Intermediate / Professional finishes vs Consumer level

[mrbtd]

I only do work for myself...I am caring for 3 cars that are all daily drivers and I feel like I am ready for the next level in waxes/compounds but do not know where to start.

Simply put...I have all 3 cars to the point they make me smile when clean (2 black and 1 medium gray).

So far I have only used Meguiars Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish and Ultimate wax with a different DA's (Porter Cable, Harbor Freight, Griots 6" and 3").

Since none of the 3 cars need correction work right now I would like to try a high end wax that works well being applied with a DA. I like the Ultimate Wax but keep thinking one of the professional level waxes would offer better clarity and shine.

Any suggestions ?

[MIsnowman]

I think Meg's Ultimate Wax is a pretty good product, especially for the price. Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant (DGPS) works really well and is super easy to use. Pinnacle Souveran (carnauba wax) is awesome on Black paint!! AG was practically giving it away during their "pre-prime" sale. Many will use some type of sealant and then top with a high quality wax to get that extra "wow" factor.

[4u2nvinmtl]

That's a tricky question as everyone has their own opinion.

I've tried a lot of products in a similar quest and I've come to a conclusion that anything on top of perfectly polished paint changes (takes away from) the look. Some waxes/sealants will make the paint look wetter or shinier but add a layer doing so.

I think of it like adding wax to a diamond to try to make it look better...

Regardless you'll need something to protect the paint, and I find the LSP's are very similar in appearance to the degree I doubt most could tell the difference if one side of the car was coated with wax A and the other side was coated with wax B.

To make a good recommendation I think we need to establish the variables:
1. Durability, how often are you ready to reapply the product and what do you need to protect from the most
2. Preferred quality/advantage for the ideal LSP; Gloss, Depth, Flake Pop, Glow
3. Ease of application, do you want to layer something to death or just WoW
4. Cost, price range

Honestly some people pay $1,000's for wax's that in my opinion look the same as a $60 wax (in some cases they don’t even look as good). It's very subjective.

None the less I'd recommend the following LSPs:

FK1000P, this is my current LSP and it's easy to use and can easily be applied because the tin's opening is large enough for the DA pads to fit in (4inch pads). It also has incredible durability and has really good quality’s (high gloss/shine, Good flake pop, nice glow). I've been applying this this wax in layers, one layer after my weekly washes (up to 3 layers).

Collinite 845, is another great LSP. It’s very easy to apply (can be applied via DA) looks great last longs and the price is right (Collinite is a must have IMHO). It also doesn’t stain trim.

Klasse All-in-one & Klasse Sealant Glaze, this is a two part LSP one is a paint cleaner with a sealant in it (All-in-one) the other is a pure sealant made from acrylic. This is one of my favorite looking LSP but requires a lot of time to layer (12-hour cure time between layers). I apply a minimum of 4 layers and a maximum of 8. The gloss is really incredible as is the durability.

Blackfire Wet Diamond (sealant) topped with Blackfire Midnight Sun (wax), is another combo. It doesn’t have very good durability but it looks really good. I recommend two layers of Wet Diamond 8 hours apart, and then top with two layers of Midnight Sun after letting the 2nd layer of Wet Diamond cure for at least 12 hours (layers of Midnight sun can be applied as soon as 1 hour apart).


I have pictures of my car done with each of these products below…

FK1000P:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201507021574.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201507021574.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201507021567.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201507021567.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201507021555.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201507021555.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201507021539.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201507021539.jpg.html)

Blackfire Wet Diamond topped with Blackfire Midnight Sun:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504301369.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504301369.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504301357.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504301357.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504301377.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504301377.jpg.html)

Unfortunately all my Klasse Shots are in HDR to show off the shine:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/003_201411090891_2_3.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/003_201411090891_2_3.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504131325_6_7_tonemapped_tonemapped.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504131325_6_7_tonemapped_tonemapped.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504131333_tonemapped.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504131333_tonemapped.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201409280507_8_9CompressorAnd1more_fused.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201409280507_8_9CompressorAnd1more_fused.jpg.html)


Mothers Snyth Paste Wax (just to show a OTC wax to compair:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201405109207_08_09_10_11_12_tonemapped.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201405109207_08_09_10_11_12_tonemapped.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201405109413_4_5_tonemapped.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201405109413_4_5_tonemapped.jpg.html)

[swanicyouth]

You wanna try a top $$$ wax?

Get some Nattys Blue

[Loach]

I'm one of those guys where the difference in gloss levels between waxes is hard for my own eyes to really quantify much. I think Ultimate Paste Wax competes well against any wax out there as far as looks go so long as you've prepped the paint really well by polishing it. But some people can see that difference in gloss and depth and are willing to pay more for those boutique waxes that really deliver that extra "pop".

