Essence extreme gloss...guess I'm the odd one out

Newdetailer1

Newdetailer1

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So with all the hype surrounding this product I decided to get two bottles while AG was doing their 25% off last week. I've pretty much always use menzerna products along with lake country pads. I also use optimum gloss coat as my go to ceramic coating. I'm not a fan at all of glaze and fillers and pride myself on actual paint correction. I was giving the essence a go since it does have abrasives in it to provide correction. Along with trying the essence I wanted to try another ceramic coating and decided on Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Paint Coat.
So I went about my correction process like any other with my wash, clay and compound. The compound used was Menzerna 400 on an orange LC pad. From there it was time to try the essence on an LC white pad. I stopped using it after 2 sections. Both attempts left spots that were difficult to wipe off, to the point that I had to use the machine again to remove it. I'm using the Flex 3401 between speeds 4-5 and doing about 4-5 passes to break it down good. I recall reading that it wants heat in order to work properly so I'm not sure what the deal is? I need to point out that the label on the bottom of the bottle has 2 dates on it. They are (5/16/17 and 6/16/17). I'm guessing this is the expiration date. I called AG about it and was told it was ok and that most chemicals last for 5 years with it being sealed and kept out of extreme temps.
I know most people have a lot of good things to say about this product and I was hoping I would to but since I only do 1-2 cars a weekend I with Ill stick with my 5W-30 Menzerna 3500 as my finishing polish.
I did get to use the PBL coating and much of what I read is true with regards to its fast flash time. Other than that it's as easy to apply as I've read also. Now it's just the waiting game to see how long it lasts. Here are some pics of the car I did with these products...I can't take the credit for the shot trim on the car but here she is.






 
Nice job. Try using less Essence and buff until it disappears into the paint. Very little to wipe off.
 
If you overwork the polish you will have issues. When used properly it can't be beat for a finishing polish.

- 3-4 pea sized drops spread over 2x2 section
- 2 slow section passes at speed 4 with light pressure
- 1 section pass on speed 3

Very little will be left for wipe off.

I use CPro Gloss Pads or Rupes White pads.




Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
 
Atm I only reach for essence for 2 situations. I'm either applying it as a primer for CQUARTZ or using it as a 3rd step for any black paint. Metallic or not.
I prime it and can use 2-3 pea size dots or just load up the pad doesn't matter. Spread it out and work it over the section or panel. It does not like to be overworked or heat. That's when dry smears show up or hard to remove residue. The reason I use it as a 3rd step for all black paints is because there's always this slight haze that even after refining it there's room for improvement. Wipes off extremely easy like a paint sealant when used correctly in buffing cycle to help reduce chance of micro marring with last step wipe off.
 
Agree with the previous comments - I think you are over-working the product. With my flex 3401 I usually do 3 passes. The first 2 around speed 4 or 4.5 with a little bit of pressure and the last, easing up on the pressure and dropping the machine speed to around 3 or 3.5.
 
lane5515 said:
If you overwork the polish you will have issues. When used properly it can't be beat for a finishing polish.

- 3-4 pea sized drops spread over 2x2 section
- 2 slow section passes at speed 4 with light pressure
- 1 section pass on speed 3

Very little will be left for wipe off.

I use CPro Gloss Pads or Rupes White pads.
Click to expand...

Agree. The key with essence on the 3401 is you can not go above speed 5. My sweet spot in summer is just one "click" under 5 and I get plenty of working time. I haven't posted many pics lately as I've just been too too busy on so many things but I'll put some up tonight as I used it on the last 4-5 details I've done.

In terms of polish and end results, it's no better IMO than any of the really good ones. IMO I consider Meg's 205 and the Menzerna twins very good. The difference is Essence is a great base for coatings and it does contain some fillers to help with micro marring. I have been using it with both Cquartz and McKee's or in some cases 22PLe with great success on all of them. Our van is coming up on a full year and in last weeks monsoon rains we had, the vehicle performed like it was coated just that week. Even the guy at the repair shop commented on it as we waited for the rain to slow before he got the mileage off it. :)

With Essence I do about 3-4 passes with slow arm speed. The last pass is done with very little pressure. That's all it takes and it removes with ease. I will state that I don't use it to remove swirls or any imperfections, but rather as post-correction product to sharpen and enhance the gloss after I have corrected the car with a light to medium compound and purple wool pads. The correction leaves only a very very slight haze that on lighter colors is barely if at all noticeable but on reds or darker colors it's there. I only mention this as I've seen others using it as an AIO get frustrated. Again, Essence removes it with super easy effort and the results are outstanding.
 
