markd

After several months of using NXT, I broke down and decided to experiment with something else. So I picked up a bottle of Eagle One Nano Wax--because some people here and at Autopia have been talking about it--and have been using it for the past 2-3 weeks. I figured I could be the guinea pig for the rest of you fellow detailing fiends My first impressions: After the initial application, the Nano produced a really brilliant shine on my titanium gray 8 (see pic below). To me, it looked shinier than NXT--so far in my experience, as close to a carnauba shine as a synthetic could produce.

Unfortunately, that's about all the good I can say about this new wax. Nano severely lacks in durability. I have heard about Nano's short life span, but I went into this venture hoping that the people at EO would have worked out the kinks by now. They haven't. I applied the first layer about two weeks ago, and when I washed the car today (to prepare for a second layer of Nano), the water did not bead at all--the wax was already gone!

In the wax's defense (with what little I can provide), it has been raining on and off these past couple of weeks, so maybe, by remote chance, the wax didn't have enough time to cure. Hm.

Nonetheless, I am resolved to continue with my main objective: To put Nano to the test and put it up against Meguiar's NXT Tech and Meguiar's #16 Professional Paste Wax. I chose these two because a) a lot of people here use NXT, and b) #16 is supposed to have very good durability as well as shine (it contains carnauba wax). Pitting Nano up against these two would provide an understandable comparison for us non-Zaino users and still deteremine its effectiveness against another rugged wax.

Tonight, I did my entire car with one coat of Nano Wax, except for the hood, which I split into 3 parts: the left side I waxed with Nano, the right side with NXT, and the center rotary-shaped indention with #16. Interesting observation: While all 3 produced great shine on their respective sections, the Nano seemed to have a slightly yellowish tint to it--I looked at the reflection of the fluorescent lighting above from different angles, and the Nano section reflected a different shade than the NXT section. Just a little food for thought. Will have to re-evaluate these 3 waxes tomorrow in the sunlight, and after each has had ample time to cure.

I bought a 4.2Mp camera, but I continue to have major issues with it. So while I snapped several pictures of the hood for your comparison, they all came out blurry. I was able, however, to get one good picture that sort of shows (with a little bit of blurriness) the reflectivity of the Nano on my driver's side door. Don't let the orange peel get to you

Will post an update to this test again as progress is made...

Brice-RX8

I use and love Zaino, but have recently used Meguaire's Paint Cleaner (Step #1) to clean up some of the swirls on my black car and it worked great. But, back on topic I will be interested to see the durability of the 3 sections of your hood, keep us informed.

markd

Brice--Definitely none of these 3 waxes will have the durability of Zaino, but from my individual experience with them, brief as they may be, I believe the durability, from strongest to weakest, wil be:

1. Meg's #16
2. NXT
3. Nano

To chime in with your post, my initial hypothesis is that Nano will be a good underlayer, since it lacks in strength but has very good shine/gloss qualities. So although it won't have the same qualities as the Paint Cleaner in removing existing layers on the paint, I wonder, for instance, if it would be a better polish than wax (i.e., in a 3-step process, paint cleaner first, Nano second, Zaino/NXT third). I don't know how well something like Zaino would be able to adhere to the Nano, however.

Hope to figure out my daggum camera and post more pics today.

rXter

Why not just use carnuba?

markd

The #16 does contain carnauba. Carnaubas, though, are generally not as durable as synthetics (see How-To Wax Your Car). They evaporate and melt in the heat. That being said, it might make sense to use them in most conditions but might not be as feasible during the summer season. I suggested topping Nano with Zaino (if it's even possible) because hypothetically you would have the brilliance of the Nano underneath protected by the much stronger Zaino on top, applying the principles of polishing (I have been told, too, that Zaino is virtually clear).