Car care review – Turtle Wax ICE vs. Zaino
The good folks over at Turtle Wax sent me a package of their latest car-care line, ICE, in order to give it a try and let everyone know what I thought.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit leery of using an unknown product on anything as precious as a Cadillac – so I decided to try this out on my winter car, a 1995 Jeep (the paint on which is in fine shape except for a few scratches).
Now, simply putting any product on a previously unwaxed car isn’t going to be a good test – so I pulled out the big guns for a side-by-side (literally) comparison – Zaino.
For those of you unfamiliar with Zaino – this is a non-wax product that, through the application of multiple layers, provides a glossy, deep, protective layer. I’ve used them for years with no complaints.
ICE is a new product from Turtle Wax that is also a non-wax promised to result in no white dust, can be used on just about all surfaces of your car short of tires (though they make a point of saying it can be applied to rubber) and windows.
ICE is also touted to provide deeper shine through multiple coats (for this comparison, I only applied one coat).
So, on to the comparison:
The players
Playing for the ICE team:
ICE Liquid Claybar
ICE Liquid Polish
And for Zaino:
Z-18 Clay bar
Z-2 Pro Show Car Polish for Clear Coat
(note: To properly perform a Zaino application, I should have started with Z-1 Polish Lok or ZFX flash cure…but I did not want to take the additional time to use my left over Z-1 and have not yet purchased any ZFX)
Initial Prep
To get things going, I took a bucket of dish-washing soap to the two drivers-side door panels in order to remove any dirt and any possible wax residue/coating that might have been left behind. This got us down to just paint on a door…a great starting point to any wax you want to apply. This is a picture of our starting point:
Procedure
For this comparison – I applied the Zaino products to the driver’s front door and ICE to the rear door.
Clay-ing
Claybar-ing your paint is a process to remove embedded contaminants from the surface. Traditionally, you use a bar of clay or clay-like material, a liquid to lubricate the bar, and slowly work it across the surface. The clay should be more attractive to any particles embedded in the paint than the paint is and will draw them out of the surface.
Repeated folding over of the bar is required to keep presenting a clean clay surface to the paint (to prevent any contaminants you’ve removed from damaging the paint you pull the bar across later on).
Zaino’s Z-18 Clay bar is a very traditional clay bar…as shown here:
Turtle Wax has done something odd with their product, the ICE Liquid Clay Bar. They describe it as:
A unique triple layer formula consists of a scratch & swirl remover, cleaning agents and an exfoliant that work together to provide outstanding cleaning capabilities.
This sounds less like a clay bar and more like a mild polish…so we’ll take their calling this a ‘clay bar’ with a very large grain of salt.
The process for using the Zaino Claybar was simple. Work the bar in your hands to get some heat into it and soften it. Fold it over itself a few times until it is nice and pliable. They spray the surface with either water, with just a tiny bit of soap mixed in, or you may use a detailing spray. The idea is to get a thin layer of liquid for the bar to slide on, but not so much that the bar doesn’t touch the surface.
I like to work in small areas, at most a couple square feet at a time. I then slide the bar in straight lines over the area from one side to the other, doing 2 strips or so before taking the bar and folding over the ‘working’ side to wrap the now dirty side into the bar and then continue with a side that has not been used against the paint (which should be any side since you just folded the used side into the clay).
For the ICE ‘claybar’ I used the included applicator pad and followed the instructions on the bottle.
After using both products, I could not see much difference between the left (claybar-ed) and right (mildly polished) finishes.
Polish
Now it’s time for what many people would call the actual ‘wax-ing’ step.
Zaino used to use a system that required a use of their Z-1 ‘Polish Lok’ that you applied but did not buff off followed by the actual Z-2 Polish coat that you then allowed to dry before buffing off. Now, they have an additive (ZFX) you add to the Z-2 to accomplish the same result. I skipped the Z-1 step because I have am almost out and also did not use ZFX as I have not purchased any yet. Since both seem to be more about durability of the final coat than shine performance – I did not feel this would impact the final comparison.
Z-2 is a creamy, pink substance that you apply with a rag or other applicator. I applied this to the panel in circular motions until I had the entire surface lightly coated. I waited for this to dry completely before buffing off with a cotton or microfiber cloth. It dries to a haze like this:
ICE Liquid Polish (they also make a paste version for those who like the more traditional Turtle Wax polish method) comes with its own foam applicator pad and a microfiber cloth. It is a clear, slightly thick liquid. Following the included instructions I applied a layer of the polish over the panel in straight, overlapping strokes.
Ultimately, you have a distorted layer of liquid on the panel as shown below.
After letting the ICE sit for a few minutes, it is still wet, but this is the time to buff off the excess with the included microfiber cloth.
