Carnauba or Sealant? - Page 2

JDookie · 03-03-05, 04:14

Since I started this poll I guess I should have been the first to answer.

My choice would be sealant since you get far greater durability and less maintenance. I love the look of a carnauba but not on a daily driver or any car that lives outside.

Besides, it seems that sealants are starting to take on more of a carnauba *look* every day so you really can't beat them. My waxes are slowly being pushed to back of the detailing cabinet and my sealants are all starting to be grouped right in the front.

1 Clean WS6 · 03-03-05, 04:31

I'm a carnauba kinda guy...especially the high end ones from companies like Pinnacle. Why??? I love the look and I like waxing my cars any chance I get!!!

dpeezy415 · 03-03-05, 04:42

How 'bout EX sealant w/ carnauba?

Seriously I think technology is blurring the line between the two (as far as looks go) and sealants have surpassed carnaubas considering durability issues.

But there's something about the PROCESS of applying a paste wax that I love so much.

JDookie · 03-03-05, 04:46

EX is still more sealant than it is carnauba, so it would be in the Sealant category and I fully agree with you. The technology for sealants is improving daily.

For this poll, "carnauba" will be defined as 100% pure carnauba in either paste or liquid form, and "sealant" will be defined as anything with more sealant than carnauba, again in any form. Sound fair?

Knockwurst · 03-03-05, 05:06

Why not both carnauba and sealant? Brilliance, depth, gloss, and longevity . . . why say no when it feels so good to say yes?

Here are a few of my favorite combinations . . .

AIO and #16 (x2)
EX-P and #16 (x2)
GW and Natty’s (x2)
GW and #16
HGSG (x2) and #16
NXT (x2) and #16
NXT and Natty’s (x2)

JDookie · 03-03-05, 05:13

Sealant + Carnauba is a good combination, but I'm limiting this particular poll to one or the other.

Also, keep in mind that waxes attract dust, and can sometimes mute certain colors, so a carnauba isn't always the *best* choice for looks alone.

merci · 03-03-05, 05:39

Quote:

Originally posted by JDookie
My choice would be sealant since you get far greater durability and less maintenance. I love the look of a carnauba but not on a daily driver or any car that lives outside.

Besides, it seems that sealants are starting to take on more of a carnauba *look* every day so you really can't beat them. My waxes are slowly being pushed to back of the detailing cabinet and my sealants are all starting to be grouped right in the front.

Less maintenance?! You mean you don't wax your car every week? What?! That's sacrilege!

I wax every 6-9 weeks. I ain't waxin', I'm QDing - after every wash, of course - which is about 2-3x a week.

I myself am a sealant + carnauba guy. The sealant will still be around after 12-18 weeks which gives me about 2-3 wax sessions before going AIO x2, SGx2 (24 hours apart), carnauba paste wax x2 (24 hours after SG, 24 hours apart) all over again. Darn thing takes 4 days to complete! And that's just the exterior!

I'm no pro but wouldn't you want your clients to keep coming back for a wash n' wax only job?

Accumulator · 03-03-05, 06:13

Guess I can't really vote on this one; half our vehicles have sealants and half have carnaubas. Not even a matter of garage queen vs. daily driver either.

Sullybob · 03-03-05, 07:03

Bill my nieghbors already think that I am crazy! After I mow the lawn I leave the leaf blower out so I can dry my car. I think what finally convinced them was when I detailed my engine bay. My neighbor Corey asked me if I was doing a tune up

I cant wait to see the reaction when I pull off the wheels and detail the back side of them and then use SG on them of course.

G35stilez · 03-03-05, 07:15

I voted for sealants.

To me, sealants last longer, stay slicker longer, shine longer, are just as easy to apply (most of them), and with recent technology, provide a VERY similar look to carnauba's.

RedondoV6 · 03-03-05, 07:28

Another sealant vote.

I prefer the looks of sealants on most colors, especially metallics and pearls. Factor in the added durability offered by the best sealants and ease of use and they are clear winners in my mind.

I'd hate to have to chose just one product type in real life though! I'm not sure I'll ever forget Lee's pics of that black bimmer dressed in Souveran... just stunning!

gearhead · 03-03-05, 08:06

Quote:

Originally posted by JDookie
EX is still more sealant than it is carnauba, so it would be in the Sealant category and I fully agree with you. The technology for sealants are improving daily.

I chose sealant (EX) for this reason also. Looks great on red but I have to admit, if it wasn't for EX I may have voted the other way. I haven't tried another sealant that looks as good, that carnauba glow, on red.

Have yet to try FMJ and UPP though...