CarPro Polishes (essence and reflect) are unique, so if you try to use them like a Menzerna or Meguiar's polish, you're going to have a bad time...

- Start with an unprimed pad. Do not prime your pad. Don't think about priming your pad.
- Apply 4-5 small dots of product to your dry pad (you will use just 2-3 small dots after this initial section)
- Spread the product onto your working area by dabbing the pad on the paint, or by doing a very quick pass at low speed
- Work the product at speed 4-5 with firm, but not heavy pressure. Work slowly and make just 2 passes. At this point the product should be broken down and VERY easy to wipe away.
- If needed, make a 3rd pass with a slower speed and no pressure, then wipe away. I would not make any more than 3 passes.
- Clean the pad with a brush after every section.

**Essence works best on firmer polishing pads. My favorite is the Rupes yellow pad.**


I struggled with CarPro Reflect for a while until Corey coached me on how to use the product. Since then I have LOVED Essence and Reflect as they behave in the same manner. Super easy to use, super quick, excellent results.

-Zach
 
pdqgp said:
Agree. The key with essence on the 3401 is you can not go above speed 5. My sweet spot in summer is just one "click" under 5 and I get plenty of working time. I haven't posted many pics lately as I've just been too too busy on so many things but I'll put some up tonight as I used it on the last 4-5 details I've done.

In terms of polish and end results, it's no better IMO than any of the really good ones. IMO I consider Meg's 205 and the Menzerna twins very good. The difference is Essence is a great base for coatings and it does contain some fillers to help with micro marring. I have been using it with both Cquartz and McKee's or in some cases 22PLe with great success on all of them. Our van is coming up on a full year and in last weeks monsoon rains we had, the vehicle performed like it was coated just that week. Even the guy at the repair shop commented on it as we waited for the rain to slow before he got the mileage off it. :)

With Essence I do about 3-4 passes with slow arm speed. The last pass is done with very little pressure. That's all it takes and it removes with ease. I will state that I don't use it to remove swirls or any imperfections, but rather as post-correction product to sharpen and enhance the gloss after I have corrected the car with a light to medium compound and purple wool pads. The correction leaves only a very very slight haze that on lighter colors is barely if at all noticeable but on reds or darker colors it's there. I only mention this as I've seen others using it as an AIO get frustrated. Again, Essence removes it with super easy effort and the results are outstanding.
Click to expand...

I personally felt that the Menzerna had a little more gloss over the essence. I get that the essence has the added benefit for you if you are going to a ceramic topper. For me personally I'll take the time on the extra step of needing to wipe down the car with some coating prep after Menzerna for the sake of that extra gloss. With that, I'll give the essence another try later when I redo something on my personal car.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
CarPro Polishes (essence and reflect) are unique, so if you try to use them like a Menzerna or Meguiar's polish, you're going to have a bad time...

- Start with an unprimed pad. Do not prime your pad. Don't think about priming your pad.
- Apply 4-5 small dots of product to your dry pad (you will use just 2-3 small dots after this initial section)
- Spread the product onto your working area by dabbing the pad on the paint, or by doing a very quick pass at low speed
- Work the product at speed 4-5 with firm, but not heavy pressure. Work slowly and make just 2 passes. At this point the product should be broken down and VERY easy to wipe away.
- If needed, make a 3rd pass with a slower speed and no pressure, then wipe away. I would not make any more than 3 passes.
- Clean the pad with a brush after every section.

**Essence works best on firmer polishing pads. My favorite is the Rupes yellow pad.**


I struggled with CarPro Reflect for a while until Corey coached me on how to use the product. Since then I have LOVED Essence and Reflect as they behave in the same manner. Super easy to use, super quick, excellent results.

-Zach
Click to expand...

Im gonna have to try Essence again. It is a pain in the rear as I believe I overworked the product as well. It ruined the finish I had with 3D polish. I got frustrated and hung it up.
 
Also, isn't Essence made to be worked with their Gloss Pad which is a very soft finishing pad? Cause thats what im trying to use...
 
