Need advice with glaze, wax, and sealant...

[Mongoose71]

Hello everyone, this is my first post.

I'm no stranger to using a clay bar and "waxing" my vehicle a couple times a year. In years past I've used a lot of Griot's Garage waxes-polishes. When my truck got over 10 yrs old I started using Meguiiar's NXT Tech wax 2.0 (with excellent results).

A couple weeks ago I bought a new Ford Raptor and would like to protect the paint to the best of my ability. I ordered a lot of products from Adam's Car Care including Adam's Brilliant Glaze and Americana Premium Carnauba Paste Car Wax. Adam's was out of their Sealant so I ordered Griots Garage Paint Sealant kit.

I've never done a series of steps with Glaze, wax, and sealant. I'm assuming that I go about it in those three steps, but I've read where other people have applied the sealant first.

The truck has hood and box graphics and I've read mixed reviews as to whether or not to apply the products over the graphics.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

I'm enjoying browsing the site when I have time.

 

[rmagnus]

First welcome to the forum.

I've never used Adams but many like their products. Do you have a polisher? Many start off with a DA polisher like the Porter Cab
E 7424 or Groits DA.

Are your graphics glossy or matte finish? Glossy graphics are fine to wax over not so with matte finish. What color is your Raptor? Do you do off reading with it?

Traditional steps are wash, clay, compound (if needed), polish, glaze, wax or sealant.

 

[Mongoose71]

Thanks for the welcome. No, I've never owned a machine polisher. I do have several desalt drills but would never trust myself with applying or removing products with them.

The graphics are a combo of matte and gloss.

My truck is white with black graphics.i will be getting my windows tinted tomorrow.

It will be a street queen for many years before it sees offroading. Heck, I hope it down any see rain for at least a year. I've yet to bucket wash it. Waterless car wash from Adams is pretty good stuff.

 

[rmagnus]

Waterless is great. You will need plenty of microfiber (MF) towels. I use plenty of the Costco bulk brand but I also have higher quality towels.

I recommend this polisher, good bang for the buck. Safe to use and about midrange on the power scale without spending $400.
Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher - NEW 3rd Generation In Stock!

You'll need some pads as well. Most are good hard to go real wrong with Lake Country pads. You'll develope your own preference.

Start slow you really don't need to spend a ton of money but a polisher is almost mandatory.

 

[Mercedes350]

Apply the sealant first because wax doesn't last long so I'm sure you want the longest lasting first then add a thin layer of wax

 

[DogRescuer]

Apply the sealant first because wax doesn't last long so I'm sure you want the longest lasting first then add a thin layer of wax

From what Ive learned here your sealant can be your final step. I will be trying M21 for the first time. Happy waxing.

 

[MikeN]

From what Ive learned here your sealant can be your final step. I will be trying M21 for the first time. Happy waxing.

Sealant can be your final step but by adding a thing coat of wax over it the paint will pop even more

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AG Online

 

[KenR]

Mongoose, if,as you say, you want to protect your car to the best of your ability I would apply sealant, then wax on top of that as your last step product (LSP). You can easily throw a new coat of wax on every month or so as desired.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AG Online