The Case Against – Summary: Part 4 of 4
by Marc Harris & Jacob BunyanThis is the final part of a four part article series by Marc Harris and Jacob Bunyan of Auto Lavish. In this series they will make a case against coatings, sealants, and waxes, to help you find out what form of protection is best for your needs! To view all of the articles in this series click here.
If you take one thing away from the series, I hope it’s the following:
There is no universal solution to everyone’s needs and you need to decide what is best for you. The best product is one you enjoy and use often.
If you use a $10 sealant once, I consider it a waste. If you use an $8,000 wax all the time and continue to do so over years, I’d consider that a good investment (as long as that type of money isn’t causing the other aspects of your life to become unraveled).
The same way we need to debate, discuss, and decide for ourselves which car is best for us based off price, size, fun, gas mileage, insurance costs, and maintenance costs, we each have to make some of those same choices with car care. The idea of writing a piece to counter industry trends and marketing hype has been something I’ve wanted to do for awhile. My clients often want to know my opinion on various aspects of detailing, and one of the most popular things to talk about are the products we use to protect our finishes from dirt and grime sticking to the paint as well as making washing easier.
As shown, each type of product has its own pros and cons, and in the end, whichever product you choose to use makes an insignificant difference compared to how you treat your car. If you’re a two bucket (with Grit Guards) washer that is constantly treating your baby like a queen, it’ll show regardless of what products you do or don’t use. There isn’t a short cut or a magic solution. If anything, I hope this short series will allow you to reconsider your favorite type of product to gives others a fair shake in your consideration for use.
Good luck in finding what works best for you, and hopefully we’ll cross paths while I enjoy the next 100,000 miles in my own baby. If you see me, give me a wave. Just don’t ask what protective product you should use on your car because I’ll argue against whatever you’re leaning towards 😉
Great 4 part article guys!!! These are issues that really should be addressed on a more regular basis.
This part 4 really ties it all together and was well said.
Great Job! I really enjoyed this!
Thanks Brian!
Good “rock the boat” series! Promoting very interesting feedback.
Hopefully people will see it as interesting with counterpoints to each choice, and read the entire series to take the same thing away. Thank you for your interest Mark.
These articles were a very interesting way of broadcasting some of the pros and cons of the various types of protection products. Points for creativity.
Thank you Zach.
I enjoyed the series as well. I believe the owner should really evaluate what he is looking for and what he is putting it on.
Agreed, and thanks for following the series Hamza.
Great series, with interesting and entertaining counterpoints throughout. Thumbs up to the authors and those who read through till the end. Hopefully the readers who jumped the gun in part one now realize what the intent was. Way to go Marc and Jacob! (golf clap)
Very much appreciate the comments and support Mike. Congrats again on the Platinum-winning Ferrari you prepped for the recent concours show!
Having been all over this website, I think I’ll detail my vehicles annually with a clay treatment and a sealant – followed by a carnauba application every three or four months.
Thank you for all of the outstanding content on this site!
Arden
I’m glad you’ve found what you enjoy to use, and I’m glad you enjoyed the series Arden. Keep up the good work.
Great series of article guys! I think another interesting point between sealants and waxes, as you’ve already pointed out, is subjective/aesthetics also. Having been to many car shows in my life, the way light reflects differently off of cars/[even different OEM paint] can be tuned by using different sealants or waxes. Another fun point about detailing…
Absolutely Ryan. I find that’s also a fun way of staying in love with your car: using different things with slightly different results.
An odd set of articles. In the wax bagging article you say use sealant, in the sealant bagging article you say carnauba people will laugh at you? The fact is that sealant and wax will offer some protection to your pai t whilst enhancing the look. Judge each product on their merits. If you want the ultimate look go a wax, if you want a little better durability ar the expense of ultimate look go a sealant. This should be your conclusion