Need recommend a WOWA sealant?

[tuscarora dave]

I have bottles of Z-CS and original formula Opti-Seal that I've had for a long time with no pump problems.

Nice!! Thanks for the feedback Mike.

I didn't mean to hijack the OP's thread but I guess this is all relevant info for choosing a WOWA sealant.

I'm down to about a 1/2 oz. of UPGP and I'm really tired of wearing the product although it does work excellent. I think I'll give "the Good Doctor's" product a spin this time around.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I know a previous poster blamed the UPGP pump problems on the product, and not the pump, IIRC that is one flaky pump on that bottle.

UGPG was the star of the new Ultima line, and the creator (of the line and the packaging/marketing, partnered with Four Star for the chemical end) wanted to usher in a concept of less is more--use less product, spend less time, have it last longer. He wanted a unique look to come with the unique product and approach--hence the flaky bottle. Bear in mind UGPG cost about twice what it does now when it came out, and there were no small bottles--so the price of admission for UGPG was $70.

Since I'm waxing eloquent on WOWA history, it was a pretty radical concept when it first came out. There were all kinds of "rules" to using Z-CS (the first entrant) that seemed to be geared toward not having users contend the WOWA aspect by having streaks. The car had to be completely dry, no stray water drops coming out from any trim, etc., or the application would be "ruined", and they insisted you use their supplied applicator. You couldn't use an applicator that had ever been used for anything else, even a washed one (and you weren't "allowed" to wash ur Z-CS applicator and reuse it).

It's pretty funny in retrospect that such a big deal was made about it, when the worst thing that would happen is you got a smear that you would wipe dry with a towel.

 

[bcwang]

N

I'm down to about a 1/2 oz. of UPGP and I'm really tired of wearing the product although it does work excellent. I think I'll give "the Good Doctor's" product a spin this time around.

This is with the mist sprayer? Has it been working perfectly fine? When is the product date on your bottle and how long have you been using the bottle?

I'm just wondering since I've had such poor luck with UPGP sprayers and I'm in one of the mildest environments. California, indoor closet storage, temp ranges from 62-84 in that closet year round as tracked by a thermometer. Humidity is low here, probably 30-50% anytime I check.

I always have sprayer failure the second time I use the product. I also get weird white stuff collecting in the bottle. At this point I prefer using the alternatives, but I know UPGP was modified since my bottles were made to cure faster and maybe these problems are also taken care of.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

This is with the mist sprayer? Has it been working perfectly fine? When is the product date on your bottle and how long have you been using the bottle?

When I tried UPGP I felt no need to try anything else. The only problem I have with UPGP is that it tends to destroy pump sprayers and leak out over the bottle onto my hands which is quite wasteful.

Oh I see they got rid of that flimsy cosmetic sprayer--does yours look like this?:

 

[bcwang]

I know a previous poster blamed the UPGP pump problems on the product, and not the pump, IIRC that is one flaky pump on that bottle.

UGPG was the star of the new Ultima line, and the creator (of the line and the packaging/marketing, partnered with Four Star for the chemical end) wanted to usher in a concept of less is more--use less product, spend less time, have it last longer. He wanted a unique look to come with the unique product and approach--hence the flaky bottle. Bear in mind UGPG cost about twice what it does now when it came out, and there were no small bottles--so the price of admission for UGPG was $70.

Since I'm waxing eloquent on WOWA history, it was a pretty radical concept when it first came out. There were all kinds of "rules" to using Z-CS (the first entrant) that seemed to be geared toward not having users contend the WOWA aspect by having streaks. The car had to be completely dry, no stray water drops coming out from any trim, etc., or the application would be "ruined", and they insisted you use their supplied applicator. You couldn't use an applicator that had ever been used for anything else, even a washed one (and you weren't "allowed" to wash ur Z-CS applicator and reuse it).

It's pretty funny in retrospect that such a big deal was made about it, when the worst thing that would happen is you got a smear that you would wipe dry with a towel.

I remember those days, and I think it's still true with my old UPGP bottle. It streaks like crazy if things aren't perfect. DGLS and BFCS behave very differently and you can over-apply by quite a lot and it still doesn't streak compared to UPGP.

I'm kinda interested if my recent streaking problems are due to my bottle being too old, I don't remember it being as bad as what I experienced a few weeks ago, but it could be due to it coming out as drops on the applicator instead of a mist.

 

[tuscarora dave]

This is with the mist sprayer? Has it been working perfectly fine? When is the product date on your bottle and how long have you been using the bottle?

I'm just wondering since I've had such poor luck with UPGP sprayers and I'm in one of the mildest environments. California, indoor closet storage, temp ranges from 62-84 in that closet year round as tracked by a thermometer. Humidity is low here, probably 30-50% anytime I check.

I always have sprayer failure the second time I use the product. I also get weird white stuff collecting in the bottle. At this point I prefer using the alternatives, but I know UPGP was modified since my bottles were made to cure faster and maybe these problems are also taken care of.

My experience is just about the same as you have outlined.

I've bought the little travel pump sprayer bottles and the travel size Fabreeze bottles, cleaned them out and the UPGP destroys these pump sprayers in short order too. I bought a 12 ounce bottle twice now and each bottle lasts me about 1 1/2 detailing seasons.

 

[bcwang]

Oh I see they got rid of that flimsy cosmetic sprayer--does yours look like this?:

Yup, my sprayer looks like that, but it's in the 4oz bottle. I must have 4 bottles of UPGP (most are replacements due to the white stuff and sprayer problems) and got a few more extra replacement sprayers and each one still fails on the second use. The sprayers don't look anything special or too different from the other WOWA sealants so I don't know what to make of the problem other than the product inside being the issue.

Plus, the UPGP cap area forms this gummy mess while the other ones are completely clean. I definitely think UPGP is more.....something. Different for sure, you would never mistake them to be the same product. BFCS and DGLS I still can't tell apart though.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I remember those days, and I think it's still true with my old UPGP bottle. It streaks like crazy if things aren't perfect. DGLS and BFCS behave very differently and you can over-apply by quite a lot and it still doesn't streak compared to UPGP.

I'm kinda interested if my recent streaking problems are due to my bottle being too old, I don't remember it being as bad as what I experienced a few weeks ago, but it could be due to it coming out as drops on the applicator instead of a mist.

I never had those problems with Z-CS even when it first came out in 2007. If you put it on too heavy it would leave an oily-looking spot, but usually if you just put the car in the garage overnight it would go away, or just rubbed it with a towel if you couldn't wait.

I still have that original bottle of Z-CS, and my Opti-Seal is probably from a year or two later, and they both still work as they did originally. I know there were ongoing problems with stuff floating in the UGPG, and at one time that was blamed on having so much active ingredient that it was precipitating out. If that was true, then that might explain why it streaks more and lasts longer, as you suggested.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Yup, my sprayer looks like that, but it's in the 4oz bottle. I must have 4 bottles of UPGP (most are replacements due to the white stuff and sprayer problems) and got a few more extra replacement sprayers and each one still fails on the second use. The sprayers don't look anything special or too different from the other WOWA sealants so I don't know what to make of the problem other than the product inside being the issue.

Plus, the UPGP cap area forms this gummy mess while the other ones are completely clean. I definitely think UPGP is more.....something. Different for sure, you would never mistake them to be the same product. BFCS and DGLS I still can't tell apart though.

Interesting. I figured my next WOWA would be the Blackfire or Wolfgang, I might have to try the UGPG. I'm pretty sure I would have gotten some back in 2007 if it cost what it does now and they had smaller bottles.

I wonder if it would be worth it for you to turn the bottle upside down after use and pump the remaining liquid out before storage, you know, like we used to do with spray paint cans to clear the nozzle...sheesh, do I ever use any spray paint any more?

 

[tuscarora dave]

I remember those days, and I think it's still true with my old UPGP bottle. It streaks like crazy if things aren't perfect. DGLS and BFCS behave very differently and you can over-apply by quite a lot and it still doesn't streak compared to UPGP.

I'm kinda interested if my recent streaking problems are due to my bottle being too old, I don't remember it being as bad as what I experienced a few weeks ago, but it could be due to it coming out as drops on the applicator instead of a mist.

My application method is far from what the manufacturer recommends.

I grossly over-apply the product using like 5 sprayer pumps on the applicator per panel, work my way around the car applying it in one direction (straight lines) then change directions for another application (north, south, east then west) then I go back to where I started and very lightly knock down any high spots by simply wiping over 100% of the car lightly with a clean dry MF towel then walk away from it until it levels out and sets up.

Never had a streaking issue doing it like this and it takes literally 10 minutes to apply and knock it down. Uses a bit more product but a 12 ounce bottle still lasts forever.

 

[obguam]

Thanks VT.

Anyone else had a similar issue with the pump sprayer leaking on any of the WOWA sealants?

Yes. The pump sprayer on my 1-year old OS gave out last time I used it. Thought I must have dropped it but can't recall ever doing that.

 

[Klasse Act]

I know I responded in this thread about 11 monthes ago and I still stand behind my BFCS comment but since then I've used up that and bought Ultima, as well as 2 different WOWA coatings, and tried out the Ultima on my windows and wheels and must say I'm once again VERY impressed!

Give it a try, you'll like it, just as easy on and flashes clear like all the rest!!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online

 

[silverfox]

I like BF crystal seal or the optimum opti seal.