FK1000p Beginner questions

[Accumulator]

What type of applicator pad does best?

I use foam ones. Just whatever "foam wax applicator pad" I have handy. I just prefer those over MF ones, but it`s not really critical as most anything will work fine. When doing the wheels/etc. of beaters I`ve used everything from "proper wax applicators" to whatever old towel/rag was handy; as long as it goes on thin and is allowed to dry before buffing it oughta be fine.

Guessing that you haven`t read through a zillion lengthy threads about this ...Plan on a two-stage buff off, not just a single pass (even though that`s probably OK most of the time). I like to fog the surface with my breath before doing the final buff, the tiny bit of condensation seems to make everything go better.

Don`t do a second coat too soon. Wait at least a day, I generally wait until the next regularly-scheduled wash. I wouldn`t do more than three coats total.

 

[Fishroes]

Sir Accumulator, temp supposed to be in low 50’s Tuesday, mid 30’s Tuesday night. Is that too cold to apply. This will be my first time using fk1000.

 

[Accumulator]

Fishroes- Sorry, I`m the wrong guy to ask as I always work in a climate-controlled environment. I`d think the 50s oughta be fine (I don`t always heat the shop up much past that) but lower? I wouldn`t expect it to go well although again, I just don`t know...

 

[RandyinTN]

Understand. I keep a spray bottle handy filled with water. Will often give a panel just a super light mist before wiping off any type of wax. Seems to make the buffing easier as well as keeping dust down.

 

[Accumulator]

Understand. I keep a spray bottle handy filled with water. Will often give a panel just a super light mist before wiping off any type of wax. Seems to make the buffing easier as well as keeping dust down.

I`d just fog it with my breath instead. I dunno if more moisture (e.g., from a very light mist with a spraybottle) will be too much, but it sure wouldn`t surprise me. If you *must* do something like that (and IMO the only reason would be a too-thick application so INSERT my usual lecture ) I`d use FK425 instead.

Regulars here know that IUDJ is rapidly replacing FK425 for me, but this is one application where I`d still reach for the FK425, which is 100% compatible with FK1000P (you can even use FK425 to revitalize dried out FK1000P).

 

[Mooser]

OK, today`s the day
Washed and clayed the car last night and parked it in the garage
spray bottle of rinseless and a ww towel (in case I missed something or the mirrors are still dripping, I hate these mirrors, endless supply of water in there)
Can of fk1000p, yellow and red applicators (just in case) on the bench
Thin thin thin
A stack (ok a tupperware container) of TRC blue eagle towels and a couple of white "double soft" for 2nd "finishing" buff
A couple of pairs of gloves
A large thermos of coffee
thin thin thin

Short of being really careful or masking, what about putting a coat of optimum tire gel on all the plastic trim (this thing has it on the front & rear lower bumpers, around the wheel well lips and a handful of other places I can`t think of right now) first to help prevent any over-wipe of the wax from causing issues. I don`t have any fk425 so that`s out.
Also have colinite 875 which is what it`ll get eventually on the plastics, maybe that first?

Input??
M

 

[Older]

OK, today`s the day
Washed and clayed the car last night and parked it in the garage
spray bottle of rinseless and a ww towel (in case I missed something or the mirrors are still dripping, I hate these mirrors, endless supply of water in there)
Can of fk1000p, yellow and red applicators (just in case) on the bench
Thin thin thin
A stack (ok a tupperware container) of TRC blue eagle towels and a couple of white "double soft" for 2nd "finishing" buff
A couple of pairs of gloves
A large thermos of coffee
thin thin thin

Short of being really careful or masking, what about putting a coat of optimum tire gel on all the plastic trim (this thing has it on the front & rear lower bumpers, around the wheel well lips and a handful of other places I can`t think of right now) first to help prevent any over-wipe of the wax from causing issues. I don`t have any fk425 so that`s out.
Also have colinite 875 which is what it`ll get eventually on the plastics, maybe that first?

Input??
M

I`m too lazy to mask, so I just usually cut in,(by hand),about 4 inches or so from anything I don`t want to get it on. Just like painting a house.

I`ll use the Cyclo for the large areas on the hood, roof trunk and sides.

Just be careful around the sunroof opening.

I`m still waiting for my FK1000p to arrive.

