A few thoughts about HD Speed

I've gone through almost an entire bottle of it, so I think my observations have some merit. First off, it does provide an amazing shine to any paint, and is very easy to use, a little goes a long way, and every other good thing said about it.



Now for the uncertain part. I wanted Speed to replace Klasse for me, as they are both called AIO's. However, I've increasingly found that Speed doesn't have the cleaning ability that Klasse does, which was proved once again over this past weekend. A couple oxidized cars, Speed glossed them right up, but didn't get most of the oxidation off. I tried Klasse and it did the trick perfectly, so I'm wondering, is Speed really a true AIO? I know it's a good sealant/polish/very very light cut, but is it a cleaner also? I think it would have to be to be called an "AIO".



Now for the bad. Four cars I've been keeping track of have reported back on durability. Two are daily drivers, and two are garage queens. The first daily, with Speed on it for two weeks now, reported back that it doesn't feel slick anymore, but it still has it's shine. Also, the beading when washed isn't as tight as two weeks ago. The second daily reported the same thing, except no beading to report of as it hasn't been washed. The two garage queens reported that the slickness feel is diminished, but not entirely gone, shine is still good, and no beading to report on since no washing has been done. Again, I was really hoping it would compete and replace with Klasse AIO here, and Klasse has lasted a very long time for me.



My main thing so far is the cleaning ability. In another thread of mine here, someone mentioned that Speed didn't perform well because the car had DG Aquawax on it, applied a month previous to the Speed application. That got me thinking that, if true, Speed is not a true AIO as cleaning is part of an AIO, and if it can't even clean off month old Aquawax, it can't clean much of anything else either. Also, as far as cut goes, the only real cut I'm seeing is when I use Speed with a cutting pad. When I use it with a finishing pad, there is no real cut that I can see.



I welcome anyone to chime in with their thoughts and experiences, preferably experiences as there's not much room for theoretical talk anymore since it's been out for a while now.
 
I've tried almost every quality AIO out there, nothing comes close to KAIO for cleaning ability. It is in a league of its own. M66 is the next closest in my book. D151 is a few rungs down from that.
 
See my replies in bold.



RZJZA80 said:
I've gone through almost an entire bottle of it, so I think my observations have some merit. First off, it does provide an amazing shine to any paint, and is very easy to use, a little goes a long way, and every other good thing said about it.



Now for the uncertain part. I wanted Speed to replace Klasse for me, as they are both called AIO's. However, I've increasingly found that Speed doesn't have the cleaning ability that Klasse does, which was proved once again over this past weekend. In that case, you should continue using Klasse, I mean if something works so well for you, why change? A couple oxidized cars, Speed glossed them right up, but didn't get most of the oxidation off. I tried Klasse and it did the trick perfectly, so I'm wondering, is Speed really a true AIO? I know it's a good sealant/polish/very very light cut, Very very light cut? That maybe a user error. SPEED can cut very well. Klasse on the other hand can't cut if it's life depended on it. It is a chemical cleaner, but it is called an AIObut is it a cleaner also? I think it would have to be to be called an "AIO".



Now for the bad. Four cars I've been keeping track of have reported back on durability. Two are daily drivers, and two are garage queens. The first daily, with Speed on it for two weeks now, reported back that it doesn't feel slick anymore, but it still has it's shine. Also, the beading when washed isn't as tight as two weeks ago. The second daily reported the same thing, except no beading to report of as it hasn't been washed. The two garage queens reported that the slickness feel is diminished, but not entirely gone, shine is still good, and no beading to report on since no washing has been done. Again, I was really hoping it would compete and replace with Klasse AIO here, and Klasse has lasted a very long time for me. I will say this again, that you are missing out by trying to use similar type products in a similar fashion. You shouldn't. For example, would you use the same amount of product with SIP as you would with 105? If you did, you would hate SIP. How about WAX A vs WAX B? If wax a needs to be put on the whole car and sit for 30 minutes, but wax b should be applied panel at a time and wiped off, but you put it on the whole car first and complain that it is hard to get off? Can you really blame the product? Of course you can't. From your post I sense that you tend to do that. Reading the labels for directions is a must. Or at least remember that different brands will react differently to YOUR style. In that case adjustment is a must, otherwise you will be disappointed a lot.



