What's the difference between WAX and SEALANT?

[Bhead]

I searched without much luck.
Only difference I found sealant is used for newer car, wax can be used for every.
But like the Wheel Wax and Poorboy's wheel sealant, I tried both and didn't see any difference.

[beshannon]

Our forum sponsor has alot of good information just like what you are looking for

http://www.autogeek.net/qude101.html

Age of the car does not matter and wheels are different than paint

[simracer]

Wheels are different than paint? How so? Aren't they both painted surfaces? Why should they not be treated similarly?

Now, I don't see the need for a wheel specific wax or sealant. Any high quality sealant should be good enough to use on wheels. I wouldn't bother using a wax. Your wheels (fronts anyway) see some high temps from the brakes and waxes just won't hold up.

[Bhead]

Wheels are different than paint? How so? Aren't they both painted surfaces? Why should they not be treated similarly?

Now, I don't see the need for a wheel specific wax or sealant. Any high quality sealant should be good enough to use on wheels. I wouldn't bother using a wax. Your wheels (fronts anyway) see some high temps from the brakes and waxes just won't hold up.
I used Wheel wax 1st, but didn't last long, that's why i change to Poorboy's wheel sealant, awesome stuff.:buttrock

[beshannon]

Wheels are different than paint? How so? Aren't they both painted surfaces? Why should they not be treated similarly?

Now, I don't see the need for a wheel specific wax or sealant. Any high quality sealant should be good enough to use on wheels. I wouldn't bother using a wax. Your wheels (fronts anyway) see some high temps from the brakes and waxes just won't hold up.

You just said so yourself. Wheels are subject to high temperatures, brake dust etc. Are wheels painted or coated? Is that coating the same as paint or clearcoat? Should I use wheel cleaner to wash my car?

As far as I am concerned they are two different types of surfaces.

[simracer]

I don't think the original poster's question was in regard to how to clean the surfaces, it was how to protect the surfaces. And in that regard, there really is no difference between a painted body surface and the wheel surface whether it's single stage paint or clearcoated.

Any wax or sealant intended for use on auto body painted surfaces could likewise be used on painted wheels of any sort as well as clearcoated bare aluminum wheels and chrome wheels.

[simracer]

I used Wheel wax 1st, but didn't last long, that's why i change to Poorboy's wheel sealant, awesome stuff.:buttrock

To your original question: waxes and sealants can be used on virtually any auto body painted surface regardless of whether it is single stage paint or clearcoated base paint. About the only time you'd see a difference is on some higher abrasive products, but honestly, I don't think I've ever seen a wax that wasn't considered clearcoat safe since clearcoat became into common use back in the 80's.

The only thing I would add to that is if you're dealing with dull oxidized paint. And even then waxes and sealants will work, but they won't remove the oxidation. For that you would need what is typically referred to as a "cleaner wax" or an "all-in-one" sealant. These products have very mild abrasives that will polish away light oxidation as well as add a layer of wax or sealant protection.

Back in the day, Zaino did offer a Z3 sealant that was intended for single stage paint. But about the only difference between it and Z2 (for clearcoat paint) was that it purportedly contained some additives to give it a little more resistance to the elements.

[itciai]

Back in the day, Zaino did offer a Z3 sealant that was intended for single stage paint. But about the only difference between it and Z2 (for clearcoat paint) was that it purportedly contained some additives to give it a little more resistance to the elements.

Just out of sheer curiosity, would there be any harm in using a sealant that was meant for single stage paint on a car with clearcoated paint?:confused

[simracer]

None that I can think of. Z3 was merely recommended for single stage paint...again, just because it was a reformulation of Z2 with additional protection. Certainly didn't contain any labelling as "unsafe for use on clearcoated vehicles" and Sal himself said it was fine to use on clearcoated vehicles.

The only time you'd run into a situation with a product not being clearcoat safe would be due to heavy abrasive content and would usually have a warning to that effect on the container. Until ZAIO and ZPC came out, Zaino really didn't have paint specific products that contained abrasives...despite the fact that Zaino did (and still does) refer to their sealants as being "show car polishes". Undoubtedly adding to the confusion of users who are new to their products. They aren't polishes at all, they're pure sealants with Z5 having some fillers, but again, no abrasive content.

Oh, I just looked and Zaino still does produce Z3 in addition to their Z2 and Z5 sealants. Interesting. I thought they had discontinued it around the same time they discontinued Z1. For grins, I'd kind of like to put Z2 against Z3 and see if there is any real world difference.

[Colonel]

I'll put it simply:

A sealant is synthetic, it's long lasting (with many), durable, yet to many it doesn't give the exact same warm and liquid depth as a wax would.

A wax gives the better look, yet doesn't last as long.

Now, in order to achieve the (best of both worlds), as with any detail, you need to perfectly prep the paint, compound and/or polish, and then your protection would be a sealant with a wax applied over top of it.

Sealants and waxes aren't limited to how old or new a car is, you can put a sealant on older cars, you just want to make sure before you put a sealant/wax as your protection that you remove as much as the defects (swirl marks, etc.) in the paint as possible to achieve the best results.

[Jackcat559]

http://www.autogeek.net/qude101.html



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