I started using Menzerna Powerlock sealant on my car in 2011, and I was wondering how long owners typically get between applications of this type of product and sealants in general. I was just wondering if anyone can recommend a good interval for the application of this product.

I realize every situation is different, here is some info on my driving conditions. Being in Canada my driving season is May to October ( six months or so), my car is not a daily driver and is garage kept when I'm not driving it. I put about 3,000-4000 miles per year on it. It doesn't see rain unless I get caught in it by accident. My application from last spring (2011) still looks shiny, as I get ready to bring the car out of storage for this season.

I was thinking of giving the car a good wash, and claybar, but I'm debating on whether I need to put another coat of sealant on it this spring.

Any replies would be great, thanks.

 

There are no clear answers to your question. I like this general answer: apply a fresh coat of wax/sealant whenever specific features that you value begin to degrade (e.g., gloss, slickness, beading, etc.).

My question for you: Why not apply a fresh coat after you wash the car this spring? Really, how much time will it cost you to apply and remove a coat? 30 minutes? The car will look good and you'll be happy. It's a win-win proposition.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah the slickness has kind of gone, the gloss is still there though. Not sure about beading as it doesn't get wet very much. I might just go with one treatment a year then. You're right it doesn't take much after washing and claying to apply a new coat of sealant. I might just do that and stick to once a season interval.

Thanks

 

One more thing. If you clay the car, always follow up with a coat of sealant. The claying will usually remove previously applied protectants.

 

It takes me more than 30 minutes to tape up the car.

 

I apply it and remove it by hand, so I don't use tape on the sealant work. Taping would certainly add at least 30 minutes to the job, possibly longer for me, lol. I only tape when using my machine, I gave it a thorough polish last season and hopefully I don't have to do that again for a few more years, that was back breaking work, lol.

 

I'd still want to tape around all the trim parts, lights, emblems, etc.

 

I'd still want to tape around all the trim parts, lights, emblems, etc.
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Why? I apply sealant to my head/tail lights and right over my emblems. (I have the JDM ones so they are filled)

I'm trying to think of something that I need to tape off when applying sealant but I can't come up with anything.

 

Hmm. Perhaps you are right/I am wrong. Do you apply sealant to rubber trim around the antenna base or the black piece of trim around the above the trunk where the meets the convertible top?

It might be warm here on Sunday. Perhaps I can clay and apply sealant to my car this weekend.

 

Here's another idea for JFUSION: Given that the present coat of Powerlock still seems to be in pretty good shape, why not refresh it with a spray sealant, like Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax. UQW is a great product. It's easy to apply (wipe-on/wipe-off) and can be applied to everything (paint, trim, metal). There's no need to tape anything. It's so easy to use that you can use it anytime you wash the car. Duragloss AquaWax would work just as well.