My main thing so far is the cleaning ability. In another thread of mine here, someone mentioned that Speed didn't perform well because the car had DG Aquawax on it, applied a month previous to the Speed application. That got me thinking that, if true, Speed is not a true AIO as cleaning is part of an AIO, and if it can't even clean off month old Aquawax, it can't clean much of anything else either. Again, if you can't clean off a spray wax with SPEED, it is a user error. Also, as far as cut goes, the only real cut I'm seeing is when I use Speed with a cutting pad. When I use it with a finishing pad, there is no real cut that I can see. Do you expect cutting with a finishing pad? Have you ever used 105 with a finishing pad? Did you get the same cut as when you use a cutting pad with it? I have to say that even if you were't a PRO, you should know that using ANY polish with a variety of pads will give you different results. SPEED cuts well, so if you use it with a cutting pad, you will be very happy. Use KAIO with a cutting pad and let me know how that went :D. That isn't KAIO's fault though.



I welcome anyone to chime in with their thoughts and experiences, preferably experiences as there's not much room for theoretical talk anymore since it's been out for a while now.
 
In that case, you should continue using Klasse, I mean if something works so well for you, why change?

- You're probably right, but you didn't actually reply to the statement...does Speed have cleaning ability or not? If so, how would it rate against other similar products?



Very very light cut? That maybe a user error. SPEED can cut very well. Klasse on the other hand can't cut if it's life depended on it. It is a chemical cleaner, but it is called an AIO

- Sorry Thomas, it's not user error, I'm no rookie, and I know what I'm doing, so saying it's simply user error is a weak response and not something I would expect from a product support specialist. I know Klasse can't cut, but it doesn't say it can either, now does it?



I will say this again, that you are missing out by trying to use similar type products in a similar fashion. You shouldn't. For example, would you use the same amount of product with SIP as you would with 105? If you did, you would hate SIP. How about WAX A vs WAX B? If wax a needs to be put on the whole car and sit for 30 minutes, but wax b should be applied panel at a time and wiped off, but you put it on the whole car first and complain that it is hard to get off? Can you really blame the product? Of course you can't. From your post I sense that you tend to do that. Reading the labels for directions is a must. Or at least remember that different brands will react differently to YOUR style. In that case adjustment is a must, otherwise you will be disappointed a lot.

- I'm not sure where this rant came from. I never stated how I used a certain product, only the result I've seen. You are still trying to discredit me and my use of the product as to why I'm not getting the results YOU are getting. Again, I'm no rookie and I know what I'm doing. How you sense from what I said that I tend to use all products the same, I have no idea, I only wrote what my observations of the results were. My STYLE has nothing to do with it. Speed it supposed to be so simple to anyone to use, so why would you even try to talk to me like I'm a first timer who has never even waxed a car before? Is that what you call product support?



Again, if you can't clean off a spray wax with SPEED, it is a user error.

- care to tell me how it can be user error? Is that your only response to everything? I told you specifically that it had worked well until that certain car where it was a mess, and I did everything the same, so please tell me how applying Speed can even have user error. Again, excellent product support.



Do you expect cutting with a finishing pad? Have you ever used 105 with a finishing pad? Did you get the same cut as when you use a cutting pad with it? I have to say that even if you were't a PRO, you should know that using ANY polish with a variety of pads will give you different results. SPEED cuts well, so if you use it with a cutting pad, you will be very happy. Use KAIO with a cutting pad and let me know how that went . That isn't KAIO's fault though.

- No Thomas, I don't expect cutting with a finishing pad. Again, tone down your "if must just be you" tone, that's very unprofessional of you. Again, I know KAIO has no cut because they don't claim it has cut so why would I want cut out of it?



I expected some productive feedback from my reviews and posts, but it's clear to me, Thomas, that you don't want to hear the truth, you'd rather everybody say they love it and leave it at that. Sorry buddy, nobody around here pays me to do anything, so I'll give unbiased reviews. You're response to me are both unprofessional and not what I want in a customer or product support specialist. You have lost what little respect I had for you as such. You may be a good detailer, but you have a lot to learn when it comes to customer service.
 
Sorry that you feel that way, but when I use the same products as you and get excellent results, I can't blame the product. When you question why SPEED doesn't cut with a finishing pad, I have to question your ability, and your intentions. Sorry. I am sure you would do the same in my shoes. SPEED is not a compound.



Have you put on a cutting pad and used SPEED, you'd get pretty good correction out of it while finishing down fantastic.



Also, I am actually very good at customer service.



I want to hear the truth, I did hear it. You are dissatisfied with SPEED because it doesn't cut when it shouldn't.



