Sealant Durability

[k3ith]

Even though it's hotter than Kate Hudson here in Memphis, I have been reading about winterizing. Naturally, the topic leads to durable sealants. So whats the deal here? Some products claim 6 months, others 12 months, and some just "months and months" of protection. I am sure there is some balance with polish and with Megs it seems cleaner is part of the sealant too.

I guess the question I am asking is.. how durable are #20 and #21? Should I be looking into another Meg product too?

Also, just to generally open up a discussion on the topic of sealant durability.

[fzr confused]

Re: Sealant Durability

M21 and NXT are the longest lasting waxes/sealants meguiars makes. M20 lasts a long time too, but a little shorter than the others, maybe a weeks less. I use M20 on everything since it lasts a decent amount of time and looks just soooo dang good

[BobbyG]

Re: Sealant Durability

There are allot of sealants on the market today that boast months and months of protection but the bottom line is their life depends on the environment they're subjected to.

ALL finish protection products breakdown as right after they're applied. The object of the game is to maintain the finish once their applied.

For winter here in New England I like to apply a quality sealant according to the directions and put on an additional layer of wax.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Sealant Durability

In all honesty, the very best you can do is......... the best you can do. That means keep the car as clean as possible without using harsh detergents to wash it. Wax as often as possible, especially if you're getting a lot of rain. Yes, it can be difficult when temperatures drop but.... do the best you can do. UQW is a fantastic product for times like this as the polymers in it are quite durable.

For those who live farther north and have to put up with salted roads, sleet, rain mixed with snow, ice, etc it becomes even more difficult. Salt is incredibly corrosive so you want it off the car ASAP, if not sooner. If you think using a drive through "touchless" car wash is a convenient solution during the winter, it certainly can be. But keep in mind that the detergents used in these truly "touchless" washes are generally very effective at stripping wax. "The horror!" you cry!!! But the salt is worse. Much worse. And it will eat through a layer of wax/sealant in no time. So you end up in the rock/hard place conundrum - do you leave the salt there and hope the wax holds it off (it will NOT) or do you subject the car to a wash that will likely strip the wax? As bad as both options sound, the lesser of the two evils is to get the salt off and take the wax with it, rather than leave the salt there and just let it eat the wax away on its own (eat being a nontechnical, nonspecific term here - don't read that too literally).

Those of you fortunate enough to have a heated garage will have the luxury of being able to wax several times through the winter. For the rest of you, as soon as you get a day with a bit of warmth (can you say "January thaw"?) the break out the wash bucket, clean the car up and give it a quick pass with ColorX or similar to give the paint a good cleaning.

Do the best you can do.

[BobbyG]

Re: Sealant Durability

In all honesty, the very best you can do is......... the best you can do. That means keep the car as clean as possible without using harsh detergents to wash it. Wax as often as possible, especially if you're getting a lot of rain. Yes, it can be difficult when temperatures drop but.... do the best you can do. UQW is a fantastic product for times like this as the polymers in it are quite durable.

For those who live farther north and have to put up with salted roads, sleet, rain mixed with snow, ice, etc it becomes even more difficult. Salt is incredibly corrosive so you want it off the car ASAP, if not sooner. If you think using a drive through "touchless" car wash is a convenient solution during the winter, it certainly can be. But keep in mind that the detergents used in these truly "touchless" washes are generally very effective at stripping wax. "The horror!" you cry!!! But the salt is worse. Much worse. And it will eat through a layer of wax/sealant in no time. So you end up in the rock/hard place conundrum - do you leave the salt there and hope the wax holds it off (it will NOT) or do you subject the car to a wash that will likely strip the wax? As bad as both options sound, the lesser of the two evils is to get the salt off and take the wax with it, rather than leave the salt there and just let it eat the wax away on its own (eat being a nontechnical, nonspecific term here - don't read that too literally).

Those of you fortunate enough to have a heated garage will have the luxury of being able to wax several times through the winter. For the rest of you, as soon as you get a day with a bit of warmth (can you say "January thaw"?) the break out the wash bucket, clean the car up and give it a quick pass with ColorX or similar to give the paint a good cleaning.

Do the best you can do.

Michael

You make some great points as usual!

I live in New england and some of our winters are severe. Knowing the importance of keeping a vehicle clean I use a slightly different approach, the one bucket method.

I'll head to the closest car wash with a manual bay. I use the high pressure rinse to soften and remove as much of the salt and grime as possible. OH, I forgot to mention something....Before starting out I mixed up a bucket of hot soapy water at home using Meguiar's Gold Class. After I snap on the lid it goes in the back along with waterproof gloves, wash brush, and wash mitt.

