g2teg

should you use both or is it that one is better than the other. I was talking to a detailer today and he says he puts on the sealant and then wax on top. Also, I know its personal opinion but what is the best sealant?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

if I understand correctly...
sealant can't go over wax cause it won't bond to the paint as it should...
wax sits on top of the paint so it can go over sealant...it gives it that "wet" look but doesn't protect for as long as a polymer sealant. Hence the benefit of doing both.

Jesstzn

A lot of this depends on what you want to spend .. the best sealants require a well polished out car or they just amplify the paint flaws ..

1) Zaino
2) For Star Ultimate Paint Polish
3) Klasse Twins
4) Duragloss #105


Some that I use.

exceldetail

2 should be FS Ultimate Paint Protectant. Its one of my favorite as well. I have a half gal remaining wit my name on it......

Jesstzn

Opps sorry .. old ya know .

808origin-al

For paint sealent.. you should try the blackfire all finish paint protection, you'll be amazed at how slick and glossy it feels and look.

g2teg

so, does it make sense to wax on top of the sealant? does it give added protection?

Jesstzn

not a lot ... just make sure the wax you use has no cleaners in it or it will remove the sealant

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

What's a good, affordable wax to lay down after polish to make black look wet and glossy.

exceldetail

You could probably get a decent Mothers or Megs pure Carnuaba wax for under $20.00 at a local retail auto parts or Walmart.
If it was me, I would apply 2 coats of synthetic before I applied 1 synthetic and 1 Nuba.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Thanks excel. That's a good tip. Longer lasting sounds good. I actually really love the way Zaino Z-2 leaves the car looking.

dahray02

what should we be looking for...I planned on getting Chemical Guys Pete's 53 Black Pearl Signature Paste Wax to put on after Optimum Opti-Seal. What should i be looking in the wax before i buy it to make sure it wont remove the sealant?

Jesstzn

Ask them if there is cleaners in it or if it will remove other waxes/sealants.

andrew77

iTrader: (1)

Mcguires.

handy911

How about:

Chemical Guys Blitz Acrylic Spray Sealant

I am not finding a lot reviews about it.

If I plan to wash the car, and apply the above product for adding shine + protection, will it be enough?

I used to use Four Star (the spray wax), but the Blitz advertises to have more sealing power.

exceldetail

The Blitz is actually kind of decent IME. Just keep it away from trim and tires.

handy911

Thank you. Can anybody share your story of using Blitz sealant and how it compares to other products?

Jesstzn

Excel prolly said it best .. its decent ... some better some worse.

exceldetail

Its a good Nuba, if you use Nubas.
Im just not a Nubanite....

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Hey...just thought I'd throw on a quick pic on here after the tips I'd gotten.
I ended up doing OCII, first on all surfaces above the doorline (ones that you actually end up seeing the sun reflect off of). OPII finally (now that the backing plate was replaced under warranty) and I finished it off by sealing with Zaino Z-2 (I LOVE the longevity of it) using the Porter Cable and black pad. Even though they don't recomment application with the machine, I used the same amount as I normally use by hand...1oz. And my shoulder was a LOT less tired. I'm happy with the results!
Went to a meet on Saturday and was told I had the cleanest 04 the person had ever seen. Made me proud!

J.

SWGUY

i've seal then wax...is the way i learn how to....but i use smartsealant/smartwax.... great easy on/off application.

exceldetail

As long as your using something, your covered. I get so friggin tired of hearing "this" is better then "that"......Just find something you like useing, and use it.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Well put! It's so subjective it's ridiculous. Everyone is gonna have a favorite...so it's almost pointless. I personally have found the Z-2 to last a long time and I love how deep the color looks. That's after a LITTLE experience and my own opinion. When I run out, I'll be throwing the Optimum Poliseal on to see how long that holds out for.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Nice work!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Thanks man! I'm getting better!

handy911

Can a sealant be applied to a clean, but unpolished surface?

I thought it would be okay since the sealant will protect whatever condition the surface is in, so it couldn't make it worse.

I bought the Blitz and applied it to a small area in my car, which gave me pretty good result. I want to apply it for the whole car, but I was thinking whether I need to polish first.

Jesstzn

Polishing isn't required .. what polishing does is paint correction so your end result is better .

