Questions about sealant choice

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

I used Jescar Powerlock for my base lsp and used the beadmaker as a drying aid/topper when drying my weekly washes but now I am looking at switching to opti seal to replace the powerlock.

The reason is, while I like powerlock protection, it's just a pain to apply and pretty much impossible to apply in winter season for me. But with opti seal it I can see it being able to re-apply in the winter months on some days that hit above freezing using a ONR wash. While powerlock isn't really something I wanna do in cold temps and I think opti seal will apply much better, and well quicker.


TL;DR: Is using opti seal as a base LSP good or it's more like a "topper" like beadmaker. I read all sorts of durability on the opti seal, from 2 months to 6 months so I don't know what's true and what isn't.

[FUNX650]

Opti-Seal is a genuine last-step-product (LSP)...
{ie: ”using opti seal as a base LSP is good”}

:xyxthumbs:


Bob

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Opti-Seal is a genuine last-step-product (LSP)...
{ie: ”using opti seal as a base LSP is good”}

:xyxthumbs:


Bob

Any experience with it's durability?

[briarpatch]

I've been very happy with Wolfgang SIO2 Sealant.....easy on/easy off.....have applied it in a pretty cold garage in February before with no issues. I top it with their SIO2 spray....have gotten over 4 months out of it....on some cars....as long as 6 months

[FUNX650]

Any experience with it's durability?

I sure do.

Keep in mind that the factors, that determine
LSPs’ durability on my vehicles, will not only
vary from vehicle to vehicle; but there’s a high
probability that they will also vary from the
factors that determine the durability on yours.

(It’s comparable to my asking about your
experience with the durability of Powerlock.)


•As such:
-I know it often becomes vexatious to not be
able to find out any given LSP’s actual amount
of durability.
-I know that saying: “Too many factors” seems
such a cop-out.
-I also know that it’s not currently within my
wherewithal to say otherwise.


•TL; DR:
IMO...
-It all boils down to your experience with
an LSP, that then becomes your benchmark.
-Any other is merely a guideline.


Bob

[Desertnate]

Just so you're aware; many LSP's are very difficult to apply in colder weather. Each one has its own issues in the cold and which leaves me to abandon all detailing other than washing from around this time of year until some time in March when things warm up again.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

I've been very happy with Wolfgang SIO2 Sealant.....easy on/easy off.....have applied it in a pretty cold garage in February before with no issues. I top it with their SIO2 spray....have gotten over 4 months out of it....on some cars....as long as 6 months

Honestly I want nothing to do with SIO2 products as I've read it will make your towels useless over time (they won't absorb).

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Just so you're aware; many LSP's are very difficult to apply in colder weather. Each one has its own issues in the cold and which leaves me to abandon all detailing other than washing from around this time of year until some time in March when things warm up again.

Yeah, which is why though I expect opti seal to apply much better than a thicker liquid. Also read some good stuff on people who actually applied it at freezing temp so I'm looking positive for that.

But again, like most of the sealant probably lasts through winter it's just I'm not really 100% sure. I feel more comfortable having a product I can apply much easier and do it more often you know. But if it just lasts 2 months well maybe it's not a good idea.

But I read that they changed their formula and new dry formula some people say 6 months so I guess I'll do some testing.

[Desertnate]

Honestly I want nothing to do with SIO2 products as I've read it will make your towels useless over time (they won't absorb).

It's only the coatings that typically harden the MF towels. I've used Gyeon Cure and CarPro Elixr for some time and two seperate applications of Wolfgang's SiO2 Paint sealant with no issues.

Coating application is a totally different story. Once I'm done with a coating, unless I dunk the towel in a bucket of water the minute I'm done, they will harden a bit.

[briarpatch]

Honestly I want nothing to do with SIO2 products as I've read it will make your towels useless over time (they won't absorb).

Have not had any issues like you have described.....but perhaps others have.