Long term review - Turtle Wax Graphene Flex Wax is it an alternative to ceramic coatings?

[@johnfranklin5277]

I started using this product last spring. At 1st I definitely used more than necessary, and it was difficult to get streaks smoothed out. But no big deal. I totally enjoy hand waxing my cars, and at 64, I still do. I dont mind that this wax is more labor intensive to deal with, because the results are WORTH IT . 2 years ago i bought a new car in a beautiful red metallic . I waxed it with my usual Maguires wax, it did look nice, but it didn't have a WOW factor. I tried other ones also, but still blah so so. I tried this one, worked my butt off getting it done, about 3 hours, pulled it out into the southern California sun, and immediately I said, WOW!!! This product just works fantastic on this color. I reapply it as a drying aid, and now have got the hang of it. I wash my car once a week. I applied it the 1st week of june, and in october I noticed the water beading on the hood and trunk were fading, but still sheeting well. The sides were still beading fine. So about 3 and a half months between reapplying. Im fine with that. Im definitely happy with it and will continue to use it. 😊

[@Themazcorner]

Thank you for the feedback! Glad you like the product and found a workable approach for you.

[@smitty858]

I just applied this as a topper to TW ceramic graphene infused paste wax. The gloss is fantastic. Given that most ceramics last 6mos to a year and cost a lot more, I prefer the ease of use of TW flex and ease of removal. One correction: the instructions on the back of the bottle provide for a 24 hour cure time.

[@Themazcorner]

Sorry for the late reply and thanks for the correction! Spray on products are as you say in general easy to apply and also to maintain and also relatively speaking easy to remove if need compare to e.g. ceramic coatings. I just wish it could have held out a bit longer.

[@audieconrad8995]

Dude that combination is sick. I use the same combo on my flat red GTI. Gloss/depth of shine/protection is unbeatable.

[@ADUSN]

Works really well for me. You gotta buff it asap and it can be a PITA to apply, but lasts months, looks good, and keeps the car in good shape. I use it on every exterior surface.

[@odinikita4821]

In my experience the reality is this wax does have a curing time of about 24 to 48 hours in which the gloss just increases and increases

[@takeovaLA]

I used it during winter and it lasted like 3 or 4 months with 0 maintenance here in the harsh winter started to fade slowly until it completely died wonder how it would have done if I did do the maintenance spray on and off but again during winter I don’t remember washing the car much as for gloss on my 2022 civic with white paint I really don’t remember being amazed with the gloss it looked the same what added gloss to the paint was when I used meguiars wash and wax leaves the paint beautiful

[@PhilArndt1]

have also had hard times buffing it out while only using 1 to 2 sprays per panel but it did finally become streak free but took a lot of work

[@Themazcorner]

Thanks for the input! Not sure what it could be, but as you say it requires some effort to level it down

[@audieconrad8995]

@Lee Francis yup! Easy!

[@takeovaLA]

@@Themazcorner is it harder to apply than a ceramic coating?

[@Themazcorner]

In my opinion e.g. Gyeon Mohs Evo(and none Evo for that matter) is much more simple to apply and specifically when removing the excess

[@MlleVB]

any tips? its really really hard to buff off, even with damped towel

[@keithhorwood4585]

Hi when you use this product if difficult to remove use a damp towel then dry cloths you will find it easier. Cheers Keith

[@Themazcorner]

thanks for the input!

[@davidmcarthur7029]

Hi, I light polished my 370 Z, 4 years old. And paint correction was perfect, but I used Flex to Max liquid and it streaked bad . I carefully waited 2-3 mins in a cool 64 degree garage . ??? Can't seem to get the streak marks out. YET it worked perfect on my polished two year old KIA????? Baffled How do I get rid of the streaking?

[@smitty858]

I think your problem is you waited 2-3 mins to wipe off the product. The instructions on the bottle say two sprays per panel, wipe product, and then buff to finish. No wait time is provided in the instructions. I just applied to my vehicle as a topper over TW ceramic graphene wax and it looks amazing. I didn’t encounter any streaking. To get streaks off first try a wet microfiber towel. If that doesn’t work then spray product over streaks, wipe, and buff. If that doesn’t work then you likely need a DA polisher over streaks.

[@davidmcarthur7029]

@@smitty858 Thats the spray wax your talking about. I used the liquid wax, that clearly states wait two to three mins for it to haze.....

