Long Lasting Wax/ Sealant

[ocinsomniac]

Best stuff I've ever put on a car....lots of elbow grease but it's worth it...make sure you take some tugs of JD Old No 7 while you're doing it....deep deep shine....

(drunk) (iagree).......And the more JD you put down, and the more Z layers you put on, the shine just keeps getting deeper and deeper. (piss) .......A great way to spend an enjoyable afternoon!

 

[Tccox]

I had my detailer put Cquartz UK on my new CX-5. Very happy with it so far. He did my previous car, a BMW 228 with Opticoat. Two years after application it was still shedding water like you wouldn't believe. Hardly had to dry the car after washing it. These coatings are expensive but IMHO well worth it.

 

[dblgoat]

If you're looking for a typical wax/sealant that you can apply yourself you might want to take a look at Finish Kare 1000p. It's an old school paste, doesn't cost much, a little elbow grease to apply, but it offers protection that behaves like a coating. For best results put it on very, very thin--wait for it to haze then buff off. Wait 48 hours then apply a second coat. Should last a year and the self cleaning properties are amazing. It protects against bird bombs and smashed bug etching extremely well--I've had bird bombs that I couldn't get to for 3-4 days come off in a snap with a spray of QD and leave no etching.

I used Zaino for years and was never happy with the lack of protection from bird bomb etching.

 

[JonW]

Www.duragloss.com - try their 105 Total Protection Polish on top of their 201 Pre-Bonding Agent. Easy to use, looks great, lasts a long time, and reasonably priced.

 

[davesxx01]

I had my detailer put Cquartz UK on my new CX-5. Very happy with it so far. He did my previous car, a BMW 228 with Opticoat. Two years after application it was still shedding water like you wouldn't believe. Hardly had to dry the car after washing it. These coatings are expensive but IMHO well worth it.

Thought about going with the UK version as I'm from Wisconsin but decided to go with the standard version.

 

[holyninja3]

So I have been doing research and have figured out I definitely want a "coating". Looking at products like Opticoat, CQuartz, Miglior Strata, Pinnacle Black Label Diamond, ect. I think I have also decided I want to finish it with GTechniq EXO, it seems to be superior at repelling water and other contaminates, although not quite as durable/ scratch resistant.

I have found a number of older forum posts about OC 2, and that it (atleast was) probably the most durable. A number of products have come out since then, and even OC 2 has changed to Optimum Gloss Coat now. Does anyone know how it compares? I am sort of leaning toward this with the EXO on top, or Gtechniq C1 with Exo on top, but this combination I have heard there were some problems with a couple years back (found nothing recent though...). Or are all of these likely to be almost identical in terms of durability and should I just apply the cheapest?

 

[roccoism]

I applied the Optimum glass coat when I first got my car a year and 4 months ago, I occasionally use the Optimum instant detailer and gloss enhancer after washes. I live in Boston so it's been through extreme cold, heat and salt. Awesome product!! Rain beads right off the car. I'll re-apply the opti-coat this summer. The hardest part is remembering what part of the car you've done and how much to apply.

 

[mriber]

Gtechnic just released a consumer version of their former proffesional Crystal Serum Light. If applied properly (and ofcourse maintained) it should last 5 years.
http://gtechniq.com/products/auto/protect/exterior/paint/crystal-serum-light

And topped with their EXO it should be a really nice combo.

 

[bmninada]

So I have been doing research and have figured out I definitely want a "coating". Looking at products like Opticoat, CQuartz, Miglior Strata, Pinnacle Black Label Diamond, ect. I think I have also decided I want to finish it with GTechniq EXO, it seems to be superior at repelling water and other contaminates, although not quite as durable/ scratch resistant.

I have found a number of older forum posts about OC 2, and that it (atleast was) probably the most durable. A number of products have come out since then, and even OC 2 has changed to Optimum Gloss Coat now. Does anyone know how it compares? I am sort of leaning toward this with the EXO on top, or Gtechniq C1 with Exo on top, but this combination I have heard there were some problems with a couple years back (found nothing recent though...). Or are all of these likely to be almost identical in terms of durability and should I just apply the cheapest?

OC2 and CQuartz are good if you buy their professional grade, dealer only product. But the cheapest I found was $700 and that too without paint correction. A consumer grade version will run you max $200 and if you buy an EASY TO APPLY one then that's like almost 4 applications for the price! Effectively, NONE of the professional grade ones offers more than 5 year warranty. But going the consumer grade route, I get 8 years protection for the price! It was a no-brainier for me.

I found a detailer, reputed and asked him to polish and remove the swirl marks. Do NOT wax. He charged me $60. Drove back home, did a IPA wash and then applied my Miglior Strata ($70). Total cost: $130. Protection: 18 months. Boom - done.

 

[holyninja3]

I ended up getting Optimum Gloss Coat, and GTechniq EXO to apply over it.

Exactly how picky are the coatings for curing conditions? I know they all say to not let them get wet for 24 hours after applying, and most say to keep the car inside a garage or something, even going as far as saying do not drive it. I do not have a garage I can use to apply or keep the car in while it cures, so it will have to be in the driveway or on the street, and I will shade it when applying. Going to make sure it will not rain of course, and will turn off sprinklers. Should this be ok?