After completing both panels – each with a single coat of polish – I was left with the following results (Picture follows the label – each pair is Zaino followed by ICE. Click any picture for a more detailed version):
Zaino
ICE
Zaino
ICE
Zaino
ICE
Zaino
ICE
Conclusions
We can make some definitive conclusions from this test…
1. My Jeep has a fair number of scratches.
2. Jeep paint has a fairly breathtaking level of orange peel from the factory.
3. Obviously, this is a fairly limited comparison based on the appearance right after applying both products. This does not take into account the results after multiple applications nor the longevity of either product.
However, after applying both Zaino and ICE, I personally can see a deeper, clearer shine from the Zaino product, even taking the shortcut of not using the Polish Lok/ZFX method.
The easier application of ICE, it appears, is made up for by the fact you would need to apply more than 1 coat to reach even the results of a single Zaino coat.
Before making a final recommendation, we should at least make a nod to the ugly subject of price.
Zaino pricing looks like this (note that Zaino is available only online from Zaino Brothers):
Z-2 – $14.95
Z-18 (claybar) – $16.95
Z-6 detailing spray (can be used to lubricate the clay bar – though water with a small drop of soap will work just as well) – $9.95
ICE is available at many retailers – but I’ll use Amazon for the price comparision:
ICE Liquid Polish – $14.94
ICE Liquid Claybar – $19.94
ICE Spray Detailer (not needed since the claybar isn’t of the traditional type) – $12.99
So, surprisingly, ICE doesn’t bring a compelling price advantage to the table either.
So, in the end, if you don’t have to pick up a bottle of something to polish your car right now...it appears that Zaino would be the way to go. If you are pinched for time, would like to use one product on both paint and plastic trim, or don’t mind multiple applications to get comparable results – then ICE certainly is an adequate option.
24 Responses to “Car care review - Turtle Wax Ice vs. Zaino”
Absolutely wonderful review. Extremely unbiased and gave each product an equal chance while coming up with a clear winner for shine/ gloss and for ease of use. Thank you very much.
Thanks for the review, is there any comment towards durability of the two products?
I did not notice the relative durability of either product, sorry.
Hello,
Well, you left out one particular point. Your process of review seems solid and well done. However, the quality of the pictures (I presume the anomolies I see in the exploded views) appear to have been taken with a very low resolution camera (ie. phone camera). Therefore, either I am mistaken, or the TW Ice seems to be as good.
I would recommend you snap the pictures with a decent camera (pixels aren’t the only criteria for a good digital camera), but if it were me, I wouldn’t go through the process again just to take better pictures.
Thanks for your hard work, and for the “unbiased” opinion.
Hey guys, I gotta go. I have a date with your mothers…
i take it the kids don’t know how to grab the door handle? i hate those scratches, it wasn’t until my friend who details cars all the time explained why i have them on my paint that i knew what was causing them. [finger nail rubbing]
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I am concerned about the Ice Products being or containing silicone . If so, are the stories that I have been told about refinishing problems created by silicone. I have used the detailer on an old vehicle that I didn’t think I will be refinishing and it worked great. No residue and what a shine.
I have been using Zaino for the past year and have been impressed with it over any previous product I have tried. However, I had to try the TW Ice and I agree that the Zaino gives a deeper shine vs. the TW. Most consumers will (do not) not search the Internet for waxes/polishes (Zaino is available only from Zaino) and as such, Zaino does not get the name recognition that TW does. I wish that Polyglaze had not gone out of business, great product that I used for almost 25 years (and of course experimentation with the others). I’ll see if my brother the chemist can have both run thorugh some tests and get some more details as to what they are composed of. Until then, I will use Zaino with ZFX each time, BUT will also use Ice for the interim and see about durability. I like the way Ice can be applied over any part of the car and not result in the crusty white residue. Zaino is very good in this regard, but I give the edge to Ice for headlights and taillights i(plastic)n its ability to enhance the clarity and repelling of the elements – Ice seems to have and edge over Zaino for this purpose. Time will tell. If you don’t want to order directly from Zaino, (great customer service and shipppiing by the way), I would not hesitate to use Ice….. and for what it is worth, Turtle Was if over in Willowbrook, IL, about 5 miles from where I am. Maybe I can stop by and see what is new. Zaino weems to work better with the ZFX additive and that drives up the cost considerably and I personally would not use it without ZFX with each application.
I think this test is bogus. I believe this guy purposely try to make the Zaino look better. From the pics you can tell that the Zaino has more contrast giving a shiny apearance and the ICE a more dull apearance. But I believe that the photos was touched up to favor Zaino. If you look at the pictures closely the black trim on the car is darker on the Zaino pictures. The Trim should look the same and have the same shade since the trim was not waxed.
Jim,
‘this guy’ would be me, as this was my Jeep I compared the products on.
Honestly, the differences were minor, at best between the two products – but my untrained eye did favor the finish of the Zaino, if only barely.
