CarPro Reload as Standalone Sealant - 2 Massive Fails...Any thoughts?

CantHave2MuchHP

CantHave2MuchHP

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Ok long story short...


I took my truck, fully strip washed it, iron decon, clay, re-wash and dried it. Paint was naked and did not need to be polished (Just did it a few weeks ago). I then applied CarPro Reload just like this video shows:


YouTube


The gloss was amazing and the paint was crazy slick immediately afterwards. I parked it and drove it a few days later. It started raining and I noticed there was very little paint beading. I then washed it that weekend and noticed even when just rinsing down there was ZERO beading, the water stuck to the paint and the surface wasn't slick at all, it was completely naked there was no protection on that paint. Ok I thought, I'll start over. I re-strip washed and dried, then I wiped the whole vehicle down with an IPA product very similar to Eraser. Then I applied CarPro Reload again, same way as above. Again, great gloss and the paint was very slick, it beaded like crazy when I squirted it with water (Tested immediately after application that is). So I parked the truck and drove it a few days later, again, in the rain. No beading on the paint, rain didn't fly off the truck when I was driving like the previous LSP I used did, and there wasn't any slickness to the touch. I pressure washed it this weekend and again, water clung to the paint like it had never been waxed/sealed, again paint is naked and grabby to the touch. I did test wash sections with Ech2o as Rinseless, a regular Car Shampoo, and CarPro Reset - All three areas the results were the same, ZERO slickness left, ZERO beading, point is the Reload was GONE and this stuff is supposed to be good for a few months at least. I'm quite exasperated.


Is it 100% necessary to apply CarPro Reload ONLY if you just polished it with Essence or something? That's the only thing I could think of to try next. It's going into the bodyshop for some chip fixes and after it comes out, I really doubt I'll try Reload again unless there's some change...Previously I used Adam's LPS topped regularly with H2O G&G and the paint looked and felt amazing and beaded like crazy, water flew off when I drove it. I know Adam's is not a favorite here and I agree they're not the best and are over priced but the #### worked a lot better than the mighty CarPro Reload...


Yes the Reload I have is brand new, bought from CarPro-US, was well shaken, I used good TRC microfibers, paint was naked before application, etc. etc. I did everything right that I could think of except for an Essence priming polish.

Any thoughts? I have emailed Corey already.
 
Guess that's what this discussion might as well turn to...what's the best non-ceramic coating, LSP for daily drivers?
 
Normal for Reload. Use it more like a QD than a full fledged sealant. It is what it is.
 
CantHave2MuchHP said:
Ok long story short...


I took my truck, fully strip washed it, iron decon, clay, re-wash and dried it. Paint was naked and did not need to be polished (Just did it a few weeks ago). I then applied CarPro Reload just like this video shows:
Ok I thought, I'll start over. I re-strip washed and dried, then I wiped the whole vehicle down with an IPA product very similar to Eraser.
Click to expand...

Strip wash - what was the process?
 
I know how Reload is marketed towards a sealant however, I feel its more of a "topper" type of product. It will certainly add lots of gloss to any vehicle but for me personally I don't think there is much longevity to Reload. I will use it for those vehicles that have coatings.

I have have had great success with Sonax Polymer NetShield, GTech C2V3, and just recently I have been testing the new Sonax Spray and Seal ( I don't have a stance on this yet) the other 2 I recommend hands down if you want a sealant and don't want to step up to a coating just yet.
 
I know that in one of the sealant durability test I have seen, Reload was one of the first sealants to fail. I cannot recall how long it lasted in the test.

I find it hard to believe it won't even last a week though. How are you applying it?
 
Calendyr said:
I know that in one of the sealant durability test I have seen, Reload was one of the first sealants to fail. I cannot recall how long it lasted in the test.

I find it hard to believe it won't even last a week though. How are you applying it?
Click to expand...

I linked the video in my original post but basically a few sprays of Reload into a MF applicator, apply in a 2x2 area, cross hatching, let it haze a bit and buff with a premium towel.
 
CantHave2MuchHP said:
A few ounces of APC mixed with regular soap. Makes it a bit acidic and shreds road film and wax right off. Especially after Iron X and Clay.
Click to expand...

Actually APC is alkaline, not acidic. Depending on the APC you use it's usually in the 11 to 13 range on the PH scale. Once mixed it will drop a little bit but not much.
 
CantHave2MuchHP said:
I linked the video in my original post but basically a few sprays of Reload into a MF applicator, apply in a 2x2 area, cross hatching, let it haze a bit and buff with a premium towel.
Click to expand...

Ok I use a similar method... I spray into a microfiber towel and wipe the panel a few times. I don't really let haze. After wiping the panel for about 30 seconds, I get a second (dry) microfiber towel that has very short nap, and I buff off the panel lightly a few times to prevent streaking. The result should be about the same as what you are doing.

