Paint Protection

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MikadoWu

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Hello All,

I have been a NOVICE IMO car care guy for a long time. About 10 years ago I moved from the West Coast to Florida. A couple years ago, I learned that how I took care of my paint in Cali, does not work in Florida. I 20+ years of car ownership in Cali/Colorado, never had I had to have a car painted, Now in Florida, I have had 3 in 10 years. paint care is a whole different world.

We have 5 cars/trucks, that are Daily Drivers and live outside. I want them to Look good, but also be protected. From what I am reading, I need to but on a sealant, then layer a Poly Wax on top of that. 3 of my 5 cars are 2001's Firebirds/Trans Am, the paint still looks good, but was suggested not to use a ceramics, because there is some damage. Ceramic, after a painted is what I was told.
I had picked up a Griot's Starters Kits year, with the 6" orbital, as I ws told you really can not screw up with their stuff. Now I am ready to get a little more serious. ​

My questions are,

1. Are Professional Products THAT much better?
2. Sealants seem to last around a year, can you extended that if you are applying a Poly Wax every month or 2?
3. Are these cure for 2-3 days Sealants really worth it?

Any other suggestions for surviving the Florida Climate is appreciated.
 
Living in southern Florida I’ve been very happy with Wolfgang Deep Gloss sealant. It also has just a 12 hour cure time. I apply it twice a year, before and after the summer months.

UV damage can be a sob down here without dedicated care. Severe oxidation and clear coat failure is evident everywhere on cars that are ignored.
 
Optimum Car Wax. Protection, spray and easy to use without all the Chemistry. Optimum Wash and Wax Rinseless for washes.

Dave
 
ChrisT said:
Living in southern Florida I’ve been very happy with Wolfgang Deep Gloss sealant. It also has just a 12 hour cure time. I apply it twice a year, before and after the summer months.

UV damage can be a sob down here without dedicated care. Severe oxidation and clear coat failure is evident everywhere on cars that are ignored.
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You really like the Wolfgang stuff that much? It really only last 6 months? Do you layer any other products on it, or just reapply it?
 
davidc said:
Optimum Car Wax. Protection, spray and easy to use without all the Chemistry. Optimum Wash and Wax Rinseless for washes.

Dave
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Hi Dave, you method worked fine out west. Have you really tried it down south, it is a whole different world in car care.
 
Thinking a sealant Is going to last a year outside 24/7 in Florida is probably where the repaints are coming from. No offense but I don’t think any sealant will hold up with good protection for 12 months outside in any state.

I would do 4 times a year and optimum car wax as maintenance in between just my opinion though. I’m sure you will get others


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MikadoWu said:
Hi Dave, you method worked fine out west. Have you really tried it down south, it is a whole different world in car care.
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Only difference I see is you have humidity and I have 115+. UV may be about the same. You most likely have the rain tho.

Dave
 
MattPersman said:
Thinking a sealant Is going to last a year outside 24/7 in Florida is probably where the repaints are coming from. No offense but I don’t think any sealant will hold up with good protection for 12 months outside in any state.

I would do 4 times a year and optimum car wax as maintenance in between just my opinion though. I’m sure you will get others


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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No offense taken, Why I am asking the question. How would you reapply the Sealant with the optimum car wax being on the car?
 
MikadoWu said:
You really like the Wolfgang stuff that much? It really only last 6 months? Do you layer any other products on it, or just reapply it?
Click to expand...

I like that product a lot.

I have no idea how long it really lasts, I just don’t take any chances. I have covered it with Collonite 845. I also treat my personal vehicle with a CarPro quick detailer mix about once a week or two. When reapplying I do an ISP wipedown first.

Maybe my approach is over-kill but my paint is perfect.
 
davidc said:
Only difference I see is you have humidity and I have 115+. UV may be about the same. You most likely have the rain tho.

Dave
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Almost daily rain and thunderstorms during the summer which is 5 months, give or take.
 
ChrisT said:
I like that product a lot.

I have no idea how long it really lasts, I just don’t take any chances. I have covered it with Collonite 845. I also treat my personal vehicle with a CarPro quick detailer mix about once a week or two. When reapplying I do an ISP wipedown first.

Maybe my approach is over-kill but my paint is perfect.
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Does the ISP remove the Sealant or just the wax?
 
ChrisT said:
Almost daily rain and thunderstorms during the summer which is 5 months, give or take.
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No matter what you use as a LSP I would consider Optimum's Car Wax as an essential part of your upkeep. I was in the Tampa area quite a few years ago ( Talking early 70's ) and I would swear the storms were registered with the FAA. That is one miserable place when the rain ends and the Sun comes out. The Humidity level goes off the scale.

Dave
 
davidc said:
No matter what you use as a LSP I would consider Optimum's Car Wax as an essential part of your upkeep. I was in the Tampa area quite a few years ago ( Talking early 70's ) and I would swear the storms were registered with the FAA. That is one miserable place when the rain ends and the Sun comes out. The Humidity level goes off the scale.

Dave
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I’m also a fan of Optimum products. Those and the CarPro line are my go-to’s.
 
MikadoWu said:
Need to add all the extreme pollen, EXTREME Love Bugs, and Bugs in general.
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Yeah, that was a part I remember well. The insects, roaches, love bugs,spiders, mosquito's were pretty extreme to me at least in the Tampa area.

Dave
 
DG 105/601 lasted 13 months on my daily in the deep south, by far the longest lasting sealant I have used. The last couple months it was obvious it was barely hanging on so call it 10 months solid and wearing away another couple months.
 
I think you are overly optimistic about sealants lasting a year. In some cases they can, but that is really not the norm. I always tell my clients that sealant last up to about 6 months depending on what the car is exposed to and how it is maintained.

On the other hand, a coating will give you 2 years of protection, might be more in the right conditions... so if you have 5 vehicles, that is a lot of time saving not having to to apply sealant 2-4 times a year on each. I would definatelly suggest you switch to coatings.

As for professional products, well... what is a professional product to you? If you take amazing sealants like Menzerna Powerlock, it can be purchased by anyone... so is it professional or consummer grade? The detailing industry is a little wierd when it comes to that. If you are talking about coatings, there are pro versions available (Like Optimum Opti-Coat Pro) and they are better than consummer grade products, but they cost 10 to 20 times more at least so is it really a better deal for you?

If I were you, I would get a good consumer grade coating and do 1 vehicule. Then you can decide if you like it and do the rest of them. My suggestion is to go with McKee's 37 paint coating. It's really affordable and it's easy to apply. Otherwise for about 3 times the cost you can get Optimum Gloss Coat or CQuartz. I honestly don't know if those products are better or equal to McKee's coatings, but they are a lot more expensive that is for sure.
 
+1 vote for McKee’s 37 Paint Coating. Will last a lot longer than a sealant. Just need to be careful with water spots considering how much rain you get in Florida.
 
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