MikeC78 said:
Also, isn't Essence made to be worked with their Gloss Pad which is a very soft finishing pad? Cause thats what im trying to use...
Click to expand...

As I stated here, in several other threads, and in my personal review of Essence.... I have personally found this product to work best with firmer foam as it helps to break the product down better IMO. Our favorites were the Rupes Yellow and Rupes White Pads.

The technique is VERY important with this product, and it will make or break your results/experience. Once you understand how to use it, it is a very nice product.


Essence removing compounding haze with Rupes Yellow Pad on Rupes Bigfoot...
DSC_4465_zps07hkscew.jpg


Essence used as a final polish...
20160722-DSC_3749_zpsqz0djax2.jpg


Essence used as a final polish...
20151203-DSC_8631_zpsv0yeyqdu.jpg


I have many examples as Essence and Reflect were tried and true products in my shop.



I have not used CarPro Gloss pads, so I cannot weigh in on them.
 
I personally don't like products that are finicky or need to be "massaged" to work properly. Their are way too may other products available that work just as well if not better. So for me, I'm glad I bought the small bottle of Essence as it won't be something I reach for often. I guess if you are applying a coating it's a good prep, other than that I'll take HD Speed any day over it. Speed is much more user friendly and way better correction abilities and it finishes out super fine.
 
custmsprty said:
I personally don't like products that are finicky or need to be "massaged" to work properly. Their are way too may other products available that work just as well if not better. So for me, I'm glad I bought the small bottle of Essence as it won't be something I reach for often. I guess if you are applying a coating it's a good prep, other than that I'll take HD Speed any day over it. Speed is much more user friendly and way better correction abilities and it finishes out super fine.
Click to expand...

Bingo, exactly, and thank you, Mark.
 
custmsprty said:
I personally don't like products that are finicky or need to be "massaged" to work properly. Their are way too may other products available that work just as well if not better. So for me, I'm glad I bought the small bottle of Essence as it won't be something I reach for often. I guess if you are applying a coating it's a good prep, other than that I'll take HD Speed any day over it. Speed is much more user friendly and way better correction abilities and it finishes out super fine.
Click to expand...

It's all personal preference, right? That is the beauty of having 1,000,000 different polishes to chose from on the market.

For instance, I personally do not like Menzerna products. I have always felt they are difficult to work with, however there are many people on here who would strongly disagree. As Mr. Phillips says, Find something that works for you and use it often.
 
I will have to follow some of those tips provided. I have tried several times and it is hard to remove and it seems there is something left every time and it appears cloudy. I am probably working it too long or with too high of speeds from the suggestions.
 
custmsprty said:
I personally don't like products that are finicky or need to be "massaged" to work properly. Their are way too may other products available that work just as well if not better. So for me, I'm glad I bought the small bottle of Essence as it won't be something I reach for often. I guess if you are applying a coating it's a good prep, other than that I'll take HD Speed any day over it. Speed is much more user friendly and way better correction abilities and it finishes out super fine.
Click to expand...

HD Polish+ is legit and about as perfect of a finishing polish I've ever used. Works great if you plan on using a coating.
 
74 thing said:
I will have to follow some of those tips provided. I have tried several times and it is hard to remove and it seems there is something left every time and it appears cloudy. I am probably working it too long or with too high of speeds from the suggestions.
Click to expand...

If essence is difficult to remove, then you're not doing something correct. It is in the top 3 easiest polishes to wipe away I have ever used... maybe even #1.

At the end of the day, you may have some paint that doesn't play nicely with it. There is no "one size fits all" product, though in the vast majority of instances we have found Essence to provide an exceptional finish when used as a final step in the correction process.

As I mentioned, when I initially began using Reflect (which have the same abrasive technology used in Essence and works very similarly) I was absolutely not a fan... but it was only because I did not know how to properly use it. Once I was told the proper process, and I took the time to learn how to use it, it became one of our favorite polishes and was quicker and easier to use than ones we had previously loved. You just have to be a let to get yourself out of the mindset of using it like other polishes. Just like learning how to apply a coating vs. applying a wax, they are different processes for different products even though they have the same goal in mind.
 
MikeC78 said:
Also, isn't Essence made to be worked with their Gloss Pad which is a very soft finishing pad? Cause thats what im trying to use...
Click to expand...
Essence PLUS. Completely different product.
 
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