blucpe
New member
great review. thanks for taking the time.
Trim Restorer Showdown - Round 2 *Updated 7/8/14 (6 months)(Long and Pic heavy)
- Thread starter Nth Degree
- Start date
Nth Degree
New member
<span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:24px;">UPDATE:
I have been meaning to get this update posted for some time.
The panel has seen some pretty varied weather; everything from weeks of heavy rain, snow, ice & sun.
At about the 6 week mark all but 5 seemed to be completely gone. This photo was taken at the 8 week mark. The Solution finish has faded significantly but this might be a result of the test piece not having been heavily faded to begin with. The 4 coating products seem to have had no fading at all. Something tells me this could be a very looonnnngggg test.
Outside of the 5 remaining, UTTG lasted the longest in this test. A revisit of the first round of testing (still underway): UTTG is still holding on after >4 months. (I apologize: this photo was previously posted with the labeling being incorrect. The darker section is GTechniq C4 and UTTG is to the right. UTTG is faded but it does still have a definitive edge indicating it is still present.)
<span style="font-size:14px;">
And Forever Black seems unfazed. The only issue is where the tape pulled some off early on. On the left was Forever Black by itself. On the right it was coated with Opti-Coat to see if it would improve durability and resistance.
<span style="font-size:14px;">I also got to observe the BMW at the 3 month mark.
On this trim the 3 remaining products all seem to have faded a little. This might prove to be the better real-life test as long as the car doesn't go away for some reason and cut my observations short.
I also found another use for the Carmor and GTechniq C4 that I would not consider using any of the other products for.
The driver's button sees a lot more contact so it was in worse condition to begin with and I anticipate will wear more quickly so it won't be a fair durability comparison between them. This is on my own car so I will continue to observe this.
More to come.
I have been meaning to get this update posted for some time.
The panel has seen some pretty varied weather; everything from weeks of heavy rain, snow, ice & sun.
At about the 6 week mark all but 5 seemed to be completely gone. This photo was taken at the 8 week mark. The Solution finish has faded significantly but this might be a result of the test piece not having been heavily faded to begin with. The 4 coating products seem to have had no fading at all. Something tells me this could be a very looonnnngggg test.
Outside of the 5 remaining, UTTG lasted the longest in this test. A revisit of the first round of testing (still underway): UTTG is still holding on after >4 months. (I apologize: this photo was previously posted with the labeling being incorrect. The darker section is GTechniq C4 and UTTG is to the right. UTTG is faded but it does still have a definitive edge indicating it is still present.)
<span style="font-size:14px;">
And Forever Black seems unfazed. The only issue is where the tape pulled some off early on. On the left was Forever Black by itself. On the right it was coated with Opti-Coat to see if it would improve durability and resistance.
<span style="font-size:14px;">I also got to observe the BMW at the 3 month mark.
On this trim the 3 remaining products all seem to have faded a little. This might prove to be the better real-life test as long as the car doesn't go away for some reason and cut my observations short.
I also found another use for the Carmor and GTechniq C4 that I would not consider using any of the other products for.
The driver's button sees a lot more contact so it was in worse condition to begin with and I anticipate will wear more quickly so it won't be a fair durability comparison between them. This is on my own car so I will continue to observe this.
More to come.
MrCLRider
loves rubbing paint
What a thread!! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Accumulator
Well-known member
Nth Degree- Thanks for the update! Glad to hear my old reliable UTTG is holding up well.
Hey, I like that seatbelt release application! Yeah, it calls for a "restoration" product, rather than just a "protectant" like the UTTG...good to know those two work for that. Hmm...wonder if my Griot's Rubber Prep would prepare those well enough to use the UTTG...
Hey, I like that seatbelt release application! Yeah, it calls for a "restoration" product, rather than just a "protectant" like the UTTG...good to know those two work for that. Hmm...wonder if my Griot's Rubber Prep would prepare those well enough to use the UTTG...
Biff Webster
New member
Great test. I wonder how Dlux would compare with these?
silverrebel
New member
I am not a fan of Black Wow at all. It did not work for me.
Thank you for doing the comparison.
Thank you for doing the comparison.
Jesstzn
New member
Great test... Something to concider .. Try Forever Black Tire Gel instead of the trim product .. I liked it better and easier to apply but is not glossy .
Nth Degree
New member
<span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">6 month update:
<span style="font-size:11.818181991577148px;">The 4 at the bottom are still holding up well. None appear to have any signs of fading. The test panel has been exposed to the weather nonstop and seen plenty of weather. I have not washed the panel as frequently as I had planned (nor my own car) and it has not been exposed to normal driving conditions.
