I have been a member on Autopia but after it infecting my computer at work and my antivirus software on my home computer blocking the site, I decided to look for another forum! I purchased some new products from Autogeek and Detailed Image. I figured I would try some higher quality carnuba so before I jumped in with both feet and spent $100 on a small can of wax. I figured I would try XMT 180 High Gloss Carnuba Wax. It went on easy and off easy and looked GREAT. After removing the wax I tried the garden hose test and the water ran off completely...the hood was completely dry...it was AWESOME! The problem is after a week, the water no longer runs off. I think this wax is one of those that look great at first but don't last. I detail my own cars and a few for friends/family and some for small fees, but none-the-less...these cars are all daily drivers and these drvers don't think cars should be waxed more then 2-3 times a year. What do you recommend for a long lasting wax, I was thinking about trying Griots paint sealant with a quality carnuba on top.
Collinite 845 is long lasting and very duraible. Its also very affordable :flirt: Welcome to DetailingBliss. Sorry to here of your Autopia infection. That virus has caused 10's of thousands of dollars so far :yikes:
+1 for Colly 845... still one of my all time favorites! What you've experienced with the wax beading and sheeting so well in the beginning is typical of the lower-end, nuba waxes. They look great in the beginning, but once the oils have dried and the wax has set completely that fantastic beading and that "special glow" usually disappears. IOW it's the oils in it that are making it bead/sheet so well.
pinnacle waxes are great but durabilty is just not there. but are nice for a couple weeks. ive moved up to swissvax the durability is awesome and lasts...
I really was considering a sealant with a nuba topcoat. I detail quite a few customers cars and someof my family's cars that they have me do the vehicle once in the fall before winter and then again in late spring. I need some LSP that will last for these vehicles. I know there are a lot of sealants that require too much time to set, like the Wolfgang 3.0 sealant: Tech Note: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0 is a water-based, oxygen activated paint sealant. After buffing off the sealant, the remaining coating needs to cure for 12 hours in dry conditions to fully bond to the paint. Exposure to moisture during this time will drown the polymers. For the best results, allow 12 hours of curing time. Its just not feasible for me to do a detail and have to keep the vehicle overnight because the sealant has to have 12 hours to cure. Now, I was thinking about trying Griots paint sealant. For cars that don't need major paint correction, I was going to try the Griots ONE-STEP sealant, that will do basic light polishing and swirl removal AND seal the paint as-well...thus saving a lot of time. Obviously to use a product like the Griots ONE-STEP, the car has to be in real good condition, paint-wise. Please advise me on some more durable nubas and some usable sealants that do not require a life-time to cure.
Collinite 845 for sure its long lasting and makes the car look great. I am also really starting to love the durability and look of Prima Epic.
I believe most manufacturers would prefer we waited a while before topping but as you said, its not always possible to return the following day. Honestly, I never wait to top a sealant with a second coat or a nuba and I've never had an issue with durability. Try topping Blackfire AFPP (3-4mo) or Menz Powerlock (3-4mo) with Blackfire Midnight Sun (3mo), AG Hi Def (4-5mo) or RG55 (4-6mo). Midnight Sun and Hi Def have polymers in them so as not to mute metallics and increase durability. RG55 looks awesome on metallics as well.
I have been looking at the Collinite website and there are several waxes: 476,845 and 915 and of course they all say they are the most durable. So what do you all think? :drinking2:
476 lasts the longest, but the application can be a PITA. 915 looks great on dark colors. 845 is a good compromise between ease of use, looks, and durability. I love 845 ... a word of advice though. Make sure you use dedicated mfs and applicators for 845. This wax is so durable that your mfs will bead water after several apc washes. I gave up trying to remove 845 on some MFs and now they are only used for 845. One coat of 845 will easily last 6 months. I have seen 845 last 8 months on a daily driver after two applications before winter time. This stuff lasts ... If you want to test different LSPs, please try this one last.
845 will be the easiest to apply and remove since its a liquid, but 476 will supposedly be even more durable since its a paste wax. the downside to 476 is that it is harder to apply and remove. im not too sure about 918 though, im sure someone on here will pick up where i left off. and just to let you know so that it isnt a surprise or anything is that the collinite waxes dont exactly smell "good". they are just waxes that mean business without any fancy smells. Id also wear latex gloves when applying 845, otherwise your hands will be beading water all day...which isnt necessarily a bad thing
I have used 845 and 476. 476 is just awesome. So durable. Its so affordable, Id get both if you have the means. You can always use Colli somewhere!
Why is the 476 a PITA? Some of my customers/family only have their cars done once a year and this weekend I will be doing a co-workers dad's car, probably hasn't been waxed in years and probably won't be done again for years either; although he does keep the car in the garage when hes at home. Do you guys think I should bother trying a sealant and then a top coat of one of the Collinites?
