Zymol - Not Convinced

[T3Jn]

Rather than getting the Superguard from from the Dealer on my latest car, I decided to invest in a Zymol kit that consisted of Titanium Wad, Clear Clense, HD Clense, Field Wax, Clay and Lube, Leather Feeder, Wheel Coat and the various applicators and "rags" that are needed to apply, etc. Also purchased a couple of buckets, mit, drying cloth - those that seem to be the favourites on various threads here. Oh - and a pressure washer... Came in about the same price as the Superguard.

1 month on and the good intentions are still in place - weekly clean. Did the complete works first time - Clense, HD, Clay, Wax, then Clense / Field wax on subsequent weekly washes.

First thing i noticed - car looks fantastic after clean - no doubt about it. Lasts about 1/2 hour with all the pollen around at the moment - not even enough time to take pics, but makes the effort worth it. However, the beading of the water, 2 weeks in and I can already see it starting to fade. In years gone bye I used Mer, always thought it lasted months.

Other thing I've noticed, the Field Wax - instructions say to cover the area being polished with an even mist - this seems to be to be about 10 sqirts per panel/area... in polishing the car once i've used over a third of the bottle.

 

[ace]

try the bmw hardwax at £5 a bottle off ebay fantastic stuff!

 

[scottbt]

Titanium isnt one of zymols strongest fighters in the wax stakes tbh.
IIRC the recipe is identical other than scent of meguiars #16 paste wax and @ £10.99-£12.99 the titanium seems strongly priced due to the brand and scent only.
Trouble with a lot of zymol waxes is they are laced with silicones so will look the mutts nuts for a short period but then will waine rapidly due to the elements wearing it out quickly.
You did right by stearing away from the overpriced main dealer sealant packages as they dont do anything when applied by the main dealer, the contract valeters will wash the car then apply the sealant straight on without clay or polishing so you get zero benefit.
Stick with the titanium but after a wash apply another coat and again until you have doen this 3 times this should give you the best out of the wax and determine how durable it really is.

 

[T3Jn]

Thanks for the advice. I'll do another couple of coats over the next few weeks. When I spoke to zymol directly (when ordering) they suggested the titanium. They were actually very good - steered me away from the starter kit, actually saving me about £100.

 

[pvr]

It also depends on the colour, as I have 4 cars I actually have 4 different makes / types of wax as they react completely different to each type of paint.

Swissol was great for my red MKI Golf (which has "real" paint instead of the water based rubbish), however Swissol was no good at all on my green X5 (similar symptoms as you have) and I moved to Mezerna (Final Polish II and FMJ protection) which is much, much better for that car.

There is no "one best product" as it depends too much on the car paint type.

 

[GAZA62]

Wax should be your LSP buy using the Clense you are removing the wax.

For after washing use a good QD this is very good leaves a nice glossy wet look. http://www.seriousperformance.co.uk/Products,78,toView_772.html

Not knowing how these Zymol products work is the clense like a polish ?

Normal order would be

Clay
Polish
Seal
Wax

Then use a QD for the final wipe and then use a QD after every wash you can top up wax as needed.

 

[scottbt]

Not sure of the clear cleanse but HD cleanse is a mild abrasive pre wax cleanser.

Typically the order is as gaz said.

Rinse
Foam ( if you like foam )
Wash
Rinse
Clay
Re-wash
Re-rinse
Dry
Polish or HD cleanse at minimum
Glaze ( if applicable )
Seal ( if applicable )
Wax - 2/3 coats on bigger details i tend to apply 2 coats then either on the next re-visit or if the client wants to, applya another coat after the first wash.

Any wax works on any car regardless.
I tend to find that sealants on there lonesome are far better on light metalics to give them a cold, hard metal look.
There is very little difference in visual appearance from a wax if the preperation has been done correctly.
99% of the true finish is in the preperation I:E clay, polishing, pre wax cleansing etc.
Some waxes can look wetter but durability is lost in these such waxes like swissvax onynx, zymol carbon/creme.
The better ones though I may seem biased being a DAD but dodo juice waxes are very good value, finish and durability.