liquid or paste?

[zsimp]

Does it matter for quality of finish if i use a liquid wax or a paste wax? if not, which is easier to apply? I'm tryin to figure out whether i want meguiars paste wax or liquid wax for my daily driver, and I have no idea if it even makes a difference... any help is appreciated

[cheezypoof714]

Meguiars liquid cleaner/wax comes off real easy, and leaves a nice shine.

[LikeaRock]

Depends on the type of wax we're talking about, and the quality (in ways).

All of your quality carnauba's are in paste form, although some liquids are really good too. Liquid is easier to apply/remove, but most good paste waxes will provide a better shine

If you're looking for a good DD wax, try Meguiars #26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax, or NXT Paste

[buellwinkle]

Liquid and paste of the same wax is the same. I've tried NXT Tech Wax in liquid and paste and it shines and lasts the same. It's just a matter of preference. I like liquid as I can put it on a buffer and apply it that way which would be much harder to do that paste. Also paste get grungy in the can as you have to keep sticking a pad that gets dirty in there and may transfer contaminants that may scratch the paint. The only paste wax I use is Meg's #16 (hard to find) only because it's the only way it comes. It's a hard wax so it leaves a good hard wax finish but is considerebly harder to remove than NXT.

[LikeaRock]

Quote: Originally Posted by buellwinkle

Liquid and paste of the same wax is the same. I've tried NXT Tech Wax in liquid and paste and it shines and lasts the same. It's just a matter of preference. I like liquid as I can put it on a buffer and apply it that way which would be much harder to do that paste. Also paste get grungy in the can as you have to keep sticking a pad that gets dirty in there and may transfer contaminants that may scratch the paint. The only paste wax I use is Meg's #16 (hard to find) only because it's the only way it comes. It's a hard wax so it leaves a good hard wax finish but is considerebly harder to remove than NXT.

Liquid and paste are NOT the same. Like I said, almost all of your quality carnauba waxes come in paste form. NXT, although it is a good product, isn't the best wax out there, and it's not a pure carnauba or sealant, as it contains fillers and I even believe certain silicones to help hide swirls/scratches. And you shouldn't have a "dirty" applicator pad unless you missed a bunch of dirt while you were washing. Of course you can't get everything off, but as long as you use proper paint prep steps before you apply your LSP then the pads shouldnt be dirty. As for removing, even a liquid wax can be hard to remove. It all depends on the hardness of the carnauba, if you're applying TOO much wax, and if you didn't remove the wax as the instructions say to. Pre-wax paint prep can effect this too.

As I obviously made myself clear on, not all waxes are the same, you'd be suprised at the effectiveness of all the specialty products you can find in detailing stores or online. That doesn't mean that more expensive means better, but use it as a rule of thumb.

I'm not trying to contradict anything you're saying or making you sound like an idiot, I'm just throwing an extra $.02

[buellwinkle]

Never said all waxes are the same, just the same wax like NXT Paste vs NXT Liquid. Talked about this with the Meguiars people and they say the paste and liquid NXT is the same and my experience concurs. There are lots of different waxes and each one has properties that suit different individuals, that's why a large company like Meguiars makes dozens of different waxes. Personally I don't like caranuba waxes, they don't last enough for me. As far as hard paste waxes that can't be made liquid like Meguiars #16, yes, they do produce a better shine and last longer but in contrast, NXT is much easier to remove, has fillers (I prefer a wax with fillers, that's why I put #16 over NXT to get the best of both worlds), has cleaners, has better color enhancing properties and leaves a very slick finish that protects against bug/bird poop, etc, and adds depth, a property the hard waxes and caranubas are not as good at. Also, some people like waxes that bead water and some like waxes that sheet, caranubas and hard paste waxes tend to bead more, synthetics like NXT or #21 tend to sheet water.

So just because all waxes are different does't mean they each doesn't provide good results for what their chemist designed to the wax to accomplish.

[LikeaRock]

True, carnauba waxes don't last as long as most synthetics, but you can't beat the hardness of a quality carnauba. I really don't see a problem wih the durability issue unless you don't have the time to apply a new coat every 3-6 weeks. I personally use a carnauba on almost all of my details, but I have used Meguiars sealant on a few vehicles (can't remember the number off hand) and was quite impressed. Durability can be an issue with ANY wax or sealant, such as using too much car wash soap, using dish soap, road conditions, etc.
And true, NXT is fairly easy to remove, but as long as you apply the wax properly, such as sun/no sun (depending on the product), you can dramatically effect the way the wa comes off. Usually if this happens, removal can be made easier with some sort of QD spray or a wiping with a CLEAN wash mitt...

[bladehines]

Meguiars GOLD CLASS liquid is the shit!!!

[black4.3]

As far as for protection, a paste form will last a little longer than the liquid. A liquid wax also has more solvents in it than a paste so it often cleans some. If for looks, its not the wax that brings out the shine its the polishing. Any particular reason for Megs.

[rick85]

mothers california gold canabura cleaner wax is great (paste)

[AustinSdime]

the wax shops Super Glaze is the end all be all easy to use wax.

[Metlhed01]

all i know is that ive had the best results with the meguires NXT liquid wax. im going to pick up the can of NXT paste just to see how its comparable when my liquid runs out though.

[dropped1]

Poorboys Natty caranubas own all.

[5918MIKE]

I prefer the pastes, I use Souveran and Meg's #16 and find that I get better even thin coats and it doesn't load up my applicator so bad as the liquid does.

[stuntjester1]

you want a good shine get wax called liquid glass, stuff is sweet great shine but dont last as long as NXT wax. but its been around for like 50 years, its like 20 bucks a bottle, some autozones care it.

[black4.3]

Quote: Originally Posted by 5918MIKE

I prefer the pastes, I use Souveran and Meg's #16 and find that I get better even thin coats and it doesn't load up my applicator so bad as the liquid does.

Now he knows the good stuff, Souveran for dark 16 for light or metallic.
Nattys is great too. You have to know there is a difference in buying stuff from walmart and most parts store in which they are mostly cleaner waxes and having a real polish polish the paint.

[LikeaRock]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't #16 a glaze?

[black4.3]

Quote: Originally Posted by LikeaRock

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't #16 a glaze?

No, it Professional Paste wax from Meguiars. Its the most durable carnuaba wax I have ever used. Its sad that its just got discountinued because of VOC.

[Froghair]

Boys and girls, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned mega-million bucks products like Turtle Wax products, and Rain Dance, the 2001 products and 3-M. Auto store shelves are full of them, are any of them worthy of mention?

[indigo s10]

I use Meguiars' NXT paste. I waste to much when I use liquid. For in between waxes(read as: in a hurry) I use Meguiars Spray Quik Wax.