What's synthetic sealant?

[icen]

I was browsing meguiars's site and found some synthetic sealant.

What exactly is it ?
Is it a wax replacement?

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by icen

I was browsing meguiars's site and found some synthetic sealant.

What exactly is it ?
Is it a wax replacement?

No, it is a protective coating that uses polymer technology to give a longer lasting and a more durable finish to paint. I use a selant in addition to a wax to give the best protection and shine to my paint.

Here is an article by Detailing University: Polymers in sealants - Detail University - Auto Detailing Forum

[icen]

thanks for reply !!


so i guess, if i'm going to apply both, I should apply the sealant first, since it's longer lasting.
then apply the wax on top of it ?

Also, is it applied as if it's wax? any trick when applying the paint sealant?
thanks

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by icen

thanks for reply !!


so i guess, if i'm going to apply both, I should apply the sealant first, since it's longer lasting.
then apply the wax on top of it ?

Also, is it applied as if it's wax? any trick when applying the paint sealant?
thanks

Right. Apply before waxing. You put it on and take it off the same as wax.

[I Vtec, do you?]

You can totally skip the waxing step with carnuba waxes if you wish (as long as you use the sealant), but you'll miss out on a bit of shine.

[icen]

umm, so from what you guys are saying, the sealant is for protection only, not for shine.
Wax is for shine. But doesn't' wax provide some sort of protection as well?

How long usually does the sealant last for? I heard from dealership that sealants lasts for years... but I might have been misinformed, because he's trying to sell me the sealants.

[I Vtec, do you?]

Depends on the sealant. I'd say 4-6 months is about as long as I'd wait before reapplying. I plan on doing mine every 4 months (three times a year). The wax's do provide protection, but not for a very long time. The sealant will also give a shine, but not like a carnuba wax will.

[icen]

I see, so the differences between wax and sealant is just a trade off between durability and level of shininess.

This is very clear to me now
Thank you very much guys.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by icen

umm, so from what you guys are saying, the sealant is for protection only, not for shine.
Wax is for shine. But doesn't' wax provide some sort of protection as well?

How long usually does the sealant last for? I heard from dealership that sealants lasts for years... but I might have been misinformed, because he's trying to sell me the sealants.

Rasky pointed out the fallacies of dealerships making claims for sealants lasting for years. One Infiniti dealership charges $499 for Wolfgang paint sealant which can be bought for around $30 and done by yourself.

I use Jet Seal for long lasting durability. It is the best out there and is used in the airline industry. A good sealant will give a nice shine, but not on a level that carnauba wax does. I would seal and wax to get the protection and shine you want.