Is a sealant even necessary?

palomino

palomino

just like cellophane
I wash my car at least once a week, and I like to think I take pretty good care of it. I polish it with my porter cable 2 or 3 times a year top it with Poorboy's EX-P, and use a carnauba wax by hand on it every 2 or 3 weeks. I live in L. A., so even though the car lives outside, its not exposed to any harsh weather - unless you count the sun.

Im always careful to remove birdcraps ASAP and all that. I was thinking... Do I even need to use a sealant?

Is it interfering with the carnauba at all? What I mean by this I suppose is... Would the carnauba look better if it was applied directly onto the paint, as opposed to on top of the sealant? Does it even matter? Would I even notice? As more experienced detailers, do any of you ever notice a difference in appearance when you do or do not use a sealant?

Thanks, guys. Once I get this figured I could possibly move on to something else to daydream about in class. :(
 
If you are waxing monthly or better, you probably don't need a sealant. If your paint is well prepped already, I don't see much difference between EX-P or a wax--it will just enhance your prep work.
 
Having lived in LA for a while, I can tell you that if you have the time, go the extra step. Even though you don't deal with the winter mess we do, you have to deal with SMOG :eek: That stuff is pretty nasty to people let alone car finishes, especially if you park outdoors and it settles on the finish over night.;)
 
Sealants very often offer appearance benefits that waxes can't provide. I've never seen a wax do to my car what certian sealants will do. Also, for the sake of protection I would trust a sealant as an effective UV blocker rather than a carnauba any day. If you live in a very harsh climate then you will certainly benefit from the durability and protection of a sealant. Waxes are very much a 'yesterday' technology and are only really good for beauty. I have an article kicking around here somewhere on waxes versus sealants. I have it here on my site too in case I haven't cut and pasted it here yet. Anyway, it is just one man's opinion and feelings about the differences if you are interested.
 
The decision between wax or sealant was one I kicked around for quite some time.
In fact, I used a sealant on one vehicle and a carnauba on another for a year.
There really wasn't any visible difference to me. Both looked good.
I finally decided to go with a sealant because of the supposed UV protection.
The cost is insignificant regardless of the sealant you use. Obviously, you could go what I consider to be "overboard" on high end waxes so that cost might not be insignificant. :)
Considering that sealants are thought to provide increased protection, it just seemed like the logical way to go. I still apply a LSP every 4 to 6 weeks so I have no real idea on durability.

Charles
 
From what I've seen in the real world, waxes protect better against bird droppings and saps, sealants do better with general air polution and UV.
I say use both and get all the protection you can :)
 
Poorboy said:
From what I've seen in the real world, waxes protect better against bird droppings and saps, sealants do better with general air polution and UV.
I say use both and get all the protection you can :)
Click to expand...

I concur more has to be better!!!!:D
 
good ideas, guys.

i guess ill try it a few times without a sealant, ill see that i cant really tell the difference, and go back to using a sealant because the protection is better... just like pretty much all of you said. :rofl
 
palomino said:
good ideas, guys.

i guess ill try it a few times without a sealant, ill see that i cant really tell the difference, and go back to using a sealant because the protection is better... just like pretty much all of you said. :rofl
Click to expand...
Actually, I think it's pretty much up in the air as to which was more popular in this thread, same as everywhere else.
As far as protection, I personally think you will be OK with either a sealant or a wax if you use it regularly.
I do think you are on the right track. Try them and use what you like.
As some have said, that might be a combination of both.

Charles
 
Poorboy said:
Having lived in LA for a while, I can tell you that if you have the time, go the extra step. Even though you don't deal with the winter mess we do, you have to deal with SMOG :eek: That stuff is pretty nasty to people let alone car finishes, especially if you park outdoors and it settles on the finish over night.;)
Click to expand...
No kidding. I detailed my dad's fiancee's Nissan Quest and it felt like sandpaper! :passout: It's an 02 and had never seen wax. I've never seen paint so rough before.

If I lived in LA, I'd layer my sealant before a carnauba. That smog can't be good for the finish
 
For me, a sealant regularly topped with wax works best. I've found it's a lot easier to maintain a good finish if the base is where it needs to be.
 
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