Aslo I'm not sure but I don't think Blitz is a sealant .. it says its a carnuba but anyway ... regardless .. make sure your surface is clean to give it a good bond if it is a sealant .. at least a wipe down with Rubbing Alcohol / water mix.

handy911

thanks

Here is what the description of the product:
http://www.chemicalguys.com/paint_pr...wac_117_16.htm

seems like combination of wax + sealant.

Jesstzn

Ok I was mistaking it for 1 grand

By looking at thier web page I don'r know if I'd bother with it unless you like to wax often ..

Protection: Low IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII High

Durability: Low IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII High

handy911

hmm didn't notice that, it's weird.

I'm no longer excited about the product. Probably will return.

They have pure Carnuba liquid wax that they say have more durability and protection. And it's selling for half the price of the sealant. Weird.

thks for catching that!

Jesstzn

There is lots of good sealants out there that have great durability .. Duragloss #105 and 4* UPP are 2 I use a lot . Meguiars #21 also.

handy911

I am gonna get Meg 21 per your suggestion. Since this seems to have paint correction in it already, do I need to polish prior to application?

I am not a prof. so I don't have a porter cable for polishing. But, your comment earlier was applying sealant without polishing will just amplify the paint flaws.

Jesstzn

#21 has no correction in it.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I don't want to be discouraging to anyone...because I'm not lazy by any stretch...but if you are doing this by hand...in my honest opinion...worry about sealing. You will NOT get almost any results by trying to polish by hand. AND you will KILL your arm. Trust me, I went down this path. Either pay someone, or commit to detailing and buy the PC and start learning. I was in this position a year ago...and got this advice and stubbornly wasted countless hours with little to no effect. Even now, as I am just starting to learn on the PC...I am seeing the limitations even IT has and have thought of going to a rotary at some point in the future.

For just hand polishing and long lasting and "hiding" abilities of making the car look amazing. I would say to SERIOUSLY look into Zaino. For a hand application with no correction it makes the car look great...is easy to put on...and lasts a long time to protect and the more coats you put on top of each other the better.

And IMO also...skip the ZPC..and the Z5....the Z2 is what added the protection and gloss and would be relatively cheap to start with. Plus, get the Z-6 gloss enhancer to add occasionally after a wash.

Good luck!

Jesstzn

Zaino won't hide anything .. I have used it for about 5 years now even the claimed hiding of Z5 is near zilch.

What people think is hiding by Zaino is in fact the cleaning up of the oxidized layer and the marring thats in that.

But you are 100% right about the part of trying to correct ( polish ) by hand .. fruitless.

You can put 5 layers of any good sealant on dogshit and all you end up with is shiney dogshit.

exceldetail

You'd be surprised what a PC can do. Im sure my ol buddy from the great white north will agree. I have yet to find a reason to "need" a rotary. Proper selection of pads and products are KEY. Then comes technique. People do not give product selection enough credit, they say it all in how its done. This is true to some extent, however you can make a product perform beyond its limitations. I have been thoroughly content with Optimum, Four Star and Duragloss products for polishes. Optimum polishes are my main go to's.
Hand work is, hand work. If you have a new vehicle, you could probably get by with hand maintenance for a period of time, but the time will arise when you will need a polisher.

handy911

Thanks. I know, I know. I probably should start investing. But, I live in an apartment which strictly prohibits any car work / car wash.

I know that polishing by hand is hard to do, that's why I prefer not to.

Meg 21 seems to be the "perfect" ideal situation for me. According to the product description: http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-21-...alant-2-0.html, it will eliminate swirls, unlike any other sealants. And applying by Hand will be just as effective.

My purpose is not to correct the paint, but to protect the paint in whatever condition it is right now.
For pro detailers, hearing this might hurt your ears.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Def. wasn't trying to imply that zaino does anything but hide imperfections. That's exactly what it does. To the point that the dogshit looks so shiny that you can barely tell that it's dogshit.

I almost miss the days where I appreciated a clean car and thought it was perfect because I didn't pay attention to swirls. And about the zaino, I was saying if I were to stick to JUST hand application, that would be my first choice. Remember, swirls and car appearances are VERY subjective.

exceldetail

Bold

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I forgot to comment on that part!!! I thought the same thing..."but wait, that's not it!!!"