Waxing- how often?

jbsf3 · #1 10-15-2005, 12:04 PM

I am currently using Meguiar's NXT wax- it works great for my JB/JB MINI. How often should I wax it- is twice a month too much? What would be the negative effects of too much wax on the car? Thanks all.

chows4us · #2 10-15-2005, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbsf3

I am currently using Meguiar's NXT wax- it works great for my JB/JB MINI. How often should I wax it- is twice a month too much? What would be the negative effects of too much wax on the car? Thanks all.

There should be no negative effects of too much wax but if there is a good layer there, adding another may not help much as in the law of dimishing returns. If NXT is real carnuaba, a second layer would help.

Once a month is plenty for carnuaba, a lot longer for Zaino

MrV · #3 10-15-2005, 01:06 PM

This wax review should give you a good idea of the diminshing wear effects of the NXT wax and how often you should renew it.

http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/det...5504326&page=1

-- Jay

**OctaneGuy** · #4 10-15-2005, 01:10 PM

NXT is a synthetic--not carnuba. However, it is recommended to apply 2 coats, not for layering like the Zaino products, but to ensure even coverage over the entire car.

How often you wax is dependent on a number of factors, here are some of them:

1.) How much you enjoy it
2.) How often the paint is being touched
3.) Weather factors
4.) Whether the car is indoors or outdoors the majority of the time

#1 self explanatory

#2 is related to the fact that if you Quik Detail your car every day to remove airborne contaminants, you will be wearing your wax protection down faster than if you don't touch your car. It's easy to tell with NXT. If you QD a lot, as soon as your microfiber begins to drag a little, it's time for more NXT or better yet, NXT Spray Wax---just spray it on a towel, rub the towel in, let it dry, and wipe off.

Less effort than NXT Liquid Tech Wax.

#3 Here in Los Angeles, it doesn't rain much, but it is pretty hot and dry--though not at hot as in some parts of the country. The number of times I need to wax is fewer than say someone on the east coast that has to deal with rain and snow!

#4 should be obvious---the less times you need to clean your car, the longer the wax will last and provide protection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chows4us

There should be no negative effects of too much wax but if there is a good layer there, adding another may not help much as in the law of dimishing returns. If NXT is real carnuaba, a second layer would help.

Once a month is plenty for carnuaba, a lot longer for Zaino

gokartride · #5 10-15-2005, 01:15 PM

I "wax" using Klasse AIO and Sealant Glaze (yes, only 2 steps) somewhere between every 10 months to once a year. Protection is great, car looks super...and never any residue on the trim after use!!! I QD often enough, but just to keep up w/ random incidents. I use Mother's QD so nothing's being "boosted" or replenished. Does seem to help bring back the slickness though.

jbsf3 · #6 10-15-2005, 01:28 PM

Thanks guys, as usual- great information.
MrV- thanks for the great link, I may have to give the Zaino a try once the NXT runs out...

MrV · #7 10-15-2005, 01:39 PM

No problem. I, like many others out there, heartily recommend the Zaino brand.

**OctaneGuy** · #8 10-15-2005, 02:06 PM

It should be noted that if you ask the manufacturers represented in that "informal" shootout, I'm sure they will disagree with the results. (This chart is often passed around as proof of Zaino's protection) As a user of NXT and former Zaino freak, I would have to say the NXT results are flawed and would therefore have to question all of the other results as well.

NXT on my MINI and hundreds of other MINI's I've worked on continue to bead up months after the first application.

I'm not saying Zaino is bad--it's a good product, just like some of the other represented products. In fact most waxes that us enthusiasts use are just as good--they all result in a super glossy shine that beads water, but technique is a huge factor as well as are real world conditions and this chart only continues to propagate the myth that Zaino is a superior product when it really isn't.

There's no doubt that the MINI world, and this forum on NAM is Zaino centric, however when I look back at when I was ordering my car in 2003, I tried Zaino cause everyone else was--not because it was a great product, and back then, I really knew very little about how to properly care for my paint.

Just my 2 cents.

Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbsf3

Thanks guys, as usual- great information.
MrV- thanks for the great link, I may have to give the Zaino a try once the NXT runs out...

jbsf3 · #9 10-15-2005, 02:15 PM

Richard- glad to hear from someone that has used both. I am very happy with the NXT results, beads water like a champ and has a deep and glossy shine. Any tips for applying it? I just use the foam pad that it came with, let it dry and buff with a microfiber towel- seems to work but I am open to suggestions.

**OctaneGuy** · #10 10-15-2005, 02:34 PM

Hey jbsf3--

Yep, that's the method I would use if applying by hand. It goes on easy and fast, and doesn't require a lot of effort to remove. Just make sure you apply while paint is cool to the touch. Make sure wax is fully dry before wiping it off. Use the "Swipe Test". To test if the wax is dry, just use your finger and swipe the "dried wax" and that should result in a swipe that's clear and glossy to the paint--not smudgy or smeary. If so, then wipe down the car--turning the towel constantly.

Personally, I prefer to apply with a PC (Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher). I like it for a couple of reasons.
1.) Safe and fast way to apply/remove wax
2.) Buffs out minor swirls and cobwebs
3.) Applies a thin even coat of wax that dries quickly with minimum waste.
4.) Takes all the work out of waxing your car.

Here's an example of a green Saturn I worked on last month (Sorry not a MINI)
After washing

Cobweb can be seen in direct sunlight

Buffed out (I did use a Rotary on the deep scratches), but shine is from NXT Tech Wax and PC on this highly oxidized never before waxed car.

One of my "students" using the PC for the first time--mastered it in about 10 minutes of hands on use.

Or from Here (EB/Blk MCS)

To HERE

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbsf3

Richard- glad to hear from someone that has used both. I am very happy with the NXT results, beads water like a champ and has a deep and glossy shine. Any tips for applying it? I just use the foam pad that it came with, let it dry and buff with a microfiber towel- seems to work but I am open to suggestions.

gokartride · #11 10-15-2005, 02:49 PM

^^^^^^^impressive results!!!

jbsf3 · #12 10-15-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gokartride

^^^^^^^impressive results!!!

Impressive indeed!

**OctaneGuy** · #13 10-15-2005, 03:50 PM

Thanks!!!

William Courant · #14 10-15-2005, 03:59 PM

I was surprised at the durability rating for NXT in the shootout as well. I get much more durability out of my NXT applications than those guys did

And when you factor in the ease of application and time factor between appliying NXT versus Zaino, no contest. I will say that the first time I used NXT I wasn't impressed with its durability. After the second coat about a month later I was very satisfied

It almost seems as if it gradually builds up to achieve max longevity.

ArmyDog · #15 10-16-2005, 01:25 AM

I was skeptical about NXT too but my bud has a Black Neon (staged) and uses NXT and it looks awsome. So I decided to put away the Wax Shop stuff and give NXT a try. I only applied one coat of NXT wax and I was impressed with the gloss especially on my black top. I applied the NXT spray wax (quick detailer) last weekend to the top to see the results...and WOW! What a shine. Next weekend I will apply a second coat of the wax on every visible painted part of the car. I also use the NXT car wash and micro fiber towels religiously.