Sealing customer's cars

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onemeanmachine

New member
I've done a few searches and have yet to find the answer I'm looking for, so I'll try to explain it and see if anyone can offer some input? For those mobile detailers out there, how do you (if you do) apply coats of sealant to a customer's car?...What I mean by this is...Since most people apply sealers in layers with 24 hours between coats and then add a wax for the extra depth and such, how do you go about getting the best shine and depth out of a customers car with layers of product if you're only there for one day? Does that make sense? I'm curious because when we detail our own cars we spend days adding layers to get the perfect look and/or the maximum protection, but on customer's cars we often don't have the luxory of coming back day after day to do this.

At the moment my regimen usually consists of giving two even coats of either wax or sealant to make sure I don't miss any spots, and then leave it be, but I'm just wondering about those customers who are like me and want the best possible look and protection from the product.
 
You can go back the next day, QD, and seal.
There is a place in my town that does two quick applications of sealant one right after the other. To me, that is just short of a waste of time. If I do two applications, I keep the car overnight, and add the second one before they pick it up the next day.
 
That's along the lines of what I was thinking. I just haven't been sure how customer's would respond to my having to come back a second day to basically finish the job, in a sense. I suppose if they are paying to have the sealant done though and it's explained to them that in order for maximum protection a second application is best that they would understand. The only customers I've had want the sealant have been people I've known and could always come back and do extra work to later. Thanks for the input.
 
Most of the time I'm using sealant instaed of wax anyway . Its an upsell item for me but I like sealants soo much more that I hardly use wax even for a wash n wax.

So I will either apply by hand or PC . I let some of my more appreciative clients know that I'll come back next week and apply a 2 coat with a free wash . That usually works for them .

For the customers that think waxing every six months is ok , I apply a good thick coat and leave it at that..

You kinda got to feel your way around with the customers .
 
Why not just use Zaino with the ZFX flash cure. That way you can put up to 3 layers of sealant on in one day. No waiting 24hrs to cure, that is the beauty of Zaino.
 
You could have the customer "contracted" for maintenence "wash and waxes" where you could apply an additional coat of LSP each time, so the customer always has a good looking car, and you could gradually bring the paint to the level you would like it to be, but don't have the time to make it so in one day.
That "reverse sell" of a free wash when you buy a sealant Hawaiianelement mentioned is a good angle!
For the customers that think waxing every six months is ok , I apply a good thick coat and leave it at that..
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No buffing/removal? Just apply and walk away? I guess that would be an easy way to see when the wax has worn off! :-p
 
You could also use Collinite Insulator Wax and call it a sealant because of its durability, and you can layer it immediately because it doesn't need to cure
 
Sherman8r44 said:
You could also use Collinite Insulator Wax and call it a sealant because of its durability, and you can layer it immediately because it doesn't need to cure
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Do you use this wax ? I haven't seen it before, but then again I've been too busy cleaning cars .. :drunk: lol...

I was off the boards for about 6 months so I need to catch up with you guys
 
CIW has been around for a long time, probably longer than I've been alive. It's not hugely popular but it's very durable and can be had locally for about $10. It's original use was to coat electrical wires to prevent arc-over (this shows you both the oldness of the formula and the durability, this stuff is pre-insulation).
 
It wouldn't be very ethical to wax a customers car and then charge him for a sealant but I guess there are some people out there who operate that way.
 
A lot depends on the kind of car. A car with restored or deteriorated paint is never going to have the depth that a car with a cared for and respected finish will have. Sure, a dozen layers may get you close, but if you are talking customers, no even. If you do the upsell to the Sealant they will still get a nice shine--at least from the sealants I use. I doesn't have all the depth of the Carnauba, but most cars it won't make a huge diff.
 
pogo123 said:
It wouldn't be very ethical to wax a customers car and then charge him for a sealant but I guess there are some people out there who operate that way.
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Insulator Wax isn't really classified as a wax or a sealant, it doesn't seem to have any natural wax in it (if you've smelled it you know what I'm talking about), and it lasts as long as any sealant out there. If it looks like a sealant and lasts like a sealant than who's to say it's not one?
 
Insulator wax is a wax, that's why they call it wax. It is not a synthetic, an amino functional resin, or a polymer (which true sealants are). If it were then that's what they would call it.
 
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