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View Full Version : Is there any type of sealant that can stand up to an automatic carwash?



Bluelude1
03-28-2020, 11:33 AM
I know the idea of using an automatic carwash is almost sacrilegious here, but particularly in the winter, it's terribly impractical to handwash a car at certain times. I bought a bottle of The Last Coat v2.0 to try on a black hood because it was supposed to be pretty chemical resistant and within two runs through the carwash, you couldn't tell anything was on there even though before applying I polished the hood, applied two coats and let it cure.

Is there anything on the market that lasts any more than a pass or two through the carwash?

Billy Baldone
03-28-2020, 12:26 PM
PowerLock/colonite

spazzz
03-28-2020, 12:28 PM
I know the idea of using an automatic carwash is almost sacrilegious here, but particularly in the winter, it's terribly impractical to handwash a car at certain times. I bought a bottle of The Last Coat v2.0 to try on a black hood because it was supposed to be pretty chemical resistant and within two runs through the carwash, you couldn't tell anything was on there even though before applying I polished the hood, applied two coats and let it cure.

Is there anything on the market that lasts any more than a pass or two through the carwash?

In my little opinion.the order of longevity for products would be in order of 1 being least durable.

1) Spray on magic si02/ceramic/special sauce or whatever label sealant/coating type stuff

2) Sealant

3) coating lites(less) or coating (more).

Any car wash with brushes is like using a degreaser with a 3m green pad to rinse a plate.
Touchless washes would be akin to dawn on plate rinsed with faucet sprayer.

My car is UK3 coated and have used a BP touchless twice this winter without any noticeable degradation.

PaulMys
03-28-2020, 06:23 PM
If you are referring to a car wash that uses brushes, then the answer is "no, not really".

They use harsh brushes and chemicals to remove dirt/grime from a car. Unfortunately, it also removes whatever protection(s) you have applied.

Those brush car washes (Swirl-O-Matics) are for the 99% of people who don't notice or care how their paint is being damaged by these hack jobs.

The best practice is to get your paint in the greatest condition possible before winter, use a proven LSP (wax, sealant, hybrid, or coating) and do a rinseless wash when possible, or if very dirty, a touchless then rinseless.

Bill D
03-28-2020, 06:27 PM
I saw a car in one of those swirl-o-Matics today. It was horrifying!