Do you really see a difference?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Abilene TX
Do you really see a difference?
I've tried various waxes/sealants from Zaino to Pinnacle concours, to turtle wax etc.
I can honestly say that I really don't see any major difference, in fact I really can't tell a difference between a very clean non-waxed/sealed paint and a waxed/sealed one.
In fact I've waxed just the front of my car before and cleaned off the rest of the car real well and couldn't tell a difference between the front and the back (with the Pinnacle stuff most recently).
Maybe I don't know what to look for? Do any of you really see a difference between waxes/sealants, or even between waxes/sealants and good condition raw paint?
Now I'm not talking about the extra stuff you can do (ie swirl removers etc) because I can definately see a difference in removing all of the fine scratches and spider webs, but as far as shinyness I have a pretty hard time telling the difference visually.
I can honestly say that I really don't see any major difference, in fact I really can't tell a difference between a very clean non-waxed/sealed paint and a waxed/sealed one.
In fact I've waxed just the front of my car before and cleaned off the rest of the car real well and couldn't tell a difference between the front and the back (with the Pinnacle stuff most recently).
Maybe I don't know what to look for? Do any of you really see a difference between waxes/sealants, or even between waxes/sealants and good condition raw paint?
Now I'm not talking about the extra stuff you can do (ie swirl removers etc) because I can definately see a difference in removing all of the fine scratches and spider webs, but as far as shinyness I have a pretty hard time telling the difference visually.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,744
Likes: 2
From: The King of Bling
St. Jude Donor '10
Not until I tried Zaino.
I tried MANY waxes and usually never saw any difference, that is until I tried Zaino and then I could not believe how big of a difference it was. 
Then you realize how long it last and you are amazed again. 
Then you realize how long it last and you are amazed again.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
when you use different sealants or waxes enough, you will start to notice the differences or nuances. The easy way to notice them, is to experiment on different panels of your car while side by side at first. You should notice wetness, slickness (feel versus sight), depth, and reflection.
Other items like durability (length of protection) is noticed more or less depending on your detailing ritual. If you wax once a month, then durability is not even a factor. But this is noticed more when you only wax if the beading or sheeting action diminishes.
Other items like durability (length of protection) is noticed more or less depending on your detailing ritual. If you wax once a month, then durability is not even a factor. But this is noticed more when you only wax if the beading or sheeting action diminishes.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 4,559
Likes: 28
From: Amarillo TX
On a properly prepped surface, the differences will be very slight.
I used DP's Max Wax this morning over a clayed and AIO'd surface, and the visual difference is too far from some sealants, but it's just slightly "warmer."
*Sorry it's not a Vette*
The key is proper prep work followed by a last step product that fits your durability and visual goals.
I used DP's Max Wax this morning over a clayed and AIO'd surface, and the visual difference is too far from some sealants, but it's just slightly "warmer."
*Sorry it's not a Vette*
The key is proper prep work followed by a last step product that fits your durability and visual goals.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Abilene TX
Perhaps I'm not looking at it at the right angles or something, but the difference between clean paint and the top sealant imo (Zaino) or clean paint and the top reasonable wax imo (Pinnacle souveran) was so slight that I was questioning whether I was imagining the difference or not.
My wife made the same comment when I showed her my corvette with the front waxed and the back not, she said "I think the front is shinier, but that may just be because I know you waxed it".
That's purely sight based though, I do know they feel different and they last and protect different amounts.
I have a black corvette so I would think it would provide the biggest improvement.
Now I do think that a slightly dirty but waxed car looks considerably shinier than a slightly dirty non-waxed car.
My wife made the same comment when I showed her my corvette with the front waxed and the back not, she said "I think the front is shinier, but that may just be because I know you waxed it".
That's purely sight based though, I do know they feel different and they last and protect different amounts.
I have a black corvette so I would think it would provide the biggest improvement.
Now I do think that a slightly dirty but waxed car looks considerably shinier than a slightly dirty non-waxed car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Abilene TX
I think I'm going to try an experiment next time I strip down the car with clay etc and re-wax.