Did you see me say anything about SPEED not removing dead paint where KAIO did? Of course not. Even though I don't know what type of pad you used with speed, KAIO is very good at that and I'd not say otherwise or that SPEED does an equal or better job. Number one reason is that I haven't tried SPEED on SS paint. I am very familiar with KAIO though.



SPEED is very good as a cleaner.
 
Here is the car with 700+ miles, hard paint, with deep damage all over it. UNO and the black wool pad made an easy correction of it.





P1080015 by thomasdekany, on Flickr



Here is the condition of the paint





P1080012 by thomasdekany, on Flickr





P1080011 by thomasdekany, on Flickr





P1080008 by thomasdekany, on Flickr





With a little extra work, even a PC XP with an HD yellow cutting pad followed by a black HD pad, and SPEED gave this result





P1080030 by thomasdekany, on Flickr



Same formula on the flex 3401





P1080033 by thomasdekany, on Flickr
 
Responses are below, in bold.



Thomas Dekany said:
Sorry that you feel that way, but when I use the same products as you and get excellent results, I can't blame the product. When you question why SPEED doesn't cut with a finishing pad, I have to question your ability, and your intentions. Sorry. I am sure you would do the same in my shoes. SPEED is not a compound.



I know Speed is not a compound. I used Speed with a cyan H20 pad and got good results, anything less than that pad and the results were minimal. Based on your posts and results, I thought I'd have far greater results as you did. And again, my ability is just fine, when other products work perfectly and one in particular doesn't do one thing that it claims to, at least not as well, that's not my ability in question.



Have you put on a cutting pad and used SPEED, you'd get pretty good correction out of it while finishing down fantastic.



Yes, as stated above, when I use Speed with a cyan H20 pad, it works well for what it is. What I questioned was the cleaning ability, and since I used it with a cyan pad, I'm wondering if it really was more the pad doing the cleaning and cutting or the Speed. I tend to lean towards the pad.



Also, I am actually very good at customer service.



I haven't seen it yet, other may have. Good customer service tries to find solutions, not blame the users ability or treat them like they are complete rookies.



I want to hear the truth, I did hear it. You are dissatisfied with SPEED because it doesn't cut when it shouldn't.



Incorrect. I have said nothing but good things about Speed thus far. Even when Speed made a mess on the SL65 Black Series, I PM'd you about it first to figure it out instead of posting for the public. I like what Speed does, and didn't want to say negative things about it, and at that time, neither you nor Tunch has any solutions. SO why now is my ability in question, why is it user error? That's pretty insulting to just label it that way especially after the other reviews I've posted. What I questioned was the cleaning ability since it's an AIO. The cutting is a plus if it's there, if it's not, no big deal personally. You focus on one thing or the wrong thing. And I've obviously been unbiased and truthful in all my reviews and posts. Like I said before, I'm not being paid to speak highly of any product, I speak about my results with them.



Did you see me say anything about SPEED not removing dead paint where KAIO did? Of course not. Even though I don't know what type of pad you used with speed, KAIO is very good at that and I'd not say otherwise or that SPEED does an equal or better job. Number one reason is that I haven't tried SPEED on SS paint. I am very familiar with KAIO though.



Well, I've used both. Klasse for years, Speed since it was released weeks ago. I've used both on the same cars, same pads, same polisher. I've tried Speed on SS paint, and it worked well.



SPEED is very good as a cleaner.
 
Thomas Dekany said:
Here is the car with 700+ miles, hard paint, with deep damage all over it. UNO and the black wool pad made an easy correction of it.





P1080015 by thomasdekany, on Flickr



Here is the condition of the paint





P1080012 by thomasdekany, on Flickr





P1080011 by thomasdekany, on Flickr





P1080008 by thomasdekany, on Flickr





With a little extra work, even a PC XP with an HD yellow cutting pad followed by a black HD pad, and SPEED gave this result





P1080030 by thomasdekany, on Flickr



Same formula on the flex 3401





P1080033 by thomasdekany, on Flickr



In the other thread , seen here http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-detailing/141086-introducing-hds-new-da-polisher-kit-5.html where you posted those same pics, you only said HD SPEED and posted those pics, which gives the impression that Speed alone did the correction and finish. Now you say Wool was used also? That's a little misleading.
 
This was done in direct sunlight, at 138 degrees, and at one point 146 degrees. That was before I polished it. I believe after polishing it measured 164 degrees.



So in fact, SPEED can cut.



However, I would always suggest that one should not use SPEED as a compound - instead use POLISH or UNO or what ever brand you like first. But, if you only have SPEED and you need to cut, SPEED can do it.



Looks pretty sharp too.






