Car waxes/polishes have been reformulated due to VOC concerns

[sajohnson]

I've been waxing cars for about 50 years. For the last 30 or so I've used primarily Nu Finish paste and Meguiars liquid. The best I ever used is "Rejex" -- it brought back the shine on the sunbaked paint on the used RV we bought when the Nu Finish and Meguiars could not.

The other day, I called a couple auto parts stores to confirm they had Nu Finish paste and they said it was *discontinued*! A top-rated wax off the market? In researching that, I discovered that VOC regulations had forced all wax mfrs to change their formulations -- and apparently discontinue some products. Nu Finish liquid is still available so I checked it out on Amazon. The 1-star reviews are brutal! Long-time Nu Finish users are ranting about how terrible it is. Streaks that are next to impossible to remove, etc.

I just read through several related threads here and checked the 1-star Amazon reviews on the waxes that were mentioned. All but one have serious problems. I'm aware of the potential issues with reviews, but I disregard the ones that are due to: shipping damage; delayed delivery; 'operator error'; etc., as well as those the are very brief ("Bad, do not buy"). The ones that mention competitors' products are also suspect. That leaves a lot of seemingly legit reviews -- many with photos.

That one product with no negative reviews? A Mother's liquid:
https://www.amazon.com/473mL-California-Gold-Carnauba-Wax/dp/B00KA7SPTG/

Of course, it only has ~100 reviews.

Any thoughts on the new reformulated waxes? Particularly from people who have used a certain product for a long time, so they are very familiar with the previous formulation.

EDIT: The Mothers does have one 1-star review, but it does not apply to the product:
"The protective seal was broken and also the cap of the bottle was different than pictured…." I disregard reviews like that.

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[Warped9]

First I’ve ever heard of this. I checked my local Canadian Tire and all the usual products are still there. And I cannot find any news of manufacturers being forced to change their products formulations due to new regulations.

I still find Nu Finish online and in stores and still top rated with positive reviews and still use it myself.

 

[Jake25]

Nu Finish is garbage

 

[jkernitzki]

Nu Finish is garbage

Tell us how you really feel.

 

[sajohnson]

First I’ve ever heard of this. I checked my local Canadian Tire and all the usual products are still there. And I cannot find any news of manufacturers being forced to change their products formulations due to new regulations.

I still find Nu Finish online and in stores and still top rated with positive reviews and still use it myself.

I'd guess that's because you are in Canada. It's the U.S. EPA that enforces the VOC regulations. Google AI sez:

EPA VOC regulations and car wax
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions from various sources, including consumer products like automotive waxes, polishes, sealants, and glazes.
Here's how EPA VOC regulations relate to car wax:

• Purpose: The regulations aim to reduce VOC emissions that contribute to ozone formation and impact air quality and public health.
• Categories: The EPA has established VOC content limits for specific categories of consumer products, including "Automotive Wax, Polish, Sealant, or Glaze".
• Definition: "Automotive Wax, Polish, Sealant, or Glaze" is defined as a product designed to seal out moisture, increase gloss, or otherwise enhance a motor vehicle's painted surfaces, and can be used by both auto-body repair shops and consumers. However, this definition specifically excludes certain products like automotive rubbing or polishing compounds, automotive wash and wax products, and products designed for unpainted surfaces.
• Impact on manufacturers: Manufacturers of these products must ensure their products comply with the established VOC content limits.
• State Regulations: States may also adopt and implement VOC regulations for consumer products, potentially with more stringent limits than the federal standards.

In essence, if a car wax product falls under the EPA's definition of "Automotive Wax, Polish, Sealant, or Glaze," it is subject to federal VOC content regulations designed to limit its contribution to air pollution.

###

As I said above, the 1-star reviews were so ugly that I decided to hold off buying any of those products until I get some feedback here. It's bad enough if something doesn't perform well, but when it makes more work for you -- like streaks and haze that are very difficult to remove -- that's really bad.

 

[Warped9]

I don’t understand what you’re looking at. I just checked out Nu Finish on Amazon.com and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

For example: https://www.amazon.com/Nu-Finish-Polish-Sealant-Once/dp/B0CLT3LDYL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T1IGE371RMPD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.q2-lB_6RZw78NcBVRnYI_HNy-L17SNVSSM0sQbJep5KT_hlxHXyrB4Yd71gLdLArYwQj0tyKG3g9gZYs42b8tejVO4QZZDB8EBt_SWtJHzL6_I33k-eQWNSdRPUR5RZuEPl--xLsnCQl53G5qWfkLKUviDSfCVdXj_ALgNs8RFKgiz3tQ0jf5QHKBhYgIUGEdXOxi72k4DwCeOZ0Yo9H_9w_zVGQr__arpnpMMgo1NDmKa9MUo5_XyHO5DSLDhPZ5DP_elaPu3c4Kj5Gul_w4-zvgHttcGBSyFahshjUcz4.nwbcuBxIBwpFoeb0EgF8psab_-nwn1pTrqTmNhLlj5E&dib_tag=se&keywords=Nu+finish+car+wax&qid=1754606557&s=automotive-intl-ship&sprefix=nu+finish+car+wax,automotive-intl-ship,83&sr=1-1

And when I said I couldn’t find any news of this I didn’t look just in Canadian sources. I couldn’t find news of it anywhere.

 

[Glamdring70]

Yay. Cut the VOCs. Everyone buys the new chemical, hates it, throws it down the drain. Eventually it puts 2,500lbs+ of machinery in the scrapyard sooner, or get it repainted with more VOCs. Doesn't feel real "big picture". Hang on while I try to get this paper straw into this giant 20oz clear acrylic disposable cup's plastic lid.

How can I tell if my product bottles are different? Probably can't! They won't label it or anything. Have to buy a resupply and then get mad about it.

