Best easy to use sealant, protection for a newb?

Whats up detail nuts. Not new to the basics, I do a bi monthly 2 bucket wash with chemical guys stuff, microfiber towels, etc. etc. Have claybar'd and Iron-x'd before but have never done any paint correcting or applying a wax or sealant and would like to start, tired of paying other people to do something I enjoy and can do myself.

Not quite brave enough to paint correct nor do I want to at this point especially given my truck is white and its a truck, not a garage queen, just want to protect it and keep it looking halfway decent maybe paint correct later in its life, anywho, I was wondering what everyone uses or recommends for a good sealant or process to keep my truck protected and parent's vehicles as well (living at home this fall, starting grad school).

Could I get away with a decontamination (iron-x, clay bar), wash and seal every 6 months? And whats the best sealer these days or easiest to work with? I've seen some reviews on Klasse but I know thats an acrylic and old technology. I've also seen some reviews on easy to use spray on type waxes/sealants. Just looking for some recommendations and everyone's routine. I'd love to dable in maybe a nano coating but not quite ready for a forray into paint correction just yet. Thinking about just sticking with CG and trying out Jetseal.

Thanks in advance!

Zach

 

A six month routine will work fine if your using a sealant. I use & recommend Optimum Opti-Seal. Super easy to apply, no buffing required. I then use Optimum Spray Wax after every wash to help protect the sealant plus replenish the UV protection.

 

Thanks man I heard great things about opti-seal, heard its easy to use and goes a long way. Safe to use on plastics and glass? Thanks!

 

Yes, works great on plastics & glass. The 8oz spray bottle will last for many years.

 

That is no joke. A small amount goes a long ways.

 

Flex Seal is the best

 

Real funny there guy.

 

Optiseal is pretty good, I use it on my wheels.
For my paint I use hydro2 and or reload made by carpro. I get 3-4 months of protection from those two.
I also use P&S beadmaker every month or so. This stuff leaves a super slick and glossy finish but doesn't last very long. Maybe a 3-4 weeks.
Mother recently came out with a ceramic spray sealant that has gotten rave reviews and is reasonably priced. It's called CMX.
I havent tried it but I hear great things about it and its like it available at auto parts stores and even walmart .
Jescar powerlock is another great sealant that lasts a long time, this however isnt a spray on product, it's a liquid but goes on/off pretty easily. Looks best on darker colors.

There are a ton more products out there, just a matter of what kind you want to try, how much you want to spend, and of course applying it the right way.

Your plan to decon every 6 months should be fine, maybe won't even need to do it that often if your truck is kept indoors often. Look into synthetic clay mits or towels, nanoskin makes some good ones. Cuts clay time down by hours.

 

And don't be afraid of paint correction. Get yourself a decent DA buffer. Even a 6" harbor freight unit and some good pads, I like lake country hdo orange for most uses. Meguiars m205 is a great polish and will correct swirls and light scratches.
There are a lot of new polishes that will do pretty well with scratches and then finish down like a find polish. Carpro essence is one that I'd recommend. Essense also acts as a sealant and is super shiny, almost a jeweling effect if applied right. You really cant do damage with a DA, youd have to try to screw up to be honest

 

Wow awesome info! I was just hoping to get a good one to try like you said so many options. My detail guy used Wolfgang on there this round and it really did a nice job giving the white a glossy color. I want something that’s easy to use and provides the best protection, but certainly wouldn’t mind some nice gloss.

 

Honestly, it's hard to go wrong with detail products these days. Most are all solid performers. If 100 people respond to this then you will probably have 90 different recommendations, lol.

 

Autogeek has 25% off and free shipping today. Good time to buy some stuff to try out

 

I use chem guys Jet Seal about 2x a year. Good stuff.

As mentioned, do not trip on minor paint correction. If you can build Legos you can polish.

 

^^ This ^^

Any decent sealant/synthetic wax applied every 6 months would be more than adequate.

 

I'd say closer to 3 or 4 months if it's a daily driver. For 6 months or more of 100% protection you're looking at a lite ceramic coating. If kept in a garage and out of harsh elements 6 months is attainable with some sealants, but certainly not here in New England

 

2x per year holds up nicely here in Maine for me. At least that's my experience.

Edited - I do claybar 1x per year. That may allow the sealant to adhere better and last longer on that clean & smooth surface....but I'm by no means a detailing expert. It works for me.

 

Thanks man I already ordered some optiseal and a clay bar kit from chemical guys (yellow bar) for August (4 months). I really like the Wolfgang deep gloss paint sealer my guy used (I had a left over deposit so had him do the first).

 

I use almost entirely chemical guys stuff and wanted to give jet seal a whirl. But saw there are some better products, grabbed some optiseal and will try that first.

I researched DA's and was gonna snag one with the idiot / dummy pad (light swirls scratches one and try that first, maybe do my brother's old explorer first time. Think I know what to ask for for my birthday!!!

 

You'll be fine with the DA, practice isnt a bad idea but you'll see you really cant hurt the paint as long as you don't use an overly aggressive pad or compound.
I'm not a huge fan of chem guys. Seems they have dozens of products that do the same thing, and care more about how their products smell and how cool the bottles look. Don't get me wrong they have some great stuff, but for my money I prefer carpro products if I were to choose a single brand. But like others have said....there are a ton of really really good products out there.
I tried optiseal last month for the 1st time and was very impressed by it, especially how little is needed to get full coverage. Optimum makes some good stuff, obviously they are best known for their no rinse which is awesome, but I fell in love with their tire protection coating. It's amazing. I have had it on for a month, several hundred miles, driven in a lot of rain, and my tires look as good as the day I put it on. I will likely never go back to another tire dressing, except maybe waxaddict tyre feeder which is also amazing but just a different product. The tire sealant is crazy once you see how it works.

 

Thanks man, I'm just loyal to CG because they were my first forray into detailing back in HS/College and just been loyal, though I use other brands too, like 303 stuff for cleaning / dressing / protectant, I absolutely LOVE Adams VRT for tire dressing, no fling, not overly shiny or greasy and holds color even after rain, etc. I've used Iron X as well plenty and know the Carpro brand is good stuff. Yep, now that I'll have a garage to work in and practice vehicles will give the polishing / minor paint correcting a whirl, thanks for the help and encouragement!