Casual waxer, new to sealers, looking for help

[mvw2]

Background:
I own a blue/gold Subaru Forester. I'm not big on cleaning, so the car does not see much in terms of washes, but it does get cleaned, prepped, and waxed twice a year.

I've been a long time user of Mothers products and have used their 3-step process for some time. I generally go through the normal steps:
wash->pre cleaner->glaze->wax
I wax the car again within the next week. I find it gives a deeper shine and offers a little longer lasting protection.

However, Mothers and wax is not a very long-term type of product. I've only recently started looking at non-wax sealers as better option. However, I'm at a loss with the available products.

Help!:
What I'm looking for is a once year or at least something that will last the full 6 months without a sweat. I know people talk about different products working better for different colors and such. For that, I have no clue. The car is a deep blue and gold paneling along the bottom. I'd post pics, but that doesn't exactly work well for new members.

What I want in terms of looks is something that can provide a good, deep gloss. I don't want the finish to look "plasticy" and I don't want it to be really shiny and reflective. I would prefer a more transparent, wet look rather than a shiny mirror surface. I'm not sure if this is possible on the paint or not, but the gold body molding does it wonderfully. If I could reproduce the same look on the blue paint, I'd be happy.

Other than that, all I want is longevity, something that will hold up for half a year and if once per year, even better.

As well, I would like insight into things like number of layers I should use, mixing layers of sealant and wax, maybe mixing two different sealer products, one layered over the other.

I'll point you to pics if I can get it to work. I tried yesterday and ended with a blank page and nothing.

[mvw2]

The car after the 3-step Mothers process and a second coat of wax. I really like the way the bottom trim looks. I'd like to try and somehow duplicate a similar deep luster without being overly reflective. I may or may not be able to do this as the paint surface is completely different between the two parts, different color, different texture, different reflective properties, etc. However, I'd like to try and get something of a more transparent nature if possible.

[wacomme]

Having shirked my detailing responsibilities for 3-4 years, I'm starting anew. I bought a UDM and I'm now using Ultima products. I'm happy with the results, but having just completed the detailing long term results remain to be seen.

[Joel_MD]

mvw2, you have a few different routes you could go. Personally, I like to use Klasse All In One sealant and top it with Collinite Insulator Wax 845. Klasse AIO is not very durable but it makes a great base for a carnauba, and 845 is very long lasting. You should get four to six months protection from 845.

Some guys love the Duragloss sealants. If you put down a thin coat of #601 Bonding Agent, then follow with either #105 Total Performance Polish or #111 Clear Coat Polish you will have a long lasting shine. The company claims up to a year of protection. Maybe some of the Duragloss devotees will chime in with their real world results.

Zaino sealants are known for long lasting shine and protection. It looks a little more "plasticy" than wax, but you could always top it with a wax for a different look. Zaino also responds well to layering, which is somewhat dubious with most products. Their Z-2 or Z-5 Show Car Polish mixed with ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator is supposed to give up to a year of protection.

[Scott GN231]

Originally Posted by Joel_MD

mvw2, you have a few different routes you could go. Personally, I like to use Klasse All In One sealant and top it with Collinite Insulator Wax 845. Klasse AIO is not very durable but it makes a great base for a carnauba, and 845 is very long lasting. You should get four to six months protection from 845.

Some guys love the Duragloss sealants. If you put down a thin coat of #601 Bonding Agent, then follow with either #105 Total Performance Polish or #111 Clear Coat Polish you will have a long lasting shine. The company claims up to a year of protection. Maybe some of the Duragloss devotees will chime in with their real world results.

Zaino sealants are known for long lasting shine and protection. It looks a little more "plasticy" than wax, but you could always top it with a wax for a different look. Zaino also responds well to layering, which is somewhat dubious with most products. Their Z-2 or Z-5 Show Car Polish mixed with ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator is supposed to give up to a year of protection.

I recently used Zaino's new CS sealer on my Corvette and really liked the results. Their Z8 detailer / sealer is also wonderful.

[Accumulator]

Mvw2- Welcome to Autopia!

IME the only way sealants really rival waxes such as Collinite 476S is when the sealants are heavily layered. I use the 476S on one driver and layered Klasse Sealant Glaze ("KSG", a very durable sealant) on another (and I use other sealants on other vehicles), and the Collinite is what I'd recommend to you. Especially noting your preferences regarding how the lower portion looks; I think the 476S will work out great overall.

But a true 6 months is asking a lot. Yeah, six layers of KSG will do it, but it's sorta tricky to work with and requires superb prep work to look good. I'd see how the 476S works for you.

Note that a quick spritz of a QD like FK425 or Meguia's Ultimate QD after the wash will help keep your LSP (Last Step Product, i.e., wax or sealant) last a lot longer as it'll add a little sacrificial layer.

[heyyo302]

Here is better performance as you desire
Clean Your Car - car care products UK

[mvw2]

In terms of waxes and the color of my car, do I need to worry about sun and heat melting the wax off in short order? My car does sit outside all the time, so I've kind of become curious about this issue.

[bwalker25]

UPGP is very nice easy to apply but easy to use to much. 476S is a very durable product and will rival the best of sealants in terms of durability IMHO

[pwaug]

Originally Posted by mvw2

In terms of waxes and the color of my car, do I need to worry about sun and heat melting the wax off in short order? My car does sit outside all the time, so I've kind of become curious about this issue.

From what I've read the surface of a dark car can get very hot very quickly and cause the wax to lose it's durability and looks.

I'm just a casual waxer like yourself, but my goal is to achieve the best look and protection with a minimum amount of labor. That being said I think the best way to go is with Sealants as they offer the longest durability and are simple to apply. After claying I currently put on a coat of ZAIO (an all in one mild polish, cleaner and sealant) topped with ZCS (a wipe on walk away sealant) and then top it with Optimum Spray Wax (a sealant with some carnuba in the formula). A great look with minimum effort. Lasts a good 6 months (through New Hampshire winters), but you can add another coat of Optimum Spray Wax at any time since it only takes 15 minutes. I think you could optain the same results with Duragloss products at allot less cost. Clay, a coat of 105, a coat of 111 and then a coat of AquaWax (a spray on sealant)
A few links:

Zaino Store

Optimum

Duragloss Car Care Products

[thesacrifice]

^ I too like the 3 brands he listed.

My go to is Optimum Poliseal topped with Optimum Opti Seal and then kept up with Duragloss Aquawax. AW will keep the protection virtually going and going and going and going.

[pwaug]

Originally Posted by thesacrifice

^ I too like the 3 brands he listed.

My go to is Optimum Poliseal topped with Optimum Opti Seal and then kept up with Duragloss Aquawax. AW will keep the protection virtually going and going and going and going.

Do you apply the PoliSeal by hand or machine? I do all my work by hand and am curious how PoliSeal goes on by hand.