G/Techniq C4

[Kean]

Well, some may remember I purchased a bottle of G/Techniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer a few weeks back to help my Dad restore the plastic components on his Avalanche. The truth is that I simply haven't had the opportunity to make it down to his house to get the job done (a lot or preparation is required on his truck to even get the plastic in a "ready to apply" state for the best result).



In any case, I decided today to go ahead and apply C4 to a couple of areas on the wife's (or DD) 2008 Forester. For those that may be interested in this product, I wanted to share a couple of pictures and my initial impressions....



Cowl before:

Cowl 50/50 (including wiper arm):

Rear bumper guard before (with flash):

Rear bumper guard 50/50:

Rear bumper guard after (with flash):

Rear bumper guard after (no flash):

Rear Bumper after (with flash....lower trim also has C4 applied):

Rear Bumper after (no flash):

The car hadn't been washed for a week so I did a quick clean up of the pieces I applied the C4 to which included a thorough wipe down with IPA. The wiper arm needed restoration IMO before application of the C4 but I was running out of time and just wanted to get the product on these bits before the wife needed to take the car.



Application is very easy with the supplied applicators (they look like little, round, cotton make up removers.....shown in the 2nd pic). Tight crevices, ridges, etc. (like the Forester lettering on the rear bumper guard) are easily reached with a cotton swab. After application I gently wiped the areas immediately after with an MF towel as per the instructions. The finish is satin-like with a little more sheen than I probably would want but if this stuff lasts the 1-2 years they say it does, I think it's worth it. I'll likely apply C4 to the rocker panels, rear apron, chin spoiler, tail light and front grille surround of my 2010 Challenger R/T tomorrow.



I'll try to post updates as time goes by. I'm really hoping this product lives up to the hype and will keep its finish as the months pass.

 

[richy]

Thanks for showing C4 in action. Seeing it makes me as giddy as a schoolgirl, LOL. Seriously, I have got to get some for sure!!

 

[AeroCleanse]

C4 is an awesome product! It's kinda shocking when you apply it and see what a difference it makes.

 

[jmsc]

Results are pretty dramatic on the 50/50 pics.



I would like to know what C4 does to black trim that has very light scratches???

 

[Accumulator]

Kean- I too thank you for posting about this. I'll be interested to hear how it holds up.

 

[Kean]

Results are pretty dramatic on the 50/50 pics.



I would like to know what C4 does to black trim that has very light scratches???

As far as the finish and darkening effect, I think it does as well as other dressings/protectants I have tried. The trim looks as faded as it does since I had left it for about a month without any product being applied. It was also cleaned and thoroughly wiped down with IPA before I began taking pictures.



I don't believe C4 has that much of a concealing effect. In the below picture, you can still see light water spot staining on the edge of the wiper arm that I did not prep other then the wash and IPA. I decided not to use a Q-Tip on the edges/hinges of the wiper arm since they will need to be redone (lightly polished to even out the finish and then re-dressed with C4).

As far as scratches, I guess it would depend but I can't see C4 really changing any characteristic of the finish you apply it to other than the darkening effect. It doesn't even out the finish to the extent that (IMO/& limited experience) you could just apply over something with patchy oxidation. For best results, I really think you need to get the surface as even and defect-free as possible before application of the C4.



Here's a shot of my Dad's Avalanche where I applied it to a portion of the lock top on the side compartment of his bed. You can see a difference in the finish on top from the oxidation showing through:

On a side note, I found the most effective way of cleaning up the oxidation on his trim was with the use of an APC and a carpet brush (I don't have pics of the results). I have a brush attachment for the PC that I will likely use for this when we get the time. ....the Avalanche has a lot of surfaces that need to be addressed.

 

[Kean]

Thanks for showing C4 in action. Seeing it makes me as giddy as a schoolgirl, LOL. Seriously, I have got to get some for sure!!

C4 is an awesome product! It's kinda shocking when you apply it and see what a difference it makes.

If this stuff lasts even half the time they say it should, I'll be sold.

Kean- I too thank you for posting about this. I'll be interested to hear how it holds up.

Durability was the biggest selling point for me. The thought of not having to dress or apply an LSP to the plastic bits of my vehicles for a year or more is a big deal to me. That's why I also have an interest in Opti-Coat and why I'll likely be purchasing some soon for use on wheels, some trim bits, etc. (before trying it out on the rest of the car). I would love to be able to just wash my vehicles without worrying about the trim. ....I'm all about saving time where I can on my routine these days.

 

[AeroCleanse]

Lats up to 2 years. Mine is still going after several months.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Wow... that looks awesome!



Who sells G|Techniq stuff? I haven't come across where to buy their products.... but then I haven't looked that hard either.

 

[AeroCleanse]

Wow... that looks awesome!



Who sells G|Techniq stuff? I haven't come across where to buy their products.... but then I haven't looked that hard either.

GTechniq sells it. Main page // G|Techniq

 

[Kean]

PakShak is another source. I picked some up while I was ordering towels.



GTechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer 25 ml (0.85 oz)



At ~$50 for a 25ml bottle, it's not cheap. However, its a small price to pay if it can save me time and effort that I would normally spend addressing these areas after my washes.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

PakShak is another source. I picked some up while I was ordering towels.



GTechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer 25 ml (0.85 oz)



At ~$50 for a 25ml bottle, it's not cheap. However, its a small price to pay if it can save me time and effort that I would normally spend addressing these areas after my washes.

