Need your opinion on sealants

[S4Dallas]

Hi All,

I washed my S4 the other day, nanoskined it, and then used my new Flex 3401 and the BF Total Polish and Sealant. See below pics).

I have not had a chance to apply the BF Crystal seal paint sealant yet.

This is my first time using these BF product, as for many years I have used the BF Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection with spectacular results (not on this car - it's a new car to me).

In terms of durability, longevity and deep gloss shine, is there something different I should be using? I was attracted to the overall ease of the BF system, and my favorable usage of their products in the past.

Is there a different spray and wipe type sealant I should use instead of the BF? Will the Wet Diamond provide a deeper gloss look? Should I apply the Wet diamond over the BF TPS?

Thank you for your opinions.
http://s4.postimg.org/osrutg231/IMG_2823.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s4.postimg.org/4a1k24djh/IMG_2825.jpg (http://postimage.org/)http://s11.postimg.org/7dejk1jsj/IMG_1135.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[Billy Baldone]

Never tried BF anything, but like most of us on here, I have tried many different products over the years. I have a few favorites, like Power Lock. But for whatever reason, I still absolutely love Chemical Guys Blacklight/Vo7 combo. I know it doesn't last long, but it is my favorite look for my Ruby Red Focus.

[custmsprty]

Looks great. Beautiful ride, congratulations.

I've always topped the BF TPS with the Wet Diamond Sealant or Midnight Sun.

[Kamakaz1961]

Blackfire products IMO are top notch...IMO if you want to stick with it I see no reason to change.

I am down to about 2 different brands of products to do specific things...It saves me a lot of headaches and money. All the other stuff that come out I choose not to try out as the ones that I have I am completely satisfied with. Blackfire IMO is an excellent product brand.

Beautiful ride!!

[S4Dallas]

Thanks guys. I absolutely live the S4. IMO, it is a superior car in every way except gas mileage to my past BMW's.

My concern around the TPS is some people in the reviews felt it didnt last long.

I just ordered some new pads last night and I next weekend I'm going to try the regular BF polish and wet diamond wax I've used and loved for years.

[tenblade2001]

Nice results. Having a white car is a mixed blessing: doesn't show defects as much, but hard to get it to shine/reflect like other colors. I would suggest IronX the next time you wash. Sealant wise, I'm a fan of Menz.

[Evan.J]

I love Sonax Polymer Netshield for a sealant. Its very easy to use and the durability is great. You would have no problem getting 6 months out of an application.

[Mask]

I love Sonax Polymer Netshield for a sealant. Its very easy to use and the durability is great. You would have no problem getting 6 months out of an application.

So true ^^
I also like sonax brilliant shine detailer. Ease of application,no streak, nice scent, drying aid.

[atgonzales]

Try mezerna power lock sealant it is something else even with this heavy rain in Chicago still looks awesome

[4u2nvinmtl]

FK1000p is my new favourite LSP after trying Klasse, BFWD+BFMS, Collinite 845, and many other synthetic waxes/sealants.

My subjective list in order from most preferred to least preferred:

FK1000p (2-3 layers)
Klasse AIO topped with 4+ layers of Klasse SG
Collinite 845 (I use one to two layers)
BFWD+BFMS (two layers of each)
Mothers FX Synwax (paste not cream)
Chemical Guys 50/50 Paste Wax
Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax (cream)


FAQ:
Why is FK1000p my favorite? Because it looks as good as layered Klasse last's as longer, very easy to apply, and lastly the price (very low per application)
Why is Klasse above Collinite? I found the look and longevity of layered Klasse to be superior to 845 despite the time involved in layered application
Why is BFWD+BFMS below Collinite? Because it's much easier to apply and takes less time to apply, it also lasts longer

[S4Dallas]

Great detailed info guys. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me.

[S4Dallas]

FK1000p is my new favourite LSP after trying Klasse, BFWD+BFMS, Collinite 845, and many other synthetic waxes/sealants.

My subjective list in order from most preferred to least preferred:

FK1000p (2-3 layers)
Klasse AIO topped with 4+ layers of Klasse SG
Collinite 845 (I use one to two layers)
BFWD+BFMS (two layers of each)
Mothers FX Synwax (paste not cream)
Chemical Guys 50/50 Paste Wax
Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax (cream)


FAQ:
Why is FK1000p my favorite? Because it looks as good as layered Klasse last's as longer, very easy to apply, and lastly the price (very low per application)
Why is Klasse above Collinite? I found the look and longevity of layered Klasse to be superior to 845 despite the time involved in layered application
Why is BFWD+BFMS below Collinite? Because it's much easier to apply and takes less time to apply, it also lasts longer

I was going to try the FK1000p after reading your post, but I it's a paste wax. Would prefer to be able to apply with my Flex 3401 to minimize use of my bad shoulder.

