Jewelultra Diamondbrite - Previously called Lacroe. Lacroe is still available but Diamondbrite is an improved and updated version.
Supagard 100+ - Previously called Bygin, now improved. Supagard is the same as Waxoyl 100+ from Switzerland.
Diamondbrite - Although the product is great (especially
on dark coloured cars) and the Conserver is very easy to use, the
condition of the guarantee does require that you use their Conserver
and have annual inspections. Not any more!
We have also found other ways to use Conserver. For easier methods to use this, please follow this link. But this has no bearing on the overall score.
In our final anyalsis, (after a punch between members of staff), this product was piped at the post by Supagard because it requires an annual inspection. There is still much debate about which product is favorite amoung our staff. We have been using Diamondbrite for 13 years and has well and truely earned our respect.
Update: Not that Diamondbrite comes with a lifetime guarantee...
it's our favorite!
Supagard - It's hard to fault this product. Although the
guarantee is for only three years, a number of our customers have
had Supagard for many years and it still looks good, there is
no reason it won't last for many more years.
The maintenance required is low to zero, and that's why Supagard comes out top of the pile.
As a bonus, leather care is also available with this package at no extra cost.
Toughseal - A good product with a reasonable guarantee which doesn't require annual inspections.
Fairly low maintenace required, the stuff in the aftercare kit is quite good with sensible quantities. Comes with a vinyl/leather protector included in the price.
Ultrashield - this product is no longer available..
Auto Glym Lifeshine - This is not just one product, but the best of the Auto Glym range. The Sealant part is new, but the products that come with the kit are famous for their exceptional quality. Applying them over the top of an especially formulated sealant can only be good.
However, there is a lot of work involved. One of the main benefits of a paint sealant is that you don't need to keep waxing your car. The Lifeshine system sacrifices this benefit in favour of a lifetime of concourse quality. This is not for many people, but if you are something of enthusiast then this is the product for you.
How long are you going to keep your car?
If you are only going to keep your car for 3 years, is it worth getting a seven year sealant? Well, yes! It could be worth it as the guarantee might be transferable and is a good selling point.
You should also ask yourself how long your car is going to be valuable for. For example, an Aston Martin is never going to be a cheapy that you can get down the auction, it's worth looking after for many years.
The other question you should ask yourself is how many years' worth of realistic use do you subject your car to over the course of a year? If you have kids and dogs and muddy boots etc. then maybe you should think about getting a sealant with a shorter life, but having your car valeted once a year (and getting it topped up with a synthetic wax/sealant).
Supagard recommend the use of Supagard Shampoo and Paintseal Cream (which come with the kit), although this is not a condition of the guarantee and they say you can use an equivalant shampoo.
While all Supagard products are exceptionally good, we have found the Paintseal Cream to be hard work to use. Our experience with Supagard has shown us that the paint sealant will last the full three years without this additive, and far longer with it.
Toughseal - we used this before when it was called Toughguard, since renamed as Toughseal for the UK market
The
Diamondbrite kit comes complete with a 250ml bottle of Diamondbrite
Conserver which Jewelultra recommend you use on a monthly basis.
After washing your car, you apply Conserver by adding two cupfuls
to a bucket of water which you apply to the car with a sponge
before rinsing off.
If you require extra shine, JewelUltra have a product called Protective Glaze Sealant which is a synthetic wax which is safe to use over the top of Diamondbrite.
To maintain the conditions of the Guarantee, JewelUltra requires an annual inspection.
This sealant is extra shiny when used with Super Resin Polish over the top, and a glaze over the top of that!
Giving an overall score of about 99%, it's hard to imagine getting a better shine.
Super Resin Polish and a whole host of other Auto Glym products come supplied with this sealant package.
AutoSmart say, "Paint protector is not a substitute for regular washing of the vehicle", and they recommend that you use a cap full of Care'N'Clean in a bucket of water when you wash your car. Care'N'Clean is a shampoo/wax which is safe to use over the Silver Seal Paint Protector which comes with the Silver Seal package in a large 500ml bottle. Using this product is not a condition of the guarantee, and they make no recommendations as to how often you should use it. However, AutoSmart do recommend that you wash your car at least twice a month, and as Care'N'Clean is a shampoo, this would be as good a time as any.
