How long does sealant/wax last?

[highkrausen]

Let's say, for baseline comparison, I have relatively new (or well maintained) paint. My protection routine: wash, clay, light polish, seal and top coat with wax. Should look beautiful and have solid protection that will last about 6 months, right?

1. How do you know when it is time to re-apply sealant/wax? Obviously, the protection wears down over time of washing, QD wiping, driving, etc. It's not about time; it's about wearing out. Without measuring thickness, is there a way to know when these protective coatings have worn out and need to be re-applied?

2. When you have decided to re-detail the vehicle, is it necessary (or beneficial) to remove all previous protective coatings: sealant, wax, etc. Or do you just wash/clay and protect again? (assuming paint is still in good shape)

3. What is safe with regard to waterless washes and quick detailing? Let's say the vehicle has been out in rain and snow and comes into the garage with some mud spray on the lower 1/3 of panels. With a waterless spray or QD, is that safe to wipe down (changing to a new side of the MF towel frequently) ? Is weekly "wiping" factored in to the "6 months of protection" ?

I know there are lots of depends in answers (paint hardness, what type of sealant/wax, etc) I'm looking for more general guidance on strategy than a warranty.

Thanks!

[Rsurfer]

1. Although bad or no beading doesn't always mean the protection is gone. It's the only way I know of showing whether or not the LSP is still doing its job of protecting the paint. When most LSP are applied the beads are tall, round and tight..when it gets loose oblong and flat, its time for reapplication.

2. No you don't have to remove unless you are applying a coating.

3. If you have mud on the lower panels, take it to a touch less or do a rinseless wash on the bottom panels.

They are so many variables that it would be difficult to say how long your LSP will last.

[trekkeruss]

I know there are lots of depends in answers (paint hardness, what type of sealant/wax, etc) I'm looking for more general guidance on strategy than a warranty.

Thanks!

Do what makes you happy. It's up to you and how OCD you are about how your vehicle looks.

[custmsprty]

Do what makes you happy. It's up to you and how OCD you are about how your vehicle looks.

[highkrausen]

Do what makes you happy. It's up to you and how OCD you are about how your vehicle looks.

ha. well put.

I guess I'm just concerned with wiping with QD every couple of days during the spring (puddles, etc.) and then having an idea of when i need to reapply the sealant. If its every month because of my OCD, that's fine... just want to know what to look for.

[FUNX650]

Regarding your thread starter's
and OP's subject matter; and,
since your last, last-step-product
was a Wax:

•I consider this Mike Phillips article a must read:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...t-sealant.html

And...From the above thread...
-Here's one of my favorite M.P. quotes:

If you want your car's paint to always look
like it was just waxed... then just wax it...

_________________________________________________

Additionally...
I'll include this M.P. quotation:

"Find something you like and use it often"

Bob

[custmsprty]

ha. well put.

I guess I'm just concerned with wiping with QD every couple of days during the spring (puddles, etc.) and then having an idea of when i need to reapply the sealant. If its every month because of my OCD, that's fine... just want to know what to look for.

If you wipe that often with a QD no matter how careful you are you will have a swirled up mess in no time.

[pheerix]

Waterless washing is safe. Depends on your technique. Just apply a base layer of sealant of your choice then just use a spray wax or sealant every wash. Those will act as a sacrificial layer and prolong your sealant.

[goldenlight]

its harder to dry the car :-)

[parshooter]

If you're worried about your wax not protecting your paint anymore, just wax on a time schedule, say every 3 months.