Hello All,
Does anyone have any recommendations on a good spray wax or sealant? Something that is easy to work with, in other words, non-streaking! I'm a retired professional automotive detailer, btw.

I still apply a liquid wax (Meguiars) or sealant (Wolfgang) to our vehicles every few months or so. But I used to use Eagle One Wax-As-U-Dry or Eagle One Nano spray wax after every car wash. I absolutely loved those products but I can no longer locate them. So, does anyone have any recommendations other than 303 Protectant or Mothers Ceramic Detailer. I have some of those but I don't care for them. I'm looking for something for use after every car wash.

God Bless,
Ralph

Hi,

This question is like asking guys what they use to cut and buff with. Everybody seems to have a different technique and products that they use.

I did have my Harley and 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee ceramic coated (a friend who does this for a living) and have to admit they are much easier to maintain. Now a simple wash and rinse, followed by wiping it all down with a microfiber towel is all it takes to get them looking new again.

The product he uses isn't the over the shelf stuff and is not for sale to the general public.

20 years in the business of paint detailing and I've probably tried them all.

Waxes are a waste of time. They offer little in the way of protection and less in terms of lasting.

Acrylic paint protection was the gold standard but has been superseded by ceramic. However, there are ceramics and there are ceramics. Not all are good and most of the retail quality stuff is just that - rubbish. There are a few professional quality products that are very good but the downside of ceramic is that it makes the surface very hard.....so when it does scratch it becomes quite difficult to get the scratches out. Not dissimilar to the ultra hard clears used on some high end European vehicles. Looks great but a nightmare to buff.

In my opinion the "instant" products are a waste of time. Just full of silicone so they look marvellous when first applied, but then need re-application with every wash.

A good quality polymer polish or swirl remover/polish will bond to the paint at the molecular level and off 3-4 times the life of even a high end wax, plus actually give the paint some protection. Application once a year for garaged/light use vehicles, twice a year for normal use and 3-4 times for really severe service applications. Just wash with a pH neutral detergent, chamois and it will look just the way it did when you applied the polish.

I know that brands are different here to there but Meguires do make a reasonably good polymer polish. I ran tests constantly and Gelson was the consistent winner, by a very long margin.

Hello and thanks for the replies. I should have followed up with more details but I was getting a lot of feedback on a few other forums. I'll give an update.

In short, I really just wanted to know what would be a good modern rinse aid in lieu of wax. Otherwise, I cannot agree that waxes are a "waste of time" and that they have no lasting power. I used Eagle One nano spray wax or their wax-as-you-dry as a rinse aid for many years with fantastic results. Those had excellent hydrophobic qualities that would last for several months and make follow up car washes very easy. I've tried a lot of different products myself over the last 40 years.

The pic is of our 2007 530xi (260k miles) which I sprayed the nano wax on the night before. It's in need of some correction at the moment, otherwise the paint is still in great condition with no flaws; minus the scratch our daughter put on the bumper. It's a daily driver and pretty much always kept outdoors. So, I cannot agree with the sentiment that waxes are useless.

Having said all of that, we purchased a dark blue 2018 BMW 650i (behind 5 series) for my wife about 6 months ago. The 530xi is our daughters daily driver for college now. Anyhow, I am currently looking into Si02 products that offer longer protection, such as Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Spray or Meguiars G210300 Hybrid Paint Coating. I like to make some minor corrections each year in keeping the paint looking it's best, with such a Meguirs M03 machine glaze. So, I don't desire anything long term. Those products get excellent reviews and can last up to one year which is perfect for me. Anyhow, I think I have a good plan at this time.

God Bless,
Ralph

Ralph_III wrote:I cannot agree with the sentiment that waxes are useless.

Keep using them, mate. Maybe the runoff will fix the crack in the concrete.

NFT5 wrote:

Ralph_III wrote:I cannot agree with the sentiment that waxes are useless.

Keep using them, mate. Maybe the runoff will fix the crack in the concrete.

No reason to get into a huff NFT5. I no longer have the time to detail our vehicles like I used to. So, going with a product with some Si02, which offers extended protection, is the best route for me at this time.

Otherwise, a synthetic wax or sealant with wax in it; offers just as much protection as most any new product on the market today; as long as you use it regularly and as long as you maintain your vehicle. Just like everything that is being offered today, it is simply a sacrificial barrier. The newer products just allow people to neglect their cars for longer....

Ralph

Ralph_III wrote: The newer products just allow people to neglect their cars for longer....
Ralph

Hmm, I thought that's what you were looking for?

I use Turtle wax, spray and shine waxes are all pretty similar, pick one and just use it after a wash while its still wet and wipe dry, it will always aid in road grime not sticking very well for the next wash.

i would also clay bar the finish before your next wash.

'68 Coronet R/T wrote:

Ralph_III wrote: The newer products just allow people to neglect their cars for longer....
Ralph

Hmm, I thought that's what you were looking for?

That's correct "68 Coronet. I only took issue with the statement that waxes and/or a spray wax/sealant are essentially useless and have no lasting ability. That is entirely incorrect.

With proper care you can maintain an automotive finish just as well with a wax/sealant as any modern product. You just have to apply them more often. Our daughters are now driving, so I just don't have the time or the energy to regularly maintain four vehicles. So, I'm looking into products that offer extended protection beyond what a wax or sealant offers. Otherwise, waxes and sealants do offer excellent protection and they can easily last for several months with the proper routine.

Take care,
Ralph