Ready to give up on FK425 - very frustrated...

H

hook

New member
Ok, a while back I solicited suggestions on a detail spray to try....finally used up my last gallon of 4* UGE.

Based on feedback and reading lots of threads, I decided to try FK425.

It's been nothing but trouble for me.

Paint is BMW Monaco Blue (very dark blue), well prepped, with WolfGang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant as the LSP. Every time (well, once I think it actually worked ok - didn't do anything different!) I use the FK 425, I end up with streaks - dark spots where it seems like the product isn't flashing/removing properly. The streaks are a PITA to get out, and I've tried everything to keep them from happening - less product, more product, one MF to wipe and another clean/dry to immediately buff...and it seems every time, no matter what, I get these streaks.

Does it just not work and play well with DGPS? Did I get a bad batch? Am I just doing it wrong (not sure what else to try....)?

Ready to throw the whole gallon in the trash and write it off :wall

It's more work to buff the crappy streaks out (they are *really stubborn) than it is to completely re-apply another layer of DGPS or any other LSP....it's so bad that now I'm simply afraidf to use this product that has such great reviews.

HELP!

thanks,
Andrew
 
Andrew, Are you applying the spray direct to the car or spraying onto the MF towel?

It can make a huge difference is why I ask
 
Hi Andrew

UGE was the best QD I ever used. I miss it

I know what you're talking about regard the FK. I'm just surprised it's behaving as it does for you on a sealant. It works okay for me on it but not on wax--streaking like your having. I just recently got Griots Speed Shine for my vehicles with wax. Problem appears to be solved Maybe it will work in your situation too.
 
BeemerBoy - spraying directly on, wiping, then buffing. Haven't tried applying to the towel and then wiping - does that work better?

BillD - yes, really miss the UGE. Not sure if what they have out now is similar. And not good news that you have trouble with it over wax, as I intend to top the DGPS with some Souveran sometime soon....
 
hook said:
Ok, a while back I solicited suggestions on a detail spray to try....finally used up my last gallon of 4* UGE.

Based on feedback and reading lots of threads, I decided to try FK425.

It's been nothing but trouble for me.

Paint is BMW Monaco Blue (very dark blue), well prepped, with WolfGang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant as the LSP. Every time (well, once I think it actually worked ok - didn't do anything different!) I use the FK 425, I end up with streaks - dark spots where it seems like the product isn't flashing/removing properly. The streaks are a PITA to get out, and I've tried everything to keep them from happening - less product, more product, one MF to wipe and another clean/dry to immediately buff...and it seems every time, no matter what, I get these streaks.

Does it just not work and play well with DGPS? Did I get a bad batch? Am I just doing it wrong (not sure what else to try....)?

Ready to throw the whole gallon in the trash and write it off :wall

It's more work to buff the crappy streaks out (they are *really stubborn) than it is to completely re-apply another layer of DGPS or any other LSP....it's so bad that now I'm simply afraidf to use this product that has such great reviews.

HELP!

thanks,
Andrew
Click to expand...
Like you I read all the raves about FK425 and ordered some but I only got a small bottle because I learned not to buy a large bottle of something I had not used.
Like you I was very disappointed in the results it is not as good as several products that I have on the shelf.

As to proper use I used it just like all the others and I'm not willing to go through a special ritual to make it work I just go back to using what works.
Maybe that is why I never liked Zano I'm not going to spend days applying a LSP.:(

After using 4 star you will be disappointed in about anything you use it was awesome

I just thought I would let you know you are not the only one that did not like the 425 I will never buy it again.
 
so...if everyone liked 4* UGE so much, why'd they quit making it? I admit, I had a fairly large stockpile one hand, maybe there is a "new" version??

And anyone with ideas to fix the FK425 problem I'm having, please let me know.
 
Oh well.... I just placed an order for some products I needed & one of them was the 425 I wanted to try out. Meaby the Caribbean weather will help me out with the problem you guys mentioned. I'm goin in opened minded since it's the 1st time I will use it. Let's pray....amen.
 
With FK425 very little goes a very long way, particularly after your microfiber towel gets a little damp. A light mist is more than enough to cover an entire panel (half a hood/door/trunk,half roof/etc).

My suggestion would be to only squeeze the trigger about half way and move your hand quickly so you lay a thin, fine mist over the majority of the panel. Then spread it around/work it in, flip to a clean side of your microfiber, and buff.

Alterantively you can mist directly onto the microfiber and wipe in.
 
Todd Helme said:
With FK425 very little goes a very long way, particularly after your microfiber towel gets a little damp. A light mist is more than enough to cover an entire panel (half a hood/door/trunk,half roof/etc).

My suggestion would be to only squeeze the trigger about half way and move your hand quickly so you lay a thin, fine mist over the majority of the panel. Then spread it around/work it in, flip to a clean side of your microfiber, and buff.

Alterantively you can mist directly onto the microfiber and wipe in.
Click to expand...
I did not have a streaking problem but it does not clean as well as something like PB S&W and don't leave a gloss either.

