Question for the detailing experts

[e55]

Hi,

I have recently picked up a new car and I know the previous owner used Zaino AIO and then put a layer of R222 Carnuba wax over it.

I have been using Car-lack 68 AIO and sealant for years and have always found this to be very good given the protection and the ease of application.

I know you normally put the wax on after the sealant but would it be ok to put the sealant on top of the wax over the winter?

Or would it be best just to wash/clay and strip all the protection off the car and use Carlack AIO then sealant and then put the wax on last?

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[fatdazza]

Generally wax over sealants.

Sealants tend to stick to the paint better than wax.

 

[Alscoob]

Sealant do exactly what they say on the tin... once the paint finish has been corrected and polished you then seal the surface which protects the layers below.

Next step is to wax to assist the shine and added protection to the sealed layer, wax will meke the water bead & run off more than sealant. You can then just add a layer of wax, no need to polish.

 

[Superspec]

Personally I would use one or the other. You don't need both, they are effectively doing the same job but in different ways. I always choose the last product based on the paint colour, finish and durability required.

Best practice would be to do at least 2 coats of the same product - so 2 coats of sealant or 2 coats of wax - to ensure complete coverage.

However, if you really want to use both then sealant first then wax.

 

[mikec32]

For winter I personally would decontaminate the car thoroughly. If you can afford to buy some iron x and give the car a chemical bath. Dry the car, clay the bodywork and then give the car a thorough alcohol wipe down. At this stage(obviously jumping out machine polishing as I'm guessing you won't be doing any paint correction) the body work is completely ready for protection. Now whatever you like to use is up to you. My personal favourites for winter are as follows.

Zaino winter treatment:
1 coat of zaino AIO
6 coats of z-2 mixed with zfx accelerators
6 coats of z-6
1 coat of z-8

Or........

2 single coats of wolf's body wrap nano coat.

Or the big guns.....

1 single coat of Gtechniq C1 crystal glass coat

In the nasty winter and as a daily driver your zaino and body wrap will be 4-5 months and the C1 is going to be around the 30,000 mile mark.

But there is no need to layer wax over sealants.

 

[Dieselman]

If you can afford to buy some iron x and give the car a chemical bath.

I take it that Iron-X is an alkali detergent, if so just visit your local cleaning supplies company where you can buy 5 litres of very concentrate for £5.

 

[mikec32]

Not quite. Iron x and a hardcore acid free ph balanced cleaner. It was built to remove fallout, sap, iron fillings and decontaminations beyond washing and claying.Iron x cleans below the paint surface. Over time contaminate's sinter to the paints surface and iron x helps open the pores to release ferrous particles trap. Therefore removing every contamination from the paint. Nothing can technically clean better then iron x safely hence why it was rated the best cleaner for the high end automotive industry this year.

 

[russb]

At this time of year with these temps Zaino will not fully cure unless you apply in a controlled environment like a warm garage etc....

Iron X is neither Alkali nor Acid (well slightly acidic) as its pH is around 6.5 which isnt far from the neutral 7 they say it is but its far from an alkali cleaner...an alkali cleaner wont break down any deposits of of Iron contamination it will just ruin your delicates like chrome, rubber etc....

For my winter preps and what i do for my customers is a full decontamination with Iron X, Tardis and Scholl Concepts Rim7 for wheels...clay and then re-wash with Permanon Omega to neutralise all the surfaces ready for Permanon Aircraft to sit on and stay for around 6-8months....