2021 Trim Test

The Guz

The Guz

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I had a spare plastic panel that I decided to use for a test involving different coatings and sealants. This panel was formerly an interior panel.

I will be leaving this piece of trim outside 24/7 and occasionally provide updates to see how the products are doing. Will note when each product has faded to the point where it is no longer providing any noticeable appearance.

Products are as follows

1. Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
2. CarPro DLUX
3. Cquartz UK 3.0
4. Adams Graphene Ceramic Coating
5. Adams UV Ceramic Paint Coating
6. SPS Graphene
7. Adams Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating
8. Adams UV Ceramic Spray Coating
9. CarPro Perl
10. McKee`s 37 Plastic Trim Restorer
11. Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant
12. Solution Finish

Some things to note:

Prep: Cleaned with N914 and prep wiped with Ethos Detox.

The trim coatings will likely perform longer than the trim sealants.

Solution Finish is a trim restorer that offers no protection. Don`t expect it to be hydrophobic like a trim sealant or coating. Which is why it is often topped. Aesthetically this looks the best.

Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer has a greenish hue to it and it can be seen under certain lighting conditions. This is more noticeable on lighter trim.

Cquartz UK 3.0 looked surprisingly nice. DLUX still looked better in person as it adds more darkening to the trim. But for new trim or trim in good shape, CQUK 3.0 appears to be a good option.

SPS Graphene had the least darkening effect on the true coating side.

Adams often boasts about how rich the spray coatings make the trim look. Well both don`t look as good as the trim sealants. The Adams Graphene Ceramic Coating does a better job as does the UV Paint Ceramic Coating.

CarPro Perl looks good. I suspect it will be the first to go as durability is not its strong point.

McKee`s 37 Plastic Trim Restorer and Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant look identical and the products are rather identical in consistency.

Trim_1a.jpg


Trim_2a.jpg


Feel free to watch the video on the application of each product.

 
Really appreciate you doing this and sharing. Thanks.
 
Thanks for taking the time to do this test.

I’m surprised you didn’t include a couple OTC trim products i.e. Megs Ultimate Black or Mothers Back to Black to see how they compare.
 
Nice effort! Thanks.

Like Eldo2k, I'd like to see Meguiar's Ultimate Black as that is one that I have used.
 
Very well done, in for updates, thanks for taking the time to do this bro!
 
briarpatch said:
what is the dilution on the Perl?
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1:3 just as CarPro recommends.

Eldorado2k said:
Thanks for taking the time to do this test.

I’m surprised you didn’t include a couple OTC trim products i.e. Megs Ultimate Black or Mothers Back to Black to see how they compare.
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Don't own them. They ended up in the trash long ago. Don't have OTC stuff anymore other than a couple items. Major purge to throw stuff away that was taking up space.

2black1s said:
Nice effort! Thanks.

Like Eldo2k, I'd like to see Meguiar's Ultimate Black as that is one that I have used.
Click to expand...

Don't own it anymore. Its been trashed long ago. The last time I used them which was years ago they both were around at 3 weeks before they faded away. Mothers did a bit better from what I can remember.
 
Thanks for this Guz!

I am almost at the end of my Ultima Tire & Trim Guard (old formula) and will soon purchase a replacement for this great product.
 
Just a quick update to get an initial performance of each product.

Perl is gone after a week and one wash.

 
Good job / info
Pearl never lasted long for me- either inside or outside or the engine bay
I think its on par with Armorall-- just more $$, got to pay for that CarPro name
 
Had a couple comments to request Perl be used undiluted.

Made that update to the panel.

 
Yea-- they said its not a fair test (sine you followed the directions)-- the mindset of some people, ----sheesh

I use to use it on just about everything, no more though, I dont think its a good product at all.

If you havent tried the Tuff shine tire clear coat- you dont know what your missing
 
briarpatch said:
Do you mean on plastic trim?
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No- but he mentioned several times in the updated video how he likes the PERL on his tires-- as I did @ one time

I guess in hind sight I could have PM'ed him, but I had no idea anyone who watched the updated video would think I was referring to the trim test

My bad I guess
 
luckydawg said:
Yea-- they said its not a fair test (sine you followed the directions)-- the mindset of some people, ----sheesh

I use to use it on just about everything, no more though, I dont think its a good product at all.

If you havent tried the Tuff shine tire clear coat- you dont know what your missing
Click to expand...

I have used tuf shine tire coating. I ended up giving it away to a forum member on here or Autopia. I can't recall which forum. It is ok. I have tried it from 2 coats to 6 coats and no matter what it had a tendency to lose its look too quick for a tire coating. I found myself topping it to achieve the look to where I got to the point of why not just use something like Perl every few weeks if I am going to be reapplying so soon.

On my daily I am currently using the new McKee's 37 Ceramic Tire Coatingand I am still not sold on this version of the McKee's tire coating. It required me to put 3-4 initial coats and then it lost its look 2 weeks later. I then added another 3 coats and at the moment it is holding up. The McKee's version 2 tire coating was the best one and blew tuf shine out of the water. It just had shelf life issues which is why there is a new version.
 
I just used the cleaner first as the directions said , then applied one single coat. Three and a half months later still going strong on my 2002 Jeep Wrangler, which is my DD & trail rider

Well all I can say is we have had two totally different results-about as far as the east is from the west-- 180 degrees out.

All that really matters is that your happy with your results and I am happy with mine
 
luckydawg said:
I just used the cleaner first as the directions said , then applied one single coat. Three and a half months later still going strong on my 2002 Jeep Wrangler, which is my DD & trail rider

Well all I can say is we have had two totally different results-about as far as the east is from the west-- 180 degrees out.

All that really matters is that your happy with your results and I am happy with mine
Click to expand...

Not all tires are created equal.:props:
 
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