[dave4]

Hi all,

I've been reading all the post in this section and seeing all the nice looking cars made me to polish my car for the first time. I decided to go with the M105/205 combination, but not sure if I should use a sealant as a topping, or my existing Caranuba wax from Meguiar's?

Dave4

[jbnery6465]

Use both; sealant to protect, then top with carnuba for added warmth and depth. Some things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you do an IPA wipedown after M205 to ensure removal of any polishing oils
- Let the sealant fully cure before topping it with carnuba, maybe 2-12 hours depending on the sealant

[SLOWER]

Read this. All you need to know. http://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/

[PascalsWager]

I used Klasse AIO as my sealant, followed by 2 coats of mothers carnuba because I already had it.

Of course, clay and wipe before you polish

[dave4]

Thank you guys for the inputs. I've been using clay and wax but now I want to get rid of the swirls and have a nicer finish. I read the whole detailedimage website from a-z, it has all the information a rookie detailer needs to know. The reason I wrote was to see what is y'alls experience.

[alexb]

I read Detailed Image, too. Are you looking to purchase a Random Orbital and polish your car? Or are you just trying to gloss it up?

For a Sealant, I went with Blackfire Wet Diamond. Love it. LOVE it. I didn't wipe down my car with Isopropyl Alcohol first (didn't know at the time), but I washed it, clayed it, used Chemical Guys EZ Glaze, then applied the Blackfire. MM. Very nice. I was too lazy to apply Carnuba afterwards (basically, ran out of time), but if you have the time, I'd do it.

As for the Polishing, I don't know much, but my dad just picked up a Random Orbital and did his daily driver. He spent a week doing it (mmm... nice being retired). He did his research, bought the polisher and a polishing compound, and went to work. The procedure was a complete wash and claybar, then an IPA wipe down of each panel prior to using the polish. After polishing it, then he applied wax with the orbital. The car looks excellent.

I know that I need to eventually use a polisher on my car, but so far I've been happy with the Clay and Sealant routine.

[Gig103]

My experience is that Blackfire Wet Diamond is a great sealant, especially for metallic paint - I think it does better on my car (Black sapphire both my BMW and my new Abarth), than on the flat black of my wife's G35.

Although, like jb said, for the extra Pop I will put on a coat of wax too (when time permits).

[Gamboa989]

Originally Posted by Gig103

My experience is that Blackfire Wet Diamond is a great sealant, especially for metallic paint - I think it does better on my car (Black sapphire both my BMW and my new Abarth), than on the flat black of my wife's G35.

Although, like jb said, for the extra Pop I will put on a coat of wax too (when time permits).

I really like the blackfire as well. It is suuuuper slick and looks great on my BSM paint and on my brother's galaxy blue brz. It really beads up well too.

[Elliott@DetailAddict]

Dang you guys really know what you're talking about! Nice!

Sealant generally gives you a "mirror" hard like shine, while Natural Wax gives you that warm and wet look.

Some people do like to double up, sealant before they apply the wax, so that way you get all the pros of each products.

Sealant generally lasts a longer because its polymers are more tightly bound then natural waxes. Also, it is a bit harder/time consuming to apply than wax.

Detail on my friends!

[Gig103]

Originally Posted by Gamboa989

I really like the blackfire as well. It is suuuuper slick and looks great on my BSM paint and on my brother's galaxy blue brz. It really beads up well too.

It goes on and comes off super easy too. I let it sit longer than I should have, after getting sidetracked with a 'honey do', but it came right off when I returned.

[dave4]

Originally Posted by alexb

I read Detailed Image, too. Are you looking to purchase a Random Orbital and polish your car? Or are you just trying to gloss it up?

For a Sealant, I went with Blackfire Wet Diamond. Love it. LOVE it. I didn't wipe down my car with Isopropyl Alcohol first (didn't know at the time), but I washed it, clayed it, used Chemical Guys EZ Glaze, then applied the Blackfire. MM. Very nice. I was too lazy to apply Carnuba afterwards (basically, ran out of time), but if you have the time, I'd do it.

