MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

Funk_Flex · #1 10-16-2007, 10:49 PM

Took some pics of the car right after fall detailing.

Big pics: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com.../IMG_08741.jpg

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...0/IMG_0875.jpg

Since my car washing days are numbered, I decided to try Griot's Garage Paint Sealant a try. I got the One Step version with polish mixed in. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.

First I washed then clayed the car. The application of the sealant was very easy. It didn't dry to a white clumpy residue. Buffing was also easy with a microfiber cloth. I even got some on the wheel arches but it was easily wiped away. My car has the clear bra and the excess on the edges were easily wiped away. The sealant even got most of the fine swirls out.

So far I'm very happy with the product. Now, the only issue left is the longevity. The stuff is supposed to last up to a year. A year? Not sure about that part. But I would be very happy if it lasts until April.

MLPearson79 · #2 10-16-2007, 11:00 PM

Looks good! I'll be curious to hear how long it lasts.

summeroflove · #3 10-17-2007, 08:00 AM

I've used Paint Sealant since Griot's came out with it and am Totally Happy. I get it to last at least 6 months (late fall to early spring here in CT) and I use their Spray-On Wax after each washing to enhance the shine. Motor On!

S Curvz · #4 10-17-2007, 08:07 AM

I put it on my car last year. With the use of Speed Shine and Spray Wax throughtout the winter, i was able to get it to last about 8 months through snow, rain and road salt.

kenchan · #5 10-17-2007, 09:52 AM

funk- looks good!

would you let us know how well the sealant hazed after application?
is it easy to see to confirm covage?

how hard was it to remove? did you use Speedshine or SprayOn wax to
assist?

did it turn your arch white afterwards?

kenchan · #6 10-17-2007, 10:08 AM

Funk - one more question. wat was your ambient temp when you applied?
any issues with colder temps?

Funk_Flex · #7 10-17-2007, 10:58 AM

I was wondering when you'll chime in

Anyways, it's been about 48 hours since the detail and I just pulled the car out of the garage to take care of a small chip. You can read about it here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...d.php?t=117131

I did a quick walk around and I saw no residual haze. Even on the wheel arches. When I was buffing, I made sure I got ever single spot. Then I went over the entire car again. When I did my dad's car, I noticed some haze in a couple of spots afterwards. I was kinda rushing it at the time so I made sure I was very thorough when I was buffing my car.

As I mentioned before, buffing was very easy with a microfiber cloth. I did not use any speed shine or spray wax. The temp during the detail was in the high 50's to the low 60's during the evening. I was inside the garage.

As it was stated in previous posts, I'm planning on purchasing the spray wax in case I have the oppertunity to wash the car again. I'm gonna get the Griot's version since I was told to use the same brand for all your detailing products.

kenchan · #8 10-17-2007, 11:28 AM

Funk- sounds good. I was referring to the initial haze you get right
after the app during the drying process. it sounds like there is a clear
difference to confirm coverage like on Best of Show.

some waxes are applied thin and hard to tell if you have full coverage
or not until a few minutes later which can be a little frustrating at times.

sounds good that you were able to tackle this task at lower temps.

i think im going to seriously consider this sealant next season..the
same one-step one, that is.

i know Griots has just the sealant
without abrasives but on a commuter it's good to mildly polish and
apply at the same time.

the non-whiting on plastic bits is a huge plus.

yah, you'll like Spray On wax, but since the sealant is a polymer, you
can Hydro it too..

summeroflove · #9 10-17-2007, 06:53 PM

Kenchan - the haze you get with Paint Sealant looks pretty much just like the haze you get with Best of Show wax, with the big difference being that it's a LOT easier to buff off with a micrfiber cloth than BoS.
I agree with you - the fact that it doesn't leave the dreaded white residue on matte black surfaces really is a huge plus.
As far as the low temps are concerned, I applied Paint Sealant last Sunday and it was 45-50 degrees in the shade - no problems at all.

kenchan · #10 10-17-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summeroflove

Kenchan - the haze you get with Paint Sealant looks pretty much just like the haze you get with Best of Show wax, with the big difference being that it's a LOT easier to buff off with a micrfiber cloth than BoS.
I agree with you - the fact that it doesn't leave the dreaded white residue on matte black surfaces really is a huge plus.
As far as the low temps are concerned, I applied Paint Sealant last Sunday and it was 45-50 degrees in the shade - no problems at all.

excellent! thanks for the info.

in chicago, this might be the ultimate solution for commuters.

mininewbie06 · #11 10-23-2007, 02:28 PM

Funk, are you a MINY Member? You have to come and join us! Look on General Mini Talk, and see thread to NY MINIS. It's a blast!

kenchan · #12 10-23-2007, 02:56 PM

Rediculous! a newb NAMer spamming at a detailing forum?!

moclimbin · #13 10-23-2007, 04:05 PM

Detailing 101 is Kenchan's stomping grounds lol

kenchan · #14 10-23-2007, 05:45 PM

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