When to use AG Super Resin in conjunction with Autobalm?
Discussion
Was going to give the car a bit of a wash today, and maybe try out the bilt and hamber autobalm stuff I bought a couple of months ago. I've got a nice new bottle of Autoglym super resin as well, but should I use this or not after I've applied the autobalm? The information that came with the autobalm suggests that it is sort of a polish which confused me slightly
Use the SRP first, not after. Or it will strip the Autobalm off. Using SRP first can only add to the finish.
Although Autobalm has reference to it being a polish or all-in-one, it certainly doesn't feel like a traditional polish and very much more like a sealant. It has good filling properties, but doesn't seem to have highly abrasive capabilities (I have a pot and the texture just doesn't get the polish bells ringing in terms of kaolin, silicate content etc). Maybe there's *some* in there, but I would use it primarily as an LSP and use a more dedicated polish (like SRP) for the polishing side of things.
Although Autobalm has reference to it being a polish or all-in-one, it certainly doesn't feel like a traditional polish and very much more like a sealant. It has good filling properties, but doesn't seem to have highly abrasive capabilities (I have a pot and the texture just doesn't get the polish bells ringing in terms of kaolin, silicate content etc). Maybe there's *some* in there, but I would use it primarily as an LSP and use a more dedicated polish (like SRP) for the polishing side of things.
LSP... sorry... Last Stage Product e.g. a car wax for protecting the finish
Easier than confusing people with wax/polish/sealant as they are used interchangeably when they shouldn't, and even the technical definitions get clouded by what manufacturers claim and what is in the products or what they do.
Easier than confusing people with wax/polish/sealant as they are used interchangeably when they shouldn't, and even the technical definitions get clouded by what manufacturers claim and what is in the products or what they do.
Just to expand on Domster's comments - Autobalm is effectively a sealant, but it has chemical cleaning/polish attributes.
In other words, if used like an AIO (all-in-one) such as Klasse/Carlack, on a singlestage paint, any oxidised paint will be removed as can be seen on the applicator pad.
There are no abrasive compounds in AB whatsoever, so you can use every day of the week if you so desired. SRP on the other hand has harshish abrasives, and regular use would result in removing slivers of the paint layer/clearcoat - albeit fairly slowly, by hand.
If you're using SRP for its abrasive content, to reduce/remove swirls, then do so, and put the AB on after for enhanced swirl/scratch masking and longevity.
If you're using SRP as a sealant (which it somewhat is), but not using the abrasives for their capabilities, then you'd be just as well to do 2 layers of AB, and leave it at that.
As Domster pointed out, LSPs are essentially your waxes and sealants - polishes like SRP are dual purpose, abrasives and sealant, but the longevity of the sealant property of SRP is pretty crap, so really you need their EGP (if you stick with a wholly AG product regime) to give you some decent protection level, otherwise the fillers of SRP will simply wash out quite quickly, meaning more regular reapplications, with the potential to inflict marks with the abrasives.
So, as you've AB in readiness, you should be able to get 3+ months out of AB, before needing to touch the paintwork again.
Of course, a lot of that longevity will be dependent upon your wash regime - good technique, right strength solution, etc.
Muck up at that point with grit or too strong a shampoo solution, and you're back to square one again.
In other words, if used like an AIO (all-in-one) such as Klasse/Carlack, on a singlestage paint, any oxidised paint will be removed as can be seen on the applicator pad.
There are no abrasive compounds in AB whatsoever, so you can use every day of the week if you so desired. SRP on the other hand has harshish abrasives, and regular use would result in removing slivers of the paint layer/clearcoat - albeit fairly slowly, by hand.
If you're using SRP for its abrasive content, to reduce/remove swirls, then do so, and put the AB on after for enhanced swirl/scratch masking and longevity.
If you're using SRP as a sealant (which it somewhat is), but not using the abrasives for their capabilities, then you'd be just as well to do 2 layers of AB, and leave it at that.
As Domster pointed out, LSPs are essentially your waxes and sealants - polishes like SRP are dual purpose, abrasives and sealant, but the longevity of the sealant property of SRP is pretty crap, so really you need their EGP (if you stick with a wholly AG product regime) to give you some decent protection level, otherwise the fillers of SRP will simply wash out quite quickly, meaning more regular reapplications, with the potential to inflict marks with the abrasives.
So, as you've AB in readiness, you should be able to get 3+ months out of AB, before needing to touch the paintwork again.
Of course, a lot of that longevity will be dependent upon your wash regime - good technique, right strength solution, etc.
Muck up at that point with grit or too strong a shampoo solution, and you're back to square one again.
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