As for the Polishing, I don't know much, but my dad just picked up a Random Orbital and did his daily driver. He spent a week doing it (mmm... nice being retired). He did his research, bought the polisher and a polishing compound, and went to work. The procedure was a complete wash and claybar, then an IPA wipe down of each panel prior to using the polish. After polishing it, then he applied wax with the orbital. The car looks excellent.

I know that I need to eventually use a polisher on my car, but so far I've been happy with the Clay and Sealant routine.

Yes I'm planning getting the Porter Cable polisher, and do the wash, clay, and maybe the IPA, then the M105/205, and sealant + wax. Forgot to mention that my car is Alpine-White, (06) and man, can you see the swirls on it...

[PTek Will]

Hey Dave! Before you jump into buying a PC, I would suggest you heavily consider the Griots 6" DA polisher. Why? It is much more powerful than the PC. Why do you need power? Because our BMW paint, other than Jet Black, is among the hardest paints on the market!

2nd thing worth mentioning.. in all honesty, I do not believe a wax shines warmer or a sealant shines brighter. I think laying a coat of wax on top of a sealant is an absolute waste of time and effort. A much better alternative is to simply do 2 coats of sealant. Why do I say this against all suggestions? Junkman! and of course testing. As a matter of fact, waxes and sealants add no visual intensity to the gloss of your paint. Your perfected paint adds gloss to your paint. Give it a shot! Wax one door and seal the other. The difference is none.

Which brings me to point 3.. which sealant.. I personally love BFWD, but there are plenty of other sealants on the market that are great as well. I found BFWD to be my favorite because the way it beads very tightly, ease of application and removal, it sheets water off amazingly, and it is SUPER slick.

[Inzane]

I haven't tried Blackfire, but I really really love Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0.

[SHEEDI]

i am big fan of carpro cquartz
why dont you guys cover paint with carpro cquartz then you dont have waste your time/money/energy on detailingthe car?

[Inzane]

Here we go...

First there's a guy on this forum that tells "wax" users they're basically idiots for not using sealants. And now there's the coating guy who thinks the same of the sealant users.

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by Inzane

Here we go...

First there's a guy on this forum that tells "wax" users they're basically idiots for not using sealants. And now there's the coating guy who thinks the same of the sealant users.

I was just sharing my experience and I prefer saving my time/energy/money etc those were my 2 cents for all of you.

OP if i were you and I have to choose between or both then I would top it with both
but I prefer coatings, simple and easy

@Inzane..we come here to share our experience and opinions

[PTek Will]

I am definitely a coating guy myself. Spend maybe 3 hours to apply a coating and never wax again for 2 years. Not only are you saving on time from not having to wax, but these coatings repel dust like no other. You car stays clean longer and washing your car is the easiest thing in the world. My preference is Gtechniq Exo v2, but Cquartz has similar if not identical water beading and sliding angles. But to remain on topic.. BFWD is a real winner

[psnt1ol]

I prefer CarPro Cquartz over Gtechnig Exo. Cquartz gives you a little more hardness to prevent scratches. Gtechnig C1 gives you the hardness but it is not very slick to the touch which tends to turn off some people even though it has a water angles of 110 degree.

To me....Cquartz UK is the easiest to apply for DIY. It will last up to year (more if you boosted with CarPro Reload or Hydr02 every few months).

Wax...Sealant....Coating..... When it comes down to it, they were all designed for one single purpose. To protect your paint form the elements. I worked with all three and it really boils down to personal taste.

If you want a durable wax that acts like a sealant, look into Collinite 845 Insulator Wax. This stuff is pretty amazing and nothing can touch it in terms of value. This was originally developed for the power companies to protect power failures.

Collinite 845

[ny325]

My CA gave me a bottle of BMW car polish. Has anyone used this product? Are you satisfied with the results?