Sealer vs wax: What's the difference?
 

For any of the detail guys out there, what exactly is the difference between a sealer and a wax? There's a store near me with a good selection of detailing products but all they could really tell me is that a sealer lasts longer. If that's the only difference wouldn't everyone just use sealer instead of wax? What is the advantage of wax over sealer?

nt the sealer go over the wax as a final step?

^^^thats what I've always known it as, like zaino's sealer final step. And generally sealer is syntheitc based rather than organic (canuba wax). I've heard that organic waxes won't last as long but will give a better shine and a deeper "color" while synthetics last longer but dont' look quite as good. I think that a good synthetic will look just as good as an organic but you need to use some detergent to remove it when you re-wax the car

No believe it or not the wax goes over the sealer. Yes the sealer does last longer because its polymer based. Where as a was is carnuba based. Carnuba on the other hand has been known to produce a better shine so what I do is use a sealant and then a good carnuba wax.

wax and or glaze then sealer to seal it.

Not for nothin Dawg but ill listen to the detailer! Haaaaa

what sealer/wax do you prefer is a good question??

Wax I use collonite. sealer I use meguires nxt liquid sealer. It says its a wax but its polymer based and is more of a sealer.

I bought some Meguiar's Ultimate wax before I realized that there is a distributor that sells Collonite products like 3 miles from my house. :( The Meguiars seems pretty good but doesn't wipe off easy.

I use Zaino - (Sealer)

It seems to last ~1 month if the car is out a lot, ~3 months if the car is in the garage more.

It's also a wipe on/wipe off deal couldn't be easier....

The only downfalls are price and availability (Web/small dealer network vs. high volume stores).

But overall I typically spend ~$50 every other year on it for 4 washes per car (3 cars).