Wax or Paint Sealant??

[JIMMYP]

Have a new Golf VI TSI 118 in candy white.

After much research, as well as some help from Mickey, am still undecided as to what would be the best thing to do:

1. Wax with something like Dodo Juice or Swissvax?

OR

2. Paint sealant with Nanolex?

Your opinions would be MUCH appreciated!

[Mrk_Mickey]

I'll go into a bit more detail.

As I said in the other thread, it comes down to a lot of personal preference. What sort of finish and durability are you looking for from a protection?

Have a quick look what Dan wrote up in another thread:

Waxing

Waxing is the last step you do when washing or detailing your car. That is why you may see it referred to as the LSP (last step product). The purpose of waxing is to create a barrier between your paint and the environment. Most waxes contain UV inhibitors to stop the sun damaging the paint. They also repel water which stops your paint getting etchings from watermarks. There are many may different LSP's out there both natural or synthetic or even a mixture of both. Natural waxes tend to give more of a warmth and a glow. These waxes range in price starting at around $50 and up to $19000. Brands include Swissvax, Zymol, P21S, Dodo and many many more. These are the boutique brand waxes. You can get off the shelf waxes but I don’t rate them for durability or look personally. If they are working for you then go for it! Natural waxes also tend to bead water. This means the water forms tight little beads that run off very easily. If you have a freshly waxed car and drive it in the rain you will find the water will just run off. The lower end waxes and off the shelf waxes last 3-5 weeks before needing to be reapplied whereas the higher end can last 6-8 weeks.

Synthetic

Synthetic products do not contain wax. They, for the most part contain polymers or acrylic. These are the two main types of sealers. Sealers include Duragloss 105, Zaino Z2 and Z5, Polylack Nano seal, Optimum opti seal, Klasse AIO, Zaino AIO. Sealants start at around $35 for the boutique brands. I have found Zaino to be the best as it can be layered unlimited times but still remains optically perfect if you use Z2. Z5 will not as it has fillers to hide swirling. Sealants give a different look to wax. It gives a look that is best described as sterile. The paint is shiny but it lacks the warmness and glow of a natural wax. Some sealants like the Klasse make the car look like it has a plastic coating. Some people love this look so leave it others, like myself, don't and then top it with a natural wax. Synthetics tend to sheet water. The water wont form beads, rather it will just run off in a sheet is the best way to describe it. Sealants leave a very slick and slippery surface. Sealants also last a lot longer than a wax with most giving at least 3 months protection and up to 12 months for layered sealants.

So basically, waxes are warmer in their looks and bead water in a nicer effect, whilst not lasting as long as sealants because they contain natural carnuba. Sealants on the other hand provide much stronger and more durable protection, lasting well up to double, or even triple the amount of some waxes. They do look a little less warm, and their water beading is more of a sheet so it gives a different effect.

In an ideal world for me, I'd detail my car and then finish it with a layer of the two-part Duragloss sealant, 601+105. Then, I'd add two layers of Dodo Juice Diamond White on top to give it warmth and really bring out the white of my car.

As I said to you before, it's up to you what you choose because the benefits will be different. I would still personally choose a sealant, because it's a stronger protection than wax, so it lasts longer. While waxes *usually* look better, I still think sealants look good, and they're not hard to apply - I've previously found more trouble applying Dodo waxes because they can be hard to spread in a light layer.

That's my 2c.

[Mrk_Mickey]

Oh, and another thing...

If you decide to try one and don't like it/want to switch to the other, just sell the stuff you've used once on here - many enthusiasts like the stuff that is available from CarCareProducts so I'm sure it wouldn't be hard. Plus your car will still be protected, so it doesn't matter

[BrettD]

Are these products readily available from your local auto shop?

Or where would I find them?

[team_v]

try Car Care Products / Car Care, Car Wax, Car Polish, Car Covers, Detailing products & more ...

They are on this site and also a forum sponsor i believe.

[Mrk_Mickey]

try Car Care Products / Car Care, Car Wax, Car Polish, Car Covers, Detailing products & more ...

They are on this site and also a forum sponsor i believe.

Correctamundo! Good range of stuff there, it all works very well. I use it all daily

[gjuu]

if you want quick, easy, with long lasting finish - you should look at Optimum Car Wax
really really easy to apply and reasonable price
Not top of the line - maybe not one for the detailing fanatics - but better than a lot out there

[Mrk_Mickey]

if you want quick, easy, with long lasting finish - you should look at Optimum Car Wax
really really easy to apply and reasonable price
Not top of the line - maybe not one for the detailing fanatics - but better than a lot out there

This is true. Both Optimum Car Wax and Duragloss Aquawax are a simple wipe over and leave product, only take about 5-10 minutes to do the whole car and they provide enough protection to only need to apply once every 4-5 weeks. I use Aquawax on all good regular cars I wash and by the time I'm back in a month the beading is still there, and it's still slick-ish and protected.

[team_v]

This is true. Both Optimum Car Wax and Duragloss Aquawax are a simple wipe over and leave product, only take about 5-10 minutes to do the whole car and they provide enough protection to only need to apply once every 4-5 weeks. I use Aquawax on all good regular cars I wash and by the time I'm back in a month the beading is still there, and it's still slick-ish and protected.

How would Zaino Z-CS sealant compare to the Optimum car wax and Duragloss aquawax?

[Mrk_Mickey]

How would Zaino Z-CS sealant compare to the Optimum car wax and Duragloss aquawax?

We'll have to wait for DMS Dan to chime in, because I haven't used any Zaino before!

I don't mean to be biased...but I dare say I don't use Zaino because it isn't the best option for my jobs. *shrugs*

[DMS_Dan]

How would Zaino Z-CS sealant compare to the Optimum car wax and Duragloss aquawax?

Z-CS is a different kind of product. It was designed to go onto of wax's to prolong their life. Its not very god at that, nor is it very good at protecting paint on its own IMO

If your looking at a spray sealant the best available at the moment is Nanolex Paint Premium Spray and second is Optimum Opti Seal. Nanolex is good for an easy 4 months (closer to 6) from a single application and Opti seal is good for about 2-4.

Dan

[team_v]

Ahh okay.
Looks like i will be going the nanolex then as i am not obsessive when it comes to detailing, more on the quick and easy side.

[Mrk_Mickey]

Ahh okay.
Looks like i will be going the nanolex then as i am not obsessive when it comes to detailing, more on the quick and easy side.

I'd recommend the Nanolex as well. I used it last week on two perfect black Audis and the owner and I both looked back and had our jaws scraping the ground

[JIMMYP]

Thanks everyone, great info.

So I think what I'll do is the following for the new candy white VW:

1. Wash with Dodo Juice Lime Prime Lite.
2. Clay bar (Dodo Juice Gentle Grey Clay Bar) with Dodo Juice Born Slippy Concentrate as lube.
3. Nanolex Paint Cleaner.
4. Nanolex Premium Paint Sealer.

Then if needs be, I will apply wax as well (probably Dodo Juice or Swissvax).

What do you guys think of this plan? Have I left anything out? Any better/alternative suggestions?

Thanks again!

[Bboy_Sparx]

Re: Wax or Paint Sealant??

You might not want to wash with lime prime lite...???