PLEASE HELP>> Avalanche Grey Raptor.. seal or coat??

[John G]

Hello,
Its been several years since I have asked for advise on a product to use but I want some help on what I should use, sealant or coating to achieve the best gloss look for my AG color which doesn't have any metallic in it.. Price doesn't bug me as long as I achive a wet look and protect this new beauty of a color on truck.. Thanks,John

[custmsprty]

The gloss and shine come from proper preparation, meaning a good clay, decon and polish with a da polisher.

The high gloss on my Rogue came from the preparation, it was then sealed with Polish Angel Viking Coat.

Here's a link to the process:

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/97678-polish-angel-esclate-viking-coat.html



http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w421/custmsprty/PAVK1_zpsuglkywsu.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/custmsprty/media/PAVK1_zpsuglkywsu.jpg.html)

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w421/custmsprty/reflection_zps5inkn7gs.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/custmsprty/media/reflection_zps5inkn7gs.jpg.html)

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w421/custmsprty/reflection1_zpsjmpzybdp.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/custmsprty/media/reflection1_zpsjmpzybdp.jpg.html)

[LSNAutoDetailing]

Agree with cstmsprty, here are some pro's / con's

1.) Wax - Provides a few months of longevity, you can re-apply at will and will look great.
2.) Sealant - Good for 6 months or so, will look great and you can apply at will.
3.) Coating - Will also look great, add some protection against light marring, dust and bird-bombs. Maintenance is super easy, rinse and blow and should last "up to" 2 years. For maintenance wash, blow dry and apply silica QD as needed,(such as Re-Load every 6 months). Here is the con: To maximize you should polish the vehicle first, working with the product can be difficult and you can incur high spots, which will have to be repolished and coating re-applied. As protection starts to wear off, you will have to remove the coating, i.e. machine polish, then re-apply (if desired).

I have coatings on all my vehicles because I wanted to achieve what you are looking for, plus the added benefits of low maintenance, high uv and bird-bomb protection.
But I have to know that when the time comes (a year or so) when it's time to re-apply, it isn't' going to be as simple as wash and wax. On a new vehicle like your truck, I most certainly would do a coating. For an old classic car or concourse, wax (not sealant or coatings) is the way to go.

Hope this helps!

[custmsprty]

You'll want to get some of this for your plastic trim, the sooner the better.

It easily lasts 4-5 months and that's in Florida's summer monsoon season.

Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant, rubber protectant, metal protectant, exterior trim protectant, exterior trim sealer (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-exterior-trim-sealant.html)

[John G]

Thx. I see several offer a kit form but again so many diggerent brands . I will continue to research and hopefully others chime in .

[Klasse Act]

Here's my .02 cents worth John, a truck that size should have a coating so you don't have to touch it for a very long time. I agree with others before me, prep is key and it can't be stressed enough. Its going to be a mountain of a job but when all is said and done, clean up is going to be easier, thus making your life a lot easier staying ontop of that beast!

[Klasse Act]

BTW Optimum's Gloss Coat has the easiest learning curve if your a coating noob but I couldn't be happier with my Wolfgang Uber ceramic paint coating, less is more with the later for sure!

[Rsurfer]

John, two words: COAT IT

[WillSports3]

I always suggest coatings. If you're going to wash, clay, compound, polish... you might as well coat after for your dd. If it's your weekend baby then maybe just pure wax. I would suggest polish angel or mckee 37 for a beginner.

[Desertnate]

Agree to all the advice so far regarding prep, and I too would coat it. I've not worked with Gloss Coat like Klasse Act recommended and can't speak about it, but I can recommend McKee's 37 Coating. It's also easy to apply, inexpensive, and a bottle will cover several vehicles so you don't have to worry about running out while you teach yourself how to apply a coating.

On a separate note, Ford calls that color "gray"? Looking at your photo and others I Googled it looks very much like white. Is there a flake or pearl in it that looks different from a simple pure white paint?

[John G]

Actually there is no flake in it and it's more gray than white. Looks like a glossy clay puddy.

[Ancient1]

I would coat it. The one I have used a lot recently is CSL and topped most with EXOv3 (which adds a little more hydrophobic qualities). CSL is extremely easy to use, it is a wipe on wipe off with no wait for it flash. The EXO tho does have a wait time for it to flash.

The last one I did was a black 2015 F150 and just used the CSL on it since it is a lease and is going back soon but was supposed to be making a trip of about 4k miles and wanted it protected against the bugs it would encounter (life got in the way and it didn't happen).

Here are a couple pictures of vehicles I have done this spring. The 150 is the only one with CSL alone the other 2 are CSL/EXO.

http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u450/Ancient_11/F150/F150-2/150%20New/150.jpg

My Gray 2009 Audi.

http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u450/Ancient_11/Uber/6-16-7.jpg

My brothers gray 2015 Escalade.

http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u450/Ancient_11/Escalade/2017-02-21%2012.14.25_1.jpg