Do we need a WAX shootout?

[Stang Man]

This is just an idea. With all of these new waxes going around, as well as the tried and true Zaino, people like myself are split between the choices.

Personally I've been using Zaino. Just got a portion of the car repainted so I was going to strip the entire car again and begin over again starting with Dawn and a clay bar. Now I'm stuck between the choice of Tropi-Care, the Zaino I've always used, Meguiar's NXT or whatever, or a combining of the different brands.

Anyways, down to the challenge. I've got the stock hood from my '89 GT. Its black in color, and the paint is in decent condition.

I was thinking, I'm not using it and its just sitting. Why not have a representative from the various camps of wax swing by the house one weekend, go through their process on their portion of the hood. Then, just let it sit in the backyard in the sun and rain.

I'll check the progress of the different waxes from time to time, post pics, etc etc. Have the users come back in a week or two, wash it with their preferred wash, apply more wax if necessary, and then track the progress again.

Would anyone be interested in this? I just think it'd be a good idea so some people could get together and try out others' wax and see the results first hand.

I don't want anything from this, I'll donate the hood, take pics on the weekends when I come home from college, and post my opinions.

The hood/house are in NW Houston. If anyone from the Houston area would be interested in this experiment feel free to post up, and the type of wax you plan to use.

I was thinking of dividing the hood into four parts. One Zaino section, one for Tropi-Care, and one for Meguiars. The fourth spot can be left open to be used as a comparison from stock to the waxed finishes, or for a fourth wax. If all 4 spots are used for wax, there will be a section in the middle that will remain unwaxed.

Sorry for the long post, hopefully we can get the ball rolling on this and get some good data for people interested.

Thanks all for reading!

Arron Larkin

PS- Here are 3 of our cars. We use Zaino but are running out, looking to see if we should buy more, or jump ship: http://www.westsidemustangs.com/site/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/11709/normal_orangecarsfront.jpg

A couple more pictures of my car...gotta show off:D . Only 2 coats of Zaino on it in the pictures:
http://www.westsidemustangs.com/site/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/11709/frontcornerhigh.jpg

In the sun the Pearl really looks good, old wheels:
http://www.westsidemustangs.com/site/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/11709/mycar.jpg

http://www.westsidemustangs.com/site/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/11709/normal_rearcorner1.JPG

[smiley]

you must like orange? ;)

[Stang Man]

Just a little :)

This summer I plan on painting the bike orange, too. I'm thinking a color shifting hue this time around.

[MeentSS02]

Sounds like a good idea, but I'm not swinging by Houston to do it...if you can find someone that would put a Menzerna/Blackfire/P21S combo on, then that would represent me just fine. I doubt you'll find anyone around there that would be willing to do it though.

[RUSSH]

I'm in Northwest Houston and a detail freak. I would be interested in this...just let me know.

[Stang Man]

Originally posted by MeentSS02
Sounds like a good idea, but I'm not swinging by Houston to do it...if you can find someone that would put a Menzerna/Blackfire/P21S combo on, then that would represent me just fine. I doubt you'll find anyone around there that would be willing to do it though.

Haha, wish I was closer :( If you do by chance find someone using your process let me know, I'd be glad to have them.

Russh, that'd be awesome. What brand of wax do you plan on using? Do you by chance know Austin Auflick? I remember seeing RUSSH on a set of plates in the area, just makin' sure its the same person :drive:

Arron

[RUSSH]

Yep I know him. I'd really like to use Zaino since that is my choice of polish, and know how to use it to the best of it's abilities :D

[Cody99TA]

StangMan- Sent you a PM :)

[Stang Man]

Alrighty RUSSH thats fine, you can do the Zaino. I'll get the spaces filled then post available dates and we can go from there. Stay tuned for that thread/post.

Cody, I got the PM, thanks a lot bro. I sent you one back, too.

Arron

[94NDTA]

make sure you get some s100/P21S in the comp. It will die in the duribility test, but will own all in shine!

[Stang Man]

After talking with a reputable detailer I've decided that it would be more consistent if I applied the waxes myself.

The test will include 3 coats of the following waxes:

Zaino Z2 with the ZXF accelerator, coats of Z6 in between.

Tropi-care TC3 polish, coats of TC5 in between.

Meguiars. I have a friend who is very knowledgeable in the use of Meguiars, I will borrow his and apply three coats.

The entire hood will be washed with dawn and clayed with a Zaino clay bar to remove and crap in the paint. Remember, this is a 15 year old hood with stock ford paint. It is in pretty good shape, but the outcome of the waxes will be really indicative of how well they work. After this test I'd like to do the same test with a freshly painted surface, details later.

The exact tests are yet to be determined. The NSX guys did a test a while ago with a few waxes and I'd like to follow the same format they used. They also had unbiased people stop by and rate the different sections of the hood, and the sections were unmarked so its impossible to pick your favorite based on brand.

Stay tuned everyone, and if you have anything you'd like me to test specifically feel free to post up.

Thanks all.

Arron Larkin

[RUSSH]

Just let me know if you need help with anything.

[MeentSS02]

Originally posted by 94NDTA
make sure you get some s100/P21S in the comp. It will die in the duribility test, but will own all in shine!

:yup:

[Stang Man]

Originally posted by RUSSH
Just let me know if you need help with anything.

Will do, thanks for the offer.

Arron

[96snake]

I think it sounds like a great idea. Good luck.

Lorne

[ZeusJr]

Originally posted by smiley
you must like orange? ;)

It is the best color after all... ;)

Nice cars man...

[Stang Man]

Originally posted by ZeusJr
It is the best color after all... ;)

Nice cars man...

Yeah, it is the best color :cool:

Thanks for the compliment :D