Menzerna Powerlock as final step

[Digital1955]

I have just fully corrected the paint on my 1955 chevy. I followed with an IPA wipedown and several coats of Menzerna Powerlock sealant. I have traditionally always followed with several more topcoats of Mothers carnauba wax.

The 1955 is not a daily driver. I don't drive in the (northeast) winters nor even in the rain on purpose and its garaged. It has a pretty easy life.

I recently decided that after 25 years of using Mothers, I was tired of the wax turning white where it was missing and in the deeper marks on the paint (on my daily driver not the 55'). Also it has made me wonder about the clarity of the wax overtime on the painted surfaces, but that is another story. I decided that I wanted to try Meguiars ultimate wax in paste form as a replacement.

I've read some reported issues with it (smearing), but in general, I haven't had any issues with it on my daily driver.

However, I do have one issue with it, and that is it seems to have a high content of whatever the "softener" is in the wax. Petroleum distillates or whatever. As I put more coats of this stuff on, I just don't feel like I am getting much layering, because it seems to have so much "bite" from the softening material. That probably contributes to the greasiness that some describe.

Worse, over the Menzerna Powerlock, I didn't feel like I was gaining anything in shine/glow. Personally on my daily driver, I value protection over absolute shine, so if it was going to help protect the paint better, then I am all for it still.

All that brings me to my question - perhaps I should have been more to the point. On my show car, I am really happy with how the Menzera Powerlock looks, and, also layers. Is the powerlock
sufficient as a top coat? Or will a better polymer/syn wax or carnauba still offer me something over that powerlock for shine on my 55'? If it adds more protection and maintains the shine I have, I'd been good with it.

Perhaps since I've already used nothing but Menzerna, I should try their carnauba - but again, I was wanting to avoid a whitening product, its unclear how that stuff dries.

-Scott

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GG3RADsROt4/VvGwHOPSgeI/AAAAAAAAg6Y/EZOBj7eyE7c985jOQQa8RfnE31EXLC20QCCo/s1152-Ic42/20160320_185938.jpg

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

If you polished your paint to near perfection, it's going to be hard for a wax or sealant to change the look of your car.

If you put on powerlock , adding carnuba wax over it will only pro long the longevity of your protection layers, so your powerlock Is the base layer, let the carnuba layer take the beading (pun intended) powerlock offers a pretty amazing glow tho, it's going to be hard to squeeze anything more out.

I would try pinnacle Souveran paste wax, or Wolfgang fuzion , there a dream to work with, and make black cars look like they just got sprayed in clearcoat.

But yes adding more layers of protection will only help not hurt.

You should post more pics of that beauty for us to see 😃

[vobro]

If your happy with how it looks then leave it alone, Powerlock is a very good sealant that protects and will last a good while.
P.S That's some serious gloss and depth on your 55

[Kamakaz1961]

Powerlock is incredible by itself. If it were me no need to apply a wax....keep your ride beautiful! Your ride is a beautiful ride!! If you are dead set putting on a wax use Menzerna's carnauba wax....I do not know what they call it now since Menzerna changes the names of their products every 2 to 3 years...LOL It is very similar to Powerlock but the carnauba liquid wax.

[99C5Coupe]

More pictures of the 55 please.

[Ebg18t]

Menzerna PL is a solid performer. If you happy with the look I wouldn't mess with it anymore. Your paint in the picture looks awesome

[FUNX650]

I rarely "top" a Sealant with a Wax.

•Also, IMO:
1.) A sole application of a Sealant should
provide enough protection of its own accord.

2.a.) As far as I'm concerned:
"The jury is still out" on whether the building
of film-layers, and added thickness(es) via
"topping", can actually be accomplished.
2.b.) In any case: this does not preclude the
practice of expending two applications of an LSP...
(a Sealant in this scenario)...for ensuring
"total coverage", if a person would so desire.


Bob

[custmsprty]

I rarely "top" a Sealant with a Wax.

•Also, IMO:
1.) A sole application of a Sealant should
provide enough protection of its own accord.

2.a.) As far as I'm concerned:
"The jury is still out" on whether the building
of film-layers, and added thickness(es) via
"topping", can actually be accomplished.
2.b.) In any case: this does not preclude the
practice of expending two applications of an LSP...
(a Sealant in this scenario)...for ensuring
"total coverage", if a person would so desire.


