Quick Advice Needed - "For Now" Detail, Doing Ceramic Soon, But Not Yet

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ENDEE666

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So, I finally bought everything to do a ceramic coating, but I will not have time for a month or two. So today, I am just doing a "hold me over" detail and need advice on which protectant- Wax or Sealant?

For today I am just doing a wash, clay, and maybe a quick 1 step correction on a couple of areas. That's it, since I know I have to do a thorough one in a few weeks for ceramic. I know wax only lasts a few weeks, so I was thinking that's easier to remove pre-ceramic, since it would mostly be gone on its own. But I prefer sealant for protection. Would removing a sealant after 4-6 weeks be harder? Would remaining sealant effect the correction I need to do before ceramic, or the products?

Put aside the look & shine differences between wax & sealant. I have used both on this car already and know how they differ there. But my previous detail has worn and isn't very hydrophobic anymore beyond the Adams Graphene Detail Spray I have been using while I dry after washes lately. Side note, that stuff is great, but a lot more like a spray wax than a replacement for their pink Detail Spray that I have used for years. But I don't want to tangent.
 
I would just ride it out for a month or so until you can get to doing the full correction/coating. Or just use any cheap wax you can find locally.
 
NJNinja said:
I would just ride it out for a month or so until you can get to doing the full correction/coating. Or just use any cheap wax you can find locally.
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It's likely 6 weeks, and I have a vacation I will be driving for. And it's summer. So I really want the look as well as water shed & protection. So a wax would be best? I have products, so I am not planning on buying anything for this, just using stuff on hand. It would either be Pinnacle Souveran Liquid Wax or Wolfgang Sealant or Menzerna Powerlock.
 
ENDEE666 said:
It's likely 6 weeks, and I have a vacation I will be driving for. And it's summer. So I really want the look as well as water shed & protection. So a wax would be best? I have products, so I am not planning on buying anything for this, just using stuff on hand. It would either be Pinnacle Souveran Liquid Wax or Wolfgang Sealant or Menzerna Powerlock.
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Gotcha. Well if you're going to polish I guess it doesn't matter really. I'm not familiar with those products. I suppose I'd use the Pinnacle in this case being it's a wax.
 
Since you plan on doing a correction right before applying the ceramic coating, the correction would definitely remove any sealant or wax. So my vote would be for you to use your favorite paint protection product. Since you already have the Wolfgang Sealant and Powerlock on hand and assuming you like them, I would simply use one of those.
 
joebruin77 said:
Since you plan on doing a correction right before applying the ceramic coating, the correction would definitely remove any sealant or wax. So my vote would be for you to use your favorite paint protection product. Since you already have the Wolfgang Sealant and Powerlock on hand and assuming you like them, I would simply use one of those.
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So the presence of a semi-recent sealant won't contaminate or hinder the polish I use in a few weeks?

Main trigger for this was a recent bird dropping that etched a bit. So not only did I need to spot correct that, but I know it would not have been as bad with a recent sealant..
 
Maybe consider something a little weaker. Maybe something like Megs Gold Class or Ultimate Quik Detailer.

I did the same thing a few months ago. I had started the correction process, but needed to finish another day. I decided to lay down some Optimum Car Wax, which isn't known for it's durability. I wasn't expecting the resistance to removal that it gave me. I used 3D ONE on Uro-Fiber pads with a Duetto and Mini. Very typical for my correction work, but the Car Wax made for difficult removal. I ended up going over the car with a Power Clean (3:1) wiped down and rinse, which effectively removed the wax.

If I had to do it again I'd try Optimun Instant Detaer and Gloss Enhancer to impart some very, very light protection.
 
Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. For 6 weeks, I definitely want a lot more than a spray or quick detailer can offer. But I guess if both wax and sealant are going to be an issue, I might as well do sealant for now for the better protection.

When ceramic time comes, I already picked up Carpro Eraser to use then. Should I also plan on using some kind of strip wash? If so, would that be equally as effective on a 4-6 week old sealant as a 4-6 week old wax?

Almost ready to apply one or the other, within the next hour or so. All feedback thus far is appreciated, and any other feedback, especially from experience, would be greatly appreciated!

dlc95 said:
Maybe consider something a little weaker. Maybe something like Megs Gold Class or Ultimate Quik Detailer.

I did the same thing a few months ago. I had started the correction process, but needed to finish another day. I decided to lay down some Optimum Car Wax, which isn't known for it's durability. I wasn't expecting the resistance to removal that it gave me. I used 3D ONE on Uro-Fiber pads with a Duetto and Mini. Very typical for my correction work, but the Car Wax made for difficult removal. I ended up going over the car with a Power Clean (3:1) wiped down and rinse, which effectively removed the wax.

If I had to do it again I'd try Optimun Instant Detaer and Gloss Enhancer to impart some very, very light protection.
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ENDEE666 said:
Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. For 6 weeks, I definitely want a lot more than a spray or quick detailer can offer. But I guess if both wax and sealant are going to be an issue, I might as well do sealant for now for the better protection.

When ceramic time comes, I already picked up Carpro Eraser to use then. Should I also plan on using some kind of strip wash? If so, would that be equally as effective on a 4-6 week old sealant as a 4-6 week old wax?

Almost ready to apply one or the other, within the next hour or so. All feedback thus far is appreciated, and any other feedback, especially from experience, would be greatly appreciated!
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Your overthinking this temporary protection. Just use whatever you have and almost any polish will remove it. Do a good panel wipe and do a good job applying the ceramic,
 
You are putting too much thought into this.

Correction will remove what you put down.
You could use a strip wash as well just to be sure.

Pick something cheap like a DP sealant or collinite or Poorboys Nattys blue wax and just enjoy it.
 
Way too much thought…wash the car and use a detailer…call it a day….
 
Craigdt & Rsurfer are both correct. I over think pretty much everything. Was just afraid of either added difficulty on the soon correction, or that a recent sealant would cause issues or contamination for the soon polishing step.

Going Menzerna sealant. This way if 6 weeks becomes 8 weeks it's still going pretty well.

Appreciate the feedback and tolerance of my over thinking gaha
 
ENDEE666 said:
Craigdt & Rsurfer are both correct. I over think pretty much everything. Was just afraid of either added difficulty on the soon correction, or that a recent sealant would cause issues or contamination for the soon polishing step.

Going Menzerna sealant. This way if 6 weeks becomes 8 weeks it's still going pretty well.

Appreciate the feedback and tolerance of my over thinking gaha
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Yes, you are absolutely the only one that overthinks things. I haven’t seen that affliction anywhere else on this forum. Oops, I mean I’ve seen it everywhere else on this forum. To be expected with people that want to take care of (one of) the most expensive things they own. :) Welcome and keep posting. Looking forward to pictures of the polishing and end result coating.
 
ENDEE666 said:
Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. For 6 weeks, I definitely want a lot more than a spray or quick detailer can offer. But I guess if both wax and sealant are going to be an issue, I might as well do sealant for now for the better protection.

When ceramic time comes, I already picked up Carpro Eraser to use then. Should I also plan on using some kind of strip wash? If so, would that be equally as effective on a 4-6 week old sealant as a 4-6 week old wax?

Almost ready to apply one or the other, within the next hour or so. All feedback thus far is appreciated, and any other feedback, especially from experience, would be greatly appreciated!
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Eraser isn't going to cut it.

I have a co-worker that insists on finishing with Meguiar's D166 Ultra Polishing Wax. He uses eraser then coats. His cars always come back for maintenance washes with zero hydrophobic properties.

The Eraser probably isn't the most effective thing to remove whatever is on the paint.
 
dlc95 said:
Eraser isn't going to cut it.

I have a co-worker that insists on finishing with Meguiar's D166 Ultra Polishing Wax. He uses eraser then coats. His cars always come back for maintenance washes with zero hydrophobic properties.

The Eraser probably isn't the most effective thing to remove whatever is on the paint.
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What's a better option when that time comes? I especially don't want issues leading up to the ceramic.

For now, I did the Menzerna Powerlock. Did clay the whole car, but only did a mild polish on the hood and rockers. It was killing me putting sealant on it without doing more corrections, but I had to keep telling myself it's temporary..
 
Agreed that you are overthinking it. Use the graphene detail spray to hold you over until you polish and apply whatever form of protection.
 
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