing. I wouldn't even pay any attention to their results. I would trust my 19 month olds opinion on wax before them.
 
WOW!!! Thanks for all the replies everyone! That was fast!!! Yea I did read that article a few times and I thought it was CRAZY that ..."And CR’s other best all-around choice, the Turtle Wax Carnauba Car Wax T-6, can cause slight scratching or hazing on newer dark-colored finishes. "



Why the hell would you buy something that could possibly scratch your finish?!?!? I guess I got concerned because I figured "If you pay to be on CR, their advice must be top notch.."



Anyway, I'll stick to my good ole Meguiar's MirrorGlaze!!! Althought I did find another thread in here interesting about laying down a coat of NXT and then a coat of #26 on top.....Very interesting....... :heelclick
 
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