sealant cure times?

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imported_NHBFAN

New member
I've been seeing a lots of threads with people using combos of topping sealants with carnubas in the same day. Particuarly EX + S100 and #20 and #16.



I was under the impression that ALL sealants required 24 hour cure time, if this isn't true ... which sealants can you top in the same day?
 
None that I know of. The people who are topping right away really shouldn't IMHO. But then I've said this all before. If I were you I'd wait prior to topping, regardless of what sealant you use.



JMHO,



Bill.
 
BillNorth is right, of course, but sometimes there just isn't time to wait. Sometimes you have to get a car back to its owner, so if you're gonna top it, you just have to do it. I've had no discernable problems putting #16 or Collinite over Autoglym's SRP without a proper curing period. Not saying it's the best way to go, but it seems to work OK.
 
Accumulator,



I wasn't making reference specifically to the pros. I know you guys are under tight deadlines. It was directed more towards enthusiasts who detail their own cars. People who have the luxury of time to wait a few days between coats/toppers, but are just too impatient.



Bill :) .
 
BillNorth- Yeah, I know, and, heh heh, I'm not a pro. Actually, I was thinking about when I do cars for friends, but I guess that's sorta like what the pros are dealing with.



I'm with you on the need to NOT rush things if you can help it. Impatience and good detailing are sorta mutually exclusive. Hey, *I* am one of those guys who still lets (some) stuff set up overnight before buffing it off :o ;)
 
So if I have my detailer do both a polymer sealant and wax, he shouldn't be able to do both in an 8 hour day???
 
Gekko- Generally (and strictly) speaking, yeah, that's right. But whether or not you'd REALLY notice a difference, :nixweiss
 
My best guess is if you're using a wax as a topper that has little or no "cleaning ability" you're probably not compromising the sealant too much ... but again, this is just my guess.
 
From all the reading I have done in here to me when using a sealant the best overall results encompassing durability/gloss the sealant shouldn't be exposed to anything for at least the first 24 hours. This includes QD's, washing, rain ect.. all could effect the curing.



Also spritzing the applicator with a QD spray to prime it logicaly can have an effect on the sealants performance as your now adding something foriegn to the sealant formula thus altering it.



I feel doing this will degrade the sealant for the first small area of application. I just pre moisten the applicator with the product. I know Zaino says to do this but then your using *thier* matching product.
 
I feel strongly that sealants need to cure.

Black just looks 'deeper' the following day.

I just did a Black 90 BMW M3. 1 coat of AIO, followed with 2 coats SG, and a Souveran topper. 3 days with good air flow.



It'll last.



Jim
 
jimamary,



I know allowing 24 hours cure time is optimal, but as Accumulator mentioned sometimes you don't have the vehicle long enough.



Soooooooo ... if you have a 1 day detail does that automatically eliminate the option of sealant + carnuba? Or, is topping a sealant prematurely a better option than pure carnuba alone.



My guess is the latter option.
 
Which sealant lends itself best to being topped prematurely?



In other words, which sealant is least compromised by topping prior to fully curing? Also, which sealant(s) are poor choices for topping in the same session?
 
I prefer to wait 24 hours, but if a customer insists, I will do it...but I do let them know it is best to wait 24 hours.
 
NHBFAN said:
I've been seeing a lots of threads with people using combos of topping sealants with carnubas in the same day. Particuarly EX + S100 and #20 and #16.



I was under the impression that ALL sealants required 24 hour cure time, if this isn't true ... which sealants can you top in the same day?
Click to expand...



This is a case when you want to know what the product is. There are plenty of products online marketed as a "sealant," but are no more synthetic than a carnauba wax. Such products do not crosslink and change, and thus do not require a 'curing' time. Traditional sealants like SG do require 24 hours. Newer, more advanced products like Zaino, when enhanced with their ZFX flash-cure additive, cure immediately.
 
I don't know, this is my only car I have that I detail. It is hard to just leave it sitting for 24 hours, especially since I am not off from work for 2 days in a row, ever. The most I have let it sit was for 12 hours to let it cure. Anymore than that, I have to drive the car, and I really don't want to wax after a drive. Guess I could QD the whole car again, then put on the topper wax, just never really tried that. Does that work??
 
If one subscribes to the notion that SG needs to cure for any significant length of time does that not then preclude them from using the wipe on / wipe off method?
 
RJJ said:
If one subscribes to the notion that SG needs to cure for any significant length of time does that not then preclude them from using the wipe on / wipe off method?
Click to expand...



You might be confusing drying time and curing time .. 2 different things.
 
Deep_Freeze said:
.. I have to drive the car, and I really don't want to wax after a drive. Guess I could QD the whole car again, then put on the topper wax, just never really tried that. Does that work??
Click to expand...



Oh man, *I* sure wouldn't try that. Just too risky. But then I'm too paranoid to QD cars after I drive them anyhow (let alone a black one). If the car's dirty, I wash it. The less touching the paint the better, at least unless it's wet with car wash solution.



In your case, I'd just pick a different product, or seal one wash, top the next. The SRP/#16 combo would work well for that, as would #20/[some wax]. Or just use AIO/SG then add more SG next wash. See, you actually have a number of options.



RJJ- Yeah, it appears that the SG bonds with the paint almost instantly, you're just wiping off excess. But it seems this bond can be disrupted if you reapply/top too soon. It's sticking to the paint, but it's still "curing".
 
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