Comparing Mayonnaise Style Glazes, Waxes, Sealants & LSPs

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

Introduction

The first thing that I'd like to say is that if anyone can come up with a good
dispenser for these products, there is a gap in the market! The need is for
a controlled amount to come out at every press or squeeze. Obviously, the
manufacturers are laughing because they _know_ it's inevitable that we'll use,
that is waste, far too much product. OK, rant over...

The purpose of this missive is to give a comparative run-down of the several
products that I've used over the past couple of years which fall into this
marketing category. Generally, most of these do perform very well, but there
is very much a blurring of the edges twixt wax, glaze, sealant and/or LSP.
I'll try and clarify this as much as I can.

Applying Liquid / Mayonnaise Style Waxes

However, before I get to describing the products, I'd like to outline my
application process for them. I've often read claims that most of these potions
don't give much longevity of protection. The CG Blacklight product is probably
the one that is aimed at most. The answer lies entirely in its application!

These next two pictures try to show right and wrong techniques...



The picture above shows how an application of one of these potions should
look, just moments after the pad has been withdrawn. Study it closely. At
first sight, it'll look like I've missed loads, but believe me, I haven't! The
way to get a liquid wax on the paint that thinly is quite simple. I just prime
the pad, a waffle based one, with ONR and squeeze out the excess.

The sealant is then added, a few drops at a time and worked well into the pad,
almost until there seems like no trace of it. Then, when it comes to applying it
to the paint, use light brisk strokes. You'll probably be quite surprised at how
long you can work it, making sure that you get an even and thorough coverage.

When you feel you need more wax, you momentarily lift off and squeeze the
pad in your hand, then carry on where you lifted off. Avoid reloading the pad
each time you reach a new panel, which is the usually accepted wisdom.
Only reload the pad when you feel it is exhausted of wax.

This next picture demonstrates what not to do. You might think that you're
applying the sealant in a perfectly OK fashion. However, what you'd actually
be doing is ladling it on. Each high point will form a skin, which will show as
the product drying normally. What you won't see, or feel when you come to
buff off, is that under that skin is wet product that won't dry this side of next
Thursday!


Note that I haven't buffed-off the area at the far end, so you have a direct
comparison between an effective coat and an over-egged one. Naturally, after
taking the photo, I re-applied the thinner layer

At the point of buffing-off the thicker application, you _will_ take off all the
dried and most of the wet product, leaving but the tiniest traces which will
give some protection, but not for any length of time.

CG Butter Wet Wax - BWW

This is the first of this style of product to find its way into my armoury and
it has yet to disappoint. Following several reports of not much longevity from
it as an LSP, despite the packaging claims, I've tended to treat it as a glaze
under a sealant. For example, this has worked very well on wheels under the
usual 2 coats of FK #1000p sealant. The effect was to give more depth to
the silver and enhance the flake pop. There was no compromising of the
sealant by doing this.

CG Wet Mirror Finish - WMF

Now WMF is definitely a glaze, and a very good one at that! Really, there is
very little to choose between it and the BWW. Where it really comes into its
own is on solid colours. Both the red and blue Escort RS cars that I've treated
with this product have resolved to very satisfying finishes, with great depth
and clarity. I've mostly used Collinite 476S as the LSP, though a wax like
Harlys works well over it too. The latter will always give better depth, but
not be quite as bomb-proof in terms of protection.

CG - Black Light - CGBL

This product is probably the biggest marketing enigma going! Is it a bird, or is
it a plane? Who knows? Despite its strangely funky marketing, this product is
excellent! It was my LSP over the past winter where it surprised me at how
well it resisted the road salt and almost washed itself whenever it rained.
Of the 3 CG products, this is probably the most finicky to apply - or more
correctly on how to judge when it's ready to buff off.

This product is completely unforgiving if you over-egg the applicator pad!
However, get a very thin and even amount on the paint, then it's glaze and
sealant all in one and the depth of shine is very satisfying. None of the CG
products give too much of a glassy shine, at least not as glassy as dedicated
sealants will.

I've heard talk of CGBL not giving much longevity. That's not been my
experience, but then my washing methods are probably far more gentle than
others that we read about.

If anyone asks about wax combinations on silver, a coat of
BWW + another of CGBL as seen below speaks for itself... Who would have
thought of how this 8yr old farm workhorse gets neglected?


Wet Glaze 2 - WG2

Leaving the CG stable we come to Wax Attack's WG2. For anyone that has
previously used CGBL, the first thing that you'll notice is the very striking
similarity to CGBL, both in terms of application and in resulting finish. For me,
when it comes to replenishing stock in the future it'll be one or t'other but
not both. One thing I can't comment upon is WG2 as an LSP because I have
yet to use it in that way. That could be the deciding factor.

Though you can't put a fag-paper between them in terms of performance,
don't get me wrong, neither will disappoint! I was also hugely impressed with
the hybrid of WG2 with Serious Performance Liquid Sealant I made.

This product is no longer available in the UK, though it does come up for sale
occasionally. It's worth the buy if it does.

Finish Kare #2180 Ultra Poly Wipe Sealant - UPWS

All of the previously mentioned products could probably be described as
newcomers when compared to UPWS, which in fact is a completely new
entry into my armoury. If you prefer a glassy finish, especially if you have
silver paint, then this may be the best choice of the lot! The benefits of the
FK#1000p sealant are almost legendary, though application and removal
can be a tad problematic.

So, if ease of application comes higher than out and out protection, then
don't overlook this product. I'll do an "official" review of it early next week,
but I mention it here just to give comparison with the others. The index
numbers of both shine and protection are at 10 and with the quality of all
FK products I've used, I have no reason to doubt the claims for this product.

If you're looking for some depth, then some carnauba wax over the top will
be needed. In essence UPWS provides a protecting glaze that looks fantastic
if you like glassy finishes. The bottle instructions read a bit like the ultimate
detailer's dream, so will bring its own satisfaction too...:speechles

Conclusions

I guess that the cynics among us may claim that these mayonnaise style
products are all pretty similar, with none of them being a "one step" answer.
From the point of view of a guy with gammy hands, the sooner I can resolve
the dispensing issue the better! That's the one draw-back that all these
products have in common; certainly overdoing the dose puts you into a
position where you'll be working against yourself in no small measure. There's
a very real risk of compromising both finish and longevity!

Otherwise, none of these products could be classed as a waste of money.
I'm not sure why there are such polarised views as I've witnessed. Each
product fulfils its own niche very well. As with any purchase options, it'll be
down to personal taste in the kind of finish that's being sought. Hopefully,
this missive has helped in making that choice.

Regards,
Steve