Turtle Wax Ice Wax
The retail product that delivers!
Ice wax from Turtle Wax is a retail product that has me perplexed! Never would I have thought that an off-the-shelf product could deliver the kinds of results I am able to achieve from this product from Turtle Wax!
No professional detailer would ever admit to using this at a professional level, and yet I find it is able to deliver truly professional results.
Add to that it's amazing user-friendly features and it is a product that is hard to beat!
Turtle Wax T477R ICE Premium Spray Wax with Foam Applicator & Microfiber Towel
- As easy as easy can get!
- Spray on, wipe off (although there are many ways you can apply this: spray directly onto car, spray onto cloth then wipe onto car, spray onto applicator pad/sponge, etc.)
- Non-staining formulation (won't stain any black trim or rubber and can be used directly on these materials)
- Can be used in direct sunlight on hot paint (as a rule, any product will require different techniques if working on hot paint versus cool, shaded paint. You simply make adjustments based on your working conditions)
- Use as often as you are willing to create that just waxed appearance (this will not build-up by using too much. It would be impossible to use this too frequently. Applying Ice Wax for protection is a different conversation than debating the merits of how durable or long lasting Ice Wax is. many people like myself apply more frequently than needed because it is so easy and I like the appearance a fresh coat makes my car look)
Turtle Wax Ice Wax v. Hybrid Ceramic
New technology, better results.
This year (2020) Turtle Wax came out with their new line of car care products labeled as their Hybrid Solutions. I was invited (an invite only gathering of professional detailers and social media influencers in the niche of detailing) to participate in their launch of this product line in preparation to launching this new line.
They flew us out to a car club in Scottsdale, AZ called Otto Car Club for the event. They put us up in a very nice gold resort and spa and treated with a 5-star experience where we had the opportunity to see and test their new product line first hand.
I was really blow away at this new product line in the way it performed as well as doing so with an exceptional user experience.
Turtle Ice Wax: Hybrid Ceramic Spray Coating
Turtle Wax 53409 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating-16 Fl Oz
- The latest in chemical engineering
- Formulated using Sio2 technology (This is the technology used for professionally installed ceramic coatings that are now so popular)
- Super hydrophobic water beading technology
- Up to 12 months of protection
- As easy as easy gets
Darren's Tips: There is a lot of hype and B.S. within the cosmetic car care industry. Even as a professional it is hard for me to keep up and to verify the claims made by the many manufacturers.
I can tell you that I was impressed with this product in every way. As a rule, I don't overthink the claims made by manufacturers as far as durability or longevity of car waxes or sealants. Since I prefer products that are super easy to use, I know that I am going to be using products like this way more frequently than what is necessary as I am chasing the visual impact of using products like this.
I remain a big fan of the original Ice Wax at the top of this page, but consider this Hybrid Ceramic Spray Coating to be an even better alternative to the Ice Wax. And once again, even though this Ice Wax alternative says it can last up to 12 months, I use this as often as I am willing so as to create that just waxed appearance.
I actually use products like this (I am constantly testing products, so my arsenal is forever changing) on a weekly basis on my own cars. Despite people talking about wax build-up and other myths, you could not use this product too much.
You don't have to worry about wax build-up or using it too frequently. If you are on the bare minimum plan, then use it only as you feel needed. But if you are like me, then use it as often as you are willing.
So Many Choices, So Many Voices!
Today we are living in the information era which is both the good news and bad news. Good that we have so much information at the touch of our fingers.
Bad in that we have not only so much information, but in many ways too much information at the touch of our fingers.
This means it becomes harder and harder to filter through the endless sea of information trying to figure out what is valid info versus erroneous info.
As an industry expert as well as a person that has mentored and taught countless people in the world of cosmetic car care and detailing, I also know that we are all individuals and we all have developed our own opinions along the way.
What works and is wanted by one person, is not necessarily what works and is wanted by the next person..or any other person for that matter.
So with that said as a rule, I offer up exactly what I do in my world. So often I am presented with the following plea:
"Darren, I don't want to learn everything you know. I just want to know what you would do!"
So to that, I offer up what I use and what I do.
What Would Darren Do (WWDD)
- My "go-to" wax for the past 15+ years (originally developed for the auto body/collision repair world and was not available to the general public until recently through Amazon)
- Body shop safe (what would be considered truly commercial grade car wax)
- Easy on, easy off
- Non-staining formulation (Not only will this not chalk up in the seams of your car, but will not stain black trim or rubberized moldings. I also use it directly on all the black trim to treat and protect these materials just as it does the car paint. This is truly amazing if you have never experienced this in a car wax product)
- True waterborne technology (this means the water molecule is formulated to be the "carrier" of the other inert/active ingredients. (this waterborne technology also gives this car wax formulation insulator benefits that allows you to use this wax on hot paint in the direct sunlight)
- I also use this wax directly on the car interior to treat and protect all hard. solid surfaces of a cars interior: leather car seating, vinyl/plastic door panels, dashboards, vinyl seating, plastic door threshold plates, etc.)
Ice Wax Review
While I think the Ice wax along with the Ice Wax alternative of the Hybrid Solutions put out by the same manufacturer are great products, they are not necessarily the one's I use consistently on my own cars.
The Q-7 wax has as many features and benefits as both the Ice Wax and the Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax, but the major difference is two key factors:
- The Q-7 is a carnauba wax formulation rather than the synthetic formulation of the Ice Wax or the Hybrid Ceramic Spray (some people simply prefer a time tested, car wax made with carnauba wax over the modern day synthetic car paint sealants. You might be one of those people)
- Unlike most any other car wax or car paint sealant on the market, I have had the ability to verify the ingredients in the Q-7 wax as I have direct access to the formulator of the product (marketing hype comes in endless ways within any sector of business and life. From hyped up claims to hyped-up terminology that sound relevant and sophisticated, but you remain unsure as to what it actually means, it is hard for even a person like myself that has decades of real-world professional experience)
Ice Wax or Any Car Wax:
Micro-fiber Detailing Cloths
Regardless of the detailing task, regardless of whether you want to use Ice Wax or one of my other recommendations, I highly recommenced you only use a quality micro-fiber.
If you have never experienced the use of a quality micro-fiber, you will be in for a welcomed surprised as nothing compares to a quality micro-fiber cloth.
- Top rated micro-fiber cloths
- Perfect balance of thickness, size, and quality
- When it comes to ANY detail tasks, I only use micro-fiber cloths
- These cloths are perfectly suited for the finer work of waxing your car
- I fold these cloths twice for use when applying or removing any car wax I am using
- I wash all my micro-fiber cloths separately from any other type of cloth (this is important as micro-fiber cloths will pick up the material such as cotton fibers if you wash and dry them with other cloth types)
- I also wash these in Cold to warm water only (hot water will make the fibers brittle)
- I only dry these on cool to warm heat (again, the hot temperature will make the fibers brittle)
Ice Wax Summary
If you have made it this far down this page, I congratulate you on your interest and commitment to becoming a more informed car owner!
You are among the minority of people.
Most want simplified answers without putting in any of the effort to become more fully informed. I have always believed informed people can make better decisions.
I wish you much success regardless of your choice in a car wax!
Sincerely,
Darren Priest
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