I have several that leaves the surface looking much better.
FK425 like so many detailing products are overpriced and over hyped.

Even Meguiar's ultimate detailer out performs 425
 
I'm pretty sure FK doesn't streak or streaks a lot less on other types of sealants or sealant blends but not carnaubas. Consequently, I now use Griots SS on my waxed cars and FK on my Accord that has Fuzion.
 
Todd Helme said:
With FK425 very little goes a very long way, particularly after your microfiber towel gets a little damp. A light mist is more than enough to cover an entire panel (half a hood/door/trunk,half roof/etc).

My suggestion would be to only squeeze the trigger about half way and move your hand quickly so you lay a thin, fine mist over the majority of the panel. Then spread it around/work it in, flip to a clean side of your microfiber, and buff.

Alterantively you can mist directly onto the microfiber and wipe in.
Click to expand...

I think the issue for me may be hot & humid weather and using too much product.

I do want to say the one time the product didn't streak on the hood, the next day it felt super slick and looked great. I guess that's why I keep trying :cool:

And I have used enough products to be skeptical of the hype. I just hope to find something that works as well as UGE did - and it took me a while to find it. And the price on FK425 right now is awesome if you buy it by the gallon.

Anyway, last night I decided to try another method on the side panels, and used a *very* light mist (I'm using an adjustable sprayer, so turned it so that it was almost all the way closed). The amount was so small, it looked kind of like what would result if you just breathed hard on the paint....Wiped it off immediately using a single MF...and behold - easy on, easy off and no streaks. :yay

Will be trying it again today on the horizontal surfaces - they had to wait until today since there was a fresh layer of LSP curing....
 
hook said:
I think the issue for me may be hot & humid weather and using too much product.

I do want to say the one time the product didn't streak on the hood, the next day it felt super slick and looked great. I guess that's why I keep trying :cool:

And I have used enough products to be skeptical of the hype. I just hope to find something that works as well as UGE did - and it took me a while to find it. And the price on FK425 right now is awesome if you buy it by the gallon.

Anyway, last night I decided to try another method on the side panels, and used a *very* light mist (I'm using an adjustable sprayer, so turned it so that it was almost all the way closed). The amount was so small, it looked kind of like what would result if you just breathed hard on the paint....Wiped it off immediately using a single MF...and behold - easy on, easy off and no streaks. :yay

Will be trying it again today on the horizontal surfaces - they had to wait until today since there was a fresh layer of LSP curing....
Click to expand...

Great news! :bigups Sometimes the slightest adjustment in technique can make a huge difference, sometimes its environmental factors, and sometimes its just personal preference. Let us know how it works out!
 
Yeah, hot and humid here too and I was surprised how the FK wasn't working on your sealant. Yep, just mist it and it's okay. I'm with you though, UGE was a pretty impressive QD.
 
black bart said:
I did not have a streaking problem but it does not clean as well as something like PB S&W and don't leave a gloss either.

I have several that leaves the surface looking much better.
FK425 like so many detailing products are overpriced and over hyped.

Even Meguiar's ultimate detailer out performs 425
Click to expand...


i dont believe FK425 was made to clean anything more then just finger prints and very light dust. it is a quick detailer. the PB S&W is a waterless was so i would expect PB S&W to clean better. maybe you have misunderstood what FK425 is meant to be used for. by comparing the cleaning abilities of FK425 and PB S&W is like comparing MEG's APC+ to plain water for cleaning baked on brake dust

i have used it on a green 96 Camaro for the final wipe down before customer came to pick it up. this was during the time when Illinois had a week worth of 100 degree weather and i used it out side in the sun with no streaking. and it was on top of Soveran
 
interesting read. just won some on the giveaway. i always read it was the mother of all detailers. i will have to see when it arrives......
 
steve1972 said:
i dont believe FK425 was made to clean anything more then just finger prints and very light dust. it is a quick detailer. the PB S&W is a waterless was so i would expect PB S&W to clean better. maybe you have misunderstood what FK425 is meant to be used for. by comparing the cleaning abilities of FK425 and PB S&W is like comparing MEG's APC+ to plain water for cleaning baked on brake dust

i have used it on a green 96 Camaro for the final wipe down before customer came to pick it up. this was during the time when Illinois had a week worth of 100 degree weather and i used it out side in the sun with no streaking. and it was on top of Soveran
Click to expand...
Seams you choose to ignore the part where I said that S&W had better gloss.

If you like it use it, for me I bought 2 bottles at once the first and last.
 
black bart said:
Seams you choose to ignore the part where I said that S&W had better gloss.

If you like it use it, for me I bought 2 bottles at once the first and last.
Click to expand...



did not ignore i just had to reason why S&W would have more gloss. and wanted to let you know you were comparing the cleaning abilities of 2 products but only 1 of them was made to clean
 
While Finish-Kare 425 works for me it's an "OK" product.

Because of some great advise from Jim, I've been using Ultima Waterless Wash Plus+ Concentrate. Diluting it according to the instructions on the bottle yields a really nice detailing spray very economically....

Ultima Waterless Wash Plus+ Concentrate
 
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