[Paul@Autogeek]

S4Dallas, First off welcome to the forums. Although I'm a BMW enthusiast I will admit that your S4 looks like an incredible machine :xyxthumbs:

Check out the excerpt below where Mike describes how to apply wax with a dual action. Same process will apply for using the FK1000p (although you would scoop the wax out).


Continued...

How to apply a paste wax by machine
You'll need a DA Polisher like this Porter Cable 7424XP (http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polishers.html) with a 5.5" Flat Gray Finishing Pad (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html), Dodo Juice Banana Armour Hard Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/banana-hard-car-wax.html)and some Microfiber Gloves (http://www.autogeek.net/micglovinbul.html). For this step you could substitute any quality finishing wax or paint sealant. Here's a list of finishing waxes, sealants and hybrids.

How To Choose The Right Wax or Paint Sealant for your Detailing Project (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/23263-how-choose-right-wax-paint-sealant-your-detailing-project.html)


For this procedure I'm going to place a microfiber glove over one hand in order to hold the wax without contaminating it or without it slipping out of my hand.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/Behemoth2010.jpg



To get the wax out of the plastic jar you just have to carefully knock it out using inertia by holding the jar upside down and then knocking it against your other hand with a Microfiber Glove on it.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/Behemoth2011.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/Behemoth2012.jpg



Then hold the polisher in one hand and the wax in your other hand with the glove on it and blip the on/off button of the polisher while holding the wax against the face of the pad and you can quickly transfer wax to the pad.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/NonAbrasiveMethod040.jpg


The Microfiber Gloves keep the wax clean until you place it back into the jar and enable you to grip the wax so it doesn't slip out of your hand and onto the floor...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/NonAbrasiveMethod041.jpg



Ready to start laying down some Banana Armour...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/Behemoth2014.jpg



It takes a little muscle to do this because in one hand you're holding the wax and the other hand is holding the polisher for the duration of time it takes to run the polisher over every square inch of the car. If you had a helper they could hold the wax with microfiber gloves on and you could use both hands to hold the polisher, then as you needed more wax your helper could apply the wax while you hold the polisher, otherwise hit the gym.


If you look carefully you can see I spelled out Dodo on the hood in my wax pattern...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/Behemoth2015.jpg


In the forum world you'll often read people talking about getting the "Sun Shot" , that's where they pull their project car out into the sun to show there are no swirls in the paint.

The below shot is kind of like the "Sun Shot", but I call it the "Fun Shot" because I was just having some fun with the Dodo name in wax.

I used a rubberband to hold a Cobra Indigo Microfiber Bonnet (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-indigo-microfiber-bonnets-6.html) over a 3" Griot's Garage Polishing Pad (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-orange-pads-3.html) on a DA Polisher and took the wax off only where the word DODO was spelled out and then pulled the car into the sun for a "Fun Shot".

The Sun Shot Fun Shot
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/Behemoth2016.jpg



Yep, this is how you get the high overhead shot, you have to get up in the air a little ways...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/Behemoth2017.jpg



Removing the wax
After capturing the fun shot I pulled the car back into our studio and let the hood cool down and then removed the wax by hand using Cobra Indigo Microfiber Towels (http://www.autogeek.net/coinmipocl8p.html). Always fold your towels 4 ways to give you 8 sides to wipe with and to provide cushion to spread out the pressure of you hand.

Below is a link to a video and at the end of the video I show how to remove Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0 by hand using the Cobra Indigo Microfiber Towels. In this video I share a technique I call "Breaking the Wax Open" and then "Creeping Out". Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0 is a finishing synthetic paint sealant but the technique shared in the video can be used with any finishing wax, sealant or hybrid.

How to Apply a Synthetic Paint Sealant by Hand using the Straightline Technique (http://www.palmbeachmotoring.net/ascg-videos/paint-sealant.html)


After removing the majority of the wax it's time to give the paint a final wipe. Here's an article on the technique for giving paint a final wipe.

The Final Wipe – Tips for creating a streak-free, show car finish (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/19956-final-wipe.html)

[4u2nvinmtl]

I was going to try the FK1000p after reading your post, but I it's a paste wax. Would prefer to be able to apply with my Flex 3401 to minimize use of my bad shoulder.

The FK1000p (AKA FinishKare 1000P Hi-Temp Sealant) is actually a sealant that looks like a paste wax and it can be applied by DA, in fact, the tin is so large that the pads fit right inside. It's a beautiful thing. IMHO it's easyer to apply by hand than by DA because a DA is heavier than an applicator pad and you can use your other arm to apply by hand whereas by DA you'll likely need both hands on the tool.

[Zubair]

WGDGPS 3.0, absolutely awesome sealant in application,looks, longevity.