Ok, so the showdown of 3 synthetic polish sealants. I thought I would try to do an analysis on the three sealants. All claim to clean imperfections while leaving a brilliant shine, lasting up to 6 months.
I thought I would compare them for the 4 categories most important to users: ease of application, ease of removal, shine, durability.
I decided not to use either machines I have, rotary and dual action, and simply apply by hand. I figured not everyone has machines to use, so let's make it universal for everyone. The subjects - 2010 Silver Metallic Corolla, 2009 Dark Blue Metallic Jeep Liberty. Both cars paint were in good condition, with minor rain acid marks. I used IPA to clean off any old wax. I did not clay the cars, again figuring not everyone would do that when waxing.
Wax On
Application was by hand with a microfiber applicator. I did the trunk on the Corolla, and hood on the Jeep. Split both panels in thirds. I tried to use the same pressure and motion on all application areas. The Synwax wax noticeably easier to apply, almost effortless. It is thick, smooth, glides well, and is easy to see what is completed. The Griots was second, but not nearly as easy and did not glide as readily. The Duragloss was the most difficult to apply. It had little glide feel to it, was very thin, and difficult to determine what was done already. All three claim to have polishing abilities, so I expected some resistance during application.
Wax Off
I allowed 5 minutes of dry time, and all three were flashed off and ready to be removed. I used a folded microfiber towel for removal. Synwax removed the easiest, again noticeably easier. It took 3 passes of the towel to remove. I flipped and buffed the area. The Griots was second in this category as well. It took more pressure to remove than the Synwax, and additional passes. It was not difficult, but not nearly as easy as the Synwax. The Duragloss was the most difficult to remove. It took quite a bit of pressure compared to the others, and several additional passes of the towel. Again, this is relative and I would not classify it as difficult compared to the Kit wax of the 80's, but much more effort than the other two.
Shine
All three are polish and sealant. The Corolla paint was in pretty good condition to start. None of the three touched the light acid rain marks, but I really had to be looking in the paint to find them to begin with. So, no change in paint condition from any of the products. The Jeep (mother in law in from out of town) has not been waxed in a while, if ever. The paint was fine, but a little dull to start. All three cleaned up the paint and removed the light swirls in it. This is subjective, but I think the Griots did best, then Duragloss, then Synwax. Both cars had a nice shine from all three products. Again subjective, but I think the Synwax was the warmest shine, and the other two were equal and glassy-er. My opinion was on silver the three were about equal, and on the blue the Griots looked the shiniest, followed by Synwax then Duragloss. Given the lack of paint prep on the Jeep by claying, I think they all did a decent job. None have the warm glow of carnauba, but good given the claims of the products. None of the three smoothed the paint out like a tradition clay job would. The paint was slick with all 3, but the small imperfections could still be felt/heard when running a finger with light pressure over the surface.
Durability
Well, the Jeep will leave soon and I will not see it for a while, so the durability will be based on the Corolla only. This car sits out as my other 3 get the garage spots, so it will be a good real world test. It is rainy and snowy in western Pa this time of year, so in a few weeks I will have some updates to provide, and will update it again late winter.
I thought I would compare them for the 4 categories most important to users: ease of application, ease of removal, shine, durability.
I decided not to use either machines I have, rotary and dual action, and simply apply by hand. I figured not everyone has machines to use, so let's make it universal for everyone. The subjects - 2010 Silver Metallic Corolla, 2009 Dark Blue Metallic Jeep Liberty. Both cars paint were in good condition, with minor rain acid marks. I used IPA to clean off any old wax. I did not clay the cars, again figuring not everyone would do that when waxing.
Wax On
Application was by hand with a microfiber applicator. I did the trunk on the Corolla, and hood on the Jeep. Split both panels in thirds. I tried to use the same pressure and motion on all application areas. The Synwax wax noticeably easier to apply, almost effortless. It is thick, smooth, glides well, and is easy to see what is completed. The Griots was second, but not nearly as easy and did not glide as readily. The Duragloss was the most difficult to apply. It had little glide feel to it, was very thin, and difficult to determine what was done already. All three claim to have polishing abilities, so I expected some resistance during application.
Wax Off
I allowed 5 minutes of dry time, and all three were flashed off and ready to be removed. I used a folded microfiber towel for removal. Synwax removed the easiest, again noticeably easier. It took 3 passes of the towel to remove. I flipped and buffed the area. The Griots was second in this category as well. It took more pressure to remove than the Synwax, and additional passes. It was not difficult, but not nearly as easy as the Synwax. The Duragloss was the most difficult to remove. It took quite a bit of pressure compared to the others, and several additional passes of the towel. Again, this is relative and I would not classify it as difficult compared to the Kit wax of the 80's, but much more effort than the other two.
Shine
All three are polish and sealant. The Corolla paint was in pretty good condition to start. None of the three touched the light acid rain marks, but I really had to be looking in the paint to find them to begin with. So, no change in paint condition from any of the products. The Jeep (mother in law in from out of town) has not been waxed in a while, if ever. The paint was fine, but a little dull to start. All three cleaned up the paint and removed the light swirls in it. This is subjective, but I think the Griots did best, then Duragloss, then Synwax. Both cars had a nice shine from all three products. Again subjective, but I think the Synwax was the warmest shine, and the other two were equal and glassy-er. My opinion was on silver the three were about equal, and on the blue the Griots looked the shiniest, followed by Synwax then Duragloss. Given the lack of paint prep on the Jeep by claying, I think they all did a decent job. None have the warm glow of carnauba, but good given the claims of the products. None of the three smoothed the paint out like a tradition clay job would. The paint was slick with all 3, but the small imperfections could still be felt/heard when running a finger with light pressure over the surface.
Durability
Well, the Jeep will leave soon and I will not see it for a while, so the durability will be based on the Corolla only. This car sits out as my other 3 get the garage spots, so it will be a good real world test. It is rainy and snowy in western Pa this time of year, so in a few weeks I will have some updates to provide, and will update it again late winter.