<span style="font-size:14px;">
<span style="font-size:14px;">
It is barely visible in the photo but the tape line along the bottom of the Solution Finish piece is still slightly visible, as is the Black Wow Classic.
When I washed the panel I was a little surprised that UTTG was still beading water very well, despite the visible appearance that it was dead.
The Black Wow Classic is still beading respectably. Solution Finish never did bead water, a trait that makes it a good choice on steps where slipping could be a concern. Black Wow Pro hasn't been beading since the one month update.
Neither of the products below ever showed great beading.
Carmor Fade To New still beads like the first week after application. C4 still beads well but this is the first indication of either outlasting, though beading is low on the list of priorities or indicators for durability.
I will continue to observe and update this thread. The owner of the BMW has been out of the country for the past 6 weeks so I haven't seen it in a while. I hope to see it soon and will post update if/when I do. As I was writing this I realized I also forgot to check the status of the seatbelt buttons so I will include that soon as well.
<span style="color:#0000cd;">Pricing Update: <span style="color:#000000;">Carmor Fade to New has been reduced to $29.95 for the one ounce bottle. That is a sufficient amount for any DIYer to cover their own car (probably a few cars, depending on amount of trim) with a few exceptions such as a Chevy Avalanche. Carmor has also been made available in 4 oz. ($69.95), 16 oz ($225.00), and 32 oz. ($395.00).
<span style="color:#000000;">I have been asked many times what product(s) I choose to use based upon my test. I have seen many posts on various forums asking for trim restorer recommendations and, until now, I have avoided naming any products and, instead, have linked this thread so they could draw their own conclusion.
My answer:
UTTG has always been my choice for a durable dressing and continues to be. It rarely fails to deliver.
Solution Finish delivers the most natural look (least glossy) and can be used on areas that I would hesitate to use other products, such as steps, door handles, etc.
Carmor Fade to New for the coating category. C4 is an equally capable product and I sometimes prefer the slightly lower gloss for some applications. The deciding factor here (unless the long term durability proves to be vastly different) is price. At half the price of C4 for a 1 oz. bottle it really becomes an easy decision. The newly available 4 oz. container at nearly 1/4 the price per ounce compared to C4 just makes it that much easier for a professional detailer. Carmor has a great product and has been flying under the radar.
Here is a photo of Carmor being applied to a badly neglected BMW 330i I detailed recently:
For anyone looking for a cost effective option (selling a car, for example) Forever Black is a reasonable choice. It is outclassed by some of the others in this test but it does a decent job for the lowest price.
<span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">There will be a round 3!
Thanks to the generosity of someone who shall remain anonymous for the time being, I have received additional products to test.
To be included:
Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant
Stoner's Trim Shine
3D Trim Care Protectant
Duragloss 271
Carpro DLux
Plus a few others. If you have a product you feel should be included I will be happy to do so if a sample is provided.
For those following this post, I will post a link here when the new thread is started but it might be a while as the process is time consuming.
<span style="font-size:11.818181991577148px;">The 4 at the bottom are still holding up well. None appear to have any signs of fading. The test panel has been exposed to the weather nonstop and seen plenty of weather. I have not washed the panel as frequently as I had planned (nor my own car) and it has not been exposed to normal driving conditions.
<span style="font-size:14px;">
<span style="font-size:14px;">
It is barely visible in the photo but the tape line along the bottom of the Solution Finish piece is still slightly visible, as is the Black Wow Classic.
When I washed the panel I was a little surprised that UTTG was still beading water very well, despite the visible appearance that it was dead.
The Black Wow Classic is still beading respectably. Solution Finish never did bead water, a trait that makes it a good choice on steps where slipping could be a concern. Black Wow Pro hasn't been beading since the one month update.
Neither of the products below ever showed great beading.
Carmor Fade To New still beads like the first week after application. C4 still beads well but this is the first indication of either outlasting, though beading is low on the list of priorities or indicators for durability.
I will continue to observe and update this thread. The owner of the BMW has been out of the country for the past 6 weeks so I haven't seen it in a while. I hope to see it soon and will post update if/when I do. As I was writing this I realized I also forgot to check the status of the seatbelt buttons so I will include that soon as well.