I give the truck a complete washing this way it comes out spotless, which is one of the reasons it look good after all these years.

My 1999 still glowing strong!

[joaks]

Re: Sealant Durability

I need to keep my car in good condition but do not have time to wash or wax often so I use 20 followed by 21. Seems to last for a few months. I will repeat before winter but will add polycharger to each. I is supposed to improve durability although real data are hard to find. The few people who have used it seem to like it however. I don't think there is anything more durable than 21/NXT availble from megs.

[k3ith]

Re: Sealant Durability

Polycharger?

[joaks]

Re: Sealant Durability

Polycharger is made by someone other than megs. You mix it in with your sealant and apply. Supposedly it allows the sealant to cure in a more dense confirmation which improves durability and shine. The few people I've heard from seem to agree on the shine, but they tend to wax too frequently to comment on durability.

[v4ldi5]

Re: Sealant Durability

In tropical countries, like Indonesia where I live, NXT only lasted for 3 weeks?

[OhioCarBuff]

Re: Sealant Durability

I know road salt is corrosive to metal but I've always wondered if it's actually corrosive and/or causes or speeds up oxidation on automotive paint. You guys in Cali have no idea what we go through in places like here in Ohio where you can't wash for months at a time in winter. I hope someone from Meguiars chimes in on the issue of what exactly salt does to paint

[davey g-force]

Re: Sealant Durability

In tropical countries, like Indonesia where I live, NXT only lasted for 3 weeks?

How are you determining whether there is any wax left on your paint?

Just because the beading decreases, doesn't mean there is no wax present.

[ffboy]

Re: Sealant Durability

True, beading is nice but it isn't the one defining factor in determining wax presence/durability. I test wax presence using the Instant Detailer Test.. Like what barry said in one of the videos, if ultimate quik detailer is a bit more difficult to wipe off, then its time to rewax. The same is true with other manufacturers i've used..

Even when the NXT 2.0's protection feels like its gone (shiny, but not much beading, not as newly-waxed-feel), testing it out with Ultimate quik detailer reveals that its still very easy to wipe off with no grabby feel or streakiness. Same thing with showtime instant detailer. After a spray of UQD, yes the beading does return. If you have UQD/UQW as part of your maintaining program, don't be surprised if your 3week protection/shine shoots up to 3 months..

[TOGWT]

Re: Sealant Durability

Road Salt

One of the surest signs of winter in cold-weather regions of the United States is the build-up of salt in tire treads and on roads (and on your boots, and in your house…). The concept of salt-lining roads is easily explained: when you add salt to water, its freezing point dips below the normal 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so the outdoor temperature has to dip even lower than that for ice to form on the roads.

Although dry salt is inert 15 – 20.oF (9 – 29.oC) is considered the lower limit for salt to melt snow and ice but once H2O, even in the form of moist air (i.e. humidity) is added the freezing point is lowered and the sprayed brine solution (pH 8.5) used on roads will have an adverse effect (the formation of rust and/or corrosion) on the vehicles paint and undercarriage. When washing the vehicle ensure that all salt removed to avoid a brine solution remaining on the paint finish.
Using a durable protection (a polymer or synthetic wax) will provide a sacrificial and renewable protection to the vehicles paint finish.

[JoeDirt]

Re: Sealant Durability

"January Thaw" huh? I wish!

This is the first week we're going to be above 50 since last fall... I'm itching to get the buckets out...

[TOGWT]

Re: Sealant Durability

Road salt removal is difficult to remove from vehicle paint surfaces as many State authorities use an additive based on molasses, a bye product of the sugar refining industry, along with the salt solution to ensure it adheres and is therefore more effective.

Use a high pressure hose (Power wash) the wheel wells and undercarriage, and allow to dry. Spray the affected area (s) with Eastwoods Road Salt Neutralizer a high performance rust-preventive coating designed for application directly on rusted metal surfaces; apply thin coats and allow each coat to thoroughly dry

Some areas have made inventive alterations to basic rock salt: many civil engineers have long added sugar beet molasses to their road salt to make sure it stays where it’s supposed to, the stickiness of the molasses keeps the salt on roads longer, saving money by reducing the number of times each town has to salt.

The mixture is also supposed to be less corrosive than the plain rock salt that is normally used, and it reduces the environmentally damaging concentration of salt on the road (too much salt makes for briny groundwater, which can end up dehydrating plants and killing aquatic life).