09.06.11
Meguiar's Nxt Generation Tech Wax 2.0 and NU Finish NFP-80 have topped Consumer Reports' latest tests of 19 car waxes, for liquid and paste, respectively.
According to the publication, CR's tests also revealed that premium car wax brands don't necessarily out-perform their lower-priced counterparts: liquid or gel waxes from premium brands like Auto Glym, Eagle One, Mother's, and Zymol scored lower than products from Nu Finish, and 3M. However, Auto Glym Super Resin Polish (liquid) and Mother's California Gold Carnauba Cleaner Wax (liquid) were both “recommended,” and the Mother's product is a “CR Best Buy.”
Among paste waxes, Mother's FX Engineered SynWax 20011 (recommended), and Mother's California Gold Carnauba Cleaner Wax 05500 were outscored by Nu Finish NFP-80 and Turtle Wax Synthetic Paste Polish T-465.
CR's tests ultimately found that overall, pastes performed no better than liquids in a head-to-head comparison, with both wax types sharing similar scores for ease-of-use. The better liquids tended to improve gloss better and the best pastes lasted longer.
Other products that scored well in the Ratings included Turtle Wax Ice Synthetic Paste Polish (paste), and the liquid Nu Finish NF-76. Turtle Wax Ice Synthetic Paste Polish and Nu Finish NFP-80 were rated “excellent” for durability, and left little or no residue on plastic trim, though Nu Finish was slightly harder to remove. The Nu Finish NF-76 was rated Very Good for durability, but gloss improvement was not as good and it left some staining on plastic parts, CR said.
Based on CR's latest tests, some moderately priced liquids scored near the top of the ratings—better than some products costing twice as much, the firm noted.Still, none of the 19 products tested were good enough to be rated excellent, overall, with most showing signs of deterioration within a few weeks.
Turtle Wax Ice Synthetic Polish T-468, $17, and Turtle Wax Carnauba Cleaner Wax T-5, $7, scored the lowest for liquid and paste waxes, respectively.
CR did not evaluate spray-on/wipe-off products, because earlier tests have shown them to be less effective for cleaning, to be ineffective against weather, and to rate the worst for durability. They're best only for newer finishes and if cars are washed and waxd frequently, according to the publication.
The full results of Consumer Reports' tests of car waxes are available to subscribers of the magazine's website,www.ConsumerReports.org.
According to the publication, CR's tests also revealed that premium car wax brands don't necessarily out-perform their lower-priced counterparts: liquid or gel waxes from premium brands like Auto Glym, Eagle One, Mother's, and Zymol scored lower than products from Nu Finish, and 3M. However, Auto Glym Super Resin Polish (liquid) and Mother's California Gold Carnauba Cleaner Wax (liquid) were both “recommended,” and the Mother's product is a “CR Best Buy.”
Among paste waxes, Mother's FX Engineered SynWax 20011 (recommended), and Mother's California Gold Carnauba Cleaner Wax 05500 were outscored by Nu Finish NFP-80 and Turtle Wax Synthetic Paste Polish T-465.
CR's tests ultimately found that overall, pastes performed no better than liquids in a head-to-head comparison, with both wax types sharing similar scores for ease-of-use. The better liquids tended to improve gloss better and the best pastes lasted longer.
Other products that scored well in the Ratings included Turtle Wax Ice Synthetic Paste Polish (paste), and the liquid Nu Finish NF-76. Turtle Wax Ice Synthetic Paste Polish and Nu Finish NFP-80 were rated “excellent” for durability, and left little or no residue on plastic trim, though Nu Finish was slightly harder to remove. The Nu Finish NF-76 was rated Very Good for durability, but gloss improvement was not as good and it left some staining on plastic parts, CR said.
Based on CR's latest tests, some moderately priced liquids scored near the top of the ratings—better than some products costing twice as much, the firm noted.Still, none of the 19 products tested were good enough to be rated excellent, overall, with most showing signs of deterioration within a few weeks.
Turtle Wax Ice Synthetic Polish T-468, $17, and Turtle Wax Carnauba Cleaner Wax T-5, $7, scored the lowest for liquid and paste waxes, respectively.
CR did not evaluate spray-on/wipe-off products, because earlier tests have shown them to be less effective for cleaning, to be ineffective against weather, and to rate the worst for durability. They're best only for newer finishes and if cars are washed and waxd frequently, according to the publication.
The full results of Consumer Reports' tests of car waxes are available to subscribers of the magazine's website,www.ConsumerReports.org.