newbie, Klasse application questions

raysaint

raysaint

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I have a 2011 Honda CR-V, paint is pretty new. This is the first car in which I plan to really look after and detail, mostly for protection. After much research on this site, I bought a lot of different products to keep this car clean and protected (hopefully I bought the right products.)
This weekend I plan to wash, clay, and apply Klasse high gloss sealant (for winter protection here in Canada.) After reading various ways people recommend to apply this stuff, I think I will let it dry, wipe it off, or wipe with a detailer if it doesn't wipe clean. My questions are:

1) how to apply the sealant to ensure a thin coat: squirt or spritz onto the car and "kiss the finish", or spritz onto the pad? (I'll be applying with a porter cable and LC pad)

2) I also have some Pinnacle liquid carnauba wax, is it worth applying this over the sealant?

As a first time detailer, any answers and knowledge is greatly appreciated.
 
I wouldn't apply the KSG by machine. It's also pretty finicky about the surface prep, did you buy the KAIO, too? IMO you want to spritz the KSG onto an applicator pad, and apply it so thin you really can't see it. You will be able to feel where it's already been applied. Also IMO you want to build up 2-3 coats one day apart before you top it with a wax.
 
best piece of advice for ksg is to try applying it on a small, easily accessible panel first (I second the spritz on an applicator pad then scrunch to prime method).

I'd go one step further and dampen a mf with QD to remove it after about 30 min, then wipe dry with a fresh dry mf. Once that dry mf becomes too damp, replace it as the damp mf used to remove the ksg and get another fresh dry mf.

Whether you use it as wowo or let it dry, once you get a method down that works for you on that small panel, then do it to the whole car.
 
I agree, practice up on KSG before you do the whole car. Its terrible if you over apply it. If you can tell you are putting some on the paint, its likely you used WAY too much.
 
The most import part is the prep. You didn't mention KAIO but I would suggest getting/using some in your prep before applying KSG.

I just applied 3 coats of KSG this past weekend to start my winter prep. I Mixed my KSG 2:1 with Distilled water. (2 parts water / 1 part KSG) In the past I have used it straight but I wanted to try it this way and see if there is any difference. I found mixed at this ratio or even 3-or-4:1 the KSG application dries faster and you can re-coat after an hour or so. I applied 4 layers over 2 days and didn't buff anything off until after the last layer had setup.

Either way I would suggest transferring an ounce or more of product into a small travel sprayer. I would mist the pad first and get it primed. Begin to Glide it across each panel and continue on until the applicator get grabby. If as you apply it you have a film left keep spreading!!! The thinner you apply it the easier it is to remove. The first time I used KSG I ended up with some spots that were rock hard because I applied it like a thick paste wax the way my father taught me. :awman: Not fun. After the 1st vehicle I haven't had any problems.
 
I bought KSG last year to use on my new car. My decision was based on things I read on AG and other web sites. The application took allot of work despite all the recommendations I followed; removal was equally difficult. Needless to say, I've never used it again.

I wish I would have done more research; now I used Opti-Seal and layer Optimum Spray Wax over it. Each application is sooooo easy and takes about 10 minutes.

Let us know how your experience goes. :props:

and good luck!

Bacon
 
You guys got me scared now, haha. I did not buy any Klasse AIO as my paint is less than a year old and virtually defect free. I will certainly practise on one panel to get the hang of this stuff. If I don't like it, worse comes to worse I will dilute it and use it as a spray wax in the future to use it up.
I hope to get this done within the next couple weeks, weather permitting. I will report back with my experience. Thanks to all who replied.
 
I would highly suggest getting KAIO. It is a chemical cleaner but most importantly it layers down an acrylic layer of protection for the KSG to bond to.

No reason to be scared at all. As long as you take your time and make sure you apply it as thin as possible everything will be fine. I have used a QD like FK#425 or DG AW to make removal easier. Using FK#425 makes it super easy to buff off.
 
I agree, you really need KAIO. One year old paint is not an ideal candidate for KSG. You need to clean it with KAIO or a similar acrylic based cleaner product.
 
I do have a bottle of Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish. Would that substitute for KAIO? Or is polish too aggressive? Or not compatible with KHGS?
 
what colour is the car?

if that's what you have then the mild abrasives will clean the paint. After washing and claying, use a polishing pad at speed 5 to work the polish for about 6 passes, wipe residue then move to the next section.

after the car is done, remove the polishing oils (wash the car with dawn, 3:1 OPC, or wipedown with griots pre wax cleaner, carpro eraser etc) and you will be good to go for ksg application.

some ppl use 5-10% IPS to wipedown but it's not the best solution.
 
raysaint said:
I do have a bottle of Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish. Would that substitute for KAIO? Or is polish too aggressive? Or not compatible with KHGS?
Click to expand...

I'd certainly do an IPA wipedown afterwards. Unless its a true acrylic base, you won't get the full effect of KSG. It probably fine, but if you only get a few weeks of durability, you'll know why. Suitable bases would be:

-KAIO
-Werkstat Prime
-Carlack AIO
 
Hey Ray:

If you do the IPA wipedown and/or KAIO ect, I think it would be really intersting to only do a 50/50 on the hood. Half the hood preped with the IPA and/or KAIO ect and the other half just clayed as in your original plan. You than can be the final judge as to the results.

I like to detail my car(s) but I dont like to spend hours doing it; what you ultimately do will depend on your level of enjoyment and the associated results. I did a 50/50 on my hood as described above and found no difference. I also quizzed friends and family to see if they could tell a difference, their answer was no.

Good Luck!

:dblthumb2:

Bacon
 
you need KAIO as a base use a grey finnese pad speed of 4

to apply KSG by hand apply a drop on a foam pad apply to section until it dissapears move around the vehicle doing this wait 45 minutes or so remove no problem when i do it this way.

> start out applying KSG on side panels first that way the applicator is moist by the time you move to the horizontal panels.
 
Well, my experience is somewhat different. I didn't use KAIO. I used Megs 205 for the surface prep. then followed with KSG. Used on multiple personal cars in July. Applied KSG with a foam pad as thin as posssible. Wiped the minimal haze with a microfiber. Easy. Then followed by Collinite 845. A great combination on dark and light colors.
 
KSG x3 topped with Collinite 845 x2 is my standard winter prep... An almost bullet proof combo!!! :dblthumb2:
 
bugeye said:
Well, my experience is somewhat different. I didn't use KAIO. I used Megs 205 for the surface prep. then followed with KSG. Used on multiple personal cars in July. Applied KSG with a foam pad as thin as posssible. Wiped the minimal haze with a microfiber. Easy. Then followed by Collinite 845. A great combination on dark and light colors.
Click to expand...

This is exactly how I do it with the exception that I use Optimum Spray Wax over the top of KSG. I eliminated the AIO because on my Black BMW it seemed to compound the swirls. Its my understanding that if your paint is clean(clayed, polished etc) then you can go right to the KSG. :dblthumb2:
 
Yesterday, it was my first time to try and apply KAIO and KSG. Washed the car, clayed it using ONR as clay lube then applied KAIO. KAIO is really a great product, removed most of the fine scratches, the results is a deep, shiny look. Did the whole car by hand, applying and wiping one panel at a time. Then applied KSG, I only used a drop or two every panel to make sure I only apply a thin film. After letting it dry for one hour, I wiped KSG using a cloth with 1 spritz of distilled water to damp it and it was removed quite easily, then another wipe with a dry MF towel for final wipe. I am really impressed with the results.

This morning, after 17 hours of curing, I inspected it again, I don't know if it is just because of the lighting or something but the deep, wet look is gone. It is shiny, but most of the richness of the color of the paint from what I saw yesterday diminished quite a lot from what I see today. It's like there's a plastic wrapped on the paint.

Is there something wrong with what I did or this is the result of KSG curing? I'm still planning on layering another coat of KSG tomorrow.
 
KSG is Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze. Just like the name states it is a glossy sealant. If you are looking for a Deep wet look KSG is not for you. Adding more layers of KSG will brighten and enhance the glossy look of the paint. It does seem to a have a slight plastic wrap look on some colors and paints. You will notice a difference with a second layer; but I have noticed most change on the 3rd. I usually stop at 3 but am planning on doing 4 or so this year using a diluted KSG mixture as a test for durability.
 
Utah12 said:
This is exactly how I do it with the exception that I use Optimum Spray Wax over the top of KSG. I eliminated the AIO because on my Black BMW it seemed to compound the swirls. Its my understanding that if your paint is clean(clayed, polished etc) then you can go right to the KSG. :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

KAIO is one of the best cleaners to use to remove polishing oils and prepping the surface for an LSP. You likely didn't create any swirls, but the AIO made them appear. And if you have polished, paint definitely should be prepped before using KSG IF you want the long term durability aspect.
 
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