Review: Wolfgang Füzion Carnauba Polymer Estate Wax

[akimel]

That should never be the barometer for comparison (of anything).

A Ferrari Enzo costs more than 20 times what a Camaro Z-28 costs. Does that mean that the Ferrari should be 20 times faster? I think not.

Maybe not 20x faster, but I would expect the Ferrari to demonstrate demonstrable superiority in many ways, wouldn't you? Surely it's not just subjective and arbitrary preference!

Similarly, Fuzion costs 5 times more than some other LSP's. Does that mean that it should look 5 times as good? Of course not. Does that mean that it should last 5 times as long? I don't think so.

Again, if I am paying 5x more for a product, I'd better see demonstrable evidence of that product's manifest superiority! Granted, I may be willing to pay a few bucks more for Levi's, but it would be ridiculous to pay 5x more for identical jeans.

Another analogy is with audio components. Audiophiles will pay thousands of dollars more for a sound processor that they think gives them better sound. Is it really several times better sounding than a basic receiver? Nope. But it is worth it to them.

But this is not an argument. This simply confirms P. T. Barnum's maxim that there's a sucker born every minute. Don't get me wrong. I'm a sucker more often than not ... but I don't defend it!

I believe Rob T's argument still has merit. He threw those cars out there as an example but could throw many other cars or any other product out there as well. I could name cars that cost more and drive slower that people like more then cars that equal or rival them and drive faster. There are products of every category that cost more and people like more then products that cost less... and v/v. The only constant discernible reason for someone to buy one product over another is because that is the one they choose to buy. In the end it's about how it looks and makes you feel for each person. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm not arguing that one wax is going to look so much better then the one next to it but if someone likes "A" then they are free to purchase "A". If "A" and "B" look and feel the same to someone else then that's good for them too This isn't a socialist country after all. I was lucky enough to get my Fuzion at DF in the goody bag and I like it very much.

This is pure subjectivism! I trust, Corey, that folks can offer stronger testimony on behalf of Fuzion than arbitrary prejudice. If the generic Acetaminophen is identical to Tylenol in every respect, why in the world should I choose Tylenol?!!

[Type[R]+]

Thank you Andrew for an honest review!

I have been eyeing off the 3oz tub of fuzion for a while, but the $50 cost puts me off every time. I just ordered the P21S, as it seems to be a cracker of a wax. I guess this is a complement to the Fuzion if they look the same, if anything.

This review reminds me of when someone tested CG 5050 vs DODO SN! Both looked the same! The SN was a tiny bit clearer, but you couldn't really tell the difference! It took the OP ages to find a reflection to show a difference. I have CG 5050, but might still get a panel pot of the SN to try out.

[CEE DOG]

If the generic Acetaminophen is identical to Tylenol in every respect, why in the world should I choose Tylenol?!!

You shouldn't unless you want to. Wolfgang Fuzion is not identical to P21 in every way.

[Dubbin1]

Hey Andrew how about doing the same light test with nothing on the paint?

[CEE DOG]

Hey Andrew how about doing the same light test with nothing on the paint?

Exactly!

[Rob T]

No, but there should be SOME discernable reason, shouldn't there?

With a Ferrari, there is a combination of reasons to justify it (even though you may never fully justify it), but some of those reasons include objective reasons (speed and handling) and others are subjective (looks and prestige).

So, the argument can be made that there can be some justification. However, if you have two LSPs, that look exactly the same and last exactly the same, are the same in application and removal and they are both non-staining, what would be the justification?

Well thank you for this, Mr. Obvious.

If two products do everything exactly the same (looks, durability, application, protection) can you justify one costing 10 times more? Obviously not. I'm really glad that we could agree on that, as it was a point of hot contention.

[WestEnd]

Costlier products may or may not be superior in all ways or any.

But, people do like what makes them feel good and I wouldn't call it "a sucker born every minute." If a true Ferrari makes you feel better than another less expensive car and you are only going to be driving 65 MPH or less, then why get the Ferrari?

Most people wont drive a Ferrari even close to what they are built to perform to but they still buy them.

Maybe the pricey waxes do have a sheen that those as the Pebble Beach show can discern and they should use it. It might have that initial look to get a car to the 100.0 point level and it immediately starts losing points after application and by the half hour, as do all show cars.

Does that mean the everyday Rolls Royce or Mercedes or Ford shouldn't use them? It's up to the person and how it makes them feel viscerally. If it adds to their life in one form or another then they should enjoy that. Why do they want it? Doesn't really matter. But if someone enjoys something, their family enjoys it and can afford it, then I say go for it if that's your decision.

I am not advocating pricier products, unless they do something for you to improve your life. For those wanting an adequate or near performance comparison, then they will be happy with a less expensive model, tin, tub or towel.

btw: I don't drive Ferrari's because they are too noisy.

[Rob T]

Costlier products may or may not be superior in all ways or any.

But, people do like what makes them feel good and I wouldn't call it "a sucker born every minute." If a true Ferrari makes you feel better than another less expensive car and you are only going to be driving 65 MPH or less, then why get the Ferrari?

Most people wont drive a Ferrari even close to what they are built to perform to but they still buy them.

Maybe the pricey waxes do have a sheen that those as the Pebble Beach show can discern and they should use it. It might have that initial look to get a car to the 100.0 point level and it immediately starts losing points after application and by the half hour, as do all show cars.

Does that mean the everyday Rolls Royce or Mercedes or Ford shouldn't use them? It's up to the person and how it makes them feel viscerally. If it adds to their life in one form or another then they should enjoy that. Why do they want it? Doesn't really matter. But if someone enjoys something, their family enjoys it and can afford it, then I say go for it if that's your decision.

I am not advocating pricier products, unless they do something for you to improve your life. For those wanting an adequate or near performance comparison, then they will be happy with a less expensive model, tin, tub or towel.

btw: I don't drive Ferrari's because they are too noisy.

[CEE DOG]

If it adds to their life in one form or another then they should enjoy that. Why do they want it? Doesn't really matter. But if someone enjoys something, their family enjoys it and can afford it, then I say go for it if that's your decision.

My point exactly! Very well said

[akimel]

You shouldn't unless you want to. Wolfgang Fuzion is not identical to P21 in every way.

And I'm certainly not suggesting that it is. But if I'm going to justify spending $180 for an 8 oz. tub, I do need to hear sound and objective reasons for doing so.

I love Fuzion. I have used it on multiple occasions. It is a true pleasure to use. I do not want to dissuade anyone from trying it. But I am hard pressed to justify its $175 retail price. Do a blind side-by-side comparison with, say, CG 50/50 or Wolfgang Sealant and tell me that Fuzion is superior by 3x or 5x. Folks seem to be ganging up on Andrew because he cannot see a difference between Fuzion and P21S. Now maybe he cannot see the obvious; but I have also been playing around with waxes the past two years and I too am hard put to see a real difference between the major players. But I need to qualify this assertion: I do think I saw a difference on my Luthien between Zymol Vintage and everything else I have tried on her ... but maybe it was my imagination. One thing I do know: I would never spend $2,000 on a tub of wax! But of course, that's just me.

I stand by my original counsel: If you want to buy Fuzion, or any other car wax, wait until it goes on sale!