Too many choices!!!

C

C5-Deb

New member
It's time for the summer detail on the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. I can't make up my mind as to which products to use. It's dark blue (as seen below) with minimum swirls. Paint is actually in pretty good shape.



This is what I am up against - I live in Arizona and 110 degree days are around the corner. The truck is parked in full sun 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. I need maximum protection from the sun/heat, something that will last more than a couple weeks, but also want a nice, reflective shine. Suggestions for polish and sealant combo? Can do by hand or UDM.



THANK YOU!



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I'd also recommend Four Star UPP. My folks live in 'Zona and I use it on their cars when I'm out there. They're in Sierra Vista, so they've got cooler temps, but their water is ridiculously hard...I'd bow to your judgment on whether those factors wash out in the durability equation.
 
FK1 1000p



I've been very impressed thus far, and plenty of others here will vouch for its longevity and holding up to the elements.
 
I'm not used to those extreme temperatures anymore from SoCal but I would recommend 4* UPP or OS. Another option is to do Poli-Seal it and then top with OS or OCW.



Meg's #21 maybe even? I wouldn't know for sure though cause I haven't used it.
 
Vroom Vroom is right - the water out here in Arizona is very hard. With that as an additional factor, should still try the???
 
I'd say the desert heat is very similiar to the tropical heat here in FL but here in FL we get constant rain, but Zaino held up more for me a long time, and can handle the very hot sun. No problems using it in extreme conditions. Just a suggestion :2thumbs:



It's a very blinding sight too if you use Z-2pro.
 
When using the Z-2 Pro, is it a must to use the ZFX additive in it? Does it make that much of a difference?
 
C5-Deb said:
When using the Z-2 Pro, is it a must to use the ZFX additive in it? Does it make that much of a difference?
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They say it last longer, and to avoid bonding issues, either ZFX or Z-AIO is needed if you want to maximize durability, but honestly you can use Z-2p as a stand alone.



When I first tried Z-2p I just applied it and I was amazed on the looks and durability. That's how I got my feet wet by simply using that one product at first before using the Zaino system.
 
I was actually looking at the Z-2 Pro originally, but then read quite a few threads with water spotting issues. With the hard water we have here, I thought I should maybe try something else. I have also read that the Collinite 845 is very durable, but not sure about the looks.
 
If DavidB is still selling the Ultima sample kits, you might want to give the Ultima Paint Guard Plus sealant a try. They market it as having UV protection in it. It's also very durable and provides excellent environmental protection. If I remember right, the sample kit is only forty bucks, and has enough UPGP in it to do that truck 20+ times. Very cost effective.



It does have a bit different of a look from Zaino, though. Zaino is blindingly shiny. UPGP has more of a carnauba look to it. It still does look like a sealant, it just leans a bit toward the nuba look. Zaino also has UV protection in it, and is very durable. But for environmental protection, IMO, the nod goes to UPGP.
 
for best possible protection against UV sun, heat and hard water, Permagard Pre delivery or Reactive is my choice

The PD goes a long way and sheets for months. Just use a cheap or pro orbital with bonnets to apply, it cures totally differently to all other sealants and will give 12 months no probs
 
C5-Deb- Hey, that's really good looking, love the color.



For a big thing like that (which will probably get used like real vehicle as opposed to being a garage queen), I don't think I'd try to keep it good enough for a sealant. I'd go with !z polish If needed) topped with Collinite wax (sources: Welcome to Exceldetail.com! or Aloha & Welcome to Our Oasis for All Your Auto Detailing, Auto Detailing Supplies, Auto Detailing Equipment, Auto Detailing Products, & Auto Detailing Accessories for all your Automobile Detailing ). That's whay I'm using on my Denali XL....I use a sealant on our minivan and keeping it utterly marring free is a bit of a challenge. I *really* don't think you'd be disappointed with how Collinite looks, and the way it sheds dirt/etc. is really something. And yeah, I think it'd hold up fine in the heat.



Much as I like how UPP looks on my S8, I wouldn't recommend it for this. It needs to be refreshed too often.
 
Heres my advice to you on buying car care waxes/sealants. Everybody has there own views/opinions on products, as to what they do and what they won't do. On just about every wax/sealant mentioned here, I can find 5 guys who love product X and you will find some guys who don't like product X for whatever the reason. Point is, find something you think will work and buy it, then come to your own conclusions as to wether or not it fits the bill, your opinion is all that matters. Every product mentioned here gets critiqued in one form or another, If I had to buy something that got nothing but praise I would end up with nothing to use.
 
The best products I can think of that advertise UV protection are Werkstat and Zaino. Both are good, and I have used both.
 
Thank you for all of the suggestions - they have been very informative and helpful! I decided to go ahead and pick up the Collinite IW at Harbor Freight and Tools.



Accumulator - the Sport Trac IS a daily driver and I have read nothing but positive reviews on the Collinite for lasting protection. I have also read how thick the product is and they weren't kidding! When you buy a full bottle, there is no room in the bottle to get it shaken up. Can I put the bottle in some warm water to try liquify it a bit? Any other recommendations? :) At this point as is, it will not come out of the bottle.



Also, as mentioned, the paint is in pretty decent shape. I have on-hand Mezerna FP, Klasse AIO and Duragloss 101. Would any one of these three be better than the other to use prior to the Collinite?
 
C5-Deb said:
..I decided to go ahead and pick up the Collinite IW at Harbor Freight and Tools.. I have.. read how thick the product is and they weren't kidding! When you buy a full bottle, there is no room in the bottle to get it shaken up. Can I put the bottle in some warm water to try liquify it a bit? Any other recommendations? :) At this point as is, it will not come out of the bottle...
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Yeah, the warm water trick will work, at least to some extent. What I do (especially when the bottle's full) is get something long and thin (and clean ;) ) like a screwdriver and use that to stir it up. That'll at least get things started, but you'll probably still have to shake it for a while. Keep at it until the stuff gets thin...it'll get a lot thinner than you'd ever imagine. Don't worry, this seems to get a lot easier once you have some air space in the bottle.



Oh, and you'll probably find a plug of semi-solidified wax in the neck of the bottle. Push it down into the rest of the product so it gets mixed in.





.. the paint is in pretty decent shape. I have on-hand Mezerna FP, Klasse AIO and Duragloss 101. Would any one of these three be better than the other to use prior to the Collinite?
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I'm not familiar with the DG 101 :think: But I'd probably not bother with the Menzerna FP with the other two to choose from. The 845 seems to work fine over most anything, so that shouldn't be a problem whichever way you go.
 
I live in Tampa, FL where it is hot year round and rains a LOT! I have a black mustang gt that is garaged.



My go to sealent is DG111. Why? You may ask. Its not an overpriced boutique brand? LOL. I like it because, first off it is very easy on and off. I mean like ridiculously easy. Second it leaves a very reflective shine, and has no cleaners or solvents in it. Lastly its relatively cheap, even cheaper than some vastly inferior OTC stuff, and can be bought at Carquest and Napa.



I usually follow the 111 with FK PW. It too goes on and off easy, is relatively inexpensive, and has a amazing wet look, especially when its over some 111. The combination of the mirror like reflectivity of the 111 with the wet deep look of the PW on black to me is pretty awesome. People comment on the car endlessly. They cant believe its 10 years old.



After the washes between when I use a sealent I like to spray a coat of FK425 on. Gives great gloss, and has UV protection, and cleans pretty decent as well.



Just my .o2
 
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