Sorry... I know this has been coverd to death already, but I can't seem to find it via searching.

Can some kind soul point me to some of the many threads comparing the various wax/polish preferences among board members? Zymol vs. Zaino and all that. I remember there was a thread recently about a wax/polish review. Please point me in the right direction.

Specifically, which don't leave any white residue when dry (or if you accidentally touch black plastic trim)? Which last longest?

Thanks in advance.

 

You might try to look at gurureports.com. They just did a major wax test and I believe zaino came out on top. This was covered in earlier posts. I have no affiliation with zaino...., but I use it and am very happy with it. Zaino lasts a long time, is easy to use and leaves a great shine.

 

Also try carcareonline.com

 

If you haven't already, check http://www.autopia.org/ use the search function......You should get loads of info.

Good Luck,




BTW Zaino..... ROCKS!!!

 

I use Victoria Wax products from Canada and am very happy with the results., (no affiliation). It is one of the few waxes which uses as much Carnuba wax as possible in their formula. You put it on with your fingertips and the palm of your hand. The heat from your skin and the friction of putting it on makes for a spectacular shine with untimate protection. Victoria also makes some other products which I have found to be quite good. These waxes are available at: Prestigecarcareproducts.com. I have no interest in the sales of these products, but strongly suggest that they are worth a try.

 

Does anyone have any experience with Blackfire All-Finish Paint Protection? I'd like to hear your responses regarding this product.

 

I use all Griots products, superior to anything else I have tried. Blows away Zymol. www.griots.com

no affiliation of course

 

Sodly,

Guru Reports, had Zaino as #1 and P21S as #2. Zymol was somewhere in the middle of the pack. They tested for longevity, ease of application, shine when applied, etc. The above two give you a choice between synthetic or carnuba based.

I personally have recently converted to zaino because I'm very pleased with the results, but it is a personal decision.

Good luck,

Skip

 

My $.02. Can't beat Zaino!!!

 

If you want your car to look like it was soaked with water and then instantly sealed in Saran wrap, use Zaino. Many people love this look and work hard to achieve it.

To me , this usually looks too harsh and artificial, so I use Zymol and other carnuba waxes which IMHO lend a warmer, thicker looking shine. As stated above, however, waxes are an incredibly "personal taste" thing.

And frankly, I envy Kim that he can't tell the difference between the shine of various waxes--saves lots of time and aggravation!

 

I find P21 and Pinnacle Sourvien(sp) best for concours events, and Blitz for for every day driving.

 

for my black cars it's been griots'-------------> their line up has been the best for cleaning & finish on my black car (spped shine is nice for in-between waxes)...
drove my 993 onto a dealer lot... parked it near a new black 996 & my car had a deeper, clear gloss... makes me wonder if porsche has changed their formulation on paint since the 993's???
wax on wax off.... btw:it's easy to work w/ too...

later,
r.

 

Sodly,

If thats one of your primary concerns, there's no better option than P21S Carnauba Wax in my opinion. It doesn't chalk, or leave any white residue if you inadvertently get some on plastic, rubber or matte trim finishes, like most all other waxes I've used.

Plus, its easy to apply/remove, with great results. I haven't touched my various Zymol waxes in several years since using the P21S stuff.

Good luck,
Tim

 

Some very good posts above. I'll add something from a brief wax article I just finished for my region's newsletter. The Guru Reports Wax Test report is very good (worth the $10). It covers 46 waxes, from Zaino (#1) to Lemon Pledge ! (#46). I got the report right after my last waxing of two cars (with One Grand Blitz Carnauba, which finished #13 in Guru Reports test). After Zaino, P21S, and Klasse, the top rated one-step cleaner wax easily available from chain stores was Armor All Protective Barrier (ranked #4 overall); Rain Dance Premium (#7) was very similar. The highest ranking Meguiar's was 18th, the highest ranking Griot's was 16th, and the highest ranking Zymol was 29th.

After pouring through 3 wax test reports and wax discussions on rennlist and Potomac Region's site, I asked the winner of the Zuffenhausen Award at 2003 Parade Concours (he always gets very high exterior finish scores, and scored a 295 total this year) what wax he used. He replied that his car had never been waxed! Instead, after washing with Woolite and cold water, he uses Astro Shield. He said it took about half an hour, gave high gloss, and lasted (beaded water) for a year or more. Astro Shield (not included in the Guru test) is a polymer-based cleaner/polish/glaze with no wax content. According to Larry Reynolds (www.carcareonline.com), German finishes do not tolerate polymers as well as American and Japanese finishes do. Typically, polymer-based products don't give the depth of gloss that carnaubas do (but then there's that dang Zuffenhausen Award), but they are more resistent to wash wear, and last longer. Unlike carnaubas, polymers tend to build up, so eventually the finish may need "stripping." I was given a can of Astro Shield by a supplier to try. I haven't done the wife's American car yet, so that's where I'll try it.

In spite of my almost 40 year of wax "experience", I still don't know what the "best" wax for my car and me is. I don't like to work hard, long, or often; and I don't like the "wet" look (or highly polished wheels and shiney tires) on my car. There are so many variables involved, and so many different individual priorities, that perhaps the most important thing is to clean and protect your car's finish with something (whatever you like) every few months. Waxes tend to be worn away on regular drivers within a couple of months. Polymers last somewhat longer. If you want to extend their durability, keep the car in the garage and don't wash it. If you just have to wash it, use only half the recommended amount of liquid car wash in your water bucket.

 

OK I'll try it! Where is the best place to buy Zaino on the web?