As to touching up the photos…these came from my iPhone camera and had no work done to them, not even so much as cropping the images. There could be variance from the fact that one was the front door and the other the rear, meaning the lighting would have been slightly different (though it was a cloudy day and the light seemed pretty consistent to me).
I just wanted you to know that there was no altering of the images and I did my absolute best to accurately represent both products (keeping the camera steady, trying not to shade the shot in any way, etc).
Nice and interesting article through which i gained a lot of information.
============
Taylor
I know this review is for Turtle Wax Ice Polish, but would like to chime in on another Turtle Wax product, Turtle Wax Ice Car Wash.
I use Zaino Z-2 on my two Cadillacs, it works great; easy on and easy off. I do not bother with all of the “extra” procedures, and it still works great.
I recently tried Turtle Wax Ice Car Wash, wow what a finish it leaves, my cars gleam, and stay that way for a long time. I have not tried Turtle Wax Ice Polish yet, but will likely pick some up to compare it with Zaino.
-George
There are many products on the market that look better than Zaino after initial application (due to the level of silicone in the other product). ICE is almost pure silicone. Anyone who knows why people choose products with silicone in them is that they “shine like crazy” but unfortunately THEY DONT” LAST. Where Zaino wins is in durability. The ICE will cost you more (time and product) in the long run because you have to continue to re-apply. I’m talking AFTER TWO WASHES; any protection and shine your car had IS GONE. I thought ICE looked a little better in the pictures BUT if the test had used Z-8 instead of Z-6, Zaino would have won hands-down. Z-8 by itself on a washed vehicle probably would have looked about the same as ICE and would have probably lasted as long as the ICE. The bottom line is…ICE IS A JOKE and not worth your time!!! Customers realize that after they spend the $40+ on the products and will eventually go to something else.
Thanks for a wonderful comparison. My conclusion is that in absence of Zaino, I should be buying TW! In my part of the world only limited car care products are available (like Formula1, Cosmic, Soft99 and Turtle Wax)
Well I for one use ICE wax. My family just recently bought a 1993 BMW (we moved to germany) and I became disgusted with the way the paint looked.
I got a container of the PASTE WAX (I never like liquid polish, paste requires more rubbing, thus cleaner surface)
The applicator pad was so dirty from the gunk the wax cleaned out that I had to get a new one before I even reached the trunk of the car.
You could clearly see a difference between the waxed side and the not side…
it’s a deep, clear, SMOOTH finish.
Also, ICE has an interior cleaner, kicks the pants off of armorall..
I would just like to point out that you applied the Zaino wrong. You NEVER apply it in a circular motion. It should be applied in a straight motion from front to back (of the car) on the hood, roof, and trunk and up and down on the side panels. The Zaino products are based on using them the way the instructions say in order to receive the finish they promise. I have used every product imaginable on my 2007 Lexus IS350 and must say Zaino is by FAR the best i have ever tried. With that said, if you are going to invest your time and money into Zaino car polish, at least use it the correct way so you will get the true results.
Forget Zaino and the TW Ice. I have found Lucas Spray Mist to out perform them and anyother product. It is made by the Lucas Oil products folks. Google Lucas Spray Mist to find out where you can get some. Like the TW Ice, it leaves no white residue. I used it on my new Honda Accord, navy blue and it makes the shine pop out at you and from a great distance.
I have used both Zaino and ICE and I agree that the Zaino was not applied properly. But, the ICE was not applied properly either. It was over applied as shown in the picture. It is to be applied sparingly, not as thick and wet as it was. This is why the comment was made that it was still wet when the buffing was taking place. In this case, the over applied area buffing was getting rid of the extra and leaving a small film on the car. This is how it should be applied from the start. Now is when you take the microfiber cloth and buff to get the best shine. So it would appear from these pictures that the ICE should have been buffed a second time due to the over application of product.
I’m extremely disappointed w/ TW Ice. It left a film on my cat twice. I thought I had applied it wrong the 1st time so about a week later I re-washed and re-applied the product. It absolutely is the WORST product I ever used! I guess I’m stick to the old carnuba waxes or more notable name brands from here on forward. Lesson Learned!
Ice liquid wax however works great on tires, wheels and just about everything other than paint. GO FIGURE!
Thanks for the review, I was considering trying TW ice for my “01” suburban, which still has a great finish, typical wear and tear scratches. I think I’ll stick to nufinish till I run out, then I’ll try this Zaino, I’ve never heard of it till now.
Excellent review, not the usual marketing hype common to Google, Yahoo!, etc. links. Well done. Thank you.
-rick / houston, tx
ICE has been really durable for me, I applied it before the last winter (living in Toronto, Ontario) and drove it all winter and in the spring it was still there, and it creates a great look for my car.
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