DBMINI recently posted about detailing and linked to another wax test that I did not know about. Historically I have often referred to the NSX Magazine wax tests when discussing waxes (This shows Zaino trouncing even a $100 bottle of Zymol). But this newer RoadFly Forums test confirms what I have often been telling people: You don’t need to go through the hours of work and multiple steps to see the huge benefits from Zaino.
If you’re confused by all this here’s the simple summary: Most car waxes are just that; wax. The better/more expensive ones use higher percentages of carnuba wax or beeswax. But it is just wax afterall, and wax melts away easily. Zaino was introduced several years ago, and really is not wax. It is a chemical polymer. In fact it’s better to think of it as a protectant. It doesn’t melt away like wax, it lasts for months. It protects your paint better from chemicals, acid rain, ultraviolet light, etc. However it is not sold in stores aside from a few dealers and of course their own web site. Recently, Meguire’s released their NXT Wax, which finally brings a polymer wax to the general public. Many people are impressed as it does beat wax waxes, but all tests have shown it is still no Zaino.
A point I have often made in forums and blog comments is that Zaino can be simple. Many are turned away by the method of achieving the absolute best from it, multiple coats of various zaino products with an hours of drying time etc. The roadfly test illustrates what I have said for a while: You will see most of the benefit of Zaino with just one coat, with just a half hour of your time. Of course, multiple coats and hours detailing will look better, but you don’t have to do that if you aren’t nuts. (Yes, I know, many of us are…)
What I have done with my MINI and my previous car is that for my first wash in the spring, and again late summer, I do the nuts many-hour several-coat zaino detail. Once a month after a normal wash, it is just one coat of Z2. That’s very reasonable.
That roadfly test was actually posted to the comments by agranger, who also shared his routine on this NAM thread. Also, NXT also is a synthetic product (read: no caranuba wax). It just doesn’t last as long as the Zaino. That test was odd because I swear I get almost a month out of coat of NXT. Must be the multiple coats.
Ok, can we stop talking about wax now? 🙂
Comment by db — August 5, 2005 @ 10:58 am
Great summary Josh. My story goes like this… used Zymol all my life, a habbt passed down from my dad and uncle. I used Zaino once two months ago and was blown away. Two months on it still looks like the car was just waxed yesterday.
Comment by Gabe — August 5, 2005 @ 1:30 pm
Echoing Gabes comments – that’s why I like it too. My car still looks shiny (if a little dusty) at the end of a weeks driving; the Zaino just needs a “top-up” now and then.
Thanks Josh for putting me on to it, by having such a great job on your car last summer 🙂
Comment by Ian C. — August 5, 2005 @ 5:35 pm
db, I would expect “almost a month” from NXT. But that’s nothing. I only have a driveway so I can’t wash and wax my cars through the cold months. Six months after the last wax and after tons of snow and salt, my cars have always still beaded better than any other you see in a parking lot.
I still think Zymol has it’s purpose: It’s for looks only, and probably still is the best choice for one or two days in a car show for example.
Comment by Josh Wardell — August 8, 2005 @ 1:03 pm
I’d love to take credit for the link to the roadfly wax test, but I pulled it from a long forgotten thread and a post from BradB on NAM. I’ve also gotta give him significant credit for my detailing process post… he did a major edit and revision on several sections.
Comment by agranger — August 10, 2005 @ 5:37 pm