I’m probably making this more difficult than it is...

As my wife and I purchased a new Tacoma and RAV4 last year, I am looking at getting the most protection for the exterior surface. I have always been a paint sealant/ then wax type, but with all the new advances, I am not sure what gives the best bang for the bucks.
Things I have tried with decent success...
Jet Seal topped with Butter Wet...roughly 6 months protection
Jescar w/ Collinite.....same. Maybe a little longer
Top Coat F-11.....very easy to apply and remove, but 2 to 3 months with 3 coats applied. Not really worth the cost IMO...
Hydrosilex....currently have this on the vehicles now. Great water repelling action and decent shine. Company says 6 months, but remains to be seen.

Things I’m considering...
Ceramic coating... I’ve purchased CarPro brand, but not gotten the nerve to try it.
QP ON....looks promising as it’s a spray on wipe off semi ceramic. Can’t find it to purchase.
Sealant x 2coats with a spray on wax (Turtle wax ice or Similar) every time I wash.

Bottom line? I want to protect the paint, but don’t have the time to do a correction, clay, chemical decontamination, seal, wax, blah,blah,blah every 3to 4 months on 2 daily drivers.
So what do you folks do?

 

Sounds like you have tried a few good combinations. My opinion would be go for the ceramic coating. From what I have seen they formulas have all become a lot more user friendly and easier to apply. From the looks of it you have plenty of experience detailing cars. I don’t think you would have a problem, just do the wife’s car first

 

I too like the idea of ceramic coating, but from what I have watched, read, seen, etc there is a lot that can go wrong. Paint has to be as flawless as possible. Our paint is good, as the vehicles are garage kept, regularly washed and maintained, etc. Coatings still have to be maintained, so that means every one or two months I am going over the whole vehicle with a silica spray. All of this sounds ok, until you start talking about difficulties in application of the coating, high spots, something trapped under the paint that my old eyes didn’t catch and now it’s there for the next 2 years prodding my OCD with a stick every time I see it....and then there is the no tinker factor. While I don’t enjoy doing a complete detail from top to bottom of our vehicles, i do enjoynthe satisfaction of taking it from blah to dazzling. With coatings, in my understanding, it is what it is until the coating wears off.
I’m just not sure I’ve got the guts to do it. I’m in a dilemma....maybe I will just park it and ride my bicycle....lol

 

If time is short, I would recommend something like Sonax Spray and Seal. Wash the car and rinse. While car wet spray down with Sonax and rinse again. Then dry. Done. Super easy. There are a few other products out there just like this.

I started off layering products. Finally got tired of the effort and moved to ceramics.

 

It really doesn’t take that long to wash, clay, lay a sealer, then buff off.
I think you are wasting time and money on the wax part. That last a few weeks at most so really offers no protection.
Its nice if you have black cars though. Gives a deeper color appearance.

My time is not worth as much as a ceramic coating. I’d rather pay for a new paint job than drop $2,000 in a coating. And I am not that serious about it to apply my own (and self applied coatings aren’t the same).

My Jet Seal lasts 1 year.
You may be washing your cars too often or improperly if you are noticing the sealant is gone after 6 months.

 

PackCon, I may be wasting time with the wax, but it’s another layer of protection. More layers usually equal more time before reapplication.
As for $2000 coatings, I don’t have the money. I am talking about self applied coatings. The one I purchased was under $100. And yes I know it is a different quality.
Also, as for washing cars incorrectly, I don’t think so. I pre rinse, foam, rinse, hand wash, rinse, dry. Now that could contribute to my decreased longevity of sealants and waxes, but that the way I wash. And if your getting a year of protection from JetSeal, that’s great. I used it exclusively for a couple of years, but changed my mind about it a little over a year ago. Once my old truck became my sons truck and no longer had the privilege of being garage kept, sitting outside 24/7/365, I saw JetSeal’s true colors. It is unable to stand constant elements, even with multiple layers and topped with wax in my results. I got a solid 3 or 4 months protection before noticing decreased water beading, staining, and general loss of gloss.

