OK, so I've been wondering how long my steps will last me over the winter and a thought came up. I should eventually figure it out myself, but what is the relation between sealant and wax as far as durability? What I mean is that does layering one product on top of another have any affect on the previous product? For example, I'm layering two coats of 845 on top of two coats of EX-P. Consensus seems to be that the 845 has longer durability than the EX-P. So once the 845 has run it's course, does that mean the EX-P will also be done for? Or will the extra protection of the 845 allow the EX-P to last a while longer once the 845 has come off? So say the 845 lasts three months, and the EX-P lasts two, will the EX-P last another two months after the 845 is gone, or somewhere inbetween?
Durability Question
- Thread starter Grimm
- Start date
Accumulator
Well-known member
I'd say somewhere in between, and it won't be quite the same as having just the EX-P on there by itself after the 845 gets degraded. The EX-P will still be there but it'll have "dead" wax on top of it.
My "classic synthetic/wax combo" would probably be #16 on top of KSG. When the #16 was gone I could tell that the KSG was still on there, but it didn't quite look/feel/bead the same as just KSG by itself. Whatever was left of the degraded wax must've been sorta like some mild kind of contamination. Nothing awful, still looked pretty good, but I did feel like I needed to redo it when I got the chance (clayed and reapplied the #16, worked OK).
Some other synthetic-with-topper combos didn't fare as well...once the wax was gone it obviously needed redoing; I couldn't tell the synthetic was there at all. Others were sorta in-between (Autoglym SRP topped with carnauba) and looked OK but not too good and not for long. So you'll have to see just how your EX-P/845 holds up. I'd try to reapply the 845 as conditions permit.
My "classic synthetic/wax combo" would probably be #16 on top of KSG. When the #16 was gone I could tell that the KSG was still on there, but it didn't quite look/feel/bead the same as just KSG by itself. Whatever was left of the degraded wax must've been sorta like some mild kind of contamination. Nothing awful, still looked pretty good, but I did feel like I needed to redo it when I got the chance (clayed and reapplied the #16, worked OK).
Some other synthetic-with-topper combos didn't fare as well...once the wax was gone it obviously needed redoing; I couldn't tell the synthetic was there at all. Others were sorta in-between (Autoglym SRP topped with carnauba) and looked OK but not too good and not for long. So you'll have to see just how your EX-P/845 holds up. I'd try to reapply the 845 as conditions permit.
Accumulator
Well-known member
That's sorta tough...we're just guessing here and it's probably splitting hairs anyhow.
Considering that it's still a ways out from true winter weather I'd probably put the second coat of EX-P on it now and then add Collinite (or even more EX-P) after each of the next few washes, using Sonus Green clay if necessary to clean things up a little.
Honestly, and I know this isn't what you'll want to hear
I'm not convinced that 845 is the last word in durability. I'd probably pick up a can of 476S/885 if you want to be sure you'll get through winter. You'll still find a good use for the 845 (I use it on stuff you might not normall wax, like exterior black plastic and even rubbery window surrounds), but the paste waxes *will* get you through a winter, especially if you start layering them after maybe another coat of EX-P.
I'm not a big fan of "buying another product is the anwer to your Q" but for, what?, maybe $15 or so you'd be all set. Someplace (forget where, see the recent thread about the various different Collinite waxes, it's Mac-somethig dot com
) has free shipping on Collinite.
Considering that it's still a ways out from true winter weather I'd probably put the second coat of EX-P on it now and then add Collinite (or even more EX-P) after each of the next few washes, using Sonus Green clay if necessary to clean things up a little.
Honestly, and I know this isn't what you'll want to hear
I'm not convinced that 845 is the last word in durability. I'd probably pick up a can of 476S/885 if you want to be sure you'll get through winter. You'll still find a good use for the 845 (I use it on stuff you might not normall wax, like exterior black plastic and even rubbery window surrounds), but the paste waxes *will* get you through a winter, especially if you start layering them after maybe another coat of EX-P.I'm not a big fan of "buying another product is the anwer to your Q" but for, what?, maybe $15 or so you'd be all set. Someplace (forget where, see the recent thread about the various different Collinite waxes, it's Mac-somethig dot com
) has free shipping on Collinite.Yeah, actually I bought the 845 from that place. I was thinking of getting the 476, but I think I went with the 845 because of the posts saying it looks better. I figured I would try to put more on it sometime in like January to keep it protected anyway.
I guess I could give it a couple more days. It's just that I've kept the car in the garage, driving my old car all week and I miss it :sadpace:
I guess I could give it a couple more days. It's just that I've kept the car in the garage, driving my old car all week and I miss it :sadpace:
Accumulator
Well-known member
Grimm said:
IMO it's a mighty subtle difference, at least on some paints, that IMO people tend to exaggerate. I have 476S on one panel and 845 on another nearby one and I wouldn't bet my life that I could spot it if I didn't already know. NO way anybody else sees it but on some other paints it would be a different story.
Heh heh, watch you don't get like me and end up driving the beater all the time out of some goofy detailing-centric urge to preserve the good car or at least delay the need to redetail it
