So many products to choose from. I need some help.

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Tieguy77

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Hi All,

I just moved to a new-to-me silver vehicle (Lexus GX-470) after having owned black and other dark colored vehicles my whole life. I miss the rich deep color, but not obsessing over every minute swirl etc...Living in the Northeast, road salt and other chemicals are something we have to deal with for months out of the year so I am looking for extreme durability. After watching hours worth of videos and reading up in the forums, I'm still undecided as to what products to use. And it's driving me crazy.

Way back when I used the Klasse Twins and called it a day. As for the latest vehicle, my products consist of the following after correction:

Optimum Car Wash
Collonite 845
Collonite 476 (Hood, Door Jams, etc..)
Duragloss Aqua Wax as a drying aid

It works. But I am wondering if I could do better? I was thinking of adding Power Lock Plus prior to 845 as I have seen a lot of good reviews of the combo. Maybe it's just me, but there seems to be so many to choose from these days. I love CarPro's Perl for trim and tires....for example. And their whole line looks fantastic. I don't think I am ready to try a full ceramic coating. So I guess my question is, is adding the Power lock plus a good move? Is the 845 on top really just a sacrificial layer that will be gone in a few days of a VT winter? And is there something better than the Duragloss?

I'm open to suggestions or criticism. Thank you!

Bobby
 
Mike Phillips says to find something you like and use it frequently, or something to that effect. I think that's great advice and most products these days are good quality and will get the job done. Also, don't be afraid to experiment. If ceramic is something you want to try, go for it. It's not that big of a deal - you can do it. I use a lot of the carpro line and love it. Car care should be about having fun so give it a shot!

Sent from my SM-N976U using Tapatalk
 
All the products you've chosen are good.

I'd say if possible, considering temperature conditions, I'd do the entire vehicle with Colly #476. Then every few months if again possible, use Colly #845 to maintain. Both are relatively inexpensive. And both are Hybrids, Natural Waxes, and Poly Sealants combined.

Duragloss Aquawax is very nice, and again inexpensive. Can be used as a drying aid and detailer spray after a wash. It's another product which I usually have in my arsenal.

PERL, I've used it and have it. Nice product, but for tires and exterior trim it doesn't last. Washes off very easily. I'd say it's more ideally an interior protectant. Or to spruce up under hood plastic.

Wolfgang WETS is a much better trim protectant IMO, lasts longer, great for rubber too, a little goes a long way, but expensive if you wish to use it for tires. Another choice for trim would be Aerospace 303.

I like Optimum products for Tires, like Opti-Bond Gel, and their Tire Shine. Lasts a little longer than PERL I've found. There's others

For tires, and if you wish maximum, longer lasting protection than any gels-dressings, I might then look to a tire coating, Tuf Shine, or others, McKees-etc?

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks Folks. I thought it was just me in terms of PERL not having great longevity. I used it undiluted on the tires and never really found it to last very long. I've been curious about McKees products. My only concern with experimenting would be products that don't play well together.
 
Tieguy77 said:
Thanks Folks. I thought it was just me in terms of PERL not having great longevity. I used it undiluted on the tires and never really found it to last very long. I've been curious about McKees products. My only concern with experimenting would be products that don't play well together.
Click to expand...

With products such as Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant (WETS) one usually doesn't have to go really nuts with removal of other trim products, that WETS won't work properly and bond.

But with Coatings such as Carpro CQuartz DLX for Trim, then yes, parts need to be thoroughly cleaned of any other protectants previously used.

Same with any of the Tire Coating products, they won't properly bond unless the tires are rigorously cleaned of any other, lesser tire products.

I liken some of these Tire Coating products, and one I've tried, Tuf Shine to almost being like an Acrylic Floor Wax. A Watery Liquid which dries.
 
MarkD51 said:
With products such as Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant (WETS) one usually doesn't have to go really nuts with removal of other trim products, that WETS won't work properly and bond.

But with Coatings such as Carpro CQuartz DLX for Trim, then yes, parts need to be thoroughly cleaned of any other protectants previously used.

Same with any of the Tire Coating products, they won't properly bond unless the tires are rigorously cleaned of any other, lesser tire products.

I liken some of these Tire Coating products, and one I've tried, Tuf Shine to almost being like an Acrylic Floor Wax. A Watery Liquid which dries.
Click to expand...

Interesting....I will have to look check out WETS. I'm not familiar with it at all.
 
Just looked it up. Definitely interested in giving it a try for the trim.....I think you're right about it getting a little spendy for use on tires.
 
McKee's Plastic Trim Restorer is just as good as WETS. (I have both, and I'd swear they are identical).
 
PaulMys said:
McKee's Plastic Trim Restorer is just as good as WETS. (I have both, and I'd swear they are identical).
Click to expand...


