WAX TEST!

Craig 930 RS · 10:47 AM

Consumer Reports (....hey, no stupid 'refrigerator test' comments....) did a test a few months back -- on car waxes.

So I bought the highest rated wax - with the cheesy name of Black Magic.

Good Grief....it is SO much better than the boutique waxes: Zymol, Griot's etc I've tried in the past. Lasts FOREVER it seems.
4 months in the sun and rain on an older, highly faded car we own.........still looks fresh.
On the Porsche with it's 10k clearcoat paint job......fantastic.

**ALL PICTURES COPYRIGHT CONSUMERS UNION, 2006**

IROC · IROC's Garage

Man, I need to try some of that. I hate waxing. The concours police would take my car away from if they knew how often it gets waxed...

Mike

911 in SC · 09-21-2006, 11:23 AM

I agree - for $7, it's worth a try. If nothing else, you can always wash the car with detergent to strip it back off if it doesn't do what you want.

Craig, just to be clear, the name is Black Magic Wet Shine Liquid Wax? Did you apply it by hand, and remove it by hand, or did you use a buffer? Any specifics would be greatly appreciated...

Mike

Craig 930 RS · 09-21-2006, 11:38 AM

Applied with a used sock......removed with a terry towel.

As the ratings accurately state, it is a bit harder than average to remove......a bit 'greasy', but WOW the shine and longevity is incredible!

911 in SC · 09-21-2006, 11:43 AM

COOL. Thanks for the clarification. I have a few microfiber cloths calling my name...

carnutzzz · 09-21-2006, 12:49 PM

Oh my God I'm cringing reading this.

First- if you guys want shine and durability waxes are barbaric- move on to the synthetics. Testing waxes is like testing sliderules.

Second- an old sock?!?!

Socks contain nylon. If not the fabric then the stitching holding it together. Please use either a foam or terry applicator for applying, and a microfiber cloth for buffing off.

Your paint will thank you with a brilliant shine!

Craig 930 RS · 09-21-2006, 12:54 PM

My socks are all cotton and seem just fine. Terry towels work great.

Then again, I'm not a concours freak ;-)

rteague · rteague's Garage

My black 84 looks unbelievable. Used Black Magic for first time. It looked great before with other waxes. I agree. Easy to use also.

schoward · 09-21-2006, 02:39 PM

question:

So i have been using P21S cleaner/polish followed by the P21s carnauba wax. This has given me decent but not astounding results. Was actually aggravated that my wrench's 'quick detail' looked shinier than my hard labor on the p21s system

so question -- would you use the Black Magic by itself, or AFTER a product like the P21s cleaner/polish??? My car is only waxed 1/2 times per year -- metallic finish a clear coat.

Craig 930 RS · 09-21-2006, 02:43 PM

Nope. Black Magic by itself.
A GREAT cleaner, no scratches - I was amazed......

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by carnutzzz
Oh my God I'm cringing reading this.

First- if you guys want shine and durability waxes are barbaric- move on to the synthetics. Testing waxes is like testing sliderules.

Second- an old sock?!?!...use either a foam or terry applicator for applying, and a microfiber cloth for buffing off.

Your paint will thank you...!

I agree with cringing over an old sock. I use foam/teryy and either flannel or microfiber for removing, but...
(and I KNOW this will open Pandora's box but I've got to ask) I AM the anal retentive type - I could probably could wax my cars for the next ten years without buying any additional product as it is. Carnutzzz, what synthetic are you recommending? Personally I clean/wax a single panel on my cars every time I wash them and I wash them every week at a minimum. But my giant black Ram 4x4 Quadcab challenges my dedication. I use clay, 3m Hand glaze and follow with Mother's straight carnuba when I do it all. Most times just the Mother's but its time consuming as hell and I don't do it as frequently as I would like to.

Eric-325I · 09-21-2006, 03:47 PM

Years ago the top tested was the Nu-finish product. I have used it on everything from our autos to the riding lawn tractor... Great stuff and cheap to boot... Although it looks like I'll be changing brands...

I've never been a believer in the mantra 'you get what you pay for' (read: $$$). My experience in the food industry has taught me that the price of many products is many times more related to target marketing than quality.

Eric

Zeke · 09-21-2006, 04:40 PM

I used Nu Finish once and threw the can away. Why? Well, I went to use Maguires (my usual) at a later date and there was some king of shield like hard film on my paint. I damn near had to use buffing compound to get it off. Detergent didn't touch it. I don't know about you guys, but I don't want some synthetic coating on my paint. If I want to get to the paint and use a swirl remover, or rub out a small area, I don't want any barriers to what I need to accomplish.

This isn't to say Black Magic is the same as Nu Finish, but I'm leary.

strupgolf · 09-21-2006, 04:41 PM

I just waxed my 911 with McQuires cleaner, then the polish, but not the wax. To me, the cleaner is great, maybe not as long lasting as the wax step, but I do it about twice a year. Their wax seems to leave scratch/swirl marks which I hate. The job came out great. but next time I'll try Black Magic. Thanks for the info.

Eric Coffey · 09-21-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by carnutzzz
First- if you guys want shine and durability waxes are barbaric- move on to the synthetics...

+1

Klasse All in One (AIO), followed by Klasse high gloss sealant offers excellent results, and will last a LONG time. You will never "wax" your car again.

Or if you still prefer traditional paste wax, apply the Klasse synthetic sealants and top it off with your carnuba paste of choice for an even deeper shine.

kilodawg · kilodawg's Garage

I almost hate stirring things up here. I don't know the product so I'm not out to slam it but would you buy a sports car based on Consumer Reports rankings? If so fine but the point is there are better sources to check.

Again, Autopia.org is where the detailing experts hang. See what they have to say.

I posted this on another thread but if Black Magic can do this then I'll switch. I know its not my P-car but it is the one black car I own.

Water beads up 9 months later like it did the day after it was applied, it sits out 24/7 and this is on an $800 repaint

Craig 930 RS · 09-21-2006, 05:27 PM

I think CU can test waxes on a level higher than & not comparable to testing sports cars.
Speaking of which - give 'em a break.

They just finished testing:
Corvette Z06
SL500 Mercedes
Porsche 911

911 slammed 'em ;-)

Eric-325I · 09-21-2006, 05:37 PM

Kilodawg, you gonna tell us how you got that shine? Wow!

Eric

kilodawg · kilodawg's Garage

Didn't slam'em just said there were better places to go. It's your choice where you get your info from.

However, most of the products I see on the list would not even be considered for a serious test by pro-detailers. Not auto detailing shops per say but pro-detailers.

This list appears to represent products available to the casual consumer with many simply being OTC stuff.

rteague · rteague's Garage

I dust my black car 2 or 3 times daily. Every night after dusting I wet a microfiber cloth wash mit and follow right behind with a microfiber drying cloth. Takes maybe 5 minutes. Once a week will wax. I am a chemist and have looked into a lot of products. Milt is right about nu-finished. Once on can't get off. If you want your car painted, they have to work really hard to get new paint to stick after nu your finished. Look at my black car here in gallery. Great shine with black magic.