Ah, great. I knew I could buy direct but I was hoping for a vendor that was in the US so I wouldn't be dealing with UK currency conversion and whatnot.



Most definitely not cheap stuff, but for higher end clients and my personal vehicles it's worth the cost if it will last as long as they say it does.



Thanks!

 

[AeroCleanse]

Dealing with the exchange isn't bad. If you want to know the rates : Currency Calculator - x-rates

 

[Legacy]

Pakshak will ship USPS flat rate for about 5 bucks.

 

[Kean]

(EDIT: disregard. misread.)

 

[Accumulator]

If this stuff lasts even half the time they say it should, I'll be sold.



Durability was the biggest selling point for me. The thought of not having to dress or apply an LSP to the plastic bits of my vehicles for a year or more is a big deal to me. That's why I also have an interest in Opti-Coat and why I'll likely be purchasing some soon for use on wheels, some trim bits, etc. (before trying it out on the rest of the car). I would love to be able to just wash my vehicles without worrying about the trim. ....I'm all about saving time where I can on my routine these days.

Yeah, we're on the same page with this :xyxthumbs



I've been really happy with the Ultima trim sealant, seems to work a bit better than my layered LSPs.



I got the OptiCoat, but I'm having second thoughts about using it on trim as I'm not sure how I'd get any residual product off when it does come time to redo

Lasts up to 2 years. Mine is still going after several months.

I always read the claims with a pinch of salt...you know, the way YMMV depending on how the vehicle gets treated. The Ultima Trim Sealant has lasted that long for me, but that was on *my* vehicles and on bits that didn't take a whole lot of abuse. Adjacent trim pieces that were treated with conventional LSP sealants held up just as well, but yeah...those had to be layered and the whole LSPing process was more of a hassle than just wiping on the trim sealant.

 

[Kean]

Yeah, we're on the same page with this :xyxthumbs



I've been really happy with the Ultima trim sealant, seems to work a bit better than my layered LSPs.



I got the OptiCoat, but I'm having second thoughts about using it on trim as I'm not sure how I'd get any residual product off when it does come time to redo

I just ordered OC today so I should have it in my hands by the beginning of next week. I have also thought of "removal issue" which is why I'm only thinking of using it on some particular bits including wheels. Honestly, it's not the permanent nature of the product that concerns me but more the fact that they make a big deal about the product not working well when layered over itself (requiring all traces of the old coat to be removed first before re-applying). I really have no interest in getting aggressive on an entire panel to break through the coating simply because I wanted to do light or spot correction.



On the other hand, the ability this product has shown (in some of the examples I’ve seen) to shed contamination is really appealing. Add its resistance to strong cleaners and I really think it’s a winning combination. ….less work to clean and less chance for me to mar the finish (since contact is reduced). I guess I’ll have to see how this all plays out. I have been thinking of using the wife’s hood as a test at some point.

 

[Accumulator]

.. it's not the permanent nature of the product that concerns me but more the fact that they make a big deal about the product not working well when layered over itself (requiring all traces of the old coat to be removed first before re-applying). I really have no interest in getting aggressive on an entire panel to break through the coating simply because I wanted to do light or spot correction...

Yeah, *exactly* what I'm thinking; I don't correct entire panels (let alone a whole vehicle) for years, but I *do* perform spot-repairs now and then.

I'm only thinking of using it on some particular bits including wheels...

Yeah, that's what I'm using it on first...some "machined finish" wheels that are like-new but have *just barely* compromised/too thin clear on the rim edges (presumably from tire mounting/dismounting).

On the other hand, the ability this product has shown (in some of the examples I’ve seen) to shed contamination is really appealing. Add its resistance to strong cleaners and I really think it’s a winning combination. ….less work to clean and less chance for me to mar the finish (since contact is reduced)..

This stuff would probably be perfect for Autopian-types who lease their vehicles; do it once when the vehicle's new and then just wash it until turn-in time.

 

[Kean]

....regarding my comment about the resistance to cleaners and its apparent shedding ability, I was thinking more along the lines of possibly not having to do a “traditional” wash as often. Instead, maybe I can adopt a technique similar to SuperBee’s “touchless” method in cases where the car simply is not that dirty. Since I already have the DI water and the pressure washer, it’s something I have been kicking around in my head (especially for the DD). I’m not sure if I would be satisfied on a black car like my Challenger but the wife’s car is light gold in color and very forgiving when it comes to showing dirt or blemishes. A touchless wash in some cases may be enough to pass muster especially when the car is more “dusty” than actually soiled (if that makes sense). Some of the shots David took after just pressure washing his test vehicle last year impressed me (noting how even the chrome on the grille appeared void of any road grime/film).



Anyhow, I guess I won’t really know until I get a chance to play around with the product myself. Right now, the gears are just grinding. In any case, with the removal issue stuck in the back of my mind, I may never even get to the point that I use it on the rest of the car.

 

[Accumulator]

.... maybe I can adopt a technique similar to SuperBee’s “touchless” method in cases where the car simply is not that dirty. Since I already have the DI water and the pressure washer, it’s something I have been kicking around in my head (especially for the DD)..

Yeah, if I ever buy a new pressure washer I think I'll try that on a few of my FK1000P'ed vehicles. I am a little paranoid about the "drip dry" thing though...seems like I never quite DI-rinse well enough to get *all* the regular/merely softened water out of all the nooks and crannies though :think:



I've actually done OK with just a DI rinse a few times, worked surprisingly well as long as the FK1000P was nice and fresh.