[@Themazcorner]

One option is to reach out TW and ask what they recommend otherwise running strip washes and maybe that will hopefully dissolve sealant or also as advised to polish it off as a last resort.

[@davidmcarthur7029]

@@Themazcorner I did and they never answered..

[@Themazcorner]

Ohh 😞

[@chrisalvarez7768]

Can I have the link to tha diffused light you're using

[@Themazcorner]

the softbox is amzn.to/4hwRLaL the light source: amzn.to/40zLd4V

[@matsudakodo]

In my experience, a fine grade clay towel does not mar/scratch, even on Japanese paint. Just did my whole car with one.

[@dronetechaz]

it is very hard to take off as well for me.

[@billbuss7542]

They recommend a damp cloth to wipe it off.

[@netwt449]

The more I hear about Flex Wax, the more I feel the base coat is better applied by soft machine buffing. THX for this informative video.

[@Themazcorner]

Thank glad you liked it. Wonder how your approach would work, have no car to try that on unfortunately

[@axylus9890]

im interested in using this product... but does this damage the paint and/or clear coat in the long run?

[@Themazcorner]

Quite the opposite I would say. Just follow the instructions

[@nelsonrivera4976]

Para ponerlo remover necesitas 2 toalla una umeda y la otra seca

[@Themazcorner]

Yes that seems to be what is needed. However it should be mentioned from the get go that a damp towel should always be used more or less

[@Dan-xj9vd]

On a different subject, how do you like your ID.3 ? We can't order ID.3 in North America. My wife ordered the back order ID.4 last October. It is a 12-15 months delivery time for Canada according the dealer!

[@Themazcorner]

Nice, congrats! But the car market is crazy now with regards to lead times etc.... As a daily for a "normal" person it is a really good car. I had my fair share of issues in the beginning but after the last visit to the dealer I have had no issues. Thinking if I should do a 1 year review or not. It's not a fun car as such hence the "normal" reference but fully adequatefor daily duty. There are some things I don't like, the interior materials(a bitt different in the ID4 though), the touch-buttons, the brakes :D and also don't like the app it feels a bit half-assed.... However you need to keep in mind, during winter driving the capacity is reduced quite a bit. Also the app is not good in my opinion.

[@Dan-xj9vd]

@@Themazcorner Do you have a heat pump on the ID.3 ? The ID.4 for the canadian market is equiped with it but not for the USA market. It makes a difference for the battery here during winter. A review would be a good idea for your friends in Canada. We have similar weather than Sweden. The review from USA are always from a guy in the southern states and not really fitting with our climate.

[@Themazcorner]

@@Dan-xj9vd I do have a heat pump. It works but it does consume quite a bit of juice when running specially when heating up the car whilst parked. Also as I have understood at the moment the heating of the battery is not working when having a departure time set "The review from USA are always from a guy in the southern states" :D. We had -19 a week or so ago, should hold out to se if we do get similar weather and I can do some tests. Otherwise check this guys channel: kzbin.info

[@Dan-xj9vd]

@@Themazcorner Yes, I already watched the video where he drove from Norway to Gothenburn/Lund area.

[@actionjksn]

I just got a bottle of this for $10 and just washed my truck. I'm going to use it and then apply again in about a week and that should hold up better. I assume this will still last longer than regular wax?

[@Themazcorner]

If applied according to the instructions and also adding a second layer I would say it would be lasting longer than regular waxes. Also maintaining the product is easier than was as well as you can do it rather quickly together with a wash

[@Dan-xj9vd]

Hey Maz, I was looking to use the Graphene wax or coating on my MX-5 wheel. Looking for an alternative for the brake dust. I have the Sonax ceramic coating on the rest of the car. How do you keep you wheels clean?

[@Themazcorner]

Hey bud! For the wheels I would go for something that is more resistive to heat. I have mainly used ceramic coatings for my calipers and wheels. I have mainly used Carpro DLux or Gyeon Rim Either way to reach a good result a thorough clean is needed. I have a video of the process I use: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bam4qZaEbq6NaLs What did on my calipers from the attached video is still working as day one and I have done track days, autox and had really high temps and no issues.

[@Dan-xj9vd]

@@Themazcorner It was a video that I missed. I will try that on my caliper since my MX-5 is in my garage for 3 winter months :( I like the winter season but I hate to not being able to drive and enjoy my miata.

