Durable & noob-friendly wax/sealant recommendations?

[d00df00d]

Been using Pinnacle Souveran liquid wax for a while and liked it, but my knowledge hasn't been updated in years (and wasn't very good to begin with).

I end up doing a full wash and wax on each of our cars about twice a year. How the car looks when I'm done isn't a priority at all; I just want to protect the paint, and to help it resist contamination so that future washes aren't any harder than they have to be, for as long as possible.

Noob friendliness would be a big plus. I'm better at this than the average Joe, but I wouldn't even call myself an amateur; I don't have any relevant power tools, and I'm sure I don't do a perfect job of decontaminating the paint or applying wax/sealant. Also, when I do this job, I often need to drive the car later the same day or the day after, so it'd be hard to use something that absolutely needs to sit for 24 hours or whatever.

With that in mind, what would you recommend?

TIA!

 

[dbias]

Best bang for your buck imo is Groits Ceramic 3 in1 Wax. Very easy to apply and remove and gives very good water beading. They also have a wash infused with it and the water beads up runs off my concrete driveway lol.

 

[paulswagelock]

Today’s spray coatings last as long as most wax/sealants.
Griots 3n1 spray or Turtle Wax seal shine are really great performers, inexpensive, and incredibly easy to use.

 

[Eddie]

I am happy using Turtle Wax hybrid sealant

 

[d00df00d]

@dbias @paulswagelock , Are you suggesting the 3-in-1 as a way to make washing and waxing easier so that it's more doable on an ongoing basis? Or would you say it's a real substitute for a multi-step wash and wax?

 

[paulswagelock]

Wash as normal, then wipe with this per instructions. Way better than wash n wax products, lasts as long as traditional waxes, no work to apply.

 

[6.7 CTD]

I’ve tried more waxes and ceramic coatings than I care to admit. Fusso coat is the longest lasting product I’ve used; second to getting a professional ceramic coating. For regular washes, I use griots garage best of show wash and wax.

 

[dbias]

@dbias @paulswagelock , Are you suggesting the 3-in-1 as a way to make washing and waxing easier so that it's more doable on an ongoing basis? Or would you say it's a real substitute for a multi-step wash and wax?

Absolutely a better substitute for wax. Just clean car up well spray on a small section at a time, wipe in well and wipe off. When I spray my car the water literally bounces back off.

 

[Turbo Actual]

Plus one for 3-1 Griots Ceramic. It’s a pretty stout off the shelf product. I’d also recommend P&S Defender and ADS ceramic sealant. All easy to use and offer better durability imo than most paste waxes. A sleeper product is NU Graphene spray coating. Stuff is super durable and surprisingly easy to apply even in direct sunlight. Fusso coat is probably one of the more durable waxes out there. An oldie but a goodie is Collonite 845.

 

[The Critic]

Griots 3-in-1 as well. Durable, but is a little streaky if applied heavy.

 

[Spring Break '92]

Adam's Polishes CS3!

 

[Rand]

I'm a Griots 3-in-1 fan as well.
Durable and super easy/low effort to use no streaking etc.

 

[gasman556]

Another shameless (and uncompensated) Gtechniq shill here....their c2v3 is easiest to apply, but lasts the least amount of time aside from their ceramic wash soap. on up from there, they have a few flavors of sealant up to a ceramic coat that is called crystal serum light. It's the sh*t. But with any of these rec's, the prep is KEY. Take your time! Otherwise, you will have trash results regardless of what you use.

 

[d00df00d]

But with any of these rec's, the prep is KEY. Take your time! Otherwise, you will have trash results regardless of what you use.

Would you say ceramic sprays are more sensitive to prep than waxes are, in general?

 

[gasman556]

Would you say ceramic sprays are more sensitive to prep than waxes are, in general?

C2v3 is the only spray they have and is the most forgiving. All their other stuff is a liquid you apply via applicators.

But every sort of ceramic there is needs a solid prep before application. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time.

My CSL/EXO gtechniq combo has lasted 4 years at this point. I’ve intermittently put on c2v3 to try and extend it, but water still beads on my paint.

 

[buster]

Collinite came out with a spray sealant that is really nice to work with. Beads very well too in the short term. All of the spray sealant products are more alike than different. Griot's 3 in 1 is still one of the most durable, but the hydrophobics are meh. 3/10. I like products that bead very well bc it helps when I air dry the car.

 

[THORROMIG]

What year is your vehicle, is it garaged? Another vote for Groits 3 in 1 but as mentioned earlier -- prep goes a longggg way. I find what works best for me with Groits 3 in 1 is putting a coating on and then reapplying another coat 24 hours later.

 

[d00df00d]

What year is your vehicle, is it garaged?

One is a 2008 BMW M3, garaged. The other is currently a 2012 Mazda5, not garaged.

This year, the Mazda will be replaced with either a 2010/2011 BMW or a 2019+ EV. If we go the EV route, it might be garaged and the M3 might live outside.

 

[THORROMIG]

One is a 2008 BMW M3, garaged. The other is currently a 2012 Mazda5, not garaged.

This year, the Mazda will be replaced with either a 2010/2011 BMW or a 2019+ EV. If we go the EV route, it might be garaged and the M3 might live outside.

I live in PA also, the Groits 3 in 1 is durable also for our seasons. The second coat after 24 hours is really what gives it the bling and protection I believe. I used Turtle Wax Seal N Shine and my opinion -- Groits 3 in 1 is much better quality and only costs acouple dollars more than the Turtle Wax spray offerings anymore.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Part of the prep, get a clay mitt. Wash the car good, rinse. Get a new bucket with whatever soap you use dip the mitt and do one section at a time and rinse. You can feel it right away when the stuck stuff is gone. Much smoother and easier when you spray wax and wash. Doesn't take long, not hard.

I haven't tried the Griots 3 in 1, might need to. I have so many other spray on versions currently.

One of my favorites is still Ultima Paint Guard+. After wash, clay mitt it's a spray microfiber applicator sponge lightly, apply to car, walk away. Recoat next day if you want, or not. Less than 1 ounce would cover my Sequoia and take less than 10 minutes and stay beading and shiny. That was older technology but worked very well for me and friends.