[300Con23s]

Just picked up my 300C a few days ago im thinking about getting paint sealant done. I've had it done on all my cars for the past few years now but been that this a new car and the paint job isn't black im thinking twice about spending the $200. Does paint sealant really work? Im just thinking of giving it a nice wax until next spring. Any thoughts?

 

[Tha187um]

Why not do it yourself? you can buy the liquid and the buffer and still do it under $100.

Im not really sure if it works, but I will give it a try once I order it. I have not seen any on the local auto parts

 

[Michael]

Many people have been using the Zaino line of products with great results. Take a look at their site www.zainostore.com

 

[mspeasl]

Does paint sealant really work?

In a word - NO! It’s something that car dealers sell to suckers and make a lot of money on beyond the sale of the car, like some of their other scams beyond the original sale. Use wax and elbow grease several times a year for even better results.

 

[SilverSea]

I have been using Zaino for many years, and IMO it is the best polish on the market. If applied properly as directed, it produces the best shine and has excellent durability. It is also easy to apply. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

 

[CottyGee]

In a word - NO! It’s something that car dealers sell to suckers and make a lot of money on beyond the sale of the car, like some of their other scams beyond the original sale. Use wax and elbow grease several times a year for even better results.

mspeasl -

It's too bad your empassioned plea is completely inaccurate! Because it's filled with SUCH conviction! :lol: I WILL hoever agree that paying some ridiculous amount like $800 for "paint sealant" from the dealership is ludicris.

YES - sealants are the BEST thing to come along in YEARS in terms of protecting your paint. Klasse and Zaino are two products that have excellent reputations. With both, you should probably apply it twice a year, and wax on top of it monthly. And use a good quality wax, as opposed to the most of the commercially available stuff. Meguires and Mothers both make good consumer products. Just use a pure wax.

Also, use claybar before you seal.

Learn all this an more by visiting autopia.org, a detailing board...

 

[smitty]

Dlr applied sealants are pure proffit for the finance person. The stuff they use is great but as you see you can buy it yourself. Do it yourself, the 300 is not a hard car to wax. I like the ease of Maguires NXT Gen.

 

[II kings 9:20]

Back in the 80s DuPont had a sealer that once applied the car never had to be waxed and stayed glossy forever, I doubt it really worked quite that well. I am not sold on dealer applied sealers, they all will wear off with wind, grime, and rain. You will still need to wax regularly. I thought clearcoat finishes were supposed to eliminate the need for paint sealers, it's already sealed with the clearcoat. Whatever product you use CLAY FIRST, don't grind grime into your finish, I am sure the dealer applied sealer is NOT pre clayed.

 

[JonW]

... Klasse and Zaino are two products that have excellent reputations. With both, you should probably apply it twice a year, and wax on top of it monthly. And use a good quality wax, as opposed to the most of the commercially available stuff. Meguires and Mothers both make good consumer products. Just use a pure wax.

Why would you ever wax on top of Zaino??? That's not necessary - just use Zaino. Putting wax on top of it would prevent you from being able to add additional layers of Zaino.

 

[wild bill]

paint sealant

i have a 300c cool v. i use maguires gold class it does a real good job , really a good shine one coat does a good job. looks as good as zaino i think .with about half the work.

 

[Tha187um]

Dlr applied sealants are pure proffit for the finance person. The stuff they use is great but as you see you can buy it yourself. Do it yourself, the 300 is not a hard car to wax. I like the ease of Maguires NXT Gen.

Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax is what I use, anyone has any bad comments on this product? the shine I get is insane (which by the way their 2005 line up has a product called insane shine). It says it creates a polymer bond, is that much different than a wax or than a sealant? Thanks!

 

[300CULATER]

NXT Wax

I also use the NXT Tech Wax...

I really like the shine I get, and it is very easy to take off. I would venture to say one of the easiest I have ever used (and it leaves zero residue, a major plus). Because it is so simple I wax my Silver C about 2 times a month.

It also never display a swirl mark (even when I use a buffer).