I'll take some pictures of it from multiple angles and see if people can tell at all what is waxed and what is not.
I'll take some pictures of it from multiple angles and see if people can tell at all what is waxed and what is not.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 4,559
Likes: 28
From: Amarillo TX
Most people are not going to be able to tell wax differences from a digital photograph.
Generally, only a very discerning eye can tell differences in person. Last summer, I had 4 or more different product combinations on my car and had a hard time telling the difference...I bet no one else would even notice.
IMO, you need to experiment on a more uniform body part (ie. the trunk) to accurately determine differences.
Generally, only a very discerning eye can tell differences in person. Last summer, I had 4 or more different product combinations on my car and had a hard time telling the difference...I bet no one else would even notice.
IMO, you need to experiment on a more uniform body part (ie. the trunk) to accurately determine differences.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Just make sure you do not overpolish your car. I have a new C-6 and I already see
spots or specks popping up from inside the paint that weren't there before. I have Zainoed it over 10 times and though Zaino is not abrasive I believe it to be just the mere friction of going back and forth with any product you can wear your finish down.
Warning: Zaino can be addicting to your health.
Warning: Zaino can be addicting to your health.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 4,559
Likes: 28
From: Amarillo TX
Originally Posted by LS WON
spots or specks popping up from inside the paint that weren't there before. I have Zainoed it over 10 times and though Zaino is not abrasive I believe it to be just the mere friction of going back and forth with any product you can wear your finish down.
Warning: Zaino can be addicting to your health.
Warning: Zaino can be addicting to your health.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,744
Likes: 2
From: The King of Bling
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by LS WON
spots or specks popping up from inside the paint that weren't there before. I have Zainoed it over 10 times and though Zaino is not abrasive I believe it to be just the mere friction of going back and forth with any product you can wear your finish down.
Warning: Zaino can be addicting to your health.
Warning: Zaino can be addicting to your health.
It is even hard to wear down your finish with a PC let alone by hand with Zaino.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Modesto Ca
Originally Posted by Zumin
I've tried various waxes/sealants from Zaino to Pinnacle concours, to turtle wax etc.
I can honestly say that I really don't see any major difference, in fact I really can't tell a difference between a very clean non-waxed/sealed paint and a waxed/sealed one.
I can honestly say that I really don't see any major difference, in fact I really can't tell a difference between a very clean non-waxed/sealed paint and a waxed/sealed one.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
From: Langhorne PA
Originally Posted by ZaneO
Last summer, I had 4 or more different product combinations on my car and had a hard time telling the difference...I bet no one else would even notice.
them when I told them what I had done.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO.
**** Polishers Club
I always smile when reading the "which is better" threads, and they always seem to include Zaino. Outright laughter occurs when I read the question, "Which one lasts longer"? Does that really matter? We wax/polish all the time, don't we? It's not a once-a-year thing, it's a way of life 
In reality, anything that works for you, WORKS! If it feels good, DO IT! I've been a confirmed Zaino user for 5-1/2 years, after 20 years of using all the other products. But that's just my opinion. Please don't stop the thread because a day without laughter is like a day without sunshine
In reality, anything that works for you, WORKS! If it feels good, DO IT! I've been a confirmed Zaino user for 5-1/2 years, after 20 years of using all the other products. But that's just my opinion. Please don't stop the thread because a day without laughter is like a day without sunshine
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
I've been a car deal nut all my life and have shown cars for the past twenty years. I've used just about every care car product you can mention. I like several of them and don't see a whole lot of difference.
Until I started using Zaino, I really don't know if it lasts any longer than some other products, but it sure is easy to work with. Easy on, easy off, and thin is a win, less really is more with Zaino. I use it on the 59, the 03 Anniversary drop top, and the Harley all look great with Zaino.
Bill
Until I started using Zaino, I really don't know if it lasts any longer than some other products, but it sure is easy to work with. Easy on, easy off, and thin is a win, less really is more with Zaino. I use it on the 59, the 03 Anniversary drop top, and the Harley all look great with Zaino.
Bill