| TheWorm |
I just rec'd my shipment of NXT and decided to do a same-panel comparison of it with my usual Zaino regimen. Keep in mind this is on the black X and I'll be doing the same on the diamond graphite G, too. The G has a LOAD of metallic in the paint so it should be interesting to note any differences based on the different paint.
Unfortunately, the sun went down as I finished so no "look" comments til tomorrow. Just as well, since Z and apparently NXT often look better a day later. 75 degrees and sunny during this process, but done in the shade. Here's some background, routine and application commentary...
The panel I'm using for this comparo is the hood. The hood is in decent shape. There are some minor scratches (visible only in direct sunlight) that could be removed by hand with 3M SMR, which is what I'd normally do since Z doesn't fill well. I left the scratches to see if NXT might fill them to some extent (or completely). The hood isn't totally smooth and if I were starting from scratch, I'd normally clay it. It's not quite to the point where I'd normally do a total stripdown, 3M SMR and clay, so I left it. In my normal routine I'd say claying is a couple of months out.
The X hasn't been washed in a couple of months and has the associated amount of winter road grime, dried rain and dirt. It's the type of grime that if you miss a spot when washing the suds and rinse dribble aren't gonna take it off. Onto the products...
I divided the hood into 3 sections to use the following products:
- NXT wash and NXT. Applied w/Meg's foam applicator and washed/buffed/removed with 100% USA cotton towel.
- Z7 wash, Z6, Z5/ZFX, Z6. Applied w/Z's cotton applicator and washed/buffed/removed w/100% USA cotton towel.
- Z7 wash, Z6, Z5/ZFX, Z6, + S100 as a topper. Z cotton applicator for Z, S100 foam pad for S100, wash/buff/remove w/100% USA cotton towel.
I also did half of the front quarter panel w/NXT as it had some spiderwebbing that I'd normally remove w/a random orbital and 3M SMR, but wanted to see what NXT alone could do.
NXT wash and NXT
The NXT wash suds well, and the suds held up through the wash (actually did half the X with it). The suds actually seem a bit "thicker" than the Z's "light and fluffy" suds. Smells good. Slippery when wet, but a couple of areas required 2 passes as the wash lacked the "strength" to get through some of the grime/dirt. When drying, I noticed some "squeak" as opposed to Zaino's typical slickness. No waterspots; plenty of time to get it off.
NXT application is easy enough. Smells good. The foam pad and NXT are OK but a bit "grabby" on a clean, dry surface -- making it difficult to apply the "straight line" Zaino way. Keep in mind there's no QD like Z6 to premoisten the pad. I found it easier to apply in circular motions (like a wax). Goes on easy and reasonably thin. Had to wait 10 or 15 mins for it to haze before removal. Comes off reasonably easy, but not as easy as Zaino...definitely requires more elbow grease, but not as much as for a "hard" carnauba wax. If I were doing the whole car, I'd probably remove/buff with the Porter Cable and a buffing pad. No residue, no stains on trim, no streaks. Seems about as slippery as Z at this point post-buffing.
Zaino Z7 wash, Z6/ZFX/Z5/Z6
Won't comment much on this combo since many of us are aware of the Z products and process. Compared to the similar NXT products, Z wash is a bit more slippery, only required 1 pass for the grime, and was slippery when drying. Not as much time to dry w/o water spotting, though. Removal easy as always with the weight of the towel pretty much enough to take it off w/o residue or staining. No streaks, slippery as usual, even moreso after the final Z6 squirt.
Zaino w/S100 Topper
I really like this combo, but have only used it on the G (been happy w/Z's look standalone on the X). The S100 (it's a paste) has a slight chemical smell. This stuff is sooooooo soft it goes on like melted butter. Honest. I'm really "wowed" by how easy this stuff goes on. You don't have to wait for hazing to buff, and although you can't just use the weight of the towel to remove it (since it's still a bit "wet") it requires very little effort to do so. No residue, no staining, no streaks. Slippery as the others. It can't get any easier.