 

[Accumulator]

Short of being really careful or masking, what about putting a coat of optimum tire gel on all the plastic trim (this thing has it on the front & rear lower bumpers, around the wheel well lips and a handful of other places I can`t think of right now) first to help prevent any over-wipe of the wax from causing issues. I don`t have any fk425 so that`s out.
Also have colinite 875 which is what it`ll get eventually on the plastics, maybe that first?

Input??
M

You meant Collinite 845, right? Their Insulator Wax? If so, then you could use that but I wouldn`t be all *that* worried about the FK1000P and the trim, just buff any off promptly. I myself would probably worry more about getting some 845 on areas that I planned to FK.

I would *NEVER* put the tire gel on exterior trim under any circumstances whatsoever, but that`s just me.

I just don`t see the FK1000P/trim issue as being that big a deal, remember that I`ve *used* it on trim, although I do put it in the "don`t try this at home, kids!" category.

And this is probably where I oughta repeat my "fog the surface with your breath during the final buff"

I bet it`ll go fine!

 

[Mooser]

Yes typo there, 845 liquid in the cream colored bottle, it`s my goto for door jambs
Well it`s on, probably too thin Maybe that`s why we need multiple layers
Just went close to the trim without worrying about it and seems ok, or at least hasn`t gone white yet. I do have some GG wax remover here somewhere it need be.
Started with the hood and then roof then around everywhere and last did the finished areas of the door jambs with the 845 (cause it`s easy and if I don`t get it all off it doesn`t show

After about an hour I buffed the hood before lunch, came off no problems but the MF cloth is showing a fair amount on the quarter I used so maybe I went heavier than I thought, but buffed easy so.....

I`ve been using the Optimum on the plastics on the DD`s for a few years now, wipe on with a sponge and buff right away with a MF towel, leaves a nice finish (textured plastics) without being greasy or blotchy. I`ve also used the 845 when I can get the car on the quickjack but if you`ve got something better I`m always up for something new

Off to buff the rest of the car
M

 

[Accumulator]

Mooser- Sounds like it`s going well

 

[Mooser]

Finished buffing
Three edge less eagles took everything off and then went over the whole car again with a double-soft just in case I missed anything. Roughly an hour to buff the vehicle (KIA Sorento, 7 seater, so a medium size)
I re-applied a coat to the hood as that`s where I started and based on how it felt I think I went too thin at first.

Honestly, it went on and off really nice with limited drama but lots of rag flipping and shaking.

After seeing how nice it went on, I`m tempted to use the cyclo with red or black pads for the second coat as it`s hard to get at the middle of the roof on this car and there`s a lot of roof there (end up moving my platform 4 times per side) The hood is also quite an expanse and the cyclo running slow is basically a one handed operation for spreading waxes

Anyway, we`ll see how well this stuff works as they`re starting to build a new subdivision in behind my place and right now it`s bulldozers and scrapers running around the field everyday tossing clouds of dust into the air.
M

 

[Older]

You meant Collinite 845, right? Their Insulator Wax? If so, then you could use that but I wouldn`t be all *that* worried about the FK1000P and the trim, just buff any off promptly. I myself would probably worry more about getting some 845 on areas that I planned to FK.

I would *NEVER* put the tire gel on exterior trim under any circumstances whatsoever, but that`s just me.

I just don`t see the FK1000P/trim issue as being that big a deal, remember that I`ve *used* it on trim, although I do put it in the "don`t try this at home, kids!" category.

And this is probably where I oughta repeat my "fog the surface with your breath during the final buff"

I bet it`ll go fine!

Well,got my FK1000p yesterday afternoon. I did a quick RW with D114 and went at it.

I cut in about 4" from the glass and trim. I also hand-applied on the roof,rocker panels, front fascia,and rear. The rest by Cyclo,using the white finishing pads.

Incredibly easy on/off. I put it on too thick on the hood,(put too much on the pads). I just let it sit longer and buffed out the rest of the car before the hood. A little dusting, but came right off.

And I thought a little 476s went a long way! This tin will last me my whole life.

I thought you said "FROG the surface with your breath during the final buff". That didn`t work for me.

I just couldn`t get the little guy to sit still.

 

[Accumulator]

Well,got my FK1000p yesterday afternoon. I did a quick RW with D114 and went at it...[and it went OK]...

Ah, good! With that 4" cut-in you were plenty safe and I`m glad to hear it`s Cyclo-friendly.

And I thought a little 476s went a long way! This tin will last me my whole life.