One of the most commonly recommended waxes for incredible gloss and depth is Pinnacle Souveran. And unfortunately as MIsnowman said, you just missed out on a 70% off sale for the wax, it's now currently listed back up to $95 for 8oz on the online store. Or you can pick up a 3oz size for $60. Wolfgang Fuzion is another one highly recommended to deliver an above and beyond shine.

[Ryan509]

That's a tricky question as everyone has their own opinion.

I've tried a lot of products in a similar quest and I've come to a conclusion that anything on top of perfectly polished paint changes (takes away from) the look. Some waxes/sealants will make the paint look wetter or shinier but add a layer doing so.

I think of it like adding wax to a diamond to try to make it look better...

Regardless you'll need something to protect the paint, and I find the LSP's are very similar in appearance to the degree I doubt most could tell the difference if one side of the car was coated with wax A and the other side was coated with wax B.

To make a good recommendation I think we need to establish the variables:
1. Durability, how often are you ready to reapply the product and what do you need to protect from the most
2. Preferred quality/advantage for the ideal LSP; Gloss, Depth, Flake Pop, Glow
3. Ease of application, do you want to layer something to death or just WoW
4. Cost, price range

Honestly some people pay $1,000's for wax's that in my opinion look the same as a $60 wax (in some cases they don’t even look as good). It's very subjective.

None the less I'd recommend the following LSPs:

FK1000P, this is my current LSP and it's easy to use and can easily be applied because the tin's opening is large enough for the DA pads to fit in (4inch pads). It also has incredible durability and has really good quality’s (high gloss/shine, Good flake pop, nice glow). I've been applying this this wax in layers, one layer after my weekly washes (up to 3 layers).

Collinite 845, is another great LSP. It’s very easy to apply (can be applied via DA) looks great last longs and the price is right (Collinite is a must have IMHO). It also doesn’t stain trim.

Klasse All-in-one & Klasse Sealant Glaze, this is a two part LSP one is a paint cleaner with a sealant in it (All-in-one) the other is a pure sealant made from acrylic. This is one of my favorite looking LSP but requires a lot of time to layer (12-hour cure time between layers). I apply a minimum of 4 layers and a maximum of 8. The gloss is really incredible as is the durability.

Blackfire Wet Diamond (sealant) topped with Blackfire Midnight Sun (wax), is another combo. It doesn’t have very good durability but it looks really good. I recommend two layers of Wet Diamond 8 hours apart, and then top with two layers of Midnight Sun after letting the 2nd layer of Wet Diamond cure for at least 12 hours (layers of Midnight sun can be applied as soon as 1 hour apart).


I have pictures of my car done with each of these products below…

FK1000P:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201507021574.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201507021574.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201507021567.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201507021567.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201507021555.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201507021555.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201507021539.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201507021539.jpg.html)

Blackfire Wet Diamond topped with Blackfire Midnight Sun:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504301369.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504301369.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504301357.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504301357.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504301377.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504301377.jpg.html)

Unfortunately all my Klasse Shots are in HDR to show off the shine:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/003_201411090891_2_3.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/003_201411090891_2_3.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504131325_6_7_tonemapped_tonemapped.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504131325_6_7_tonemapped_tonemapped.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201504131333_tonemapped.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201504131333_tonemapped.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201409280507_8_9CompressorAnd1more_fused.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201409280507_8_9CompressorAnd1more_fused.jpg.html)


Mothers Snyth Paste Wax (just to show a OTC wax to compair:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201405109207_08_09_10_11_12_tonemapped.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201405109207_08_09_10_11_12_tonemapped.jpg.html)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/4u2nv_in_mtl/201405109413_4_5_tonemapped.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/4u2nv_in_mtl/media/201405109413_4_5_tonemapped.jpg.html)

What he said. Here is a truck i did. Didn't want correction just a seal. Used Blackfire Wet Diamond and here were the results on a moderatly overcast day

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y480/Ryan509Pare/11149672_10152891818607297_8679628323593668818_o_z psmpid2sko.jpg (http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/Ryan509Pare/media/11149672_10152891818607297_8679628323593668818_o_z psmpid2sko.jpg.html)

With that being said you can also consider a coating?

[mrbtd]

Thanks for all the feedback guys..I am going to try the Pinnacle Souveran and work my way down...I get the feeling that since this is all so subjective I may as well try it and see if I see a difference.

[onsite]

Try it out and let us all know what you noticed, like and dislike compared to what your currently using