I've been using Wolfgang Deep Gloss Sealant 3.0 as a wax and to protect my paint. I would like a little more shine out of the paint. Can I apply a carnauba wax on top of the synthetic sealant? Once carnauba is applied, can I then go back to sealant? I'd like to switch between the two to keep my paint both shiny and protected - but don't want to get a crazy build up of wax.
Can I use carnauba wax on top of a synthetic sealant?
- Thread starter AdamJ
- Start date
Rob Tomlin
Lotus Exige S
AdamJ said:
No, you can't keep going back and forth between the two as you will have bonding issues with the sealant over the carnauba.
You would need to remove the carnauba before re-applying the sealant.
I seem to wax my car about every 6-8 weeks. I already have 4 or 5 layers of the Wolfgang sealant. Should I use carnauba from here on out? My car is brand new so I want to keep the paint protected from the elements while maintaining an excellent shine.
Any recommendations for a good carnauba that I can apply by hand? P21S Concours Carnauba Wax looks pretty good.
Any recommendations for a good carnauba that I can apply by hand? P21S Concours Carnauba Wax looks pretty good.
Rob Tomlin
Lotus Exige S
Yes, you can continue to use a carnauba from here on out.
Adam, do you like the gloss and look that the Wolfgang sealant gives you? If you do, then stick with it. It will give you better durability than any carnauba that you put on it (excepting the Collinites), and as others have noted, once you start topping the car with a carnauba, you are pretty much stuck with carnauba waxes until such time as you clean or polish the paint. Of course, we all love to try different products and combinations of products, trying to find that "perfect" look.
There are lots of good carnauba waxes out there for you to try. Everyone has their favorites. You really can't go wrong. Here's a list of "best" waxes and sealants that I pulled together. How much money do you want to spend? More expensive does not necessarily mean glossier or wetter or whatever when it comes to waxes; on the other hand, I can't deny that I get a psychological boost from applying an expensive wax to my special car. It's hard to explain. Does my car actually look better when dressed in Souveran rather than Harly Wax? I'm not sure. Sometimes I think it does, but sometimes I think I'm just fooling myself. There's only one way to find out--try out a couple of waxes and see for yourself.
But more important than finding the "perfect" wax is adopting good washing techniques using high quality towels and mitts. At the very least you will want to use the two-bucket method with grit guards.
Have fun and good luck!
There are lots of good carnauba waxes out there for you to try. Everyone has their favorites. You really can't go wrong. Here's a list of "best" waxes and sealants that I pulled together. How much money do you want to spend? More expensive does not necessarily mean glossier or wetter or whatever when it comes to waxes; on the other hand, I can't deny that I get a psychological boost from applying an expensive wax to my special car. It's hard to explain. Does my car actually look better when dressed in Souveran rather than Harly Wax? I'm not sure. Sometimes I think it does, but sometimes I think I'm just fooling myself. There's only one way to find out--try out a couple of waxes and see for yourself.
But more important than finding the "perfect" wax is adopting good washing techniques using high quality towels and mitts. At the very least you will want to use the two-bucket method with grit guards.
Have fun and good luck!
Accumulator
Well-known member
AdamJ said:
I don't top my sealants as it prevents me from adding more.
I wouldn't expect a wax topper to boost the shine any...maybe things need cleaned/polished/something instead.
Gee, this reply sounds kinda negative, don't mean to be a drag
Do you generally *like* the Wolfgang sealant? I'm wondering what you'd like to improve.
Accumulator said:I don't top my sealants as it prevents me from adding more.
I wouldn't expect a wax topper to boost the shine any...maybe things need cleaned/polished/something instead.
Gee, this reply sounds kinda negative, don't mean to be a drag
Do you generally *like* the Wolfgang sealant? I'm wondering what you'd like to improve.
I hear ya, this is the only issue I have with topping my sealant with carnauba. I like Wolfgang but want that wet glossy look.
I'm definitely willing to fore go the sealant topper if you have any tips worth trying!
Accumulator
Well-known member
AdamJ said:I hear ya, this is the only issue I have with topping my sealant with carnauba. I like Wolfgang but want that wet glossy look.
I'm definitely willing to fore go the sealant topper if you have any tips worth trying!
Oh jeeze you won't like the sound of this :grinno: but OK, you asked for it....
Give the car a good polishing, with a final burnish of something like Menzerna PO85RD.
Seriously. I've sometimes thought my LSP was the "problem" (scare-quotes intentional as nobody else woulda thought about it), but whenever I've gotten the prep right, even Collinite wax has looked *super*.
I bet that Wolfgang can look at least as good as the BF and UPP I've used, that wet, glossy look that's actually blinding in bright sunlight. It really is all in the prep.
So, I'd give it a quick polishing and then just redo it with fresh Wolfgang.
Who knows, maybe you just need to do a super-gentle claying and redo the Wolfgang after that. Sometimes stuff builds up so incrementally that you don't notice anything until one day "hey, I bet this could look better...".
But here, consider this- maybe add a coat of DWG, everybody raves about that stuff and maybe it'll give you just enough of a boost that it'll make all the difference. It's compatible with everything, so no worries with the Wolfgang.
I can't help but think that adding a wax would actually *mute* things just a little bit, the exact opposite of what I think you're after.
Accumulator
Well-known member
AdamJ said:
I dunno, never used the stuff. But generally anything that works by PC/etc. will work by hand too (and vice-versa if you have the time and energy).
Scottwax said:
Yeah, same here :xyxthumbs Determine what LSP is best for the application and then reapply as needed.
Accumulator said:
As Mike Phillips says "find something you like and use it often".
I use mostly Opti-Seal and Carnauba Moose on customer's cars but OCW on my own, just because on my particular color, it looks absolutely amazing. 10 years ago, I would never have thought I'd be using a spray wax on my own car.
Rob Tomlin
Lotus Exige S
Scottwax said:As Mike Phillips says "find something you like and use it often".
I use mostly Opti-Seal and Carnauba Moose on customer's cars but OCW on my own, just because on my particular color, it looks absolutely amazing. 10 years ago, I would never have thought I'd be using a spray wax on my own car.
Yep, OCW is definitely something special!
Scottwax said:As Mike Phillips says "find something you like and use it often".
I use mostly Opti-Seal and Carnauba Moose on customer's cars but OCW on my own, just because on my particular color, it looks absolutely amazing. 10 years ago, I would never have thought I'd be using a spray wax on my own car.
You top Opit-seal with CMW?