Review & Video: SONAX Brilliant Shine Detailer

Great videos man. Very thorough and honest. Appreciate that people like you are putting up quality videos.
 
I got some of this on the weekend sale, I need to stay away from this site, I'm spending way too much money :(
 
Loach said:
It works great as a drying aid, but on the first application you will definitely get stronger beading results if you spray it on a dry panel and work it in with a microfiber. For application, I like to spray it on the paint and spread it on with a microfiber, and then flip the microfiber over for that final pass. The difference with this product and some other spray products, is I'm not seeing any oily residue that can slightly distort the light that requires a little more effort for that final wipedown to get them out.
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I'm looking to use it with PNS as a base. I'll have to try half the car as a drying aid, and the other half the way you mention.

Thanks for input.
 
One of my favorite products in my arsenal. I quit reaching for D156 and AW in favor of it because it outperforms every other spray product I've used. If you want, give their speed wax a try also. It has carnauba in it and leaves a nice shine. Not quite as easy to use though as it requires you to buff it off more.
 
I purchased the product based on this review and the youtube video. The review is 100% accurate. The product is very easy to apply, leaves a great shine (really made my white car pop) and beads like CRAZY. I washed the car yesterday and applied BSD. It rained today and I couldn't get over how well it beaded. When I got home, I dried the car and it was very easy. I agree, the only downside is that BSD feels a little "grabby" ..not as slick as UQW or V7.
 
I've been mixing a little PNS in a small spray bottle full of BSD, and I'm getting good results (i.e. it's more user friendly). The small bottle's fine sprayer better distributes the product, and the PNS/BSD mix seems less prone to streaking, IME. It probably improves durability, too.
 
tenblade2001 said:
I purchased the product based on this review and the youtube video. The review is 100% accurate. The product is very easy to apply, leaves a great shine (really made my white car pop) and beads like CRAZY. I washed the car yesterday and applied BSD. It rained today and I couldn't get over how well it beaded. When I got home, I dried the car and it was very easy. I agree, the only downside is that BSD feels a little "grabby" ..not as slick as UQW or V7.
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Nice, they definitely have some very cool chemistry going on inside. The less slick grabby feel is definitely a function of the layer of the sealant that helps boost the hydrophobic behavior beyond other super slick products. What I'm learning, is there is a theoretical limit to how tight you can get a product to bead water up on a super smooth surface. So if you want to improve the hydrophobic behavior beyond a certain point, you have to add in some function of "texture" to the surface. What's really cool is Sonax has been able to add this microscopic texture to the paint while leaving behind a crystal clear surface that doesn't hurt the look of it.

Unfortunately, if we really want to see super-hydrophobic(think NeverWet) surfaces on paint, it seems we're going to have to sacrifice some level of slickness on the surface and possibly gloss and clarity. But Sonax really has found that nice level where the paint is still relatively smooth, and the beading and the clarity on the paint is outstanding. If you like the beading of BSD, definitely pick up Polymer Net Shield, I'll have a video review of this coming soon and its water beading is at the top of the game on paint!
 
Loach said:
Nice, they definitely have some very cool chemistry going on inside. The less slick grabby feel is definitely a function of the layer of the sealant that helps boost the hydrophobic behavior beyond other super slick products. What I'm learning, is there is a theoretical limit to how tight you can get a product to bead water up on a super smooth surface. So if you want to improve the hydrophobic behavior beyond a certain point, you have to add in some function of "texture" to the surface. What's really cool is Sonax has been able to add this microscopic texture to the paint while leaving behind a crystal clear surface that doesn't hurt the look of it.

Unfortunately, if we really want to see super-hydrophobic(think NeverWet) surfaces on paint, it seems we're going to have to sacrifice some level of slickness on the surface and possibly gloss and clarity. But Sonax really has found that nice level where the paint is still relatively smooth, and the beading and the clarity on the paint is outstanding. If you like the beading of BSD, definitely pick up Polymer Net Shield, I'll have a video review of this coming soon and its water beading is at the top of the game on paint!
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I'm wondering if PNS is layerable (is that a word) and will it add to the durability, or should I just top with BSD every 2-3 washes?Feed back please
 
PNS is great as standalone ^^
I also tried spray left over PNS from the can to mix with BSD in a spray bottle. More buffing needed but the durability and hydrophobic is excellent.
 
Rsurfer said:
I'm wondering if PNS is layerable (is that a word) and will it add to the durability, or should I just top with BSD every 2-3 washes?Feed back please
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One coat of PNS will do the job fine. I don't see any boost in the water behavior after applying another coat on top in the short term. But it's really not a product you're going to want to work with more than once in a short time period. It feels more grabby than BSD during application and it does take some work to fully buff it clean from the paint. I've been washing it a lot over these last 3 weeks and the water behavior is still very strong. If I was keeping a maintenance schedule it would take more time before I felt the need to top it, but BSD went over it fine on one of my test spots.
 
Rsurfer said:
I'm wondering if PNS is layerable (is that a word) and will it add to the durability, or should I just top with BSD every 2-3 washes?Feed back please
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I have never layered it and it lasts a solid 6 months; BSD by itself lasts 2 months on my car which is outside 24/7. I've found that there really isn't a need (from what I can tell visually) to refresh until PNS has been on the car for maybe 3-4 months at the earliest. Theoretically, you could apply BSD once every other month and still be fine. I've found that both PNS/BSD have the exact same properties--only difference is longevity & PNS is more grabby on application. These two products really work in perfect "synergy" with each other.
 
Layering is really only justified to ensure maximum coverage (eliminates missed or under-applied areas). Beyond that...useless exercise. Do it right the first time and save time and money.
 
CDot said:
I have never layered it and it lasts a solid 6 months; BSD by itself lasts 2 months on my car which is outside 24/7. I've found that there really isn't a need (from what I can tell visually) to refresh until PNS has been on the car for maybe 3-4 months at the earliest. Theoretically, you could apply BSD once every other month and still be fine. I've found that both PNS/BSD have the exact same properties--only difference is longevity & PNS is more grabby on application. These two products really work in perfect "synergy" with each other.
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CDOT or OP, does the "pop" or shine last as long as the protection i.e. at 2 months water may still bead like crazy but it doesn't have that just applied glow. would you use a QD for appearance?
 
tenblade2001 said:
CDOT or OP, does the "pop" or shine last as long as the protection i.e. at 2 months water may still bead like crazy but it doesn't have that just applied glow. would you use a QD for appearance?
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My personal experience (been using PNS/BSD for 2 years now) is that the appearance does not change as time goes on. If you want to use a QD, you should use one that has no protection qualities that would interfere with the Sonax products. I've had success with rinseless products like ONR/DPRW&G/D114 and Poorboys Spray & Wipe.
 
one month after application, and still TIGHT beads. Thanks for turning me onto this product. I had quite a collection of spray waxes/QD...guess I'll use them on my wife's car.
 
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