Here's my ranking of ease-of-use/etc thus far:
Wash Suds: tie
Wash Strength: Zaino
Wash Smell: tie
Wash Waterspotting: NXT
Wash Slickness (Drying): Zaino
Wash Value: NXT (about half the cost)
"Wax" Application: 1. S100 2. Zaino 3. NXT
Removal: 1. Zaino 2. S100 3. NXT
Smell: tie betw Z and NXT
Streaking: all good (tie)
Residue: all good (tie)
Staining: all good (tie)
Value: can't tell (unk # of applications per oz. from S100 or NXT)
I'll report back on the initial "look" of the 3 areas tomorrow when the sun is right :) |
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| TheWorm |
Hmmm, in checking some of the comments/tips/tricks over on Autopia, it seems the preferred method of applying NXT is with a PC and a yellow pad.
Sooooo, after taking a look tomorrow @ the first-coat results, and living with them for a day or so, I'll do a second coat of NXT w/the PC and yellow pad...and a second coat of Z5, which is my normal multiple-coat/layer thing anyway.
And we'll go from there...
Stay Tuned. |
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| msu79gt82 |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Stay Tuned.
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| one4gatr |
I applied my NXT with the random orbital buffer and terry cloth. I had absolutely no difficulty in removing the product by hand with a micro fiber cloth once it hazed over. Im not sure if your problems removing it came from taking it off too early or perhaps the product went on a bit thicker by hand than it did with my buffer.
I am waiting to hear your impressions on the shine compared to the Z.
BTW where did you get your 3m smr? I saw some pics of the results and I want to get some. The NXT doesnt fill very well either. |
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| TheWorm |
Full report tonight (except for durability, of course)...we're conducting a dust and pollen attraction test right now :)
one4gatr - 3M SMR is available at most of the autoparts stores. Part number 39009 for dark cars or 39109 for light cars. Same product, just the coloring is different in case of splatter. If they don't have that, 3M Finesse It II is also mild & good for scratch and swirl removal. I found using the Porter Cable is *way* better for the 3M products...it's too hard to get consistent and even pressure when doing by hand. |
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| TheWorm |
OK, second coat is on, along with the dust/pollen test. The latter was unintentional, but the pollen is coming off the pine trees in CLOUDS, and a freshly washed car is pollen/dust free for about an hour. I actually rinsed (water only) the hood before doing 2nd coats as there was a fair amount of pollen on there.
I also did the hood on the G35 for kicks.
Onto the content:
NXT Second Coat
Applied with the Porter Cable (aka PC) and a yellow pad, and removed with a cotton terry bonnet. On and off easy. This is the way to do it. I think one4gatr had it right -- it went on thinner and more uniformly than when I did it by hand. No residue, no smearing, no staining.
Did a single coat on half the G35's hood using the same method. All the comments below are for the X (but I'll let you know that on the G, NXT did nothing for me...it looked clean & shiny but Z5 alone was better than NXT, and Z+S100 was far superior to both on that paint).
Zaino Z5 Second Coat
As usual, on and off by hand with ease. No residue, streaking or staining. Followed with Z6 spritz.
Z5+S100 area
No second coat or quick detailer here. Just a single Z5+S100 as before.
Single coat on half the G35's hood, same method as on the X before.
Comparison and Comments
Interesting differences between the three sections, sometimes subtle, sometimes not. With two different types and colors of paint, it became clear that the color/type of paint makes a difference (at least to me for my preferred look) for how the products look/turn out.
On the X:
One thing I noticed during the rinse was that with the 'full flow' method, the NXT area sheeted more effectively than the Z or Z+S100 areas (which really wanted to bead). The sheeting action would be helpful during the summer when waterspots become an issue due to heat and the time required to get all the way around the car. All three areas beaded about the same with a "spray".
