The difference between a sealant and wax?

Gibbo

Gibbo

Gibbo

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Hi there


Just a question really how do sealants and waxes differ?

I ask because I can't find my wax, so decided to use brightmax sealant on the EVO today instead of a wax. Gotta say the results are pretty damn impressive, very glossy wet look.

In the past I've always washed car, added sealant then a wax on top.

Will it be OK to just leave it with sealant on top or should I still be looking to wax?

Basically can you use either a sealant or a wax or are they supposed to be used together?

Its a polymer sealant and according to the bottle protects against acid rain plus a whole host of other nasties so what is it like some hard case wax?
 
Use one or the other, they both do the same thing and that's to add protection. Sealants are synthetic and work well with light coloured cars, waxs are made from natural products and suit darker colours more. Levels of durability will depend on each product.
 
I'd be interested to know as well actually. Someone recommended AG EGP to me for use after polishing and before waxing, and I was wondering why I'd need both. I searched about it online but couldn't get a definitive answer.
 
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Both do the same but waxes are mostly based on natural products whereas sealants are the chemical alternative. In theory, sealants last a lot longer and give a more ''cold/glass like'' look while carnauba wax gives a ''warmer'' gloss.

You can combine it but first use the sealant and wax on top, sealants need to ''bond'' with the paint while wax can bond ( perhaps not the best word for it, but it'll ''stay on'') with other things, a double wax coat can last longer than a single while sealing over a wax would just wash the sealant off the next time it rains.

Just using a sealant is fine, waxing on top may give a little better result and a little longer protection. Just using a wax is fine too but may require more work to keep it on. It depends what look you prefer.

The best way is to try out what look you like most but a sealant alone is fine for protection, and try not to forget to not use a sealant over a wax as it will just wash off and is pointless.

I usually just top the car with a coat of carnauba wax every 2 months.
 
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gurdas said:
Use one or the other, they both do the same thing and that's to add protection. Sealants are synthetic and work well with light coloured cars, waxs are made from natural products and suit darker colours more. Levels of durability will depend on each product.
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This

Theres no point using both.


DB_SamX said:
I'd be interested to know as well actually. Someone recommended AG EGP to me for use after polishing and before waxing, and I was wondering why I'd need both. I searched about it online but couldn't get a definitive answer.
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personal preference. EGP is a sealant. Theres no point having EGP and a wax as they both do the same job. Doesnt mean to say you cant however.
 
Can someone answer me this:

On PB, the instructions for using the Blackfire Midnight Sun Wax and Spray Sealant suggests you apply the wax first but everywhere else I've read that if you're going to use both you should use the sealant first.

What are they playing at?
 
"Spray sealant"

Sounds more like a spray quick detailing spray to me, which is always last. See Zanio Z8 / Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer for similar products.

They arent a "sealant" in the traditional sense, not like Poorboys EX-P / Jetseal / Zaino Z2 Pro
 
Hi there

Cheers guys, on the Mustang I got the sealant for when Skywalker detailed it as we polished the paint, then used the sealant and then applied wax on top.

At the moment I have no wax, when I get some I shall give it another coat of sealant and then add a coat of wax to lock it all in as such. :)

What I will say is the sealant was extremely easy to apply and bugg off in comparison to a wax and the car seems to have more of a wet look. :)
 
I don't get the sealant for lighter colours and wax for darker colours thing.

Sure, with lighter colours I would nearly always pick up my Z2P, but my black ST which is nearly completely defect free - Z2P looks absolutely stunning, but it probably is worth avoiding on less perfect finishes.
 
Gibbo said:
Hi there

Cheers guys, on the Mustang I got the sealant for when Skywalker detailed it as we polished the paint, then used the sealant and then applied wax on top.

At the moment I have no wax, when I get some I shall give it another coat of sealant and then add a coat of wax to lock it all in as such. :)

What I will say is the sealant was extremely easy to apply and bugg off in comparison to a wax and the car seems to have more of a wet look. :)
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Sealant is synthetic and contains all sorts of nano chemicals for UV protection etc and, if it were sold on QVC there would surely be tons of "Pioneered by NASA on the Space Shuttle" quips everywhere.

Whereas wax is made of natural products and is designed more for looks than actual protection.
 
Also sealant tends to sheet water off the car and wax tends to make water bead up on the paint. I prefer the sheeting as dust collects on beads and as they dry it deposits nice little dust spots all over.
 
MrLOL said:
"Spray sealant"

Sounds more like a spray quick detailing spray to me, which is always last. See Zanio Z8 / Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer for similar products.

They arent a "sealant" in the traditional sense, not like Poorboys EX-P / Jetseal / Zaino Z2 Pro
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Bang-on. Just re-read the product description and it's a quick detailer, not a traditional sealant.
 
No idea how it can be a "polish" and yet be "non-abrasive" personally !


PardonTheWait said:
Because all the words are made up anyway and sometimes the companies get confused and forget to synchronise their bull****
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sadly there is an element of truth in this. The companies that make this sort of stuff do include a load of BS in the marketing blurb as the people who do the marketing arent the technical people who know the difference between an abrasive and a non abrasive product.
 
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