Quick Review: Finish Kare 108-Top Kote Dressing

[WRAPT C5Z06]

It's labeled on the front as a tire dressing. However, on the back label it says it can be used for: tires, leather, dash boards, engines, rubber trim & moldings. I plan to use it on tires, interior panels, and engines. I tested on my tires and interior panels so far. On the tires, it gives a very nice matte look, yet still a bit of sheen, just how I like it. On the interior panels, it left a matte, like new look. Not greasy or shiny at all, yet doesn't look naked. It also gives a non-splotchy, nice even coat. The big thing about this product is it claims anti-static. I'm very curious to see how that works because with the other interior dressings I've used, they seemed to attract a fair amount of dust. Durability is still in questions for what I've tested, but with it having polymers, I hope it's pretty durable. All in all, I'm VERY satisfied with this product. Definitely a hidden gem, IMO. :dblthumb2:

 

[Shawn T.]

Nice!

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

I agree Mark, this stuff is a hidden gem! I have not personally used the product on a vehicle yet, I've got excellent feedback from 2 friends that used it on their dash.

Here's some pics of what I have used FK 108 on. The results are nice darkening effect, not at all greasy and SUPER slick. I really want to emphasize the slickness! I will definitely be posting a full review of this stuff sooner or later. After a month or two, they are still nice and dark and you guessed it, SLICK!

"2-Pistol and Accessory's" case from Walmart, I use them as travel cases for my video equipment.

I also applied FK 108 to my Panasonic AWHS-50.
Yeah, a $4000 piece of professional video equipment in a $10 case... LOL

Lens hood's from my Sony NX5U's, the rubber at the front seemed to grab dust and it was difficult to wipe off.
Now they are slick and easy to wipe clean. Left w/ FK 108, Right w/o

Right w/ FK 108, Left w/o

Good stuff! :dblthumb2:

 

[Jeff120]

Thanks, Ive been wanting to try this. Let us know how durability is. Are you going to try it on any trim? Im curious to see if it runs on paint.

 

[BobbyG]

Nice review Mark. :dblthumb2:

I've been thinking of trying some of the Finish Kare products. I have some Finish Kare 425 detail spray and it works really well and my thinking is their other products are probably pretty good too! rops:

 

[ScottB]

best part ... you get a rather nice size bottle for the price too.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

That's awesome, Dave!!! :righton: I'm loving this stuff!!!

I agree Mark, this stuff is a hidden gem! I have not personally used the product on a vehicle yet, I've got excellent feedback from 2 friends that used it on their dash.

Here's some pics of what I have used FK 108 on. The results are nice darkening effect, not at all greasy and SUPER slick. I really want to emphasize the slickness! I will definitely be posting a full review of this stuff sooner or later. After a month or two, they are still nice and dark and you guessed it, SLICK!

"2-Pistol and Accessory's" case from Walmart, I use them as travel cases for my video equipment.

I also applied FK 108 to my Panasonic AWHS-50.
Yeah, a $4000 piece of professional video equipment in a $10 case... LOL

Lens hood's from my Sony NX5U's, the rubber at the front seemed to grab dust and it was difficult to wipe off.
Now they are slick and easy to wipe clean. Left w/ FK 108, Right w/o

Right w/ FK 108, Left w/o

Good stuff! :dblthumb2:

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[LichtS]

How does this product hold up to water or snow? I do a lot of snowmobile racing in the winter but I like to look good... Naturally. Some of my panels are made of the same material, I think this would work awesome by the looks of it.

 

[CEE DOG]

Thanks for the review Mark! rops: Cool looking product too

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

How does this product hold up to water or snow? I do a lot of snowmobile racing in the winter but I like to look good... Naturally. Some of my panels are made of the same material, I think this would work awesome by the looks of it.

If I had to guess, I don't think any water based dressing/protectant would last very long in snowmobile racing. UTTG is the only product that might be up to the task you're referring to.

Thanks for the review Mark! rops: Cool looking product too

:dblthumb2:

I want to snap some pics of my interior panels, but it's a pretty cloudy day. Not sure if it would give the true finish.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Couple hours after application. I lightly buffed a few minutes after I applied.

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

Couple hours after application. I lightly buffed a few minutes after I applied.

Nice pics Mark, dash and panels are looking good! Do you get the same slickness like I mentioned? Set something on the dash and it slides right off?

I'm on the road for a video shoot, yesterday I drove from Seattle, WA. to Portland, OR. for 3 days with 8 hours of recording each. Before I left, I applied FK 108 to half of one tire on my "workhorse", 1999 Toyota Camry. It was a last minute idea so I just quickly scrubbed the one tire with plain water and completely dried with compressed air. These tires have not been dressed in a long time and soaked up the FK 108 quickly. Here's some pics of the tire from before I left.

A few minutes after 2 "quick" coats applied with a MF towel, no buffing afterward.

About one minute after a third, more thorough, coat.

On the way down it rained about 20 times, in between cloudbursts I felt the heat of the Sun for the first time in months. So the tire got wet and then dried many times on the trip, I'll take and post pics of the tire so we can see how it held up.

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

I'll take and post pics of the tire so we can see how it held up.

Well, no pics of after the trip... The section of the tire with FK108 applied was almost indistinguishable from the undressed side. It did not hold up at all. :awman:

I'll still try the product on my Audi's tires, which are not all old, dry and uncared for. Maybe better results on tires in good condition.

 

[CEE DOG]

Thanks for the update Dave. rops:

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Well, no pics of after the trip... The section of the tire with FK108 applied was almost indistinguishable from the undressed side. It did not hold up at all. :awman:

I'll still try the product on my Audi's tires, which are not all old, dry and uncared for. Maybe better results on tires in good condition.

I agree, Dave. This stuff isn't the most durable. However, I have yet to find a tire dressing that is durable(except UTTG). I have come across zero water based dressings that will last through a single rainstorm.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I never really believed in anti-static products until now. Prior to using FK 108 on my dash, I used Mothers protectant and One Grand DIA+. While they gave a nice look, they both attracted a lot of dust. With FK 108, there's very little to no dust on my dash! Also, outside of rain, it's pretty durable on my tires!

 

[LegacyGT]

I agree, Dave. This stuff isn't the most durable. However, I have yet to find a tire dressing that is durable(except UTTG). I have come across zero water based dressings that will last through a single rainstorm.

Have you tried DP Gloss Tire Gel? I have had really good results with it. I just ordered some UTTG at DF, so I will have a chance to compare them soon (if it stops snowing:nomore.

 

[sal329]

Great dressing I have used it on all mentioned but leather. I like it a lot

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I've had some more time to test FK 108 on tires and I think it looks fantastic! I tested it over a 2 week period head to head with DP Gloss Tire Gel. While there was no rain, it held right there with DP Gloss Tire Gel. I really like FK 108! :dblthumb2:

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

On the way down it rained about 20 times.

I don't think any water based tire dressing with last through that!