Or sealing. In the thread below... I am writing this thread too explain to people why the age old question of "Which wax or sealant?" is an invalid question.
http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/shownshine-saloon-190/859192-waxing-sealing.html
I asked people whether the GTR was waxed or sealed. The answer was neither. Only two people who responded too the thread knew the answer was neither and therefore did not answer the poll. Waxing and sealing the paint of a vehicle really does nothing for you if the surface of the vehicle is not prepped correctly. Even if its simply just claying the paint. As that will help remove fallout and contaminants from the paint surface, thus giving the paint a better surface for waxes or sealants to bond too. Waxing or sealing a vehicle that only gets washed in its lifetime is also a waste of time. You waste product because your not removing old waxes/sealers that have no completely diminished, grime that has embedded itself onto the paint blocking the waxes/sealers from bonding too the paint and any new layers of waxes/sealers on the paint will not last anywhere near as long as usual.
Just for an idea, this is what claying vehicles that have never been clayed can produce. Dark color vehicle you would never have noticed this one. Doing this alone to the vehicle brought a better shine and look too the paint as the surface was free of grime that took away from the look...
After a small 2'x2' area...
Now back too the question at hand. My poll thread was too show that everyone puts too much emphases on waxing is better or sealing is better. In my opinion waxes are better for show cars and prior to taking it too shows. I would prefer to top a car with two coats of the same sealant to give the paint a great wet shine with long lasting protection. Again, this is my opinion, but it is fact that no wax will outlast a sealant.
When people always say that you want your vehicle to shine, all you need to do is wax it or seal it, is bad information. A a professional in this industry, I know that you will never beat the shine and gloss of a fresh and properly detailed paint job. As the picture of my customers GTR in the thread showed, a vehicle with a ABSOLUTELY clean and BARE surface with nothing on it, can look like its been waxed or sealed.
When you look at other professionals work and see this outstanding finished product with no information on the steps, its a safe bet that they did more than just wash it and throw a coat of wax on. When you free the surface of contaminants and scratches, you bring a much better shine and reflection too the paint. Giving it a much more crisp look. On top of the glossing effect from properly buffing the paint at a micro level. Too give you an idea...
Quickest example I could find...the before shot of the roof, when outside the sun only reflects back the scratches diminishing the reflection and giving the paint a somewhat dull look. This one was not nearly as bad, but it gets the point across...
After correction, the reflection with the sun is nice and crisp. Allowing your eyes to focus in on what is reflection from the paint and even giving showing off the color better. Had this been waxed, it would have looked shiny from 5-10' away, but not looked near as good as buffed and waxed.
So basically, to sum it up, when you ask which wax or sealant or whatever will make my paint look the best...the answer is nothing. Waxing or sealing a vehicle that has never been properly taken care of is like putting a band aid on a wound that needs stitches. If you really want your vehicle to shine like a new car, make it stand out in traffic or at a car show or just have it looking like its always wet...then you need to start learning how to buff your paint. Or hire your nearest qualified professional detailer. After that maintain your vehicle and then ask "Which wax or sealant?"
http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/shownshine-saloon-190/859192-waxing-sealing.html
I asked people whether the GTR was waxed or sealed. The answer was neither. Only two people who responded too the thread knew the answer was neither and therefore did not answer the poll. Waxing and sealing the paint of a vehicle really does nothing for you if the surface of the vehicle is not prepped correctly. Even if its simply just claying the paint. As that will help remove fallout and contaminants from the paint surface, thus giving the paint a better surface for waxes or sealants to bond too. Waxing or sealing a vehicle that only gets washed in its lifetime is also a waste of time. You waste product because your not removing old waxes/sealers that have no completely diminished, grime that has embedded itself onto the paint blocking the waxes/sealers from bonding too the paint and any new layers of waxes/sealers on the paint will not last anywhere near as long as usual.
Just for an idea, this is what claying vehicles that have never been clayed can produce. Dark color vehicle you would never have noticed this one. Doing this alone to the vehicle brought a better shine and look too the paint as the surface was free of grime that took away from the look...
After a small 2'x2' area...
Now back too the question at hand. My poll thread was too show that everyone puts too much emphases on waxing is better or sealing is better. In my opinion waxes are better for show cars and prior to taking it too shows. I would prefer to top a car with two coats of the same sealant to give the paint a great wet shine with long lasting protection. Again, this is my opinion, but it is fact that no wax will outlast a sealant.
When people always say that you want your vehicle to shine, all you need to do is wax it or seal it, is bad information. A a professional in this industry, I know that you will never beat the shine and gloss of a fresh and properly detailed paint job. As the picture of my customers GTR in the thread showed, a vehicle with a ABSOLUTELY clean and BARE surface with nothing on it, can look like its been waxed or sealed.
When you look at other professionals work and see this outstanding finished product with no information on the steps, its a safe bet that they did more than just wash it and throw a coat of wax on. When you free the surface of contaminants and scratches, you bring a much better shine and reflection too the paint. Giving it a much more crisp look. On top of the glossing effect from properly buffing the paint at a micro level. Too give you an idea...
Quickest example I could find...the before shot of the roof, when outside the sun only reflects back the scratches diminishing the reflection and giving the paint a somewhat dull look. This one was not nearly as bad, but it gets the point across...
After correction, the reflection with the sun is nice and crisp. Allowing your eyes to focus in on what is reflection from the paint and even giving showing off the color better. Had this been waxed, it would have looked shiny from 5-10' away, but not looked near as good as buffed and waxed.
So basically, to sum it up, when you ask which wax or sealant or whatever will make my paint look the best...the answer is nothing. Waxing or sealing a vehicle that has never been properly taken care of is like putting a band aid on a wound that needs stitches. If you really want your vehicle to shine like a new car, make it stand out in traffic or at a car show or just have it looking like its always wet...then you need to start learning how to buff your paint. Or hire your nearest qualified professional detailer. After that maintain your vehicle and then ask "Which wax or sealant?"
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