No inspections are required as a condition of the guarantee, but they do say that you should wash your car by hand and using "Brushwash or Pressure Spray" machines will void the guarantee.
Auto Smart also say that you can use a polish over Silver Seal, but this must be a non-abrasive polish (such as Super Resin Polish by Auto Glym (our recommendation)).
SilverSeal is guaranteed for:
3 years on new cars
2 years on one year old cars
1 year on two year old cars
This
Product is sometimes on special offer. Please check our Special Offers page for details of all our offers,
and check the product page for current prices.
New!
Guaranteed for life when
used in conjunction with conserver, we guarantee it for 2 years without.
This product is no longer available.
Guaranteed for 3 years with conserver, we think it will last 3 years without!
This
product is sometimes on special offer.
Please
check our Special Offers page for details of all our offers,
and check the product page for current prices.
We first used this product when it was called Toughguard. It has since been renamed as Toughseal for the UK market.
This product is sometimes on special offer.
Please check our Special Offers page for details of all our offers,
and check the product page for current prices.
This
product is sometimes on special offer.
Please check our Special Offers page for details of all our offers,
and check the product page for current prices.
This
product is sometimes on special offer.
Please check our Special Offers page for details of all our offers,
and check the product page for current prices.
The Toughseal package comes complete with bottles of Wash & Gloss shampoo (500ml) and Dry Wash & Guard (150ml).
As a condition of the guarantee, the car must be washed regularly with Wash & Gloss Shampoo, and Dry Wash & Guard applied every 3-6 months. This product is fairly easy to use, it is simply sprayed on and wiped off.
The Ultrashied package comes complete with bottles of Ultrashield Shampoo (200ml) and Speed Glaze (200ml).
As a condition of the guarantee, the car must be washed regularly with Ultrashield Shampoo, and Speed Glaze applied every 6 months. This product is applied with a sponge and then buffed off with a dry cloth.
To maintain the conditions of the Guarantee, Ultrashield requires an annual inspection.
AutoGlym has taken a totally different approach to sealants, and you won't ever find them using the slogan "Never wax your car again!"
The kit contains a selection of Auto Glym's world renowned car care products, including a synthetic wax and a glaze which are applied over the top of the LifeShine sealant. This belt-and-braces approach to car care promises to keep your car in tip-top condition for ten or more years, but it is not an easy option and will suit only the dedicated enthusiast. Although, it must be said that when it comes to depth of shine, the results are astounding. You will be well rewarded for your extra work.
For more details of the contents of this kit, please visit our LifeShine Page.
SilverSeal - Not the best guarantee in the world, even if you have a brand new car. On the plus side this is a very low maintenance sealant and they supply you with a nice big bottle of shampoo/wax even though any shampoo will do, which is just as well as AutoSmart products are only available to the trade and not found in any shops... which is a shame because they are fantastic products.
Should you be buying a sealant at all?
If you fit into the following categories then you will be wasting your money:
1) If you like brush car washes, eventually they will damage your sealant and paintwork leaving
nylon marks, lines and scratches, which can clearly be seen in the sunlight and lead to a matt finish.
2) If you park your car at the railway station and want to protect your car from rail dust, forget it! Car parks at railway stations are just no good for cars. You would be better of putting your new paint sealed car in the garage and buying a cheap station runner, an old small Japanese car would be a better investment.
3) If you live in the middle of the city, much the same applies as for those that park at the station. If you don't have off street parking, your car will get bashed and knocked about, and paint sealants can't help you with that.
Have a think about your last car! Be honest with yourself!
When you first bought it, did you promise yourself you would clean it every Sunday? Did you do it, or did your good intentions come to nowt? Did you think you would keep your company car for years and buy it from the lease company, only for your firm to offer you a better and newer one? When you got rid of it, did you have to do a lot of work to bring it up to scratch?
Was it kept in good condition? Or was it a bag of bolts? What did you learn from this?
Few people turn over a new leaf for very long, and your new car will almost certainly end up in the same condition as your last. Was this because you are a messy person, or was this just due to lack of maintenance?
A Sealant will keep the mess from sticking permanently, but if you just aren't good at getting out there to do some cleaning, then a low maintenace package is probably for you.