I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

[ErnestHouse]

I've been using wash-Detailer-Quick Wax with Detailer/Quick Wax to maintain. I decided I wanted something that lasts longer. So I washed with Gold Class and put on Ultimate Liquid Wax. Is it OK to use Detailer and Quick Wax for step 5: Maintain?

[The Guz]

Yeah it's recommended to maintain a sealant just as you would a wax. Ultimate quik detailer and ultimate quik wax work well with ultimate wax.

[ErnestHouse]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

Thanks. So is the "W" in ULW silent? aka it isn't a wax. It's a sealant?

[The Guz]

The average consumer doesn't know what a sealant is. So wax is the word of choice. Those of us on this forum are more knowledgeable and know the difference.

You could even top ULW with GC wax if you want the protection of a sealant but the look of a carnauba.

[billddrummer]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

The average consumer doesn't know what a sealant is. So wax is the word of choice. Those of us on this forum are more knowledgeable and know the difference.

You could even top ULW with GC wax if you want the protection of a sealant but the look of a carnauba.

You have hit upon a great truth--that the forum has a materially higher knowledge level than that of the average consumer.

I for one have learned a tremendous amount from this resource. Thanks guys (and gals)!!!!!

[ErnestHouse]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

This use of "Wax" in products that are sealants is painful and I bought the wrong wash because of it. According to the Meguiars "Know How", I got faked out in the store and bought the wrong car wash. Because I was applying ULW (a sealant), I did not buy the Ultimate Wash and Wax because it had Carnuba (a wax). In searching for how long I can expect ULW to last, I discovered Meguiars .au "Know How" FAQ and it says to use UW&W with ULW. Knowing ULW was really a sealant, I bought GC instead. ARGGGGGGG.

http://www.meguiars.com.au/know-how/#q30

I know all Meguiar's products are PH neutral blah blah blah marketing speak but am I correct in concluding the lifespan of my ULW finish will be greatly diminished by GC?

[Stephan]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

I know all Meguiar's products are PH neutral blah blah blah marketing speak but am I correct in concluding the lifespan of my ULW finish will be greatly diminished by GC?

It's more of a compatibility of polymers thingy than a pH thingy. If you put any wax over a sealant, it will provide a temporary, sacrificial barrier to the sealant. This is a good thing. The action of washing and wiping your car clean and dry will diminish a sealant or wax in and of itself.

Don't over-analyze this. Sit down with a beer or a Johnny Walker Black and admire your shiny car.

[The Guz]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

^^^ I agree. Don't over think it. Any car wash soap is good and any Meguiar's soap will not diminish the lifespan of whichever wax you are using. UW&W leaves a layer of wax behind it to give you the just waxed look. You can do the same thing with a quick detailer or quick wax. The wax in UW&W will not last as long.

[Stephan]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

If you put any wax over a sealant,

Disclaimer: "ANY WAX" is too broad a statement. This was not meant to include cleaner waxes with abrasives.

[MTLian]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

The difference between a wax and a sealant is that a wax tends to be based on carnauba whilst a sealant tends to be based on synthetic polymers or acrylic. That's it.

A wax could even be synthetic and a sealant could contain some carnauba so it's not like the terms aren't interchangeable. Mostly it has to do with marketing whereas the average consumer seeks to by a wax for his car and if you present it as a sealant, he might not buy it because he might not get the term.

The he way it interpret it is that sealants are usually synthetic which means they may have a longer durability than a wax. However, if a wax is partially or entirely synthetic then it can also be durable.

[billddrummer]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

The difference between a wax and a sealant is that a wax tends to be based on carnauba whilst a sealant tends to be based on synthetic polymers or acrylic. That's it.

A wax could even be synthetic and a sealant could contain some carnauba so it's not like the terms aren't interchangeable. Mostly it has to do with marketing whereas the average consumer seeks to by a wax for his car and if you present it as a sealant, he might not buy it because he might not get the term.

The he way it interpret it is that sealants are usually synthetic which means they may have a longer durability than a wax. However, if a wax is partially or entirely synthetic then it can also be durable.

My understanding of it is that a sealant has a formulation which is designed to persist longer without reapplication than a wax.

As you point out, sealants typically are polymer based, but based on what I've read, the formula for a polymer based wax is different than the formula for a polymer based sealant.

The sealant has a different molecular structure (no I didn't major in chemistry) which is less resistant, or even nearly impervious, to environmental degradation.

Wax, as described many times and in many places on this forum, is a sacrificial barrier which requires periodic reapplication.

Interesting debate.

[davey g-force]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

I know all Meguiar's products are PH neutral blah blah blah marketing speak but am I correct in concluding the lifespan of my ULW finish will be greatly diminished by GC?

Not at all. GC or any other Meguiars car wash will not diminish a wax / sealant.

UWW is designed to leave a small amount of wax behing after washing, but you get a more durable result by using UQW after washing.

[Coach]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

Hi Earnest,
This stuff can make you dizzy if you let it. I don't pretend to be an expert but I have used Ultimate Polish followed by Ultimate Liquid or Paste Wax on all five of my families members vehicles with great results. To respond to your question... you don't need to do ANYTHING else after you apply Ultimate Wax. Just maintain by washing as needed and use Spray Detailer and Spray Wax. You can apply these every week if you want.

As you go forward, you can develop you own routine. (I maintain as needed polish spring and fall and apply Ultimate Wax approximately monthly.)
Hope this helps.
Coach

[ErnestHouse]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

Ahhhh I get it. Thanks everyone. "Wax over a sealant is ok" unlocks it for me.

[C8N]

Re: I'm lost in wax vs sealant debates. What do I do after Ultimate Liquid Wax?

IDK... to me, sealant is a wax. It is a synthetic wax.