The three sections look different. I suppose defining the "type" of look would be helpful for the sake of comparison.
Reflectiveness = how much of the *external* environment shows off the finish. I know with Zaino on my old non-metallic, non-cleared GS300, it was like a mirror on top of the paint. Sometimes, you'd actually ask yourself "what color is that car?" and it imparted a sort of "glow" that looked like a "clear armor" had been applied to it. I really liked that look on that car.
Gloss/Depth = how "wet" does the paint look, and how shiny is it? Is it a true representation of the color of the paint, and does it look "deep" and clean? It would still be "reflective" but moreso reflecting itself and its properties rather than the surroundings.
Just looking at the hood, it's difficult to tell the difference between the NXT and Z5 sections at first glance. There's no real clear line of demarkation and the difference is pretty subtle (but there is a difference. Both are slick to the touch and a towel slides right off both. The Z is very slick, but in a dry/hard sort of way. The NXT seems equally slick but feels just a bit "softer". The Z+S100 area is as slick as the other two, but it has a warm "satin" feel to it.
The Z is more reflective of the surroundings, like the mirror finish. You have to get pretty close and "re-focus" your gaze to determine the color/nuance of the paint color, because the reflection of the surroundings is so strong. Keep in mind this is the black, which on close inspection is a very very very dark dark dark blue metallic. Difficult to see that it's very very very dark blue metallic with the Z, since what you tend to focus on is the sky, trees, etc that the Z is reflecting. I think this is actually the reason for my dissatisfaction w/Z2 on the X -- it was tooreflective and made it too hard to see the true metallic nature and color of the paint. The minor swirls and spiderwebbing are still evident and have not been reduced. Certainly not enough to not have to use some SMR on em. It needs the buffer :)
The NXT is also quite reflective of the surroundings, but not as mirror-like as the Z. I'd say it's reflective but without imparting the sort of "silvery mirror/clear armor" finish the Z has. You can see a bit more of the metallic flake, and from farther away, but you still need to re-focus to see it. The color looks the same (i.e., it isn't altered) but it's a bit deeper than the Z. The swirls and spiderwebbing are still evident, and *may* have been *slightly* reduced, but it still needs the SMR and buffer.
The Z+S100 is a different thing altogether. I can clearly see where it starts and stops abutting the Z and NXT areas, with the circular hand application I did. There's a nice combination of reflectiveness and depth to it. IMO it has the "cleanest" look of the three, along with the most depth. The "true" color of the paint along with the metallic comes through pretty easily -- with a nice warm gloss/depth, but there's also a subtle-but-clear mirror glow thing going on here. IMO this is the best look. The swirls and spiderwebbing have been reduced somewhat (the spiderwebbing moreso). Enough that I could live with it rather than hit it with the SMR and buffer.
In all fairness, I guess now I have to top NXT with S100 to see how it looks.
Summaries
Ease of Application -- Z and Z+S100 is easier since doing it by hand is an effortless wipe on/wipe off affair. NXT, although a "single step" product and not requiring Z1 or ZFX, is best applied (it seems) with the PC. That's extra work for setup and washing pads. I'd try NXT again by hand, though, to try and get it on thinner.
Slickness -- All three are excellent @ this point.
The Look -- With the Z, the tendency is to see the surroundings/reflection rather than the paint itself. You can re-focus on the paint, but you have to try. With the Z+S100, there's a natural balance between the two. Little effort is needed to "shift" your gaze from one to the other. You notice a reflectiveness and depth simultaneously. The NXT is somewhere in between. You definitely see the reflectivity first, but it isn't as "difficult" to re-focus on the paint itself as with the Z. But you do still have to try.
Dust/Dirt Attraction -- all three were pretty much the same.
Durability -- TBD :)
Water Spot Resistance -- Z+S100 and NXT appear better than Z alone.
