The key thing I am looking for here is documented longevity. I am not after an incredible shine. I just want to protect the paint/clear coat and very much prefer to only have to work on it no more than once a year. Purely a protective thing.
paint sealer for the proletariat masses?
- Thread starter alternety
- Start date
- Status
Originally Posted By: alternety
The key thing I am looking for here is documented longevity. I am not after an incredible shine. I just want to protect the paint/clear coat and very much prefer to only have to work on it no more than once a year. Purely a protective thing.
OptiCoat is your answer. Use Iron-X, clay and a 1-step polish (or not, if you are not concerned about appearance) before application and you will get yourself a very low-maintenance finish.
The key thing I am looking for here is documented longevity. I am not after an incredible shine. I just want to protect the paint/clear coat and very much prefer to only have to work on it no more than once a year. Purely a protective thing.
OptiCoat is your answer. Use Iron-X, clay and a 1-step polish (or not, if you are not concerned about appearance) before application and you will get yourself a very low-maintenance finish.
Zaino isn't hard at all. On a new CRV is just use Zaino Z2 and with the ZFX on the first coat...after that just keep layering whenever.
Check my thread where I layered 915 over top.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/zaino-z2-pro-collinite-915-on-my-s2000.206109/
I also reccomend Klasse AIO...as well a very good product
Check my thread where I layered 915 over top.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/zaino-z2-pro-collinite-915-on-my-s2000.206109/
I also reccomend Klasse AIO...as well a very good product
Try 3M Performance Finish. It's easy to apply and 3M claims it will last 6 months and I've seen a car still beading at six months. It's even so proletariat that you can usually find it at Walmart and chain autopart stores.
Originally Posted By: alternety
The key thing I am looking for here is documented longevity. I am not after an incredible shine. I just want to protect the paint/clear coat and very much prefer to only have to work on it no more than once a year. Purely a protective thing.
From Autogeek for Duragloss #105:
One year of durable synthetic protection!
Duragloss Total Performance Polish is a synthetic Polymer/Wax Formula. Super-tough coating forms a protective barrier which protect against acid rain, tree sap, bird droppings and other environmental pollutants.
There are many many variables that will dictate how long any sealant will last on a car. If you want a one year guarantee there's no such thing. Even if one year is claimed like above, that is usually under ideal conditions.
The key thing I am looking for here is documented longevity. I am not after an incredible shine. I just want to protect the paint/clear coat and very much prefer to only have to work on it no more than once a year. Purely a protective thing.
From Autogeek for Duragloss #105:
One year of durable synthetic protection!
Duragloss Total Performance Polish is a synthetic Polymer/Wax Formula. Super-tough coating forms a protective barrier which protect against acid rain, tree sap, bird droppings and other environmental pollutants.
There are many many variables that will dictate how long any sealant will last on a car. If you want a one year guarantee there's no such thing. Even if one year is claimed like above, that is usually under ideal conditions.
Our dad is an independent contractor and travels around the country to different glass plants. He has a 2006 Tundra which is left outside 24/7. He lets me clean it up when I can because I'm the one interested in sealants and taking care of the paint as best as I can. Sometimes he is home and other times he can be gone for a few months, and if he is close enough, he comes home every so often on the weekends.
My brother owns a 1997 Civic which also is outside 24/7. These two vehicles make for good testers of the different sealants I have tried. I watch for durability and protection. I have tried Zaino, Finish Kare, Duragloss, and Optimum. Zaino did an excellent job and dad said he looked forward to it raining because the rain would wash off the dust that had collected and he said it looked as if the truck had been waxed. I tried Finish Kare next, and was impressed with a few things. I liked how the 2180 sealant really brought back the color and gloss of the single stage paints I used it on. Another thing was how well the Finish Kare kept things from sticking to the paint and especially the wheels. Our dad went out to Washington State in January and came back in August. Before he went, I sprayed the truck wheels with the 146 detailer. When I washed the truck after he came back, I was surprised how easily the grime came off the wheels, so easily in fact, like I had just sealed the wheels the week before, that I thought he had to have had the truck detailed before he came back. Not only did the grime wash off super easy, the wheels were really clean when I got done, nothing stuck to them, not even in the nooks and crannies. I asked dad if he had the truck detailed, and he said he had not done so, and he didn't touch it himself. So, I was impressed with the durability and protection of Finish Kare. I would probably still be using it except I became concerned about the solvent content of the products.
