HD Express Surprises -- Mini Review

[pwaug]

After polishing my wife's black Golf in late October it recieved a coat of DG 105/601 and then a coat of POXY in mid November.   Since then it's been washed regularly while using CG V7 as a drying aid.   Beading is still acceptable, but I won't be able to get to the spring detailing for another five to six weeks so I thought this would be a good time to try HD Express.


 


First surprise was the consistancy of the Express--not like any spray product I've ever used--not watery liquid like a QD.  It feels like a wax, spreads like a wax and buffs off like a wax--consistency is almost like thinned down POXY.


 


Spread it on with a 360 GSM MF and buffed off with a 600GSM MF.   Very easy on and off even when I used too much product on the first couple of panels until I got the hang of the Express.  No streaking or smearing except in areas where there was some water dripping from under moldings etc.


 


Second surprise was the high level of gloss and slickness created by the Express -- much more than I expected and a higher level of gloss than POXY alone.   Ofcourse can't comment on durability yet, but if it last 30 days (David mentioned 30-60 days in another thread) that's more than I've every gotten from other syray on products. 


 


Looks like another real winner from HD and the price is reasonable too. (Would even be better in gallons)


 


Some thoughts:


 


I wouldn't use Express on a wet car (like DG AquaWax) based on the difficulty I had in any area where there where a few drips of water.


 


Next time I'll use a HD Red Foam hand applicator to spread the Express--I think this will allow a thinner, more even coat using less product.


 


The only negative I found was the spray nozzle on the bottle--it's adjustable and difficult to dial in a fine spray--it would be better with a fixed spray pattern tuned to the consistancy of the Express.

 

[Dellinger]

Thanks for the sharing pwaug!

 

[David Fermani]

Thanks for taking the time and doing the review. Looks like Express is a winner! Yes, you can spray and wipe with a MF or a foam/cotton applicator. It depends on your preference really. And yes, 30 days shouldn't be any issues. 


 


Express was designed to really be a booster to HD's protectants, but it also does a great job of being a stand alone too. It also works great on Opti-Coated cars too. 

 

[sealthedeal]

After polishing my wife's black Golf in late October it recieved a coat of DG 105/601 and then a coat of POXY in mid November.   Since then it's been washed regularly while using CG V7 as a drying aid.   Beading is still acceptable, but I won't be able to get to the spring detailing for another five to six weeks so I thought this would be a good time to try HD Express.


 


First surprise was the consistancy of the Express--not like any spray product I've ever used--not watery liquid like a QD.  It feels like a wax, spreads like a wax and buffs off like a wax--consistency is almost like thinned down POXY.


 


Spread it on with a 360 GSM MF and buffed off with a 600GSM MF.   Very easy on and off even when I used too much product on the first couple of panels until I got the hang of the Express.  No streaking or smearing except in areas where there was some water dripping from under moldings etc.


 


Second surprise was the high level of gloss and slickness created by the Express -- much more than I expected and a higher level of gloss than POXY alone.   Ofcourse can't comment on durability yet, but if it last 30 days (David mentioned 30-60 days in another thread) that's more than I've every gotten from other syray on products. 


 


Looks like another real winner from HD and the price is reasonable too. (Would even be better in gallons)


 


Some thoughts:


 


I wouldn't use Express on a wet car (like DG AquaWax) based on the difficulty I had in any area where there where a few drips of water.


 


Next time I'll use a HD Red Foam hand applicator to spread the Express--I think this will allow a thinner, more even coat using less product.


 


The only negative I found was the spray nozzle on the bottle--it's adjustable and difficult to dial in a fine spray--it would be better with a fixed spray pattern tuned to the consistancy of the Express.

 


 

Thanks for taking the time and doing the review. Looks like Express is a winner! Yes, you can spray and wipe with a MF or a foam/cotton applicator. It depends on your preference really. And yes, 30 days shouldn't be any issues. 


 


Express was designed to really be a booster to HD's protectants, but it also does a great job of being a stand alone too. It also works great on Opti-Coated cars too. 

 


 


How would you compare HD Express with CG v7 (as to topper to non HD products) since you seemed to have used both and its been a while since you last posted. Any comparitive points on the "look n feel" would be appreciated.


 


My Main usage scenario is post wash (on a carnauba LSP) and a lot of people seem to swear by v7 since its been around for a while and seems to enhance the existing look of the car. Durability isn't a concern to me, just detailed looks and being slick (anti-static, water sheeting) is a strong preference...

 

[pwaug]

The gloss and slickness of Express seemed to start fading around week 6-7.    V7 only lasts about 3-4 weeks for me.  Keep in mind though IMO V7 is more like a QD while Express is like a quick wax.

