Help with Sealant

B

basicT

New member
Hi,

This is a great forum with so much information my head is swimming! I have a 2012 Hyundai Elantra which is Harbor Grey Metallic with alloy wheels. It is a daily driver in Florida and I would like to take care of it. I have read a sealant would be more durable and maybe later when I get more experience I may try Opti-coat. Would Collinite or Fk1000p be a good choice? I was kind of leaning toward Fk1000p with Fk425 from some of the reviews on the forum. But I am worried about staining the trim. I have bought Gold Class wash, a micro washmit, 2 buckets, and plan on getting a leaf blower from Lowes, Meg's claybar kit, and was wondering about Ironx and a cleaner/polish before applying the sealant? Please HELP! because I have no idea. Thank you
 
3 sealants I'd use based on talk here:
new Blackfire crystal seal
Ultima Paint Guard
Optimum Opti-seal

clay the car - clean the surface, many polishes here, and apply 2 coats...great technology - see my pic below for results that lasts months..
 
glen e said:
3 sealants I'd use based on talk here:
new Blackfire crystal seal
Ultima Paint Guard
Optimum Opti-seal

clay the car - clean the surface, many polishes here, and apply 2 coats...great technology - see my pic below for results that lasts months..
Click to expand...

Nice car by the way, I like that body style.
 
Welcome to AutopiaForums basicT, as I'm in Florida also you will need a sealant to protect your finish on your ride. These all will protect your car's finish: Blackfire Wet Diamond, Ultima Paint Guard, Optimum Opti-seal, Optimum Opti-Coat, Wolfgang Deep Gloss, Poorboy's World EX-P, CarPro Quartz and many more that the Autopia Car Care Store has. For a polish to just for prep work then look at these fine products: Car Polishes. Also don't forget our " How To Section "
 
:welcome: To Autopia Forums

In the beginning the biggest obstacle I see is trying to decide on a few products from the hundreds available.

Develop a plan and stick to the basics.

Basic steps in order are:

  • Wash
  • Clay
  • Paint Correction & Polish
  • Seal
  • Wax
Make detailing enjoyable and practice. Take your time and try not become overwhelmed. Just because there are a thousand product doesn't mean you have to use them all. Pick one product from each category from the steps above.

For great results proper surface preparation is key.

Taking into account your car is a 2012, the finish should be in pretty decent shape and should require minor correction to remove any minor defects that may exist.

Do you have a dual action polisher?

Working your finish with a dual action polisher and some 5 1/2" foam pads will make improvements to the finish easier and more consistent than working by hand.

A few product suggestions

Polish

Sealant

Cleaner / Polish

Wax

 
BobbyG said:
Taking into account your car is a 2012, the finish should be in pretty decent shape and should require minor correction to remove any minor defects that may exist.
Click to expand...

That should be true.
I just did a brand new black Camaro with less than 50 miles on it that looked like the $tealership washed it with steel wool!

I told him "Do not let the dealer wash it!" It took me all day with two other folks to correct! I'd guess about 20+ man hours.
 
Thank you all for the welcome and the help. I really appreciate it. Now the hard part is deciding. I am not real picky and don't need the best. As long as it shines and lasts I'm okay. For I have learned tomorrow will always bring something better so enjoy what you have.
 
Merlin said:
That should be true.
I just did a brand new black Camaro with less than 50 miles on it that looked like the washed it with steel wool!

I told him "Do not let the dealer wash it!" It took me all day with two other folks to correct! I'd guess about 20+ man hours.
Click to expand...

Agreed!

What should be a relatively easy task can turn into a real project once the dealer gets through with it.....
 
Hang a sign from the steering wheel "DO NOT WASH // NO LAVAR EL CARRO". The guys who wash the cars don't use the computer.
 
basicT said:
Hi,

This is a great forum with so much information my head is swimming! I have a 2012 Hyundai Elantra which is Harbor Grey Metallic with alloy wheels. It is a daily driver in Florida and I would like to take care of it. I have read a sealant would be more durable and maybe later when I get more experience I may try Opti-coat. Would Collinite or Fk1000p be a good choice? I was kind of leaning toward Fk1000p with Fk425 from some of the reviews on the forum. But I am worried about staining the trim. I have bought Gold Class wash, a micro washmit, 2 buckets, and plan on getting a leaf blower from Lowes, Meg's claybar kit, and was wondering about Ironx and a cleaner/polish before applying the sealant? Please HELP! because I have no idea. Thank you
Click to expand...