Bob

:iagree:

I generally put one coat of sealant. I do top many sealants with Fuzion, Souveran and other high quality Nubas depending on the sitaution.

[cardaddy]

First... LOVE that 55! :dblthumb2:
http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/give_it_to_me_stephen_colbert.gif


Menz PL really doesn't need anything on it. Of course neither does any other sealant. ;)


That being said... You might try Megs #26 Yellow Wax (which is a hybrid wax-sealant) on top of your favorite sealant. Works GREAT on top of Megs M21 2.0!

Megs #26 has a D.O.I. rating well up into the 90's, which really amps up gloss, but more importantly the depth of, and correct color. Plus it'll add a bit of reflectivity to boot. :D

[mcate]

I'm a HUGE fan of Power Lock. It's my favorite LSP. That said, I've often topped it with Menz CL on my black Shelby. Not sure it added any depth or shine. I guess as summer goes along I add a coat of CL to freshen it up before a show.

[axel06]

try this out you will love it...

BLACKFIRE BlackICE Hybrid Montan Sealant Wax, best black car wax (http://www.autogeek.net/best-black-car-wax.html)

[Kamakaz1961]

I rarely "top" a Sealant with a Wax.

•Also, IMO:
1.) A sole application of a Sealant should
provide enough protection of its own accord.

2.a.) As far as I'm concerned:
"The jury is still out" on whether the building
of film-layers, and added thickness(es) via
"topping", can actually be accomplished.
2.b.) In any case: this does not preclude the
practice of expending two applications of an LSP...
(a Sealant in this scenario)...for ensuring
"total coverage", if a person would so desire.


Bob

GGGRRRR!!!!! LOL!! I am on the sealant 1st layered off with a carnauba wax!!! BLASPHEMY BOB!!!!

All kidding aside this is also the biggest "HEADACHE" part too! I cannot stand ghosting or hazing after you top off with a wax. In most cases, there is no issue. In some cases there are. Those waxes that ghost I usually just give away as IMO there should be no issues...PERIOD. I have narrowed my waxes to about 15 that are excellent waxes and do not ghost on top of a sealant.

I usually will remove everything and start all over with a sealant topped with a wax. That is the HEADACHE part.

Do I see a difference in depth, gloss and wet look....In my Eyes...YES!!!! But that is my eyes. I am a legend in my own mind!.....LOL Have a good one Bob!!

[axel06]

or if you are bad to the bone this one....

Black Label Synergy, synthetic wax, coating wax, best paste wax (http://www.autogeek.net/black-label-synergy.html)

[Digital1955]

Thanks all for the great feedback. Based on what I see and feel from the Powerlock, and what was said here, I am leaning towards not putting anything else over top of it. Especially as I came home from work and looked at it again (and again).

I am going get my hands on some products you've all suggested (keep them coming) for my daily driver, the test mule. It's also black, so it a great test for those smeary looking top coats.

I guess I wasn't totally forthcoming - the car isn't completely done (is it ever) being detailed, so I'll post some totally done shots when I have them.

It's kinda unbelievable how many products are available and how hard it can be to pick, I think we are all very lucky in this regard. I used Menzerna FG400, followed by Menzerna Super Finish Plus 3800, using Meguiars MF cutting and finishing pads respectively, 20% IPA wipe then Menzerna Powerlock.

-Scott

[TTQ B4U]

I use and love Powerlock and it's my go-to Sealant. I do top it with a wax of some sort.

In fact my layering on the two black vehicles I have once they have been polished to perfection is:



Chem Guys Blacklight (2 Coats)
Menzerma Powerlock
Then some type of wax

My Audi was topped with BLACKFIRE BlackICE Hybrid Montan Sealant Wax and for winter I coated it Collinite #845. Last week I topped it off with BLACKFIRE BlackICE Hybrid Montan again for Spring.

I tend to enjoy the process of applying a fresh coat of something and just recently bought some Megs Ultimate Wax just to try it out.

LOL I may do a set of test patches dividing the hood, roof and trunk and seeing how they hold up over the next several weeks. That's my goal/project when I'm back in town.

This past weekend I made some final polishing touches to the van which is now 100% complete and then coated her with 2 coats of Blacklight and then Powerlock.

Here too I may try some test patterns out to see how they fair. Call me crazy or stupid but I enjoy testing out various products and coatings.

Lastly, I love the 55. Looking forward to seeing more of it.