[@Themazcorner]

@@Dan-xj9vd Check it out, let me know if you have any questions. I have some videos for the wheels as well. Not much different than doing it on the car. Just need to make sure the wheels are as clean as possible I would love to have some summer sun now to say the least

[@Dan-xj9vd]

@@Themazcorner Weather in Stockholm is milder than here in Montreal. Does it give you a chance to take the MX-5 on the road during winter?

[@Themazcorner]

@@Dan-xj9vd I could but my OCD is to strong so ... :D

[@soapa4279]

IMO, anyone going through the trouble of doing a full paint prep, and one step polish. Just go with an actual coating.

[@Themazcorner]

I do get an adequate finish with a one step polish. The cars that are my daily driven there is no point in my opinion to have a more perfected paint. But of course this is up to everyone on what they want to achieve with the "final product" those extra 5-10% with a two-step polish is not worth in my opinion for a daily driven car. If I would have had customers then that is a different topic if they want to have as good as result as possible. Even on my other cars with metallic paint the one step polish has been fully satisfactory for me. But agreed for the best result a two-step polish is the way to go

[@soapa4279]

@@Themazcorner I was more referring to the amount of work a paint prep and one step polish already is, to not use a spray coating that doesn't appear to last that long (the TW Flex wax in this case.) and just go with a full coating.

[@Themazcorner]

ahh sorry I missunderstood you! That is a valid aspect, however if "only" a spray on sealant is used it will give the same/similar type of protection as a ceramic coating. However it will not be as long lasting but if maintained regularly the effect are the same more or less. One of the major benefits as I see with not having a ceramic coating is that it is actually quite easy to remove spray sealants and waxes.

[@burnlikeneon4044]

What is an actual coating?

[@soapa4279]

@@burnlikeneon4044 The ones that turn to glass after 12-24 hours, typically considered "true coatings." and the ones usually in 30-50ml bottles.

[@sidneydunston]

Thanks for the update. I utilized the TW graphene infused product line on my vehicle. Used the compound (no protection), the "to the max" wax and then the flex wax. The initial application of all three was super easy and went very smoothly. Coming up on 6 months and I'm experiencing the same behavior (application and hydroponic) you're describing with the flex wax. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong but others are seeing it too. Thanks.

[@Themazcorner]

Thank you for the feedback! Did you also find it a bit tricky to remove after applying without using a damp cloth?

[@sidneydunston]

@@Themazcorner On the initial application, I did not have an issue. However, on subsequent applications of the Flex wax (either spray on/rinse off or apply when wet and dry) it has been very difficult to remove.

[@zikem1006]

I did it last week the whole process and I didn’t have any issues, i Used a sponge and apply the product each panel passing 3 times by panel and no residue

[@sidneydunston]

@@zikem1006 Like you, I had no issues with the base application. I started seeing issues with the removal at around the 4 month mark.

[@Themazcorner]

@@zikem1006 thanks for the input! Not sure why I was experiencing the application the way I did

[@szabolcs8349]

It is very difficult to use. It is quite impossible to remove. I have tried a lot of sealants, waxes and cramic coatings and I have to say, this Flex Wax is not 2023 level. After removing with microfiber towel even 3 or 4 times remain a lot of swirls and other residues and the car will be very ugly. I have tried in 25 Celsius degrees, in 30 celsius degrees, inside and outside but nothing changed. It is definetly not easy to use.

[@Themazcorner]

thanks for the feedback!

[@lonewolf4827]

Yep. Streaked like crazy on my black paint. I hope I just over applied the product.

[@tomolson9066]

graphene is grabby when wiping off unlike SIO2. But great results.

[@johnpolosino7819]

Why wouldn't you add same product as top coat ?

[@Themazcorner]

I wanted to test how long the base coat lasts. Otherwise one could opt for adding e.g. Gyeon wet coat or similar every other two weeks and achieve the same thing more or less.

[@AndrewMorrison3]

Turtle wax has a winner with Seal n' shine and ceramic spray coating but this one is a definite step down

[@Themazcorner]

I do also like the seal n shine

[@paulmorgan6269]

Needs more work than others. Time is important and spending 10 or 15 minutes more is not a good thing.

[@coyotecarguy2076]

Good Product .. you can see the water Beads off -n- Sh!t

[@Themazcorner]

Hey bud 😅 long time no see! Hope all is good! Merry Christmas 🎄

[@coyotecarguy2076]

@@Themazcorner . . You 2 Bud!

[@badsmac]

All that to say…..?