Yes S100 is in the Harley shops. Yes some people layer sealants for added durability.
All products have different strengths and weaknesses.
Manufacturing any wax involves trade-offs and compromises. Some compromises are made for cost considerations. A chemist may want to use a better ingredient or add more carnauba but can't because the company has a target market price that must be met. Other compromises are made for marketing reasons. A chemist may want to make a paste wax for maximum durability but the marketing department insists on producing a less durable liquid wax because marketing research has told them a liquid wax will sell better. Other compromises are imposed by the marketplace. Multi-national manufacturers, the "Name Brands" that supply Wal-Mart, Target and K-Mart, must respond to market demand. If the largest selling product nationwide is a $10.00, liquid, cleaner/wax, guess what these companies are going to make? A whole range of $10.00 liquid, cleaner/waxes!
Smaller, niche manufacturers may target the enthusiast market with higher quality products or products designed for a specific purpose (i.e. just for dark color cars or just for light color cars). Don't dismiss these products just because you don't recognize the brand name. Yes, there is some crap out there but it's our job to sort it all out, select only the best products and present them to you in such a way that you can decide what's best for you.
Carnauba waxes vs synthetic (polymer) waxes:
Both types of products have advantages and disadvantages. Before you decide on a wax here are some things to consider:
Carnauba Waxes:
Advantages:
A darker, deeper, richer shine.
Best carnauba waxes produce a liquid, "wet-looking" surface.
Carnauba waxes tend to hide minor swirls.
Carnauba waxes bead water (tells user when to re-wax surface).
Disadvantages:
Limited durability (Carnauba starts to melt at 180 degrees F).
50% gone in 30 days, 75% gone in 60 days, re-wax in 90 days.
Some carnauba waxes harder to apply. (Require more effort to buff off).
Some carnauba waxes create chalky- white residues and stain trim moldings.
Low surface adhesion - can be removed by car washes and detergents.
More prone to water spots.
Usually requires a strong petroleum solvent base.
Can cloud and/or streak on dark color cars.
Can be difficult to apply by machine.
Polymer Waxes:
Advantages:
Longer lasting. (Most will last six months or longer)
Easy to apply.
Very bright shine.
Some synthetic waxes sheet water which reduces water spots.
Stronger surface adhesion resists detergents.
Usually easy to apply by machine.
Can be water-based or use a mild mineral spirit.
Disadvantages:
Bright shine is often referred to as sterile, lacking emotion.
(it does not allow the paints true pigment to show through)
Tends to high light or amplify minor swirls and paint imperfections.
Sheeting does not give a visual clue of when to recoat.
Some products have long cure times between coats.