P1080036 by thomasdekany, on Flickr





P1080068 by thomasdekany, on Flickr





P1080072 by thomasdekany, on Flickr





P1080057 by thomasdekany, on Flickr



I hope this clears things up for you.



But you are right, using it with a finishing pad SPEED has very little cut.
 
Yes, it has cut, I never said it just doesn't cut. My question was, what cleaning ability does it have and where amongst the other AIO's does it rank.
 
The hood was divide in to 9 sections.



SPEED - pcxp, flex 3401, flex 3403

POLISH - pcxp, flex 3401, flex 3403

UNO - pcxp, flex 3401, flex 3403



I was just trying to make a point, that using the proper product for the job is very wise.
 
Well, looking at the above pictures, if it can level, it will also clean. No?



RZJZA80 said:
Yes, it has cut, I never said it just doesn't cut. My question was, what cleaning ability does it have and where amongst the other AIO's does it rank.
 
Thomas Dekany said:
Well, looking at the above pictures, if it can level, it will also clean. No?



You shouldn't have to use a cutting pad to have an AIO clean. So no, that doesn't tell me much. I've always used Klasse, for example, with finishing pads, and the cleaning has been there. I never needed to use a cutting pad to get cleaning, that's the pad doing the cleaning, not the product. With that said, where does it rank on cleaning ability.
 
If that was indeed true, try using a cutting pad without a polish. :D



RZJZA80 said:
You shouldn't have to use a cutting pad to have an AIO clean. So no, that doesn't tell me much. I've always used Klasse, for example, with finishing pads, and the cleaning has been there. I never needed to use a cutting pad to get cleaning, that's the pad doing the cleaning, not the product. With that said, where does it rank on cleaning ability.
 
Thomas Dekany said:
If that was indeed true, try using a cutting pad without a polish. :D



What? I'm not sure if you're joking or not. A non-abrasive AIO cleans by the chemicals in it, so does Speed have cleaning abilities beyond the abrasives in it or does it rely on just the pad?
 
Thomas Dekany said:
I think that you just want to be right, so here it is: SPEED ranks last of all AIO products.



OK, nevermind. Maybe someone else will chime in with answers instead of dancing around it. Thanks for the great info.
 
I have given you many HONEST answers to your misleading posts. Not sure what it is you want to hear. For some reason the product doesn't perform in most cases for you. You claim to be a pro detailer. What can anyone say that would satisfy you? My guess is that you want others to agree with you. After all, you are a pro, you should be able to make it work.



SPEED CUTS, CLEANS AND LEAVES PROTECTION BEHIND.



It says right on the label. If a product doesn't work to your satisfaction, it may not be the product for you.
 
Thomas Dekany said:
I have given you many HONEST answers to your misleading posts. Not sure what it is you want to hear. For some reason the product doesn't perform in most cases for you. You claim to be a pro detailer. What can anyone say that would satisfy you? My guess is that you want others to agree with you. After all, you are a pro, you should be able to make it work.



SPEED CUTS, CLEANS AND LEAVES PROTECTION BEHIND.



It says right on the label. If a product doesn't work to your satisfaction, it may not be the product for you.



I never said I'm a PRO, I said I'm no rookie. My posts are anything but misleading, again you try to discredit me because I don't agree with you automatically. On the contrary, I've posted several reviews where the product worked very well and I said so, you're simply being very defensive for some reason and are giving biased answers, and along the way attempting to make me look like I just don't know what I'm doing. If that's the extent you have to go to in order to make your point, then perhaps you are in the wrong position at 3D.. Maybe they could use you as a demonstrator at trade shows instead of a customer service rep.



Either way, I know what your cookie cutter answers are, maybe someone else has an unbiased opinion.
 
My goodness!



You complain that SPEED doesn't cut with a finishing pad. My response: that you should use a finishing pad to FINISH. NOT to cut.



You don't like that answer. Sorry. I really am.



For the record, I am not trying to discredit you, but you seem to not understand some very basic detailing principals.



Finishing pads are for finishing, cutting pads are for leveling, cutting. It is as simple as that. In general, use a compound with cutting pad, final polish with the finishing pad.



AIO products are ALL IN ONE - meaning that the product will do a good job of all 3 (usually) steps it was designed to do. Clean well, Polish well, Protect well.



Using a finishing pad with an all in one product and expecting great leveling abilities leaves me with some questions.



If SPEED can't remove dead paint like KAIO, use KAIO and do an extra step with SPEED to get a better look. Your customers will appreciate it.
 
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