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General => Detailing => Topic started by: Booth11 on 19 August 2014, 18:56
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As a lover of wax, I've been keen to try out Auto Finesse Desire for some time. So, inspired by Nino's recent wax comparison, I decided to test the AF Desire against my favourite wax, Dodo Juice Blue Velvet Pro. Desire is a premium high content carnauba paste wax priced £80-120 and Blue Velvet Pro is a hard hybrid wax priced £47-50.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3906/14783273057_c733615966_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14783273057/)
Preparation
For the test, the bonnet, front end and front wings were first washed, clayed, washed again then polished using Poorboys SSR1 with DA. Finally a coat of Poorboys Ex-P sealant was applied.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/14946627546_0c689f46e6_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14946627546/)
Before application
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3855/14782901780_3efe9fb299_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14782901780/)
Dodo Juice Blue Velvet Pro was applied in a thin layer to the passenger side of bonnet, front and wing. Auto Finesse Desire was applied to the driver's side bonnet, front and wing. Both were equally easy to apply. The Blue velvet was much easier to buff off than the Desire which required more elbow grease.
Blue velvet pro applied
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5596/14782875840_c2c1e79b04_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14782875840/)
Desire applied
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3845/14946934956_a5502bb718_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14946934956/)
Results
Both waxes gave great results and lovely rich gloss. But I thought the Blue velvet was a little deeper.
After - Blue velvet pro side
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5590/14969064482_74e2487a0b_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14969064482/)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/14782811360_5703ef4e40_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14782811360/)
After - Desire side
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/14946450856_514aac8c70_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14946450856/)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/14946496456_9fbbe0a4ab_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14946496456/)
General view
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3843/14969430905_4078b5abe6_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14969430905/)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/14782812529_f41f8f9c8c_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14782812529/)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/14966825061_f90e10e975_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14966825061/)
Water beading test
Result of water spray test in this video. http://youtu.be/sQ_PMLXbPps
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14783240870_346f93eb6c_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/booth11/14783240870/)
Conclusion
Aesthetically both waxes were fairly evenly matched and gave a lovely deep gloss to the paintwork and I would be happy with either, though I think the Blue velvet just edges it.
The water test revealed the Blue Velvet Pro performed better, repelled water more effectively leaving virtually nothing on the bonnet afterwards and water beads were smaller. Desire performed well but by comparison gave poorer repellency and held onto more water, with larger beading.
On the strength of this initial comparison, the Blue Velvet Pro is coming out tops for me. It's easy to apply, much easier to buff, gives fantastic shine and excellent water repellency, and is cheaper.
Further water/beading tests will be carried out to test the longevity and durability of the wax and an update posted :smiley:
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Awesome job and awesome review, thanks.
It's all about the claying ;-)
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Awesome job and awesome review, thanks.
It's all about the claying ;-)
Indeed it is Neil :wink:
Thanks mate :smiley:
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Nice one Booth, I washed my car again today and I must say the auto finesse has gotten worse im really disappointed in there product if i am honest.
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Nice one Booth, I washed my car again today and I must say the auto finesse has gotten worse im really disappointed in there product if i am honest.
Yeah, so far I'm thinking the AF's not worth the money, it leaves a nice finish but doesn't do anything better than the other wax, and is poorer on water test. I'm going to wash the car weekly as usual, then do another water test in couple weeks to see how they compare.
I was surprised at the short hazing time the AF required, only left it on 5 mins and that was really too long as it was a bugger to buff off compared to the blue velvet.
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I've tired quiet a few of AF products. I'm yet to find any that really impress me. Meguires products however. Great.
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Personally i don't think you can go wrong with Dodo wax all things considered, ease of use, cost, results and longevity make it my wax of choice, i'm using Supermatural atm but if i keep the R i'll be getting a tub of Blue Velvet pro! :cool:
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Personally i don't think you can go wrong with Dodo wax all things considered, ease of use, cost, results and longevity make it my wax of choice, i'm using Supermatural atm but if i keep the R i'll be getting a tub of Blue Velvet pro! :cool:
My preferred wax too but had to scratch the Auto Finesse itch. It's been p!ssing down all day so I've had a good chance to watch how both bead in the rain. AF has much larger beads than the DJ.