Ugh....This is exactly what I mean! All of these companies seem to be exceedingly good at making great stuff these days. I bet there is quite a bit of overlap in active ingredients. Seems like it's hard to go wrong with any of the aforementioned products. I just applied PERL to some of my exterior trim.....what would be the best way to apply the WETS or McKees, IPA wipe down then re-coat or just wait until it wears off etc...?
 
Tieguy77 said:
Ugh....This is exactly what I mean! All of these companies seem to be exceedingly good at making great stuff these days. I bet there is quite a bit of overlap in active ingredients. Seems like it's hard to go wrong with any of the aforementioned products. I just applied PERL to some of my exterior trim.....what would be the best way to apply the WETS or McKees, IPA wipe down then re-coat or just wait until it wears off etc...?
Click to expand...

Just wait until it wears off. (Won't be long with PERL. Lol)

Then just wash and apply the WETS/McKee's.
 
PaulMys said:
Just wait until it wears off. (Won't be long with PERL. Lol)

Then just wash and apply the WETS/McKee's.
Click to expand...

Truth! I expected more. Still like the product, but perhaps my expectations were a little too high and unreasonable. I can get past a bit of longevity but streaking after a rain is not something I enjoy seeing. Sounds like I won't have to worry with either McKees or Wolfgang.
 
Tieguy77 said:
Truth! I expected more. Still like the product, but perhaps my expectations were a little too high and unreasonable. I can get past a bit of longevity but streaking after a rain is not something I enjoy seeing. Sounds like I won't have to worry with either McKees or Wolfgang.
Click to expand...

I'm on week 15 with McKee's, and it's still going strong.....
 
Thanks Paul for this info. (McKees vs WG)

Spreading Wolfgang WETS is almost like trying to spread Mazola Corn Oil. It is an oily product, but like a "silicone oily". And like I said, a little goes far.

For small parts and areas, let's say the weatherstrip on a trunk lid, a door, under hood rubber gaskets, rubber "buggy baby" bumpers (LOL) Egg Crate Front Plastic Grills, then take a foam applicator pad, or even just a cut section of such. A couple drops, spread, and you'll always find over-application.

You might have to come back, smooth, even, remove over-application, or maybe missed a spot.

You might want to wear nitrile gloves. And the Bottle of WETS IMO has a crap snap-push open Bottle Top, messy, poor choice for this product. Because after you use it, you will be needing a wipe down on the bottle, it will be messy and slippery. What you wipe down off the bottle will almost be enough to coat a Pickup's Step Bumper! LOL

Sorry to be hard, but I am fair and truthful to a fault. Still, I'll say this about WETS, I love this product! Top flight IMO.
 
MarkD51 said:
Thanks Paul for this info. (McKees vs WG)

Spreading Wolfgang WETS is almost like trying to spread Mazola Corn Oil. It is an oily product, but like a "silicone oily". And like I said, a little goes far.

For small parts and areas, let's say the weatherstrip on a trunk lid, a door, under hood rubber gaskets, rubber "buggy baby" bumpers (LOL) Egg Crate Front Plastic Grills, then take a foam applicator pad, or even just a cut section of such. A couple drops, spread, and you'll always find over-application.

You might have to come back, smooth, even, remove over-application, or maybe missed a spot.

You might want to wear nitrile gloves. And the Bottle of WETS IMO has a crap snap-push open Bottle Top, messy, poor choice for this product. Because after you use it, you will be needing a wipe down on the bottle, it will be messy and slippery. What you wipe down off the bottle will almost be enough to coat a Pickup's Step Bumper! LOL

Sorry to be hard, but I am fair and truthful to a fault. Still, I'll say this about WETS, I love this product! Top flight IMO.
Click to expand...


Thanks Mark, going to pull the trigger on the WETS. From what I've seen you say, I should NOT be overly concerned with a 4 oz. bottle not going far enough.
 
Tieguy77 said:
Thanks Mark, going to pull the trigger on the WETS. From what I've seen you say, I should NOT be overly concerned with a 4 oz. bottle not going far enough.
Click to expand...

I think I started with a 4oz bottle, then upped to an 8oz, and the last time I bought another bottle about 1-1/2 months ago, it was a pint!

I've not found a product I like better on rubber weatherstrip. Some like those Gummi Fledge applicators. me not so much.

"Mikey Likes It!" LOL

YouTube
 
MarkD51 said:
I think I started with a 4oz bottle, then upped to an 8oz, and the last time I bought another bottle about 1-1/2 months ago, it was a pint!

I've not found a product I like better on rubber weatherstrip. Some like those Gummi Fledge applicators. me not so much
Click to expand...

I too grew tired of the Gummi applicator.

Product was very good, but WETS and McKee's do the same job and you can control the application much easier.
 