What I'd use -- I like the Z+S100 combo the best, but if I were going to use just a single product without regard to durability, I'd use NXT rather than Z on the black. This is assuming the review about ~ 6 weeks durability for NXT is accurate. Waxing every 6 weeks or so in the summer isn't a difficult thing to do. I think I'd still use Zaino in the winter, when I might go 6 weeks just between washes! I get *months* from Zaino and that's always a good thing.
Bottom line -- NXT seems to be a worthwhile off-the-shelf (and readily available, and affordable) product. It's a good combo of depth and reflectiveness. I think you can do better for either by selecting a different product (a carnauba for depth or Z for reflectiveness) or better for both by combining different products (i.e. a long-lasting polymer for protection & reflectivity with a quality carnauba topper for depth & gloss).
Part of the challenge is that NXT was *so hyped* pre-release that it was made to sound like the end-all/be-all that would blow away everything else w/r/t depth, reflection, and durability. And it doesn't. Still, an excellent product for peeps looking for ready availability and an affordable cost-of-entry. I think I'd characterize it as an outstanding "consumer level" product but for an "enthusiast level" product it's not without its compromises. |
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| one4gatr |
Pretty much my thoughts too... I thought you could do better with the NXT by using it in combination with some other product. I like the NXT because of ease of use. I did the whole car in 15 minutes with the buffer and removed it in about 10. So a 30 minute deal all the way around.
My 2nd application was the X which is the NBlackPearl which I liked the results much better then my first application on my Frontier which is sort of a candy apple red. So I would also agree it seems to work better for the darker colors.
Let us know if you top it with the S100 and if that has any impact on the final look. But I agree it does not give you that "car show shine" if used just by itself. |
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| DaleB |
Excellent anaylsis! Waiting for the 3 - ? month follow-up on durability.
And not if it just keeps repelling water, but still has a great shine in addition. |
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| TheWorm |
| I'll definitely top the NXT w/S100 on both cars to see how it looks. one4gatr's last "car show shine" comment is a good one. The NXT does give an appearance that would cause people to see that it's a well-taken-care-of, shiny car. And it's easy enough to get that result...But it lacks the "pop" or "wow" factor that Zaino (or other products, either alone or in combination) can provide with the mirror or combined mirror/depth finish, where people say "something special is happening there". |
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| DaleB |
I can accept less 'pop & wow' ( I like that!) in favor of a great shine that is still close to the same a couple of months later after a wash. I think that has been the 'charm' if you will, of Zaino.
But for me that also means no PC in the plan. Hand polish only. |
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| asn |
| maybe you should throw some Klasse AIO on the car too. It seems to be the most durable, I'd be interested to see how it looked compared to the others |
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| TheWorm |
Quick update. 3 weeks and 3 washes in @ this point. Lots of pollen/dirt and it rained once or twice since the application. The car is garaged @ night, but it's not a queen -- it's a daily driver and does sit outside during the day when not @ home
Haven't used any QD on either side up til now.
The Z and Z+S100 side still look "bright" and reflective. Still pretty slippery and good beading action. Some minor waterspots on the Z-only side and that "hardened" yellow pollen stuff (pine trees - dunno?) came right off w/the wash. No waterspotting on the Z+S100 portion. Could use a Z6 refresher (for slickness) so got one after my eyeballing for comparison w/the NXT...
The NXT side has definitely lost some slickness. In fact, I got the "bare paint" squeak on part of the hood when drying. Beading was still good but one area (8" dia circle on the front of the hood, where it takes the most beating from rain and bugs) sheeted instead. That's where I got the "bare paint squeak". Still looks OK but the difference betw NXT and Z/Z+S100 is immediately apparent @ this point in time; the NXT side looks clean and shines well, but there's no "pop" or "wow" factor. Some minor waterspotting from the rain on the NXT side, a bit more noticable than on the Z side, but came off no problem. Refreshed w/the NXT spray wax to give it a boost.
Pollen/dust/dirt seemed about the same on all 3 areas. Not a fair dust attraction test given the amount of rain/grime it has endured.
