The $1200 Paint Seal

[showcar280se]

Since I have a slow day today, I thought I would share with some of you the "myth" of the expensive paint sealant process most dealers try to sell. two part question, does a synthetic paint sealant offer better/longer protection than conventional wax,? you bet, is it worth $500- 1200, only if you have a bank account like Jay Leno. Today's paints are far more advanced than ever before. The actual paint can be acrylic enamels, lacquers, urethanes or polyurethane, in either case 95% of them have a clear coat on top, giving owners a false sense of security. Paint sealants were developed to give longer protection to a car's finish. Not rocket science, just simple chemistry. The best car wax under the best conditions will last 30 days, most people don't know that. Still I see car wax being sold for hundreds of dollars on the internet for a small jar (Zymol has an 8oz jar for $1,325.00!) That tells me education in car care is in great need. The cost of a quality paint sealant is comparable (or less) than a retail jar of wax. Are people intimidated? not sure. paint sealant can be applied by anyone that can wax a car; application is no different. A sealant consists of amino-functional resins which produce a strong durabel cross linking bond of molecules over the finish, giving your car superior protection. My mission, is in education in this field. Recently I was published in America's Car Care Magizine, Oct issue. I spend numerous hours a week answering e mails to people with questions on caring for their car. If I can help anyone here, just send me a message through my web site> www.perfectautofinish.com Regards, and happy motoring. Gary Kouba , 1969 280se show car winner.

[DIAZ-CANEJA]

Gary
I'm a MBCA Member and I've followed all your valuable comments about wax and sealants.
I own a 350 SL that has a nice glossy but the rear right fender looks like another color, seems a poor repair work.
I just bought a paint sealant to seal my car's paint.
My question is
Is the sealant capable of uniforming the color between the bad repair and the rest of the car or should I try to polish the faded paint before using the sealant?

[erdavis]

Greetings DIAZ-CANEJA: Gary is currently having problems logging into the MBCA forum, please contact him directly through his website so he can respond to your question.

www.perfectautofinish.com

[Johnson Chan]

I agree with you so much. It is not worth the "extra package", the dealers try to sell you. I once thought about those Zymol $500+ dollar waxes.

Luckily I did not purchase any of the stuff.

The best synthetic wax on the market (in my opinion): Klasse and Zaino Bros.

They last very long and protect your paint, and it cost about $100 (depending what all you buy and how many bottles, etc.)

[Johnson Chan]

Diaz,

Does your paint have a clearcoat? Yes, you should polish your car before using the sealant. BTW- what sealant did you buy?

try this:

1) was your car with dawn dishwashing detergant (it will strip off all your old wax buildup, bugs, tar, etc.) DO NOT MAKE IT A HABIT TO WASH YOUR CAR WITH DAWN!! It strips off wax.

2) clay your car. zaino bros, mothers, etc. makes good claybars

3) wash your car and dry car again

4) use a polish. Depending on the oxidization amount, and the swirl marks, etc. you need to polish this. Griots garage, 3M, meguairs, etc. makes good swirl removers.

5) wash and dry car again

6) then use your sealant

this is the procedure for good klasse and zaino bros results, but i dont know what you bought. I know it sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but trust me, in the end it is worth it. Your paint will be smooth as glass and it will have no swirl marks and oxidization and will be like a big mirror.

[DIAZ-CANEJA]

Johnson.
I bought the sealant trough internet, but I haven't picked it up. I live in Mexico city, and I will pick up my stuff probably on January.
Unfortunately, painting is cracking at the faded area, so my guess is I'll have to repaint the car. (there are other areas beginning to fade). But I'll have to sell one of my cars first (1965 230SL with rebuild auto tranny)

[Johnson Chan]

Hello Diaz,

If the paint is cracked, then your right, a complete repaint will be best for matching/car shows, if your a perfectionist.

On a good note though, I have heard some classic car owners taking there cars to Mexico for a baremetal repaint. This offers a couple advantages:

1) labor is cheaper. So you can get a back to metal repaint done cheaper than in U.S. (if you have the right contacts)

2) the EPA has banned a lot of the original materials used on the cars back in the days. But you might be able to get these materials in mexico so you can go back to "original".

This is just what i was told, since you live in mexico city maybe you can tell me your thoughts.

Johnson

[DIAZ-CANEJA]

Johnson.
Yes you're right.
Painting a car in Mexico is cheap and also very good, but you have to be aware that some works might be done with a poor quality paint or bad preparation.
Also you have to be patient. I know a body shop that uses only swiss or german paint, you will have to wait four months for an appoinment ant they'll charge you about $ 3,000.00 USD, but you have a written guarantee for 7 years. Remember Mexico's water is heavy and we have an agressive acid rain in Mexico.
A very decent clearcoat painting with Dupont products, done by a good shop will be about $ 1,500.00 USD if no bare metal is needed.