<span style="color:#0000cd;">Pricing Update: <span style="color:#000000;">Carmor Fade to New has been reduced to $29.95 for the one ounce bottle. That is a sufficient amount for any DIYer to cover their own car (probably a few cars, depending on amount of trim) with a few exceptions such as a Chevy Avalanche. Carmor has also been made available in 4 oz. ($69.95), 16 oz ($225.00), and 32 oz. ($395.00).
<span style="color:#000000;">I have been asked many times what product(s) I choose to use based upon my test. I have seen many posts on various forums asking for trim restorer recommendations and, until now, I have avoided naming any products and, instead, have linked this thread so they could draw their own conclusion.
My answer:
UTTG has always been my choice for a durable dressing and continues to be. It rarely fails to deliver.
Solution Finish delivers the most natural look (least glossy) and can be used on areas that I would hesitate to use other products, such as steps, door handles, etc.
Carmor Fade to New for the coating category. C4 is an equally capable product and I sometimes prefer the slightly lower gloss for some applications. The deciding factor here (unless the long term durability proves to be vastly different) is price. At half the price of C4 for a 1 oz. bottle it really becomes an easy decision. The newly available 4 oz. container at nearly 1/4 the price per ounce compared to C4 just makes it that much easier for a professional detailer. Carmor has a great product and has been flying under the radar.
Here is a photo of Carmor being applied to a badly neglected BMW 330i I detailed recently:
For anyone looking for a cost effective option (selling a car, for example) Forever Black is a reasonable choice. It is outclassed by some of the others in this test but it does a decent job for the lowest price.
<span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">There will be a round 3!
Thanks to the generosity of someone who shall remain anonymous for the time being, I have received additional products to test.
To be included:
Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant
Stoner's Trim Shine
3D Trim Care Protectant
Duragloss 271
Carpro DLux
Plus a few others. If you have a product you feel should be included I will be happy to do so if a sample is provided.
For those following this post, I will post a link here when the new thread is started but it might be a while as the process is time consuming.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Nth Degree- Thanks, I always appreciate these updates!
Did I understand you correctly in that you have some reservations about using UTTG on black plastic door handles? I've been using it with good results on the handles of the Crown Vic.
Did I understand you correctly in that you have some reservations about using UTTG on black plastic door handles? I've been using it with good results on the handles of the Crown Vic.
Nth Degree
New member
Accumulator said:
Just that it can have a slightly greasy feeling. Not bad if the excess is wiped off and dries for a day but there isn't always the time before turning over to the customer. Also depends on the plastic. Some of the harder ones don't absorb it so it just sits on top.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Nth Degree- Thanks for explaining. I'd never noticed anything like that, but yeah different plastics will behave differently, and I guess seldom drive/use the car immediately after UTTGing the trim.
Nth Degree
New member
I got to see the BMW briefly today. It has been over 8 months since application and been exposed to both winter and summer conditions. The vehicle is dirty so that might be partially responsible for the slightly faded appearance of each of the products. Even though Solution Finish has faded a little more it has held pretty strong after the initial fade. Overall, I am very impressed by all 3 of these products.
Unbelievable thread!
I've gone through 2 bottles of C4 and have always been impressed. I'm excited to see you try CarPro's DLUX because I just bought a bottle of it and haven't had the chance to try it. I wanted to try something new and I'm hoping it works as well as C4.
UTTG has always been my choice for wheel well liners. It seems to last longer and longer with repeated applications every week or two.
Could you try PERL also? I doubt it will last long, but it is VERY glossy when first applied which I like. I apply it neat to my tires and really like the gloss.
I've gone through 2 bottles of C4 and have always been impressed. I'm excited to see you try CarPro's DLUX because I just bought a bottle of it and haven't had the chance to try it. I wanted to try something new and I'm hoping it works as well as C4.
UTTG has always been my choice for wheel well liners. It seems to last longer and longer with repeated applications every week or two.
Could you try PERL also? I doubt it will last long, but it is VERY glossy when first applied which I like. I apply it neat to my tires and really like the gloss.
dschribs
New member
I'd like to see PERL included as well. I just used it straight out of the bottle on my BMW tires and it's probably the best look I have seen on tires. I'd love to see some comparison tests as to its durability.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
XxMerlinxX
New member
chrisguga said:
For something so expensive, I wouldn't want to have to reapply every week or two.
Accumulator
Well-known member
XxMerlinxX- I think he meant that he was building up layers of it on a weekly/bi-weekly basis, and that once that's been done it will last for a long time with no additional applications. That's how I do the UTTG and once I get a few layers built up it stays nice.
marlinspike
New member
Can Carmor still be purchased? I can't find it anywhere.