I next tried Duragloss. It seemed to do a decent job, 105 has good durability. I used Aquawax as well. One thing I noticed when I used Aquawax on the Tundra and Civic was that the road grime seemed to stick more. On the Tundra's wheels, the front rims started to have brake dust sticking in the nooks and crannies, something that hadn't happened before. Same thing happened to the Civic, I sprayed Aquaqax on the rims, and after a while I noticed brake dust sticking to parts of the rims that were hard to wash off. And after it had rained, after my dad and brother drove their vehicles, I could see the road grime sticking to the paint after they were dry, especially the Civic's rear bumper.
The last one I tried was Optimum, and it is what I'm staying with now. I used both the car wax and opti-seal on the Tundra and Civic. The durability is really good, equal to if not better then what I have used so far.
My brother drove our dad to the airport the other day, and it was raining when they went. My brother told me later that day that whatever I was doing to the truck to keep it up because as they were driving, dad said how he looked forward to the rain, the truck would be cleaner as a result. I realized he was right, even after driving through the rain, the Tundra and Civic are staying cleaner now.
I know this isn't very scientific, but this are my observations on the different products I have used.
My brother owns a 1997 Civic which also is outside 24/7. These two vehicles make for good testers of the different sealants I have tried. I watch for durability and protection. I have tried Zaino, Finish Kare, Duragloss, and Optimum. Zaino did an excellent job and dad said he looked forward to it raining because the rain would wash off the dust that had collected and he said it looked as if the truck had been waxed. I tried Finish Kare next, and was impressed with a few things. I liked how the 2180 sealant really brought back the color and gloss of the single stage paints I used it on. Another thing was how well the Finish Kare kept things from sticking to the paint and especially the wheels. Our dad went out to Washington State in January and came back in August. Before he went, I sprayed the truck wheels with the 146 detailer. When I washed the truck after he came back, I was surprised how easily the grime came off the wheels, so easily in fact, like I had just sealed the wheels the week before, that I thought he had to have had the truck detailed before he came back. Not only did the grime wash off super easy, the wheels were really clean when I got done, nothing stuck to them, not even in the nooks and crannies. I asked dad if he had the truck detailed, and he said he had not done so, and he didn't touch it himself. So, I was impressed with the durability and protection of Finish Kare. I would probably still be using it except I became concerned about the solvent content of the products.
I next tried Duragloss. It seemed to do a decent job, 105 has good durability. I used Aquawax as well. One thing I noticed when I used Aquawax on the Tundra and Civic was that the road grime seemed to stick more. On the Tundra's wheels, the front rims started to have brake dust sticking in the nooks and crannies, something that hadn't happened before. Same thing happened to the Civic, I sprayed Aquaqax on the rims, and after a while I noticed brake dust sticking to parts of the rims that were hard to wash off. And after it had rained, after my dad and brother drove their vehicles, I could see the road grime sticking to the paint after they were dry, especially the Civic's rear bumper.
The last one I tried was Optimum, and it is what I'm staying with now. I used both the car wax and opti-seal on the Tundra and Civic. The durability is really good, equal to if not better then what I have used so far.
My brother drove our dad to the airport the other day, and it was raining when they went. My brother told me later that day that whatever I was doing to the truck to keep it up because as they were driving, dad said how he looked forward to the rain, the truck would be cleaner as a result. I realized he was right, even after driving through the rain, the Tundra and Civic are staying cleaner now.
I know this isn't very scientific, but this are my observations on the different products I have used.
Last edited:
Great response njohnson. Thanks.
That is what I am talking about.
That is what I am talking about.
Last edited:
I just put on a coat of HD Nitro Seal yesterday and am waiting for it to finish "curing" before buffing it off. Will post a review when I get done.
NuFinish is my way to go and it meets the OP criteria.
I have been hitting my truck with some Zymol cleaner wax since I got it and now that its 8 years old it looks better than 95% of trucks that I see that are the same age. I spend about half an hour twice a year to wipe a coat on, very fast and simple.
Not all vehicles are worth spending a massive amount of effort detailing. By the time the paint really ages it will be an old high mileage vehicle and I'll just buy a new one.
Not every vehicle has a $30k paint job and requires hours of paint care.
Not all vehicles are worth spending a massive amount of effort detailing. By the time the paint really ages it will be an old high mileage vehicle and I'll just buy a new one.
Not every vehicle has a $30k paint job and requires hours of paint care.