Welcome to AutopiaForums! :welcome:

There are a lot of talented guys on this forum who readily share their experience and information. :bigups

FK1000P is a fine product, I would make sure to apply it very thinly though (whisper thin) should you go with it. Although it is a synthetic sealant, applying it and removing it is more akin to the old paste waxes of yesteryear.

When choosing an LSP you need to ask the following questions. How often, realistically will you be washing it, is it going to be garage kept or will it be outside 24/7? What factors are most important to you and also to the use your car will see (looks, protection, durability?).

We offer a huge selection at the store:Autopia Car Care Products - Car Detailing Supplies, Car Wax, Car Polishers, Auto Detailing
...and was wondering about Ironx and a cleaner/polish before applying the sealant? Please HELP! because I have no idea. Thank you
Click to expand...

IronX is a amazing product and it wouldn't hurt to use it, but given the age of your car, a clay bar is will work extremely well. A pre-wax cleaner is always a good idea. It is usually a good idea (until you get more experience) to stick with manufactured brands, or you can ask opinions of the great people of this forum as everybody has their favorite combination.

Again welcome to AutopiaForums!

:autopia:
 
Best sealant I've used to date, Poorboys EX-P

Pure sealant, with great durability and shine.

Easy to use in and out of sun!
 
So much GOOD information! I was really impressed by Glen e 's car with spray sealant. My question is 'what are the advantages of wipe on/buff sealants like Collinite and Fk1000p vs the spray on'? Is the shine and durability REALLY that much better and time wise is it worth it with the new products like BF Crystal Seal? If I don't have to buy a DA and learn how to use it all the better. I plan on washing my car every weekend now that I have seen some of the cars of the forum members. WOW! They look good! :drool:
 
basicT said:
So much GOOD information! I was really impressed by Glen e 's car with spray sealant. My question is 'what are the advantages of wipe on/buff sealants like Collinite and Fk1000p vs the spray on'? Is the shine and durability REALLY that much better and time wise is it worth it with the new products like BF Crystal Seal? If I don't have to buy a DA and learn how to use it all the better. I plan on washing my car every weekend now that I have seen some of the cars of the forum members. WOW! They look good! :drool:
Click to expand...

we can split hairs here about how much gloss is generated by "warm" carnubas or "deep" sealants, and yes they are different, but not so much diff that it's worth it to me to spend the time using conventional stuff. The spray sealants offer me two things the others don't:

1. I don't have white dust in my insignias and all over the black trim - that I'm wiping off for months as I find it inthe jambs, etc. Yes, I'm lazy when I can be.

2. my time (and back) is saved by not having to buff it off - at all.

Those two just changed the way I maintain my cars now, after 30 years of the conventional way...
 
Thank you again everyone for your help! glen e, that sounds like a plan to me. I read for best results it is best to use products from the same manufacturer so they compliment and work best together. So if you don't mind me asking, what is your plan and list of products that you plan on using around BF Crystal Seal or whatever you plan on using? Thanks glen e!

My Motto will be: Clay and Spray:)
 
basicT said:
Thank you again everyone for your help! glen e, that sounds like a plan to me. I read for best results it is best to use products from the same manufacturer so they compliment and work best together. So if you don't mind me asking, what is your plan and list of products that you plan on using around BF Crystal Seal or whatever you plan on using? Thanks glen e!

My Motto will be: Clay and Spray:)
Click to expand...

clay
re wash
BF total polish and seal
BF Crystal seal 2 coats
BF spray diamond polymer


once that is done - then normal washes with blackfire wash and diamond spray

same for ultima

clay
wash
ultima prep
ultima paint guard - 3 coats

then ultima wash and ultima spray...
 
Thank you glen e. Has the jury come in yet on Crystal Clear since it is a new product? If it is good I will get it and the products that compliment it. If it is not so good I will get Ultima. In the mean time I WANT SHINE! So I was thinking since I have the meg's clay kit maybe I'll just wash and apply Ultiimate Quix Wax since I won't need it once I get the new products. Then I'll wash with Dawn and clay before applying the new products. Do you think that will work?
 
Sounds like a plan to me but I really don't think you have much to worry about when it comes to the new product being good.
 
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