All I can say is, maybe you should send an email to CarPro and see what they tell you. Reload is designed as a toper for CQuartz, maybe as a stand alone it simply has no durability. I hope that is not the case, it's one of the most expensive sealant out there. Here in Canada one quart of this stuff is 80$.
 
Calendyr said:
Actually APC is alkaline, not acidic. Depending on the APC you use it's usually in the 11 to 13 range on the PH scale. Once mixed it will drop a little bit but not much.
Click to expand...

Woops, yeah I always get them mixed up.
 
I've never done any testing of the few formulations that have passed through my hands over the past few or so years.

But I do recall a video test which I believe was the one formulation that many people weren't liking, in which numerous repeated washings, some with APC's sprayed on the surface wasn't removing the product. That particular video may still survive somewhere?

I've tried keeping up with most of the more recent threads about Reload, and of course realize it's suggested use as both a topper over the CQuartz Coatings, and as well an initial protective product to be used while the CQuartz Coatings fully cure.

I'm surely no Chemist to say what harm other Sealants will possibly cause as maintenance topper products to use periodically, but my most concerning question would be would another brand-type Sealant product be harmful to use as the initial protectant immediately after CQuartz application?
 
Going back in time, when Reload used to then come in the White 400ml Spray Bottles from Carpro, (The very first version I myself personally had and tried) I cannot recall reading any comments or threads during that time period that noted Reload lacked durability, or application issues, and that Reload was then looked upon quite favorably.
 
MarkD51 said:
I've never done any testing of the few formulations that have passed through my hands over the past few or so years.

But I do recall a video test which I believe was the one formulation that many people weren't liking, in which numerous repeated washings, some with APC's sprayed on the surface wasn't removing the product. That particular video may still survive somewhere?

I've tried keeping up with most of the more recent threads about Reload, and of course realize it's suggested use as both a topper over the CQuartz Coatings, and as well an initial protective product to be used while the CQuartz Coatings fully cure.

I'm surely no Chemist to say what harm other Sealants will possibly cause as maintenance topper products to use periodically, but my most concerning question would be would another brand-type Sealant product be harmful to use as the initial protectant immediately after CQuartz application?
Click to expand...

Yes but in the video you are speaking about, they spray about 20 squirts on the panel. Way more product than what people are actually applying. It is impressive to see them use undiluted Meguiars APC on it, but if they were to apply the normal amount of product, I don't think it would survive long in that test.
 
MarkD51 said:
Going back in time, when Reload used to then come in the White 400ml Spray Bottles from Carpro, (The very first version I myself personally had and tried) I cannot recall reading any comments or threads during that time period that noted Reload lacked durability, or application issues, and that Reload was then looked upon quite favorably.
Click to expand...

It is one of the best looking and beading SiO2 sealant available. Most of us can't really test durability though. We apply it on client's vehicles and don't know how long it actually lasts. For that, I rely on youtube videos mostly, many people do durability tests of several products on a single hood. Usually the tests are done by apply between 5 to 20 products on a hood, and washing monthly. Most sealants don't last that long. The 6 months that company give is really extreme cases, usually by month 3 all sealants have lost their hydrophobic properties... doesn't mean it gone and doesn't protect the panel, but it won't shed water anymore. This can be due to contamination but since those tests are done on a hood that sits in a backyard somewhere, contamination should be minimal compared to a car being driven.
 
What car soap did you use before you applyied reload? Do you dilute the wash media after recommended dilution?

I have experienced this when I applyied the old version of Ultima paint guard plus. The problem I think it was that I applyied it when the evening dew came in.

Do reload has any cure time when it's not going to be wet? Since it's water based and you sprayed with water directly after application. And did you let the water to be self dried or did you use mf towels to dry it with or anything else?
 
ronkh57 said:
Switch to Gyeon or Mckees or BlackFire.
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I reckon Ron that such as you mention could be tried as substitutes for Reload.

My questions would be if they are anymore durable, or basically still in the same boat?

If all that these products are basically-technically, are Sealants, then I imagine no harm would come by use of any Sealant of personal choice, provided there are no cleaners, or abrasives as such as an AIO might have. I'm saying this in specific regard to topping a Paint Coating such as CQuartz.

My choices might be then an easy WOWA such as Optimum Opti-Seal, Ultima Paint Guard Plus, etc. I in fact did my Tahoe with UPGP about 2 weeks ago. And I have a bottle of Opti-Seal coming with a recent order.
 
I’ve used Reload on lots of cars as a stand-alone sealant/quick detailer. My 4Runner is a test pig for stuff like this. I get an easy 3 months of good beading. My dad’s and mother in laws cars have had nothing but Reload and washes with reset for two years. Too much rust to worry about waxing. Lol. But they get good shine and beading for at least 3 months also. Can’t say I’d spend the money on it if it didn’t work...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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