Is Paint Sealant better or worse than Car Wax?

[RickyBobby]

I hate washing and waxing cars, and I'm too old to use a clay bar. It's been 6 months since I waxed my FRS.
I use Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Paste Car Wax but I'm game for trying something new so I gave Griot's Garage 11075 One-Step Sealant a shot.

I got it at Advance Auto with a 25% off coupon for $13.49 + tax for a 12 ounce bottle.

Washed the car with a micro fiber mitt and car wash soap, dried it with microfiber towels, and applied the Griot's manually with a cheapy pad from Walmart. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Microfiber...-Blue/16817502 I expected it to disintegrate after a few stokes but it worked surprisingly well.

The sealant/polish is thin and goes on easy and comes off easy with micro fiber towels. It removed water stains from my trunk that vinegar and Meguiar's wax could not. I rubbed some of the Griot's between my index (trigger) finger and thumb and could not feel any abrasives, unless they are molecular size.
I like it. Now let's see how long it lasts.

[PERRIN_Chris]

I've been using Griots stuff for a long time. Their polishes are really easy on the paint, even their most aggressive stuff.

I used the same polish/sealant on my BRZ after claying it, and it turned out really nice. With cars this new, they really shouldn't have much scratches anyway. I've used their sealant in the past and it seems to last a while. According to Griots, there isn't too much of a point of waxing over the sealant, but it wouldn't hurt. They have a really great Q&A on their website on the page for the sealant that has a lot of good info.

[Packofcrows]

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

The sealant/polish is thin and goes on easy and comes off easy with micro fiber towels. It removed water stains from my trunk that vinegar and Meguiar's wax could not.

Ever try Windex, soft dish detergent or rubbing alcohol?

Not sure which but I tried all three separately within 10min of each other and they removed some watermarks on my top and hood. I'm guessing it was the alcohol. I used dish detergent for removing wax.

[pantdino]

Originally Posted by WhiteFRS69

in short terms

sealant is what protects the car

Wax is what gives it that glossy wet look

I believe a glaze gives it gloss by filling in microscratches.

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by pantdino

I believe a glaze gives it gloss by filling in microscratches.

The correct statement would be that glaze gives it the ILLUSION of gloss by attempting to fill in the scratches and REDUCING light scatter. In reality, you will never have true shine or gloss until you actually REMOVE all of the paint damage.

This is why I never use a glaze.

[RickyBobby]

Originally Posted by Packofcrows

Ever try Windex, soft dish detergent or rubbing alcohol?

Not sure which but I tried all three separately within 10min of each other and they removed some watermarks on my top and hood. I'm guessing it was the alcohol. I used dish detergent for removing wax.

Water spots are minerals left behind from hard water or rain. Calcium carbonate (aka lime) is the most common mineral left behind. You need an acid to dissolve the minerals. I don't think dish detergent, which contains alcohol, or rubbing alcohol (aka isopropanol) will work well on water spots on your car. Windex has a large amount of ammonium hydoxide in it, and may take some of the spots off. http://www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com/...-glass-cleaner

What's recommended the most to remove water spots is a solution, 1:1, of white vinegar (acetic acid) and distilled water. Some window cleaners now have vinegar instead of ammonia in them and may also work. http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Hard-Water-Spots

I used what I had on hand, apple cider vinegar and tap water to try and remove the water spots on my car. As the article states this will not work and it did not.

Method 2 in the article uses hydrochloric acid (HCl) cleaners. I personally would not use these on my car.

Griot's Garage 11075 One-Step Sealant did remove the water spots. I don't know what's in it. I can not find an MSDS on it.

Edit: While searching for an MSDS on Griot's website I found this answer, by Griot, to a posted question: "Applying another coat of One-Step Sealant will not lengthen the longevity of protection. The sealant will still only last for about 9-12 months. Also, if you've already applied a coat of One-Step and apply another coat a few days later, you'll be removing the sealant that was previously applied due to the abrasives that are in the formula."

So, I'm assuming then it's the abrasives in it that are removing the water spots.

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

... So, I'm assuming then it's the abrasives in it that are removing the water spots.

Now you're figuring it out, which is why you don't use a AIO to do a man's job (i.e., what a polish or compound does).

One note though, that product lasting 9 months is a crock of BS.