 

[sajohnson]

I don’t understand what you’re looking at. I just checked out Nu Finish on Amazon.com and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

For example: https://www.amazon.com/Nu-Finish-Polish-Sealant-Once/dp/B0CLT3LDYL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T1IGE371RMPD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.q2-lB_6RZw78NcBVRnYI_HNy-L17SNVSSM0sQbJep5KT_hlxHXyrB4Yd71gLdLArYwQj0tyKG3g9gZYs42b8tejVO4QZZDB8EBt_SWtJHzL6_I33k-eQWNSdRPUR5RZuEPl--xLsnCQl53G5qWfkLKUviDSfCVdXj_ALgNs8RFKgiz3tQ0jf5QHKBhYgIUGEdXOxi72k4DwCeOZ0Yo9H_9w_zVGQr__arpnpMMgo1NDmKa9MUo5_XyHO5DSLDhPZ5DP_elaPu3c4Kj5Gul_w4-zvgHttcGBSyFahshjUcz4.nwbcuBxIBwpFoeb0EgF8psab_-nwn1pTrqTmNhLlj5E&dib_tag=se&keywords=Nu+finish+car+wax&qid=1754606557&s=automotive-intl-ship&sprefix=nu+finish+car+wax,automotive-intl-ship,83&sr=1-1

And when I said I couldn’t find any news of this I didn’t look just in Canadian sources. I couldn’t find news of it anywhere.

Most products (of all types) have 4+ stars out of 5 overall -- in part because Amazon and other vendors encourage customers to rate them immediately and do not follow up after a year or two. Sometimes people post reviews before even using the product!

Also, there have been problems with bogus 5-star reviews.

The Nu Finish and other products I looked at are no different. All have at least a 4 star rating. It's important to take the time to read at least some of the 1-star reviews. Sometimes, the majority do not apply to the product: the buyer misread the listing; the box was damaged; the delivery was delayed; there was obvious 'operator error', etc. Or the review is vague ("No good, don't buy"). Those can all be ignored.

However, in some cases (and this is one of them) the reviews are very concerning. Most of the 1-star reviews mention streaks that are difficult to remove. A few reviewers say they are familiar with the original Nu-Finish and say that it has obviously been reformulated:

"New Ceramic Formula leaves Streaks and Smudges."
"What have they done to my once favorite polish?"
"Must have changed the formula."
"I liked the original Nu Finish better."

There are many others, like:
"If you like rubbing this is the stuff."

Maybe there's some counterfeit product out there, and the legit Nu-Finish is still good. Either way though, I'd rather not take a chance on it, or other waxes with similar 1-star ratings. If the worst case was that maybe it doesn't last as long as claimed, that's one thing. But leaving ugly streaks that are hard to remove is something I'd rather avoid.

My main question is for forum members who have used a particular wax for years -- have you noticed a change in it recently?

 

[sajohnson]

Yay. Cut the VOCs. Everyone buys the new chemical, hates it, throws it down the drain. Eventually it puts 2,500lbs+ of machinery in the scrapyard sooner, or get it repainted with more VOCs. Doesn't feel real "big picture". Hang on while I try to get this paper straw into this giant 20oz clear acrylic disposable cup's plastic lid.

How can I tell if my product bottles are different? Probably can't! They won't label it or anything. Have to buy a resupply and then get mad about it.

I haven't looked but I have old bottles of several different waxes (as I'm sure other folks do). They should have the ingredients listed. You know -- asbestos, uranium, lead, plutonium...

We should be able to spot any differences, assuming they are required to list all ingredients. They may avoid it by claiming a "proprietary formula."

Of course the bottom line is how it works. I'm hoping that some mfrs have been able to make a decent wax while complying with the VOC regs.

 

[Warped9]

I have used Nu Finish and McGuire’s for years and never had any issues with them. I use McGuire’s on the inside with good results. For the windows I use Norwex cloths—no chemicals, just water and nothing comes close.

I never use Armor All for anything.

 

[sajohnson]

I have used Nu Finish and McGuire’s for years and never had any issues with them. I use McGuire’s on the inside with good results. For the windows I use Norwex cloths—no chemicals, just water and nothing comes close.

I never use Armor All for anything.

Have you noticed any differences in either product?

 

[Warped9]

Have you noticed any differences in either product?

No. But I haven't had to buy any for about a year.

 

[sajohnson]

Update on the Mother's cleaner wax:

There is no date on the bottle, and there are no ingredients listed, so there's no way of knowing whether it has been reformulated. The label is in both English and French, so perhaps it was intended for the Canadian market? It was factory sealed, but it appeared as though someone had peeled a price tag off of it.

I used it yesterday on my almost 25 year old WRX. It has been parked outside since the Badlands took its garage space, so it was pretty dirty. I was able to clean it up and it looked decent but the Mother's made a huge difference. It looks incredible, especially considering its age.

Of course it could all wash off in the next rain shower, but my initial impression is good. No hard to remove streaks, no sticking on plastic trim.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KA7SPTG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[fourthgear]

I use the Mothers California gold & it works great , I do use a Buffer to apply . The BS is Garage kept .

I also use a product called "Jet Seal on my Sprinter because it sits outside 24/7 & seems to be fine in the Florida Sun for over three years now

 

[sajohnson]

I use the Mothers California gold & it works great , I do use a Buffer to apply . The BS is Garage kept .

I also use a product called "Jet Seal on my Sprinter because it sits outside 24/7 & seems to be fine in the Florida Sun for over three years now

The bottle I received looks like this:

So there's a possibility that it was made for the Canadian market and therefore different from what is normally sold here in the U.S.

What I'm most interested in is feedback from forum members who are long time users of a particular product (which one doesn't matter) -- have you purchased any recently? If so, have you noticed any changes?

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