I like DJ Supernatural Hybrid and it performs well on all fronts but the finish is little too sterile for my liking, very shiny but lacks depth. This is where Blue Velvet excels, it really brings out the depth of colour. I'd love to see it on your Lapis R :cool:
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Ypu have made me want blue velvet pro now lol
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Ypu have made me want blue velvet pro now lol
Try it, I doubt you'll be disappointed, and if you are, then there's no pleasing you, lol.
Or, I've got a barely used pot of AF Desire going cheap if you're interested :grin:
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NAr, im not impressed by Auto Fineese if im honest. not onw of their product has "wowed" me yet.
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really good job ,wish you would come round and do mine.
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really good job ,wish you would come round and do mine.
Cheers mate. I would, but Durham's a bit of a trek :tongue:
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UPDATE:
It's now 2 weeks since I waxed the bonnet, half with AF Desire and half with DJ Blue Velvet pro as a comparison. In that time the car's been washed twice and it's rained a fair bit. The Desire beads are already much flatter.
So did another little vid today showing the water behaviour 2 weeks after application. First used water spray and then open ended hose. Drivers side (GTI badge side) is the Desire, passenger side the Blue velvet.
http://youtu.be/_cviTQt22yg
It's fairly conclusive. The Blue velvet is holding up far better than the Desire. Desire is still a decent wax but I had much higher hopes for it, especially at the high price point. Shame really as AF do some good products but this is not one of their best. Blue velvet on the other hand continues to impress. :smiley:
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Pretty conclusive that! I'm also a fan of most Auto Finesse products but don't think I'll be getting this any time soon!
Blue Velvet Pro still looking good, is that wax colour charged at all?
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Yes, it's specifically for dark coloured cars, as are the other two pro DJ waxes, Purple Haze and Rainforest Rub. The blurb at top of this web page lists which wax is suited for the various colours, light, dark cars etc.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/dodo-juice/cat_59.html
Strangely, although Rainforest soft wax is for any colour car, the pro edition is formulated specifically for dark and metallic! They don't appear to do a pro version for warm colours but either Banana Armour or Hard Candy could be a good hard wax option for tornado red. I'd always choose hard wax over soft. :smiley:
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Nice Vid Booth, I need to add that the proctection from my AF spirit has totally gone now, after only 5 weeks or so.
Really not impressed.
MY collinate is still going extremely strong and I recent spent 6 1/2 hours, removing all my wheels 1 by 1, cleaning behind all the wheels, re-greasing the moving parts, bushes and I even polished, sealed and then waxed all my brake calipers, to which I then repeated the process on all my wheels.
So worth it, my wheels are now ready for the winter. :)
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5 weeks is very poor for what is supposedly a premium wax :sad:
Sounds like you've been busy Nino. My wheels could do with coming off for a good going over but focussing on getting the paintwork well prepped for winter first.
Do you run winter tyres?
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I love threads like this, now people can see what is a good wax and what has got a big marketing hype behind it and off course a scene name.
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no i run my standard wheels, on my SS3's who needs winter tyres when I got 4WD :)
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Haha, I forgot about the 4 wheel drive :embarrassed: :grin:
Mind you I suppose you could still put winter tyres on. I've never bothered on mine even though it's front wheel drive, never had a problem running my contisport 5s all year round.
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FINAL UPDATE
Both waxes have now been on for 6 weeks, and the car washed weekly during this time.
Washed the car this morning and observed the water behaviour on the bonnet. I also noted the beading behaviour during rainy weather earlier this week.
Auto Finesse Desire no longer beading at all and sheeted water just sits on the paintwork. No protection apparent.
Dodo Juice Blue Velvet Pro still giving good beading, albeit larger beads than before. Sheeted water still runs off reasonably well, a little slower to withdraw but still a reasonable level of protection apparent.
CONCLUSION
Very disappointing performance from AF Desire. My expectations were that this premium carnauba wax priced at £80-100 would give a quality finish and offer a good level protection for at least 3 months. I did not expect all trace of protection to be gone within 6 weeks. It's a shame, as it does give a nice deep gloss finish but that's all! :sad:
I have now re-waxed the bonnet and front with DJ Blue Velvet Pro :smiley:
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Totally agree really not impressed by AF products at all.
I have juat got due to you lol a pot of DJ and treated the entire car. Looks great. Going to build another layer in 4 weeks and theb put a layer of 915 mid December for added protection :)
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Totally agree really not impressed by AF products at all.