 

[Krock43]

Any of you detailers out there ever heard of Ardex? I think their products are excellent! Here is the link:



ink:http://ardexlabs.com/products.html

 

[300Chip]

i have a 300c cool v. i use maguires gold class it does a real good job , really a good shine one coat does a good job. looks as good as zaino i think .with about half the work.

I agree with wild bill. maguires works for me.

 

[CottyGee]

Why would you ever wax on top of Zaino??? That's not necessary - just use Zaino. Putting wax on top of it would prevent you from being able to add additional layers of Zaino.

Lots of folks put a carnuba topper on acrylic sealants. The reason is that it adds depth, and it also protects the sealant from deterioration.

 

[Tha187um]

CottyGee, you mean to tell me that a Sealant is not like a wax, you apply, let it dry a buff it??? you have to let it sit there for half a day or longer?? WOW...

 

[C-Man]

CottyGee, you mean to tell me that a Sealant is not like a wax, you apply, let it dry a buff it??? you have to let it sit there for half a day or longer?? WOW...

No, some are wipe on/wipe off. Others are wipe on/let dry/wipe off. What you do have to do is do not apply anything on the sealant for 24 hrs to let the polymers cure. That is when the molecule chains intertwine and create a barrier on the paint. At that time you can add another layer or top with a carnuba wax. BTW, Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax is a sealant, not a wax despite it's name.

 

[deegee]

Zaino is supposed to dry for half an hour - just enough so it wipes off rather than smears. If wiping it off is hard, you can spritz with the gloss enhancer to make it easier - the enhancer bonds with the polish. I believe you can repeat another coat immediately. I like the Zaino products because they go on easy, without tiring buffing, and take so little time that it becomes easy to build up a few coats.

 

[CottyGee]

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Z&Category_Code=APPLICATION

6. Let Z-5 or Z-2 polish dry at least one hour. Please NOTE: Zaino Show Car Polish works best at 60 degrees or higher. However, it can be applied down to temperatures of 45 degrees. It just will take much, much longer to dry. As much as two to three hours drying time is required if the temperature is 50 degrees or below. Also, If the humidity is high. Longer drying time is necessary. Humidity is a killer on the drying time of Z-2 or Z-5. The moisture in the air hinders drying time up to four times longer than normal. Sorry, but I can't help this. When you try to remove Z-2 or Z-5 when it is still wet. All you're accomplishing is moving it around. Kinda like reapplying it. Also you need to use a LARGE White 100% Bath size towel (please refer to my Tips & Tricks sheet on my web site for the proper towels to use) to remove Z-2 or Z-5. Smaller towels will not work efficiently.

To test if Z-2 or Z-5 is dry and ready to be removed. Wipe your finger on a hazed section. It should immediately come off and leave a crytal clear finish. If it smears, it is still wet. You can leave Z-2 or Z-5 on for hours or overnight if you desire. When it is not humid Z-2 will take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to dry. Depending on how heavy you applied it. I have applied Z-2 in the Arizona sun and it dried in approx. 3 to 5 minutes. I have also applied it in 38 degree temperature and it took about 2 to 3 hours to dry. Be patient. It's worth it. Different situations affect drying times. Also, remember you have Z-1 and Z-5 both on the car. That is two products that have to dry at one time. Takes longer. Z-2 or Z-5 does not cotain any oils and once it's dry will never ever look smeary or feel greasy. If you remove Z-2 or Z-5 before it is thoroughly dry and get any smears. Just wipe down the car with a damp cotton towel. This will remove any smears. Don't use Z-6 until you wipe the car down. If you'd like call me and I'll help you out with more info!
Note: If you are using the New ZFX accelerator additive drying time is greatly reduced.

7. After removal of Zaino Z-2 or Z-5. You should wait 24 hours if the outside temperature is under 70 degrees and 6 hours if over 70 degrees, before applying the next coat of Z-5 or Z-2.

 

[temming]

There are clearly some good waxes out there (Zaino, Mequires, etc). I personally have been using the Five Star Shine sealant on my last three vehicles. No swirls, great shine after every wash. I simply use the recommended PPS cleaner/renewer once a year after the initial application. I haven't found a product that beats the shine or durability yet. I just ordered another kit for the new 300c.