Tieguy77 said:
Hi All,

I just moved to a new-to-me silver vehicle (Lexus GX-470) after having owned black and other dark colored vehicles my whole life. I miss the rich deep color, but not obsessing over every minute swirl etc...Living in the Northeast, road salt and other chemicals are something we have to deal with for months out of the year so I am looking for extreme durability. After watching hours worth of videos and reading up in the forums, I'm still undecided as to what products to use. And it's driving me crazy.

Way back when I used the Klasse Twins and called it a day. As for the latest vehicle, my products consist of the following after correction:

Optimum Car Wash
Collonite 845
Collonite 476 (Hood, Door Jams, etc..)
Duragloss Aqua Wax as a drying aid

It works. But I am wondering if I could do better? I was thinking of adding Power Lock Plus prior to 845 as I have seen a lot of good reviews of the combo. Maybe it's just me, but there seems to be so many to choose from these days. I love CarPro's Perl for trim and tires....for example. And their whole line looks fantastic. I don't think I am ready to try a full ceramic coating. So I guess my question is, is adding the Power lock plus a good move? Is the 845 on top really just a sacrificial layer that will be gone in a few days of a VT winter? And is there something better than the Duragloss?

I'm open to suggestions or criticism. Thank you!

Bobby
Click to expand...

Since we are just getting you through a few more months of winter anyway, here is my .02 cents:

Because you have Optimum Car Wash, here is what I would look into:

Should your car fail the baggie test, I like the Optimum Clay Mitt while using Optimum Car Wax as a clay lube. Then I would use Opti-Seal as a drying aid. YES! This is a legitimate combo.

If you feel that you can skip claying, then I still use Optimum Car Wax hand in hand with Opti-Seal. You won’t be disappointed.

Collinite makes great products and honestly that’s all you would need. Don’t over think it.

CARPRO PERL is an excellent product. No need to over think that part either.

Don’t be afraid of ceramic coatings. The only thing is to take your time to prep the paint PROPERLY. That’s all. And there are plenty of information here of how to do that as well.

PS: Which part of VT are you from?
 
Dan Tran said:
Since we are just getting you through a few more months of winter anyway, here is my .02 cents:

Because you have Optimum Car Wash, here is what I would look into:

Should your car fail the baggie test, I like the Optimum Clay Mitt while using Optimum Car Wax as a clay lube. Then I would use Opti-Seal as a drying aid. YES! This is a legitimate combo.

If you feel that you can skip claying, then I still use Optimum Car Wax hand in hand with Opti-Seal. You won’t be disappointed.

Collinite makes great products and honestly that’s all you would need. Don’t over think it.

CARPRO PERL is an excellent product. No need to over think that part either.

Don’t be afraid of ceramic coatings. The only thing is to take your time to prep the paint PROPERLY. That’s all. And there are plenty of information here of how to do that as well.

PS: Which part of VT are you from?
Click to expand...

Thank you for the recommendations! Unfortunately, I have a HORRIBLE tendency to overthink everything. I obsess over researching products and comparisons and it's something I really need to work on. Sexy Lexy will not pass the baggie test so she's definitely going to need a thorough going-over once I can get some garage space and warmer temps. We're right in Southern VT close to Okemo and we tend to get hit pretty hard with the white stuff no matter what the rest of VT is getting.
 
I'm on my second bottle of Optimum Opti Seal, or is it the third, great wipe on walk away product. Not sure I'd use it as a drying aid though.

What many of us face right now in the northern hemisphere, is questionable-iffy conditions in which to apply any products,

Heated Garage-Shop, then great, but I sure wouldn't want to apply Collinite, WETS, Opti-Seal, or especially any coating in a 30-35F degree garage. Even a wash-waterless wash is very difficult.

Choose your battles accordingly.
 
Tieguy77 said:
Thank you for the recommendations! Unfortunately, I have a HORRIBLE tendency to overthink everything. I obsess over researching products and comparisons and it's something I really need to work on. Sexy Lexy will not pass the baggie test so she's definitely going to need a thorough going-over once I can get some garage space and warmer temps. We're right in Southern VT close to Okemo and we tend to get hit pretty hard with the white stuff no matter what the rest of VT is getting.
Click to expand...

I am in the Seacoast Region of NH based out of Portsmouth, NH. I can’t imagine the salt you face. But we get it pretty decent here otherwise.

It’s a rabbit hole this industry. It gets expensive, but a joy when detailing. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything sold on AG.

Perhaps this is bad advice, but sometimes it’s best to make the purchase and try it out anyway to cure the curiosity. The worst thing is that you will by then be educated to help someone else in your same shoes.

I have been in your position of asking for opinions. And while everyone is entitled to their opinions, there have been numerous times that their recommendation was not the sweet spot.

“Crash and burn and learn.”—Gary Vee
 
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