Long-term wax test

[willwren]

Not REALLY long-term, but 30 days. I decided to prove a point (something I've known for awhile) and share a secret I've had for some time. Mequiar's gold class is one of the preferred waxes here, and I had some laying around, and decided to compare it head-to-head with my favorite wax.

Since I wouldn't DARE do this to the Bonneville, but had the perfect test POS car, I went for it.

A month ago, I washed the Honda, and put Mequiars gold class on the driver's side of the car. 2 coats, buffed in with a 10" orbital. Beautiful results. On the passenger side, I used 2 coats of something else, NOT orbital buffed in, just hand-buffed out because it's so easy.

Here are the results a month later:


This is the trunk lid. Bottom half (driver's side) is Mequiars. The top portion (passenger side) is the secret.



Shooting from the passenger side now. The near side is the secret, far side is Mequiars.



Trunk lid from the rear. Mequiar's on the left, something else on the right.



Again, passenger side (left) is the secret, driver's side (right) is something else.


This is after 30 days, and I drive on a gravel road at least twice a day. This product is the secret of the used car salesman. It simulates a factory clearcoat better than any product on the market, and is a HARD finish. Very protective. I can apply two coats in the time it takes me to do one coat of standard premium wax like Mequiar's.

Anyone care to guess what it is? Anyone remember me making reference to it in the past? I've used it on and off since 1993 when I learned about it.


Many moons later:


Ok, this was 30 days into the test when I posted it, and it was posted on:

Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:30 pm

I waxed half the car with Gold Class and half with Liquid Glass in Early/Mid June. I'm sad to report that the Honda is going to it's new home in the next couple days, and since she's going to a good frend and co-worker, I can't pass her on in her half/half condition. So I washed her up and re-waxed the whole car with Liquid Glass. I thought I'd share the after rinse pics with you. The passenger side is Liquid Glass:








Mequiar's Gold Class can kiss my Liquid Glass
I knew this would be the case before the test. I've been using the glass for several years.

[NHolds]

I used to use that stuff... way back when. I guess I will have to go back to it. It always did work well.

[chopper442]

Got the Meg`s 3-step system in the garage....and there it stays! I love the results...not the work! Decided to give Liquid Glass a try. I`m no novice to this ( anyone seeing my past rides can tell that), I`ve used most quality waxes and this LG kicks ass. No buffer, no all day clean-polish-wax, no fade/oxidization in 1 month. What more could you want? I know...it`s not a wax...a sealant. the results are the same as my Meg`s, but easier to apply and lasts longer. So if you want to spend all day waxing, buffing, polishing, getting residue out of cracks, changing pads, tripping over extention cords for buffer- taking advil for your arms...go ahead.......I`ll be out cruzin! Just wish I`d found this years ago!

[sandrock]

I like my LG too....it make things look purty.

I also use Zymol...it removes a fair amount of scratches, and smells good too.

[Wes]

but iirc LG is a polish. i thought polish was for shine and wax was for protecting. and cant you put a wax over top of a polish?

[sandrock]

It should go like this...

Wash
Clay bar
Wax cleaner
Polish
Wax or Sealant

LG is a sealant and can be used instead of wax. There is also Astro Shield that is pretty similar to LG...I used it and it worked pretty well too.

[willwren]

As Brad stated, LG is not a polish at all. Just a sealer. Use it under your favorite wax (or instead like most of us).

[JMH1950]

For the last few years I've been using RejeX with excellent results. Easy on easy off, great shine. I've looked for LG up here in the great white north but can't find it. Guess I have to put it on my ever expanding shopping list for July.

I may have to bring a trailer down with me if I get all the stuff on that list.

[Tamara]

Wow...the difference is like night and day. Is Liquid Glass sold in Canada? I have never seen it before.

[TenGHz]

The LG website states you don't need to use a wax with it. Does anyone here use both LG and wax?

Reason I ask is I'm gonna try the LG for the first time here shortly, and wasn't planning on waxing on top of it.

[willwren]

LG isn't available in Canadia that I know of. Most of the WCBF'ers pick up a can every summer when they're here.

[zuper8]

I'm definitely going to try it when my Meg's bottle runs out, the results tell all. But just a question- my uncle told me that a wax is important because it moisturizes the paint. 1) Is that true 2) Can LG do that too? I mean, it's clearly an awesome product, just wondering if I still need to wax also from time to time.

[Pontiholic]

I'm also a die hard fan of Liquid Glass. I've been using it since 1983. I think it was one of the first advertisers in HP Pontiac magazine. Back when I was driving my 73 GP, I used a rotory (not orbital) buffer/polisher with a slightly moist pad to apply it after buffing the car out with Pro-Trouble shooter. I believe the heat generated from the buffer gives it an even deeper appearance than when done by hand. I would apply Blue Ribbon's "Wet-Wax" over the LG weekly after it's ritual friday night wash. The 73 GP was painted in early 83 with PPG Deltron Black Base/Clear. It was one of the first in the area to have Deltron. I will have to post some pic's as soon as I can find the "How To link" on doing so. I still have the car; parked now for 8 years in the back of my dad's shop. If you have a Mills Fleet Farm in your area, they run LG on sale about once a month during the summer. Sale price ranges from $13.99-$16.99 a can.

[radomirthegreat]

My friend showed me LG a while ago, and I've had it ever since. It looks great and lasts a long time. I tried many other polishes, waxes, and so on, but I've never seen the results that LG gives with any other product. I noticed this writeup on BC, and I'm really glad you brought it over here. Thanks, Will!

[bonne03ssei]

I've always used a claybar plus a 3-step cleaning/polish/wax system. I have debated on getting LG to try it out, but if it won't make my car LOOK any better I feel I should stick to what I have been using, since it hasn't done me wrong. The way I detail, my wax lasts a long time. And the paint on my car won't shine any better than it does now.

If I used LG, I'd still do the claybar, Step 1 and 2, and then LG...so the amount of work really isn't that much less. If I COULD take the amount of work out of my wax process I would though, because it is a LOT of work, especially doing it all by hand.

I've read you can put several coats of LG on your paint, allowing proper drying time of course. And since it is a 'hard' finish, does anyone know if it actually protects better against road rash on the front of your car, ie. preventing the sand blasting appearance??

I can see LG being a better option for older cars with already faded paint, but for a car like mine I don't see it making the car LOOK any better, only possible protecting it longer. One thing I can see possibly being a benefit of LG is cutting down on the amount of times I have to use the claybar. If it keeps fine dirt from becoming embedded in the paint so often, I could see using LG. It would save a lot of time and clay bar kits if I didn't have to do that as often.

[yourgrandma]

I must ask, are you LG users using the pre cleaner they want you to buy?

My current process is as follows:
Wash
Claybar
NuFinish
Meguires Tech Wax (way better then Gold Class, IMO)

Does anyone know if LG is compatable with my current process?

It was mentioned that some people use it in conjunction with their wax, does this require removing said wax before the next application of LG as the bottle says?

[radomirthegreat]

I don't use their precleaner. There's a purple Meguiar's fluid that's very concentrated and sold by the gallon. I use that and water, then claybar, and then LG.

[willwren]

Nothing but a good wash with Dawn dishwashing soap and water, dry, then LG. ONE COAT PER DAY. Do not put more coats on any quicker than 4 hours later, and keep the car in direct sunlight for 'curing' in between.

Read the can. If you don't follow this, and you have a dark-colored car, you can get hazing between coats.

[bonne03ssei]

To clarify, yes, wax should not be on the car before applying LG. Only wax on TOP of the LG.