 

[sealthedeal]

The gloss and slickness of Express seemed to start fading around week 6-7. V7 only lasts about 3-4 weeks for me. Keep in mind though IMO V7 is more like a QD while Express is like a quick wax.

And how would you compare both looks/slickness wise (since you have used it in the same car)?



--

Sent from a hand held device

 

[IHA Mark]

Thanks for the review. I have started using this product a lot as well and can say that is an absolute pleasure to work with. THE easiest on/off product I've ever used. Look are excellent, slickness and beading are good. I've been applying it using a foam applicator similar to this:


 


http://www.detailersdomain.com/Auto-Finesse-Waxmate-2-pack_p_913.html


 


And it has gone on perfect. I'm actually considering transferring mine to a small polish bottle and trying machine application.


 


Winner from HD on this one.

 

[pwaug]

<span>sealthedeal-- of course this is all subjective, but I feel both slickness and gloss exceeded CG V7 which I like very much as a drying aid


 


<span>Mark-- I use the B&S red ones just like those in your link for other hand applications and plan to use them with Express--very soft foam, but very dense so they don't soak up much product.

 

[David Fermani]

Tons of people have been reporting HD Express having the power to super-fill defects which I think is absolutely great. 


 


Instead of spraying it onto a towel and wiping over the surface, you might want to try using a large foam applicator. It will stretch the product and allow better coverage too. 

 

[IHA Mark]

Tons of people have been reporting HD Express having the power to super-fill defects which I think is absolutely great. 


 


Instead of spraying it onto a towel and wiping over the surface, you might want to try using a large foam applicator. It will stretch the product and allow better coverage too. 

 


That's what I've found. It seems not spraying this on an applicator could get a little "wild".

 

[David Fermani]

Yeah, the towel seems to absorb way too much product and you seem to keep reapplying just hoping not to overload it. 

 

[pwaug]

Gave the wife's black VW another coat of HD Express today.  Primed a red B&S hand applicator (same foam as in their red 5.5" pads) with one spray of Express--then one or two (for larger panels) spays on the paint per panel--spread with the foam applicator--buffed with a soft medium nap MF towel then final wipe with a fuffy MF.  Worked much better than trying to spread with a towel--used much less product and was able to apply a much thinner coat.  Express definately fills minor swirls and removed some light water spots on the paint as well.


 


Great product!!

 

[David Fermani]

Been using Express on light colored dealer cars that don't really need to be buffed. HD Prep Towel and Express makes the paint feel buttery soft and look great.

 

[Brewins]

If you're using an applicator, it defeats the purpose of an "express" wax. It would be just like any other sealant with less durability. I found it hard to buff off in spray form.

 

[pwaug]

If you're using an applicator, it defeats the purpose of an "express" wax. It would be just like any other sealant with less durability. I found it hard to buff off in spray form.

Not really.  Just used the applicator to spread then buffed off quickly with a MF towel.   Only took 15 minutes to do the entire car.

 

[David Fermani]

We use Express daily and each detailer applies it differently. I prefer the spray on-to panel and remove method, but I have others that use the applicator. I actually don't mind as he applies it so super thin that he barely uses any , but still makes the surface very slick.  

 

[Brewins]

We use Express daily and each detailer applies it differently. I prefer the spray on-to panel and remove method, but I have others that use the applicator. I actually don't mind as he applies it so super thin that he barely uses any , but still makes the surface very slick.

Do you have skilled polishers working for you?

 

[Dellinger]

Just thought I would add my immediate thoughts on Express instead of creating another thread....


The Good:

-Poxy type looks

-Very slick

-fills very well, almost glaze like really

-good beading

-A minute amount goes a long, long, long, way.

-Excellent with metallics and flake


The Bad:

-Application not as easy as other spray waxes/ sealants. I used a red B&S hand applicator. My truck was the test subject. Was applying after a fresh wash out of the sun. I tried applying to entire panel and then wiping off but Express, when wiped, would leave residue in some places...it was like flash drying after it was wiped? (panels were cool to touch). Tried to remove Express residue with Touch but no go. Ended up using a cleaner wax to remove it. Once I realized this, I applied to a 4'x4' section, on larger panels and wiped off. That worked somewhat better.


Only reasons that I could think that was causing this was....

-applicator cross contamination (have used it with other waxes/ sealants, but I usually wash these applicators well.)

-opti-seal (fading LSP, 4 month mark) doesn't play well with Express?



In closing, I will monitor Express' attributes and the longevity of them. Although I will continue to use D156 for my booster or quick wax for the immediate future, Express will continue to get worked in on occasion to further test and acquire a better feel for the product.


-Gabe