Questions on Sealants?

[JonH]

I have never used a sealant.
Where does it fit into the steps of compound, polish and wax?
Does it replace one of the steps?
What is the difference between #20 and #21?

[Marc08EX]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

A sealant is a man made synthetic wax. You can either use a synthetic sealant or a carnauba wax in the protection step or "wax" step in your list.

[Murr1525]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

Also, #20 is a mild cleaner/wax, and is a carnuba blend.

#21 is a purely synthetic wax.

[JonH]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

OK, then what is the difference between #2 and NXT, aren't they both synthetic?

[Marc08EX]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

OK, then what is the difference between #2 and NXT, aren't they both synthetic?

I'm going to assume that you're asking about #21. they are very similar products that they are both synthetic sealants. The main difference is that #21 is body shop safe and can be applied via rotary. NXT cannot do either one of those.

[JonH]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

I thought a sealant was different than a wax. I had heard a sealant was longer lasting than a wax. It sounds like it is just another lsp but more of a professional grade product?

[Murr1525]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

Well, there is no exact definition, so kind of have to find out more about the product than just the name.

In general, something synthetic would be a bit more durable, better protecting.

Nothing to do with 'professional grade'. You can find carnuba blend or synthetic products in consumer and professional versions.

[mis3]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

For light color car, both carnauba wax and sealant would give similar shine.

For dark cars, I learned it that carnauba wax would give better depth and overall warm feeling to the car. This is why some people here would apply wax (like Yellow Wax) on top of a sealant (like NXT)......

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

Sealants and waxes serve the same purpose - they are the sacrificial protective layer you apply after prepping the paint to your desired results. As a general rule, sealants will last longer and protect better than traditional waxes. But just like traditional waxes, some sealants last longer and protect better than others.

It is often said that sealants tend to leave a little bit more of a "plastic wrap" look on paint while carnauba leaves a deeper, richer finish. That may or may not be true, depending on which sealant you use, what you like appearance wise, and whether or not you can even see a difference (some can, others can't). There are even those people who like to apply a sealant first and then a carnauba wax on top of the sealant. You don't have to do this, some people just like to.

Regarding the different Meguiar's products you mentioned, M20 is a synthetic/carnauba blend that has some mild cleaning ability; M21 is a fully synthetic product and is often referred to as the "pro version of NXT" because the formulations are quite similar and M21 can be applied via rotary buffer if you so desire (we hate to correct Marc here, but it is NOT body shop safe); NXT Tech Wax 2.0 is what we would call a "polish/wax" because it contains properties of both types of products - it contains polish to help darken and richen color, plus the protection of a fully synthetic sealant.

[Marc08EX]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

Regarding the different Meguiar's products you mentioned, M20 is a synthetic/carnauba blend that has some mild cleaning ability; M21 is a fully synthetic product and is often referred to as the "pro version of NXT" because the formulations are quite similar and M21 can be applied via rotary buffer if you so desire (we hate to correct Marc here, but it is NOT body shop safe); NXT Tech Wax 2.0 is what we would call a "polish/wax" because it contains properties of both types of products - it contains polish to help darken and richen color, plus the protection of a fully synthetic sealant.

Whoops!!! Sorry about that. Thanks for the correction Mike!! I thought that all mirror glaze products are body shop safe. That's good to know!

[Murr1525]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

No, waxes wont be, at least not for now.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Questions on Sealants?

Whoops!!! Sorry about that. Thanks for the correction Mike!! I thought that all mirror glaze products are body shop safe. That's good to know!

With very few exceptions, they are. But all of the waxes and sealants fall into the "NOT" category. For the record, M40 is also not body shop safe.