 

Since you've already bought some why not give it a try on the roof to get the hang of it.

 

Ceramics aren’t that hard to apply. I was a little intimidated at first but there are a ton of videos out there on how to apply. Once you go ceramic you will throw the sealants away.

 

.
I’m ashamed to say I really didn’t think about doing that......
That’s a damn good idea.
Thank you

 

I've been doing coatings since way back when Optimum came out with there consumer version. I now use Cquartz UK 3.0 and find it a little easier to work with. There is a learning curve to it. The thing with coatings is there not magic and they still require maintenance and even a booster to keep there protection and slickness up for years.
You may still have to clay and decontaminate depending on how perfect you want your paint to be.
I've read the next best thing to a coating is Sonax PNS and it's just a matter of washing your truck and putting it on.

 

Jescar Powerlock+

Applies just like a wax, very easy to remove and you should see 6-8 months of protection as long as you're washing it properly. Following it up every month or two with some P&S Bead Maker.

My first coating I ever applied was Cquartz UK. I didn't think it went to bad at first but after a couple days I started to notice some oil-slicks (high spots) and it drove me nuts, ended up polishing it off and using Ammo Reflex/Skin. I do want to try out Cquartz 3.0 with Gliss eventually.


Edit: Just saw you have tried Jescar and 845. I still think it's one of the better solutions for keeping it simple. Fusso Coat also has excellent durability and hydrophobic properties.

 

How long do your ceramics last?

 

I like how people ask for opinions and then argue with everything you say

Wax intop of sealers don’t improve longevity.
I was just saying you could skip that step to save you some time since thats a factor for you.

More what I meant about the washing was types of soaps used and frequency of washing. If you wash your vehicles a lot then protective products tend not to last as long.

Obviously vehicles kept outside all the time will require different reapplications than a garage kept vehicle. Thats not a ding on the product. All products longevity is impacted by that to include ceramics.


Jet Seal on my vehicles 1-2 times per year. The Jet Seal lasts and really doesn’t take that much time to apply. It lasts with regular washing and I live in the saltbelt.
Ceramics are too expensive for me to go with the ones that last.
That was my thought process behind why I do what I do and a few suggestions to make sure you are getting the longest lifte out of your products.

 

Using Optimum Gloss Coat, I feel like I am easily getting 18 months for "2 year coating". Gloss coat is just as easy to apply if not easier to apply than a sealant.

 

Didn’t realize I was “arguing”. I stated that I didn’t have good luck with JetSeal when exposed year round to the elements. I don’t think it’s a fair statement to say it lasts for 6 months to a year without specifying how the vehicle is kept. I based my findings on my experience.
As for washing my vehicles, I believe you stated “too often or improperly”. No mention of products. And just for clarity, about every 2 to 3 weeks, or when I can fit it in.
And i am in agreement with you on the $2000 coatings. It’s not worth it to me either.
I appreciate the opinions and advice, but can do without the attitude. I’m just looking to see what others use and suggest.

 

You post seemed argumentative. Its hard to tell demeanor in some posts though.

Jet Seal says “lasts up to 12 months”. It will always depend on use, washing techniques, and elements.
Shit if you don’t use the right soaps Jet Seal won’t make it past your first wash.
If you have a show car that never sees the light of day you’ll probably get longer out of it.

I’ve had good luck with it when I use pH balanced soaps and I only wash the truck when I have to IE only wash if bug guts, bird poop, sap, berries, or its had salt loaded on it. Dirt is not harmful to your finish so I avoid washing if its just dirty.
In the summer I like it cleaner so may wash once a month, in the winter maybe wash it twice.
I also park my truck outside 12-14 hours a day in direct sun at work so even though its garage kept at night I’m not sure that mattered. Keeping the washing to a minimum to me is what made the difference.