I'll report back after the next bath, and perhaps beforehand if there's anything worthy to report on dust attraction. |
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| roadman |
I had 2 coats of NXT on for about 2 weeks. Car is outside all the time and it rained for 6 days during the 2 weeks. Water still beads up but not as nuch as when I first put NXT on.
Yesterday I gave it a good wash with NXT wash then a coat of #16 and wow what a difference. Much slicker than when I first did the NXT and the color is deeper and richer looking. Reflections look better.
Will check on the durability of the #16. |
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| msu79gt82 |
| I put on 2 coats of NXT on Saturday - too early to comment of course. |
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| TheWorm |
Here are updates from last week and this week:
Last Week's Results
Quick update. 3 weeks and 3 washes in @ this point. Lots of pollen/dirt and it rained once or twice since the application. The car is garaged @ night, but it's not a queen -- it's a daily driver and does sit outside during the day when not @ home
Haven't used any QD on either side up til now.
The Z and Z+S100 side still look "bright" and reflective. Still pretty slippery and good beading action. Some minor waterspots on the Z-only side and that "hardened" yellow pollen stuff (pine trees - dunno?) came right off w/the wash. No waterspotting on the Z+S100 portion. Could use a Z6 refresher (for slickness) so got one after my eyeballing for comparison w/the NXT...
The NXT side has definitely lost some slickness. In fact, I got the "bare paint" squeak on part of the hood when drying. Beading was still good but one area (8" dia circle on the front of the hood, where it takes the most beating from rain and bugs) sheeted instead. That's where I got the "bare paint squeak". Still looks OK but the difference betw NXT and Z/Z+S100 is immediately apparent @ this point in time; the NXT side looks clean and shines well, but there's no "pop" or "wow" factor. Some minor waterspotting from the rain on the NXT side, a bit more noticable than on the Z side, but came off no problem. Refreshed w/the NXT spray wax to give it a boost.
Pollen/dust/dirt seemed about the same on all 3 areas. Not a fair dust attraction test given the amount of rain/grime it has endured.
I'll report back after the next bath, and perhaps beforehand if there's anything worthy to report on dust attraction.
Final Update (today)
4 weeks, 4 washes. One day of rain this week.
Noticed significantly more and larger H2O spots on the NXT side of the hood after the latest rain dried up. They came out without difficulty during the wash, but the quantity and size of the waterspots caused me some concern about the beading ability and protection that was left vs the Z and Z+S100 sections.
Noticed during the rinse that about 2/3 of the NXT side was pooling water rather than beading or sheeting (I use the "full flow" hose method to sheet the water off panels). The balance were some big jiggly beads. I like my women that way, but not my finish
Z and Z+S100 side appeared pretty good pre and post-wash...same as usual w/good beading action and a nice shine.
Dry cycle: SQUEAK CITY on the NXT side. Also noticed the reappearance of the minor swirls and spiderwebbing I reported as slightly eliminated in step one when I began. My opinion: more filling from NXT than removal.
Bottom line: 4 weeks, 4 washes and a few rainy days = the NXT is gone; I'm down to the paint. No shine, no slickness, no beading or sheeting, and no filling.
Disappointing. |
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| octavian |
Waal, with nothing to do down heah in Texas except watch dust bunnies roll across the plains, I decided to try out NXT and see if the Wormster still had some "wiggle room" left in his analysis.
As usual, he is dead on. I had just put another coat of Zaino on 3 weeks ago and tried NXT. I was surprised how tacky it was both to put on and remove, and this is over a very smooth Zaino surface to begin with. I even premoistened the applicator using Z6. Didn't use an orbital....never had to before with Z. Ain't gonna start.
Shine looks OK. But is that the NXT or the Z doin' the hootin' and hollerin'? Dunno about durability yet. But if it is like the Wormster says, 4 weeks is way too short a time. |
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