The Definitive Sealants Post

A

AudiOn19s

New member
I've been using Zaino on my personal vehicles and overall I'm very happy with it....BUT as everyone here, I'd like to branch out and experiment some with different products now that I'm about out of my current stash of Zaino.



I'd love to see this thread filled up with user reviews of the different Sealants currently on the market...their positives, negatives ect.



Sooo...I'll start. Positives of the Zaino. - durability, mirror like shine, relatively easy to use, no staining of trim,



negatives - price when ZFX is factored in, streaky/difficult to remove at times (humidity related), no depth



I'd love to read reviews of the experts here esp those who have used multiple product lines and can provide insight. Right now the products at the top of my list to consider are:



4* UPP

EX-P

EX

SG

Wolfgang

???



Thanks in advance...I hope this can be a thread where we can all share and learn.
 
Wolfgang -- Slightly warmer appearance closer in resemblance to carnuba but still reflective, very easy on and off. Cons, well you need to preclean, and item really needs the QD to keep durability to sealant standards.



EX-P -- Very nice reflective look after first initial washing, likes all QD's, and can be used in heat of day. Cons, it is very thick and harder to regulate that most sealants. Dusty when not put on in the thinnest of manners.



Klasse -- AIO is a good chemical cleaner and offers reasonable protection. SG is super durable and super reflective. Cons, well SG is super finicky to use and can streak if not properly taken off. Using even well established removal techniques still are frustrating at best.



Zaino -- Super durable and most reflective sealant to date. Cons, include drying time or mixing needs. Also seems to scar easily with birdie doo-doo (etching) and then needs to be removed and reapplied in that area. Slightly plastic look to finish, like saran wrap.



Blackfire -- Nice reflective finish , will durability rating mid pack. Taking it off can be slightly difficult but not as frustrating as SG. This product really likes Sonus QD Spritz for super reflective finish.



NXT -- Well .... if you cannot say anything nice, say nothing at all, correct ??? Car wash soap ain't bad !!
 
Killerwheels...thanks man that's EXACTLY what I'm looking for in reviews. Waiting on some of the 4* UPP reviews to come in before making any decisions BUT I think that EX-P is leading the pack at this point esp because of it's ease of use. I really don't have too many issues with Zaino but the thought of having to spend over $40 for essencially a single bottle of sealant is not that pleasing to me right now (19.99 for ZFX, 12.95 for Z2 then $9 to ship)...not a cheap price tag when you're out of both Z2 and ZFX at the same time.
 
AUdi, Im going through exactly what you are! Out of Zaino and want to try something else, been reading this forum till my brain is about to explode with info!



I "Think" this is what Im going to go for on my Silver car:



1. 4*UPC or FPII (dont know yet)

2. AIO

3. 4*UPPX3

4. 4*UGE



Of course clay it first then follow with Steps 1-4
 
Booyah,



IMO you don't need steps 1 and 2. Use either one but you don't need both. UPC and AIO are both paint cleaners and either one will work great with UPP.
 
Thanks,



I was under the impression that UPC was more of a swirl/small defect cleaner than AIO? The I was going to use AIO as a chemical cleaner to get anything else left behind, as well as a nice base coat for the UPP to be applied too.
 
Haven't tried the EX or the Wolfgang, but here's my $0.02 on the Klasse twins and UPP:



Between KSG and UPP I like UPP much better. I still use KSG on the minivan for its durability, but on our other cars I like the look of other products better, at least on *our* cars. Though, FWIW, I find KSG very easy to work with. And it certainly does last a very long time (13 months so far).



Hard to describe why I don't like the look of the K twins better, but on silver paint it just doesn't do it for me. With two identical Audis to use for comparisons, I *always* like the look of my other LSPs better :nixweiss:



BF and UPP look similar, slightly darker than some other LSPs. Very carnauba-like, with decent depth, even on silver. The UPP is easier to use (*IMO*, Patrick will go the other way) and is slicker. The slickness seems to last quite a while and makes marring-free washing much easier.



When it comes to sealants, UPP over 1Z polishes is the combo *I* am happiest with.
 
Booyah said:
Thanks,



I was under the impression that UPC was more of a swirl/small defect cleaner than AIO? The I was going to use AIO as a chemical cleaner to get anything else left behind, as well as a nice base coat for the UPP to be applied too.
Click to expand...



AIO would leave a nice base coat to apply UPP to, but UP is made to be used with UPP. If you went with FP II than AIO than UPP, or FP II than UPC than UPP, both combos would give you nice results. IMO using Both UPC and AIO wouldn't benefit you. It won't hurt though and many people like to go over board on a detail.
 
What accumulator said about AIO, SG, and UPP.



I previously was a die-hard AIO/Sg fan. Both cars had the combo, with the dark blue Lexus getting a Souveran topper.



Then I fought the SG oily swirls. For a season. Gave up on it.



Tried UPP over AIO, the look is almost as good as the AIO/SG/Souveran combination. If you use the UGE to QD with, I think it's as good or better.



Can't comment on the others as I haven't tried them.



blue skies,

Andrew
 
SO it looks like I only need one or the other UPC or the AIO before my 4*UPP



Of the 2 cleaner/polishers what would be the better choice?



AIO is "Klasse" right??
 
I haven't had the opportunity (or money) to try a lot of the high end sealants, but I do have a lot of experience with a few.



Blackfire - My current favorite on most anything. Very reflective, good depth, extremely slick after finishing, not hard to remove if applied correctly, brings out metallics relatively well, and I would rate the durability to be above average - at least several months. Cons=mega dust magnet, can streak if applied incorrectly or in certain weather.

Blackfire is my current favorite on white because of the reflectivity. Get a couple of layers on, and it's amazing. I don't know how many I've got on my white Taurus, but it looks better than it ever has and really stands out. I don't really know how to describe it - it's super reflective, catches the light well, and just looks really bright white. I'll definitely be ordering more.



Klasse - Finally ordered some but have only tried it on wheels. It does add a nice sheen to wheels.



NXT - Good depth and reflection, great as a one step or as a single step over a previously prepped finish after a wash. Looks especially good on dark colors, but doesn't do much for white in my experience.
 
hook said:
What accumulator said about AIO, SG, and UPP.



I previously was a die-hard AIO/Sg fan. Both cars had the combo, with the dark blue Lexus getting a Souveran topper.



Then I fought the SG oily swirls. For a season. Gave up on it.



Tried UPP over AIO, the look is almost as good as the AIO/SG/Souveran combination. If you use the UGE to QD with, I think it's as good or better.



Can't comment on the others as I haven't tried them.



blue skies,

Andrew
Click to expand...



Andrew,



I know the oily swirls you are speaking of. I encountered them as well. I attributed them to my removal process. I used to use a QD or water to remove the SG after leaving it on the surface for an hour. After hearing what Ron K. had to say (sealants should not be exposed to moisutre for at least 24 hours to esure proper curing) I decided to apply and remove SG using a wipe on/ wipe off immediately technique. It works like a charm. No more oily swilrs.



I'm assuming that you still remove SG using water/QD as per the way Tim was doing it back in the day. Am I correct? If so, try the new method (I call it WOO). I find it to be pretty easy. Makes SG much better to use.
 
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