1) What is sealant? 2) What is "cleaner" wax?

[dlux200sx]

I hope you guys can answer a few quick questions for me before I pursue my 2-day car detailing project, since I haven't cleaned my car for like 1/2 a year.l

1) I have Meguire's Step 1 Paint Cleaner and Step 2 Polish. Do either of these act as a "sealant" to protect the paint, prior to waxing? If not, I just went to kragans and autozone, and couldn't find any products which act as a "paint sealant."

2) wtf is cleaner wax? I thought wax is supposed to shine, not remove oxidation. I thought that's what step 1 paint cleaner is for, right? Why is kragan's and autozone lined with dozens of "cleaner waxes?" What are they for?

3) If I decide to use a carnauba wax AND a synthetic NXT wax, which should I apply first?

Thanks guys.

[I Vtec, do you?]

I don't beleive either of those steps are protectants, I'm pretty sure you're missing the Step 3 that does it.

I'm not 100% sure, but going off the name, I'm pretty sure cleaner wax is something you use after you wash to give the car a nice cleaning AND offer some sort of wax protection.

You always apply the sealant before the carnuba wax. However, check to make sure the NXT is a sealant and not a wax. There's a difference.

[asndragonboii]

Originally Posted by dlux200sx

I hope you guys can answer a few quick questions for me before I pursue my 2-day car detailing project, since I haven't cleaned my car for like 1/2 a year.l

1) I have Meguire's Step 1 Paint Cleaner and Step 2 Polish. Do either of these act as a "sealant" to protect the paint, prior to waxing? If not, I just went to kragans and autozone, and couldn't find any products which act as a "paint sealant."

2) wtf is cleaner wax? I thought wax is supposed to shine, not remove oxidation. I thought that's what step 1 paint cleaner is for, right? Why is kragan's and autozone lined with dozens of "cleaner waxes?" What are they for?

3) If I decide to use a carnauba wax AND a synthetic NXT wax, which should I apply first?

Thanks guys.

1) Step 1 and 2 do not protect. Step 1 is a cleaner. I think in the detailing community, CLEANING means to remove swirls and stuff like that. It doesnt remove heavy swirls. Step 2 is the polish which makes the paint shine and adds gloss. STEP 3 is the wax that protects.

[newsiguy]

yea i just did the Mequire's three step process this past weekend. I don't beleive my car was ever really waxed properly. I am really pleased with the results! def worth the time two thumbs up for the 3 step process. PS I'm a detailing/waxing noob

[NitrousG35]

A sealant uses synthetic polymers to give better protection from contaminants and the sun and lasts 6 months or more. Synthetic sealants will not melt, wash away or wear away. They have the durability that no carnauba wax can give.

A cleaner wax has mild abrasives in it. This is good for paint that is oxidized or heavily swirled or has light scratches in it. On a new car, or paint that is in excellent condition, a cleaner wax is not a great idea. You can buy dedicated waxes for clear coats that contain no abrasives.

You always apply sealant first and wax second. Waxing over a sealant gives greater depth, shine and gloss as well as that "wet look".

I did a thread for everyone to address these issues:
Mother of all detailing threads...Warning 56K!

[dlux200sx]

Thanks for the replies guys. Like many of you I have the Meguire's 3 Step process, but I don't think any of these steps contains a sealant onto the paint. This is my current process:

1. Wash with shampoo, tiny bit of dishwasher to remove old wax.
2. Clay bar
3. Step 1 paint cleaner
4. Step 2 Polish
5. Sealant
6. Wax

I went to 2 Kragans and 1 Autozone, and no one seems to have any type of sealant! Are they that hard to find? I guess they aren't classified as a "standard" detailing product?

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by dlux200sx

Thanks for the replies guys. Like many of you I have the Meguire's 3 Step process, but I don't think any of these steps contains a sealant onto the paint. This is my current process:

1. Wash with shampoo, tiny bit of dishwasher to remove old wax.
2. Clay bar
3. Step 1 paint cleaner
4. Step 2 Polish
5. Sealant
6. Wax

I went to 2 Kragans and 1 Autozone, and no one seems to have any type of sealant! Are they that hard to find? I guess they aren't classified as a "standard" detailing product?

First of all, all your steps are in the correct order. For my part, I would not use dishwashing soap as the claybar should take care of any old wax. Dishwashing soap is designed to wash dishes and can be quite hard on paint.

As for sealants, you will have to buy them online. Wolfgang, Jet Seal and Natty's EXP are three good ones.

Auto Detailing Resin Paint Sealant/Protectant JetSeal 109

Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant delivers a deep, wet, liquid shimmer unlike anything you can imagine.

Paint Sealants like Klasse, Wolfang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant

[dlux200sx]

Wow those are pricey compared to cleaners, polishers, and waxes. it sux that no local retail stores seem to carry sealants, because I'm gonna start washing tomorrow, and would like to have it tomorrow. Do "regular" people not use sealants or something?

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by dlux200sx

Wow those are pricey compared to cleaners, polishers, and waxes. it sux that no local retail stores seem to carry sealants, because I'm gonna start washing tomorrow, and would like to have it tomorrow. Do "regular" people not use sealants or something?

I would go to NAPA, AutoZone, PepBoys or the like and see if you can find some Meguiar's #20 Polymer Sealant. Price is right and many Meguiar's products are available commercially in stores.

Meguiar’s No. 20 Poly Sealant