Paint protection advice (wax and sealer)

Hey, ace... I'm thread-jacking my own thread, but jump over here and check out the shit storm happening.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fucked-trextrd-is-a-fucking-thief-nsfw.397191/

 

Already been there. Been the whole time.

 

That's the part I was confused about. I was under the impression you were applying a dedicated sealer, then applying ULW (which would be 2 sealers back to back). But now I see when you're saying clay, seal, wax, the "wax" isn't ULW, it's a different product altogether.

Thank you so much for taking the time to type out that response. It answered everything I was curious about.


So if I'm using ULW or in my case the ICE equivalent which both are synthetic sealers, would a product such as this offer any real benefit?

Meguiar's G36516 Paint Protectant - 16 oz.

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G36516-Paint-Protectant-oz/dp/B00P9OEZR6

 

Thanks for the advice. The next free weekend I can get to devote to detailing I'll snag a Clay bar kit and go to town.

My problem is I feel like I'm way too meticulous when I detail my vehicle. My average cleaning regimen goes:

• + 1.5-2hrs washing thoroughly, longer if the wheels are really dirty or if it's been dusty and I have to clean around the door seals.
  
  
• 30-45 min drying
  
  
• + 2 hours waxing/sealing

All in all I'd say a wash/wax for me takes the better part of 4-6 hours and that doesn't include detailing the interior. I've gotten a process down now where I can quickly wash then dry my truck in about 1.5hrs but the finished product isn't the same as if I had spent my 2 hours just cleaning alone.

How long would you guys say it takes to clay bar an entire Tacoma?

 

Sub'd for Z-AIO, might have to give this a try.

 

I have been using this for years ,works well for me

 

Glad I could help. That 365 paint protect by Meguires never really took off. It's a paint sealer, but I'd steer clear of it. I'm sure it's better than nothing, but there are much better products out there, ULW being one of them. You'd be better off putting on two coats of something else, as opposed to one coat of something else and the 365.

 

You could spend 30mins claying or you could spend 1.5 hours. I'd say 45 mins is a fair estimate. It really depends on how much it needs it.

If truck Hasn't been clayed in two years- then it might take 2 hours to clay. But then your next clay 6 months later would take you 20 just minutes.

 

Great, thank you so much for your help!

 

Which Turtle Wax product are you using?

 

I'm still using ICE Liquid Wax until I run out:

$50 Turtle Wax T-468R ICE Liquid Wax - 14 oz.

http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-T-468R-ICE-Liquid/dp/B007KTINZI

I've probably only used about half of the bottle on 4 applications. I love love love the shine and mirror finish it gives. I'd guess it's probably similar to what you're seeing when you do the ICE Spray Wax. After a fresh coat water beads like crazy and you can hit the road after a rain and have a dry truck by the time you reach 60MPH. The stuff is also really, really kind to plastics and leaves no residue, so I'm using it instead of armor all on all of my mirrors, trim, plastics, etc.

Durability tests are decent so far. On my wife's Escape, her hood and roof were still beading moderately well even 4 months after the application which I'd consider to be pretty good on a vehicle that's not garage kept in the GA sun. My Tacoma sees more road miles and trail dust than her Escape, I'd say I'd feel comfortable with a coat every 2 months or so, 3 tops.

That said, as soon as I run out of this bottle I'm switching over to the Meguiar's ULW to try it out.

I still need to find a quick wax to use in between applications. I tried the ICE Spray Wax once, but really got myself in a pickle because I let it dry and it was an absolute PITA to get off. I know now that spray waxes aren't meant to dry, so going in with a proper approach I'm eager to try a new product.

 

I just got some Duragloss Aquawax from Amazon. It's a really nice spray wax and after one application I think shine is on par with (or better than?) the turtle wax. I'm thinking it has better beading properties than any other spray wax that I've tried. Need a little more time with it to form a final opinion.

 

I've used ICE liquid on my last two applications and I'm in love with it. It's simple to apply and isn't difficult to remove like many other waxes out there.

 

Try a bottle of Optimum Car Wax. I've been using it for years. I get it in the gallon size to save money & it lasts me several years. Best spray wax you will find, IMO. Has excellent UV protection & can be used on plastics. As for a clay bar I recently switched to the Speedy Surface Prep Fine Grade Towel. All I have to say is my clay bar is in the trash! Cut claying time in half. If you accidently drop the towel just rinse it under water & start again. If you decide to purchase one Amazon seems to have the best price. It is around $35 on Amazon & all the detailing sites (Autogeek, Detailed Image, etc..) are around $55 to $60 for the exact same towel.

$43 Speedy Surface Prep - Fine Grade

http://www.amazon.com/Speedy-Surface-Prep-Fine-Grade/dp/B0091II8X8

Here is another brand of clay towel I came across for $20. Never heard of this company but it has good reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0X9WBR3SEK2AT5S8WHF0

 

Just started truly detailing my vehicles with some help from a buddy, we clayed my Moms Explorer and what a difference. The paint went from feeling like sandpaper to smooth as glass, but we used a full bar on just the hood so we stopped after the hood.

I use turtle wax dash and glass to clean the interior and aerospace 303 for protection, turtle wax for wax (Not spray) and meguires scratch-x for scratch removal, mothers clay bar kit, turtle wax wet N' black for tires, and some generic aluminum wheel cleaner.

 

I am really impressed with Optimum Opti-seal. Wipe on and walk away. May seem pricey but I have used it on 2 vehicles and used next to none.

 

How's your opti-seal holding up?

 

Holding up well. Had plenty of salt to remove thanks to the few rounds of snow. Keep in mind I have Gloss coat underneath.

 

Good to hear. I've really been struggling to find a product that keeps up this winter. I don't know if they're using different chemicals this year or what. But the Duragloss 105 that I put on recently didn't last two weeks on the bottom half of my truck. I really thought that was gonna last. Gonna try Menz power lock next. Another month or so and I'm not gonna have to worry about it until next winter, but I'd really like to find my go-to.

 

Why didn't you use 845? My old process was Adams Paint Sealant topped with 845.

I don't think you can go wrong with OptiSeal. Seems expensive for the amount you get but I have done my truck and wife's car while barely using any. A little goes a long way. I bet you can get 20-30 applications out it.