which wax?

[shdwcrew HD]

The sealent is always a need to use, but should be applied after each step. As for the wax, a high end wax should be applied. It will protect the paint from UV rays, harmful tree sap, bird droppings and so on. This is not a one step process though. Wax has to be replenished every so often. A good detail job should last at least six months to a year with proper intermediate care.

[Merlin]

IHMO A quality sealant as your LSP (Last Step Product) will last up to 4-6 months
A couple of my favorite sealants are Blackfire Wet Diamond and Zaino Z-2 $30-$15
Both of these have different "looks" to them

IMHO most quality waxes may last up to 3-6 weeks
One of my favorite waxes for longevity is Collonite 845 (2-4 months) $15
One of my favorite waxes for "looking good" is Pinnacle Souveran (1-2 weeks) $100

Sealants "as a rule" give a shiny wet look
Carnauba waxes "as a rule" give a deep wet look.

I don't even know where to begin with my list of sealants and waxes
I probably have enough LSP products to last me ten lifetimes.
Purists love the depth and warmth of a quality carnauba wax
Me, I personally like the shine and longevity of a sealant

Preparation is the key to a superior finish!
If your paint is polished correctly then any wax even a $2.98 version from Wally World will look good.
Again the key to a "Show Car" finish is not in the LSP but the preparation of the paint beforehand.

[shdwcrew HD]

Hey Merlin. great list of products. Have you ever tried any of the chemical guys products? I guess it may be different up here in Canada but i have discovered that applying sealent after each final polish/ glaze, enhancer and wax that the shine, clarity and life span can be extended. The sealent will actually lock in each step.

[Merlin]

...I guess it may be different up here in Canada but i have discovered that applying sealent after each final polish/ glaze, enhancer and wax that the shine, clarity and life span can be extended. The sealent will actually lock in each step.

What do you use as a sealant?

I personally polishing the paint with a machine then apply apply a sealant.
I have had folks look at their vehicle before the sealant was applied and said WOW!
They couldn't believe that the finish they were looking at did not have a sealant or wax on it.
The sealant (or wax) is my very last step (hence the acronym LSP for Last Step Product)

[shdwcrew HD]

Sealents will vary from synthetic polymer sealant like mequires (i believe #20) to natural sealents from chemical guys. I know at lot of them say last step product but like i said you get much better protection and longer lasting if the sealent is applied between each step. Depending on the paint quility I may use either the PC DA or the rotary PC. If i could get my pictures off my desktop i would post them but my kids turned it into a science project.LOL

[Merlin]

...but like i said you get much better protection and longer lasting if the sealent is applied between each step.

OK, skewl me on this?

If I polish with Megs D300, M105 or Poorboy's Master Cut then use a sealant...it takes 12-24 hours for sealant to cure.

Then the next day when I polish with M205 I would be removing the sealant by polishing the sealant away???
Maybe we are referring to different products with the same generic "detailing name" as a sealant?
(Paintwork Polish Enhancer, Paint conditioner, Paint cleansing creme, Finishing glaze etc.)

I have used Opti coat 2.0 of a few vehicles and when applying you need to be cautious of streaking.
Streaking can be eliminated by lightly wiping with a microfiber during the initial 5 minute cure time.
After OC 2.0 cures there is no removing streaks or even Opti Coat 2.0 without taking a buffer to it.

Which brings me to my next conclusion. If you polish with a medium polish, then apply sealant,
then a fine polish for the next polishing step would remove any of the previously applied sealant.

I polish with a medium polish, refine the finish with a fine polish then even a micro-nano polish.
I will admit I use a product and process between each type of polishing to clean the paint first.
Once that is done then I apply a Last Step Product (LSP) to seal and protect the paint finish.

A day doesn't go by that I don't learn something new about new products, paints and processes.
I have never heard of your process before to apply a LSP sealant between each step of polishing.
I'm now interested in contacting a few folks (Meguiar's etc.) to discuss your process and results.