Sealant question: what would you do?

[The_2nd_G]

So here's the scenario...

I put a few coats of BFWD on my silver Audi A5 cabriolet (purchased new the end of July) over the course of a few weeks, and have been waxing with P21 Concours about every other week for the past six weeks, but with winter looming, I'm ready to strip the LSP and start over. Here is what I currently have in my garage: Optimum Opti-Seal, the previously-mentioned BFWD and P21S Concours, plus a sample of Pinnacle Liquid Sovereign Spray Wax from a recent AG purchase.

I'd love to hear from someone with more experience than me (pretty much includes everyone on the forum). What would you do?

Bonus question. Same garage, different car. My wife is about to take delivery of a 2013 Accord in what Honda calls "modern steel metallic" (kind of a dark gray).

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

[master detailer]

get some good sealer

[rider9195]

I would use a paint clean to remove the current LSP's since you have built up many layers. You could probably be there for a while trying to strip the LSP with a wash.

Then I would just proceed to applying two coats of BFWD and be done with it.

[ihaveacamaro]

Two coats of BFWD followed by Pinnacle Spray wax would be my plan.

I would do the same on both vehicles

[SON1C]

I'd apply one good application of bfwdps, everyone's obsessed with topping these days, I'd only top for car shows etc, for just protection one layer should be more than sufficient, otherwise it must be a poor quality product

[yakky]

DG105 or DG501. Either will remove what's on there and last all winter.

[FlawlessJ]

Bfwd is good I would strip it clay and apply one coat of bfwd.

[primo spaghetti]

not to be a smart arse, but are you having an issue with the numerous layers of wax already on there??

if not i got to think that youre fine for winter...maybe even a nuclear winter!! lol

I dont know where i read it, but i think it was on the optimum forums, but the opti seal topped on your current wax will actually penetrate beneath your wax and protect?? dont ask me how the economy works, but if you have that, sounds like it would work too, with alot less work.

[The_2nd_G]

not to be a smart arse, but are you having an issue with the numerous layers of wax already on there??

if not i got to think that youre fine for winter...maybe even a nuclear winter!! lol

I dont know where i read it, but i think it was on the optimum forums, but the opti seal topped on your current wax will actually penetrate beneath your wax and protect?? dont ask me how the economy works, but if you have that, sounds like it would work too, with alot less work.

No issues with the wax, just wondering if the underlying layers of sealant are "enough." Boy, if Opti-Seal really does somehow magically get beneath wax, that would really make it an easy decision.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

[TroyScherer]

1st: Where are you located? This will help to determine durability needs.

2nd: Based on what you have. I would stick with the multiple coats of BFWD topped with Opti-Seal -or- P21S. P21S if you want the nice nuba look. And Opti-Seal if you want to increase the durability every time you apply.

[mwoolfso]

There is a saying I use time and time again, "If it works, DO IT AGAIN!"

So I ask you, did it work before? Or are you looking for some variety?

[Vegas Transplant]

No issues with the wax, just wondering if the underlying layers of sealant are "enough." Boy, if Opti-Seal really does somehow magically get beneath wax, that would really make it an easy decision.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I found that the overuse of products led to necessity to clay more often. YMMV

Common misconception. Im the MAN

Optimum polymers throughout the line = :grouphug: :dblthumb2:

[BobbyG]

To begin, follow the basics...


Wash
Clay
Paint Cleaner
Sealant
Wax

After a good wash and clay the next logical step would be to go over the finish with a good paint cleaner to remove any residual sealants, wax, contamination, oxidation etc.

There are many quality paint cleaners but a nice 1-step will also work too.

Apply these with a dual action polisher, a white foam polishing pad, and machine speed 5.

Once you're ready it's time for 2 coats of a quality sealant 12 hours apart, unless you're using a sealant that indicates something different.

Quality Sealants

Menzerna Power Lock (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)
Prima Hydro Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/prima-hydro-seal.html)
Four Star Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-ultimate-paint-protection.html)
Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-wet-diamond-sealant.html)
Klasse High Gloss Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/klashiggloss.html)
Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)
Duragloss 601 Bonding Agent (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-polish-bonding-agent.html)
Duragloss 105 TPP (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-total-performance-polish.html)
Optimum Opti-Seal (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-seal.html)
Sonus SFX-4 Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/sonus-sfx-4-paint-sealant.html)

Wax


Wolfgang Fuzion (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-fuzion-wax-sample.html)
Dodo Juice Supernatural (http://www.autogeek.net/natural-carnauba-wax-200.html)
Pinnacle Souveran (http://www.autogeek.net/pinsouvwax.html)
Blackfire Midnight Sun (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/blackfire-midnight-sun-wax.html)
Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)

Spray Wax -Optimum Spray Car Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-spray-wax.html)