I have juat got due to you lol a pot of DJ and treated the entire car. Looks great. Going to build another layer in 4 weeks and theb put a layer of 915 mid December for added protection :)
The blue velvet pro? or purple haze pro? That, plus the 915 will give great winter protection.
Like you, I gave mine another coat of DJ last week. Had to do the bonnet and front anyway as the AF was gone, so did the whole car again. The condensation beading in the mornings is amazing, really tight tiny beads :)
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Totally agree really not impressed by AF products at all.
I have juat got due to you lol a pot of DJ and treated the entire car. Looks great. Going to build another layer in 4 weeks and theb put a layer of 915 mid December for added protection :)
The blue velvet pro? or purple haze pro? That, plus the 915 will give great winter protection.
Like you, I gave mine another coat of DJ last week. Had to do the bonnet and front anyway as the AF was gone, so did the whole car again. The condensation beading in the mornings is amazing, really tight tiny beads :)
Well for some reason my plan was to buy Blue velvet but i ended up buying purple haze pro :rolleyes:
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Read this comparison with interest as I have been a fan of Auto Finese products on my MK5 GTI in the past, but as clearly evident from the test results the Auto Finesse Desire - although smells very nice ( almost tempting to taste!) is just not durable enough for the money! Annoyed at shelling out around £120 2 years ago for it but suppose I have had the best of it.
Found some Collinite No.476s Super Durable Coat Auto Wax on the garage shelf and wondered if this would be a good investment of effort on my new TR GTD or to order EXO v2 and C1Crystal Lacquer set from G Technique for winter conditions coming up?
Reading the the Collinite label raised a smile "First Aid: If inhaled, remove victim to fresh air. If breathing stopped, begin artificial respiration. Call physician......" :shocked:
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Read this comparison with interest as I have been a fan of Auto Finese products on my MK5 GTI in the past, but as clearly evident from the test results the Auto Finesse Desire - although smells very nice ( almost tempting to taste!) is just not durable enough for the money! Annoyed at shelling out around £120 2 years ago for it but suppose I have had the best of it.
Found some Collinite No.476s Super Durable Coat Auto Wax on the garage shelf and wondered if this would be a good investment of effort on my new TR GTD or to order EXO v2 and C1Crystal Lacquer set from G Technique for winter conditions coming up?
Reading the the Collinite label raised a smile "First Aid: If inhaled, remove victim to fresh air. If breathing stopped, begin artificial respiration. Call physician......" :shocked:
As tempting as it smelt, I resisted the temptation to eat the desire. For god's sake don't be tempted to sample the 476 if the health warning is anything to go by :shocked: :grin:
476 is purported to be the most durable wax on the market, apparently lasting up to 12 months and especially good for winter protection. I haven't used it myself, but have used 915 and don't think you can go far wrong with collinite wax. As I wax my car (too) often, very long term durability isn't a primary concern, though I was shocked at the miserly short life of the AF desire.
The gtechniq kit looks interesting - scratch resistance + extra gloss. Wonder about depth? I find that sealants can give a sterile shine. I love wet look shine but on DBP it's got to have depth, which is where wax excels. Maybe depth not so important on TR, whereas gloss is.
Decisions, decisions eh, what you gonna go for? Whatever you decide, be good to get a review and some pics. :smiley:
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I have used both 476 and 915.
I can tell you that 476 is the most durable out of the two and also the hardest of the two to apply.
However, 915 has 15% more carnuba so gives a deeper shine but wont last as long as 476 and is easyier to apply.
Realistic lasting times...
476 - 7-9 months.
915 - 6-8 months.
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Not forgetting Collinite 845; the liquid version. Really 'easy on, easy off' application with good durability, and at £15 / £16 a bottle, very good value. Last waxed my car 7 months ago and it's still beading well.
I'll be giving my car it's pre-winter treatment today, which will include a couple of layers of 845.
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Probably have a go with the collinite 476s if warm enough tomorrow. I Auto Finesse Avalanched the new car today after my first 150 miles in it and shampooed with Auto Glym Bodywork conditioner, and discovered that car was waxed over the remains of shipping tape glue, by the supplying dealer! - Not impressed, and ended up using Docktor Power Magic Eraser to get the remnants off both sides of roofline. :angry:
If a bit too cold I will stick AF Desire on and make do! :wink: