Lost Highway
New member
- Sep 23, 2011
- 135
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Just to offer another set of data points/opinions here is my take on some of the products under discussion:
Optimum Opti-Seal (I've only used v.1 not the newer revision that is said to be more durable). I loved the quick and dead easy WOWA application. I think for very soft paints this is a major plus. Longevity wasn't that great, perhaps 60 to 90 days but somewhat surprisingly it seemed to offer relatively good resistance to bird bombs and insect impacts. The look is definitely on the plastic-y/glassy side.
BFWD AFPP Fairly easy application although not so quick & easy as Opti-Seal. Medium longevity in the range of 90 to 150 days, the polymer-rich QDs from BF do seem to extend this by at least a few weeks although they aren't otherwise my favorite QDs. It has a darkening effect and looks less glassy, slightly more wax-like (but don't expect it to look like Vic's Red or RaceGlaze 55).
Duragloss 111 & 105 both w/601 PBA A step more effort to apply than BFWD but more durable, perhaps 120 to 180 days. 111 looks very glassy, to my eye 105 has a slightly warmer look. I think 105 is probably the more durable of the two but not massively so.
Prima Hydro I have to hedge a bit here as I've mostly used Hydro Seal and only have limited experience with Hydro MAXX. Despite the different application methods my understanding is that the formulas are very similar. Good durability about on par with BFWD maybe slightly better. Again a slightly warmer, less glassy look than some sealants. I found Hydro Seal to be a bit of a PIA to apply but it IME it is one of the top sealants for not "holding" dust and pollen. Hydro MAXX makes the application much simpler and easier (at least as easy as BFWD) but maybe (not sure at this point) isn't quite as good for dust cling.
GTechniq 2Cv3 Very easy to apply (roughly the same as Hydro MAXX). Durability about the same as BFWD (IMO claims of eight months are ridiculous unless the car rarely leaves the garage). Looks are neither super glassy nor warm, maybe neutral would be the best description but not in a negative sense. Fairly good for not holding dust but IME not as good as Hydro Seal. Can streak but not nearly as bad as the first version of CarPro Reload, not a huge issue unless you are careless on a dark car.
Four Star UPP Very limited experience with this but it seems very much like BFWD. I was less-than-impressed with its behavior with bird bombs and insects but I would need to use it more to decide if this was just bad luck with especially aggressive bird poo or insect chemistry or a real issue.
Optimum Opti-Seal (I've only used v.1 not the newer revision that is said to be more durable). I loved the quick and dead easy WOWA application. I think for very soft paints this is a major plus. Longevity wasn't that great, perhaps 60 to 90 days but somewhat surprisingly it seemed to offer relatively good resistance to bird bombs and insect impacts. The look is definitely on the plastic-y/glassy side.
BFWD AFPP Fairly easy application although not so quick & easy as Opti-Seal. Medium longevity in the range of 90 to 150 days, the polymer-rich QDs from BF do seem to extend this by at least a few weeks although they aren't otherwise my favorite QDs. It has a darkening effect and looks less glassy, slightly more wax-like (but don't expect it to look like Vic's Red or RaceGlaze 55).
Duragloss 111 & 105 both w/601 PBA A step more effort to apply than BFWD but more durable, perhaps 120 to 180 days. 111 looks very glassy, to my eye 105 has a slightly warmer look. I think 105 is probably the more durable of the two but not massively so.
Prima Hydro I have to hedge a bit here as I've mostly used Hydro Seal and only have limited experience with Hydro MAXX. Despite the different application methods my understanding is that the formulas are very similar. Good durability about on par with BFWD maybe slightly better. Again a slightly warmer, less glassy look than some sealants. I found Hydro Seal to be a bit of a PIA to apply but it IME it is one of the top sealants for not "holding" dust and pollen. Hydro MAXX makes the application much simpler and easier (at least as easy as BFWD) but maybe (not sure at this point) isn't quite as good for dust cling.
GTechniq 2Cv3 Very easy to apply (roughly the same as Hydro MAXX). Durability about the same as BFWD (IMO claims of eight months are ridiculous unless the car rarely leaves the garage). Looks are neither super glassy nor warm, maybe neutral would be the best description but not in a negative sense. Fairly good for not holding dust but IME not as good as Hydro Seal. Can streak but not nearly as bad as the first version of CarPro Reload, not a huge issue unless you are careless on a dark car.
Four Star UPP Very limited experience with this but it seems very much like BFWD. I was less-than-impressed with its behavior with bird bombs and insects but I would need to use it more to decide if this was just bad luck with especially aggressive bird poo or insect chemistry or a real issue.
