Finish Kare Product Test

mgm2003

mgm2003

New member
I recently ordered a few Finish Kare sealers and want to see how they hold up. Over the past two weekends, as time permitted, I detailed a neighbours 1997 Black Grand Prix. The car is outside 24 x 7, and doesnâ€â„¢t see a lot of care and attention. Iâ€â„¢ll report back on this post from time to time to let you know what I observe. We live in the NE, which is generally exposed to a lot of air pollutants. Depending on the amount of rain, exposure, etcâ€Â¦ Iâ€â„¢d say a decent wax will last 4 weeks and a decent sealer is about double that (on average).



Process Used:



Polishing Steps:

SSR3 via cyclo & orange pad.

Optimum via Rotary & Orange pad @ 1400 RPM

Optimum via PC & Orange pad @ 5.5

Time: 3 hours



Seal:

Finish Kare #2180 x 1 by hand and the tops & #218 on the sides.

Time: Under 1 hour to apply, haze, wipe off. #218 comes off easier than #2180. Neither wipe off easy like FMJ, UPP, or WG.



Wax:

Finish Kare Pink Wax x 1 by hand.

Time: 30 min. I would apply to a panel or two, mist a MF with #425 and wipe off.



Wheels: Glipton all in one Tire Care & Poorboys PP.

Tires: Glipton Wheel Jelly

Time: 2 hours. The honeycomb wheels took some time to polish out.



QD:

Finish Kare #425 Poly Wipe Spray

Time: 15 minutes. Removed and haze, residue left from the seal/wax steps.



All in all it took 6+ hours over the course of 2 weekends.



Here are a few after shots:



P1010311.jpg




P1010310.jpg




P1010308.jpg




P1010306.jpg
 
I have a terrible time removing Pink but haven't tried removing it with a QD, was that helpful? I've tried WOWO, and tried several different drying times but the stuff "Sticks". That is also probably why it has good durabilty for a wax.
 
Recently, I've been using #425 poly spray to take off PW. Not because it makes it easier to remove, but it adds to the look.



Before that, I used the "ultimate german applicator". It applies a nice even, thin coat. I've never had problems removing pink wax, so I'm not sure how to help.
 
I always apply FK1 Pink by machine (usually cyclo with white pads), seems to make it a lot easier to get off. I let it haze for 15-20 mins, then spray it down with the Finish Kare QD (might be #425, I dunno, it came free with my order), and wipe off with a Cobra 16X16 in one hand (first wipe) and a PB's velvet soft (24X24? maybe) in my other hand (finish wipe). Its been working out great for me, I love the look of it. Its worth the additional hassle to apply/remove over S100, IMHO.
 
Gentlemen:



Please keep the reports coming. I'm very interested in this product line and very curious to see how it performs.



Appreciate the updates ---- TIA
 
I'm planning on polishing out my '97 black GTP and topping with FK1 pink this week, so hopefully I'll have some pics to compare (if i can get my hands on a digital camera).



-Tim
 
Looks good . Let us know how you finding the dusting factor through out the week . I know FK1 uses anti static in 425 and 2180 , I'd like to know if it really helps with the dust.



TIA
 
To me that is alot of work for one product [Pink wax] and removal. Try Autoglym Radant Polish and Wax you won't be sorry with this product and Liquid Hardwax1
 
newagain said:
To me that is alot of work for one product [Pink wax] and removal. Try Autoglym Radant Polish and Wax you won't be sorry with this product and Liquid Hardwax1
Click to expand...



One of the easier waxes I have ever used. I use it with the pc and comes off very easy.
 
:cool: Car looks terrific. I'll be looking forward to your durability updates. I have #80/PW on a Caddy and on a Civic. Haven't seen either in a couple months but he is about due for a rewax by mid June. He runs them through the tunnel car wash a couple times a month, so I am eager to see how PW has held up.



I guess we can compare notes!
 
Rollman said:
Looks good . Let us know how you finding the dusting factor through out the week . I know FK1 uses anti static in 425 and 2180 , I'd like to know if it really helps with the dust.



TIA
Click to expand...



The pollen is OUT OF CONTROL this year. The #425 does little to detract it. Dust maybe, but not pollen. Actually for keeping dust & pollen minimized I think Poorboys Spray and Gloss performs the best. I also think S&G wipes off the cleanest too (no haze/residue).



The hood is #2180 topped with a coat of PW.



Scottwax: Yes it will be interesting to see how PW holds up in the South vs. the Northeast. I'm 100% satisfied with Pink Wax, but I'm still not sold on the rest of the line, although the sealer looks promising.





Here's a shot of my hood taken last night. It had Pink Wax as a topper, and I applied a coat of FX-100 spray.



P1010005.jpg
 
I don't think any car, no matter what is used will

be free of pollen. I know I have reached my wits end

with it.



I ran out of 425, so I used some 146 instead. It's

suppossed to have anti-static capability as well. But

after using it, the car encountered lightmisty rain.

Topped with the ongoing pollen, I've come down with

the worst case of spotting, and the car looks absolutely

nasty. The oppposite end of it is that the pollen seems

to wash off very clean with a good blast of water, and

a gentle car washing. And the paint still feels very slick,

and there's no apparent marring that I can see from the

wash, so I am assumming that the qd is doing something

to protect the paint.



But i don't think the protection has anything to do

with the anti-static (if there actually is any).
 
I also am using 2180 w pink on top. I also like using pink wax on top of Zaino. So far, pink has been my best defense against bird bombs.
 
being anti static doesn't mean it will repel dust or pollen but rather that it won't attract dust-think in terms of your sealant being a magnet and metal particles being the dust-if metal power was sitting next to your car it wouldn't be attracted to your finish but if someone dropped that metal dust on your car it wouldn't repell it either.
 
I've tried several products on my exterior window molding (it was milky colored and dry looking) and have had very little luck in getting it to look black again. This morning I tried FK1's Top Kote 108 and it came out great, black with a very nice sheen. Not sure how long it's going to last but so far it's the best thing I've used.
 
I had the Pontiac for a few hours last weekend for a quick wash, etc...



The Pink Wax had diminished a bit, but IMO it held up better than other paste waxes that I've used on black (Natty's, #16, 3M, S100 -to name a few). We've had heavy pollen, rain, and some wicked hot days (90 or above for several days in a row), so this car has seen it's fair share of the elements.



IMO Pink Wax holds up as well as some sealers. Yes, a bold statement, but it has shown good durability for me in the NE. Based on what I've seen so far from the FK1 line, I'm leaning towards using #2180 & Pink Wax as toppers this fall/winter.
 
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