Am I missing something about this wax?

[Dtrigg]

Received a new California Car Cover catalog today. Looking through it I saw Zymol Concours Glaze for $150.00 for 8 ozs and also Zymol Destiny Estate Glaze for $444.00 for 8 ozs. Take heart, the Destiny Estate Glaze also comes with a "cherry wood storage box."

What's the deal with this stuff? I don't think I paid that much for one the cars I owned when I was in college. How do you justify these prices?

 

[nsxtasy]

Received a new California Car Cover catalog today. Looking through it I saw Zymol Concours Glaze for $150.00 for 8 ozs and also Zymol Destiny Estate Glaze for $444.00 for 8 ozs. Take heart, the Destiny Estate Glaze also comes with a "cherry wood storage box."

What's the deal with this stuff? I don't think I paid that much for one the cars I owned when I was in college. How do you justify these prices?

Think of it this way. There are a lot of people who will say, "For around $25K, I can get a loaded Honda Accord V6 that will go as fast on the highway as any other car, will be as reliable as any other car, and will last as long as any other car. Why does anyone need to spend $80K for an Acura NSX?" The answer to that question is, most people don't. But a few choose to do so, for all kinds of reasons.

Getting back to the wax question, the short answer is, its composition is different from less-expensive waxes, and it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

Is there a difference between the results you will get with a mass-market product like Meguiar's wax for $10 (~5 percent carnauba) and the results you will get with a premium Zymol wax (~50 percent carnauba)? Many folks think so. But the more important question is, DO YOU CARE about that difference? As with most things, the "law of diminishing returns" applies. (And there are "in between" choices as well; i.e. some folks are willing to spend $35 for Zymol Japon wax with 37 percent carnauba, but not the additional $100 for the extra 13 percent of carnauba.) To someone who is competing in top concours events such as Pebble Beach, that extra difference might be worth the money. To someone who is just interested in making his car look nice and seeing the water bead on the finish, and doesn't care about a very slight difference in gloss and depth, a can of Meguiar's wax for $10 may be all he ever needs. Different products for different folks with different needs.

 

[gheba_nsx]

Kind of similar to the reason why some people accept to pay 1000$ more yearly in maintenance for the 355 against the NSX

 

[AaronR]

I have used a few of the Zymol glazes over the years. The day I got my first new 911 I bought one of them, you know becuase they are so dirty from the factory since no one has ever driven or breathed on the car. I think it was $250.00 or so(not including the clear bathe, hd clense, microfiber towels, zymol applicators, etc). I figured, I just spent so much money on the car so why not? They are very easy to use (just like the NSX glaze) but they are costly. Sometimes you just have to try that kind of stuff. Was is overpriced, maybe...but I was so happy to try it I didn't care.

 

[pt91]

Here is my pick.
Go to this site:
http://www.autogeek.net/pinsouvwax.html

Add this code:
To celebrate this Labor Day Weekend, we are offering 15% off everything at Autogeek, USE COUPON CODE LD904, with the exception of all products from the following manufacturers: Better Life Technologies, Porter Cable, Dewalt, and Makita. This sale will be effective until Tuesday, September 6th, 2004

I think the 15% is off the sale price, but I haven't tried it yet.
Pinnacle Souverän Wax is the best I have tried on a black car and I have never seen a price this low (if the double discount works).
8 oz. goes a very long way!

Smells great too. I use it on top of Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant.

 

[MJK]

Cool, thanks for the link PT91!

I need a new set of buffing pads for my 7424, got a favorite one there?

 

[pt91]

I use the different pads for different polishes and different levels of cutting.

I have the white and orange from this link:
http://www.autogeek.net/vcpad.html
I don't love the orange one, can't get the hang of it. White is good if you don't have major league swirls. Yellow is more aggresive.

I also have the yellow, white and grey from this one:
http://www.autogeek.net/curvededge.html
I really like these. I can get to the odd angles like the edges of the bumper, etc. I think you might need the larger counter weight for these 7.5 pads. I have the other model PC with the larger weight. I posted a link a few months ago describing the difference. Some say the weight doesn't matter. It depends on how bad they vibrate at higher speeds.

I also use these for mirrors, b pillars, a pillars and other smaller parts:
http://www.properautocare.com/4inspotreppa.html
The larger counter weight is also on this site.

Happy polishing. I am off for a much needed vacation!!!

 

[MJK]

Thanks for the advice and coupon code, you just saved me $25.81!


1 - Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax 49.95
1 - 3M Finesse-It II Machine Polish 11.95
1 - 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover for Dark Paints 11.75
1 - 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover for Light Paints 11.75
1 - 303 Aerospace Protectant: 303 Aerospace Protectant 32 oz 21.95
1 - Meguiar's Carwash Shampoo & Conditioner 22.95
1 - Curved Edge Variable Contact 7.5" Foam Pads: Curved Edge Variable Contact Yellow Cutting Pad 10.95
1 - Curved Edge Variable Contact 7.5" Foam Pads: Curved Edge Variable Contact White Polishing Pad 10.95
1 - Wolfgang Deep Gloss Porter Cable Kit: Dual-Action 6.5" Yellow Cutting Pad 9.95
1 - Wolfgang Deep Gloss Porter Cable Kit: Dual-Action 6.5" White Polishing Pad 9.95

Subtotal: 172.10
Coupon offer (15% savings): -25.81
Subtotal: 146.29
Shipping: 17.95
Tax: 0.00
Total: 164.24