TechWax on Silver

[TopKat]

Ok guys, you've just about got me convinced. More questions.
I had the A4 sealed with a ****** product called PermaPlate. (I only paid $85 instead of the usual dealer ripoff price).
If I apply TechWax will it remove the PermaPlate? Is the PermaPlate so tough that using TechWax would be a waist
of time? Are they compatible? Should I not worry about it?
How often do you apply TechWax every year? I do get the
A4 washed via a high pressure water only car wash every
week or so.

[Don]

Most dealer applied paint protections are no better than the "average" paint sealant you can buy off the shelf. IMO, I would just wash the car like normal, do any prep work (polishing, SMR etc) then apply the Tech Wax

[rdarwa]

Tech Wax

I apply Tech Wax once or twice a month. I wash every week. In between wa

In between waxing I use the spray wax to give it that look of being just waxed.

I agree with Don about the paint sealant.

[Blake]

Agree about Dealer sealants. Some are not as good as off the shelf products. As for how often you wax (with NXT) I plan on probably going over my vehicle at least once a month and some months more often during the summer. I find it works great on my "silver" and it is very easy on and off. On my daily driver that has been outside 24/7 after 6 weeks, several snowstorms, and half a dozen washes it's still standing up very well. Get into a pattern of using something you like.

[Rockpick]

I have heard of the PermaPlate system however, I must admit that I'm not very familar with application techniques or longevity of protection. I am, however, familar with what Dupont, the maker of ******, says about ****** products and paint care products.

According to Dupont...
"The additon of a ****** flouropolymer resin does nothing to enhance the properties of a car wax. We have no data that indicates the use of ****** is beneficial in car waxes."

Source

Compatibility is definately a question however, I don't think you'll have any problems utilizing the NXT Tech Wax over the PermaPlate system.

RP

[mopar]

i worked in dealership detialing for 8 years and in my opinion the dealer paint protection is junk and a rip off. think about it dealer ships are out for one thing .to make mony and a decent profit .for the amount of time it would take to wax a brand new finish that was in good shape any one would be farther off doing it themsleves and in some cases save hundreds of dollars
just my opinion though.

[rdarwa]

This is with 4 coats of NXT, the silver is awesome. No build up at all.






Except for this strange haze spot...you can see that silver is totally awesome with NXT.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: TechWax on Silver

Originally posted by TopKat
Ok guys, you've just about got me convinced. More questions.
I had the A4 sealed with a ****** product called PermaPlate.

I called on a Lexus dealership in Portland Oregon that applied this for around $600.00 (Ouch!), the detailers in their detail shop hated the salespeople for selling customers this paint protection system to their customers because in most cases, the customer will end up bringing the car back in less than 30 days complaining that the Perma Plate system didn’t hold up to their expectations. The detailers would then apply a traditional wax.

(I only paid $85 instead of the usual dealer rip off price).

I don’t know if this is still a good deal, see above comment. Products like the above are basically some type of silicone/polymer/wax product, just like anything you could purchase and apply yourself. I have watched detailers apply PermaPlate, it has all this mystique around it when all it really is, is an Insurance Policy that you have purchased, for usually a high price. People are fooled into purchasing what they believe to be a Force Field around their car, but the truth of the matter is it’s just a paint protectant that will do no better, and possibly worse then other products on the market.

If I apply Tech Wax will it remove the PermaPlate?

Hard to judge, but at a minimum, probably not completely.

Is the PermaPlate so tough that using Tech Wax would be a waist of time? Are they compatible? Should I not worry about it?

See my answer above about Lexus customers bring their cars back within 30 days.

How often do you apply Tech Wax every year?

If you store your car in a heated garage and never drive it, then once a year is fine. If you drive your car on a daily basis and park it outdoors at least part of the day, then every 2 to 3 months would be better for protection. If you want it to look like it was just waxed all the time, then once a month would be best and even more often if you enjoy detailing your car. Nothing beats the look of a fresh coat of wax on paint in excellent condition. If your car is a daily driver, it’s important that before applying any company’s wax, you should first see if your finish needs to be clayed.

I do get the A4 washed via a high pressure water only car wash every week or so.

If what you’re referring to is a Touchless Car Wash, they way a Touchless car wash gets your car clean without any physical contact with the finish is to use strong, chemicals to dissolve the dirt and road grime off the car. These tend to be high pH and will remove any company’s car wax.

If you plan on continuing to take your car through this type of car wash, then I would recommend staying with the PermaPlate system and when the appearance quality of your car’s finish doesn’t meet your expectations, you can blame PermaPlate and the touch less car wash.

Think about it and use your common sense, if a car wash doesn’t physically touch your car’s paint… then what is in the water that will be effective at removing dirt from your car’s finish? Remember this also, your car may usually be very clean, but the car wash has to be capable of cleaning a wide range of dirty cars from a little dirty to real dirty. The chemicals in the water will be the same for both.

I met a couple yesterday that have a black 50th Anniversary Corvette. They told me they have taken it to two different professional detailers to have the swirls removed, but every time they take it to the car wash, it comes out looking swirled again. In there case they’re going to Hand Wash car wash. The problem with that is in most cases, the wash mitts are tatty and whose to say they car wash employees haven’t dropped the mitt sometime in the past? Maybe the car before theirs was really dirty?

The best way to insure your car’s beautiful finish stays that way is to wash it your self, always use a high quality car wash mitt, and a premium car wash soap. By doing these things, you are in control.

Mike

[TopKat]

Thanks Mike

Well it looks like all of the "Guaranteed Sealents" are BS! Glad I didnt get stung to bad. Your comments make sense regarding the touchless systems too. Live and learn. Being the lazy SOB that I am I most resently found a little detail shop in my neiborhood that did a good job with a regular wash. I told him when I'm ready for a wax I'll bring my own and he said no problem so I'll let him apply TechWax and see how it works. If its all everyone says I'll let him do it every 2 - 3 mos. Any other suggestions?