That`s no hyperbole, folks. Although I *am* working towards the bottom of my tin so I guess I`ll go through one more.

I thought you said "FROG the surface with your breath during the final buff". That didn`t work for me.

I just couldn`t get the little guy to sit still.

Heh heh, good one...says the guy who loves the little tree frogs that hang out on his kitchen window.

 

[Accumulator]

Well,got my FK1000p yesterday afternoon. I did a quick RW with D114 and went at it...[and it went OK]...

Ah, good! With that 4" cut-in you were plenty safe and I`m glad to hear it`s Cyclo-friendly. Is that a variable speed Cyclo or the older single-speed Model 5?

And I thought a little 476s went a long way! This tin will last me my whole life.

That`s no hyperbole, folks. Although I *am* working towards the bottom of my tin so I guess I`ll go through one more.

I thought you said "FROG the surface with your breath during the final buff". That didn`t work for me.

I just couldn`t get the little guy to sit still.

Heh heh, good one...says the guy who loves the little tree frogs that hang out on his kitchen window.

Honestly, it went on and off really nice with limited drama but lots of rag flipping and shaking...

Ah, another good first experience! Heh heh, when I read "lots of rag flipping and shaking.." I think "even with the thickest application ever!" Just teasin` but I will say that I don`t have to do that no matter how big the vehicle.

Ah, another Cyclo user too! So yours is the variable speed model?

I sympathize with having to move the platform! I did that for a while before going nuts and buying a scad of `em.

I too am eagerly awaiting news about how it works out over time. Yeah, get another coat on there and you oughta be good for a long, long time even with the construction.

 

[Older]

Well,

I found some ambition this morning and RW’d my other car. Then slapped some FK1000p on it and the wheels.

No issues. However,the flies and mosquitos love the scent. I had a fly and a mosquito both land in the open tin.

I’ll wait until next week to apply another coat.

I have one of the first variable-speed Cyclos. It does have the short cord,though.

 

[Mooser]

... Ah, another Cyclo user too! So yours is the variable speed model?

I sympathize with having to move the platform! I did that for a while before going nuts and buying a scad of `em.

Yeah it`s a variable speed one (got it just after Rupes bought them by the looks of the box it came in a few years back). It`s still my favorite to use if I`m not in a hurry, if for no other reason than it`s almost fun to use.
M

 

[Accumulator]

Older & Mooser- I always dismissed the variable speed feature as a solution in search of a problem, but maybe that was short sighted.

Did you guys apply at full speed or dial it down?

Ever try doing the buff-off with MF bonnets on the Cyclo? I do kinda like that, even if I don`t bother doing it very often.

Older- Huh, never noticed the bug attraction, but then I`m working indoors too. And yeah, both of my Cyclos have the short cord, I`ve never even seen one with a longer one.

Mooser- Yeah, running a Cyclo is about as close as I come to enjoying such stuff.

 

[Mooser]

Personally for application I smear it it around the section a little (W pattern) then turn it on about 1 and make a pass to spread and make sure it`s not gonna fling, and then dial it up to full on a horizontal or about 1 shy for a vertical surface seems about right for me and M101/M105. Basically the same for polish but I can run full on all surfaces
Other than the initial spreading I would agree it doesn`t get dialed down much

If I`m spreading wax or glaze (M26, white diamond, black hole, or other liquid types) I usually go about 3-4 where it just smooths out and run it there
M

 

[Accumulator]

Mooser- Ah, OK..that makes sense. Maybe my "minimal product at all times" mindset blinded me to how useful the lower speeds would be for the initial spreading.

Gee, I might not`ve used the Cyclo with a liquid wax since..oh man I don`t *know* when..back when I was using Malm`s for my LSP and that was over 20 years ago! Sure was quick and easy though, at least on vehicles that I could LSP via Cyclo (which doesn`t include the Jag).

 

[Surly]

Mooser:

Yep - thin, thin, thin. In my limited FK experience, I have only ever needed a single MF removal towel for my sedan. It comes off with no visible residue either (but I can smell it on the cloth). Applied Accumulator-thin, it`s never marked trim that I`ve touched with the applicator, and I`ve never had a lick of trouble removing it.

Maybe I`m lucky (but I`m usually not). I`ll have to try to get my second coat of my second application done this weekend.

My more complete observations after switching to FK last fall are in the "Accumulator made me do it" thread. I`m coming from nearly two decades of P21S Concours wax as my "go to" on German paints.