Last edited:
Alternety,
Unsure of your exact location but if you are near the Portland, OR, metropolitan area or even the coast of WA, OR, you will be hard pressed to find a last step product (wax, sealant) to combat the weather in the winter months and last even 6 months. I've noted serious acid rain etching on my personal vehicles and those of extended family in the area. Moving here from NC somewhat recently, I was certainly surprised to note this and it made me more aware of the need for proper protection ALL the time in this are of the country. (Well, that's certainly true for anywhere but it made me stay on top of exterior maintenance more, lol.)
As you well know, the LSP is heavily affected by environment and storage. If your vehicle is garage kept... the wax/ sealant of your choice will have greater longevity.
I have no 'test' per se to link you to nor will you be able to find a true A - B comparison (although some do come close.)
I would prompt you to consider Megs. Ultimax Liquid Wax for the reasons in your original post... A.) can find locally B.) fine on trim... I actually use it on mine C.) good durability... defined as 3- 4 months winter protection in the great Portland area and my truck is outside 24/7.
I also recommend picking up a spray wax, of your choice to spray on and wipe off after washing. This can and will increase the longevity of ANY LSP you do choose. With Megs. Ultimax Liquid Wa ax and Megs. Ultimate Quick Wax, I'm seeing almost 6 months of protection here before having to reapply a base coat. That's with a PH balanced shampoo wash every week or so.
As for your 'Alternate' product that could be mail ordered... the *better* LSPs that can be mail ordered and are proven performers for longevity are also not necessarily trim friendly as Ultimate Liquid Wax are as follows...
Traditional LSPs
Finish Kare Big White- BWM 1000
Collinite Double Coat- #476
Duragloss 501 (to a lesser extent)
Semi-Permanent Coatings are the *true* answer regarding longevity but then again, they are a more time intensive process that may or may not need a polish to knock down any high spots from application.
Good luck in your decision.
Best Regards.
Unsure of your exact location but if you are near the Portland, OR, metropolitan area or even the coast of WA, OR, you will be hard pressed to find a last step product (wax, sealant) to combat the weather in the winter months and last even 6 months. I've noted serious acid rain etching on my personal vehicles and those of extended family in the area. Moving here from NC somewhat recently, I was certainly surprised to note this and it made me more aware of the need for proper protection ALL the time in this are of the country. (Well, that's certainly true for anywhere but it made me stay on top of exterior maintenance more, lol.)
As you well know, the LSP is heavily affected by environment and storage. If your vehicle is garage kept... the wax/ sealant of your choice will have greater longevity.
I have no 'test' per se to link you to nor will you be able to find a true A - B comparison (although some do come close.)
I would prompt you to consider Megs. Ultimax Liquid Wax for the reasons in your original post... A.) can find locally B.) fine on trim... I actually use it on mine C.) good durability... defined as 3- 4 months winter protection in the great Portland area and my truck is outside 24/7.
I also recommend picking up a spray wax, of your choice to spray on and wipe off after washing. This can and will increase the longevity of ANY LSP you do choose. With Megs. Ultimax Liquid Wa ax and Megs. Ultimate Quick Wax, I'm seeing almost 6 months of protection here before having to reapply a base coat. That's with a PH balanced shampoo wash every week or so.
As for your 'Alternate' product that could be mail ordered... the *better* LSPs that can be mail ordered and are proven performers for longevity are also not necessarily trim friendly as Ultimate Liquid Wax are as follows...
Traditional LSPs
Finish Kare Big White- BWM 1000
Collinite Double Coat- #476
Duragloss 501 (to a lesser extent)
Semi-Permanent Coatings are the *true* answer regarding longevity but then again, they are a more time intensive process that may or may not need a polish to knock down any high spots from application.
Good luck in your decision.
Best Regards.
I was actually thinking of trying Griots One-Step Sealant, anyone use this product before?
"All the benefits of our ultra-durable Paint Sealant combined with a gentle polish to remove scratches, oxidation and swirl marks while leaving behind protection for your paint for up to one year. Think of it as Paint Sealant with Machine Polish 3 added for a true One-Step Sealant!"
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/one-step+sealant+16+ounces.do?sortby=ourPicks
"All the benefits of our ultra-durable Paint Sealant combined with a gentle polish to remove scratches, oxidation and swirl marks while leaving behind protection for your paint for up to one year. Think of it as Paint Sealant with Machine Polish 3 added for a true One-Step Sealant!"
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/one-step+sealant+16+ounces.do?sortby=ourPicks
Yes. I did a comparison test on it against Mothers Synwax and DG501. You can find it in this forum folder. All 3 lasted about the same - 4 months in winter.
- Status
Similar threads
- Sticky
